Staff Reports
Governor Gavin Newsom has tapped Scott Galloway — the NYU Stern professor, podcaster and entrepreneur — for a seat on the University of California Board of Regents. The announcement is official, but the hire isn’t final: the appointment now needs confirmation from the California State Senate. That gives lawmakers a chance to ask some basic questions before a high-profile media figure helps run a 10-campus system that educates roughly 300,000 students.
What the appointment actually means
The UC Board of Regents controls budgets, tuition policy, capital projects and hiring for the entire University of California system. It’s a big job. Galloway comes in with name recognition, a history of business ventures and some philanthropic ties to the system — including a $12 million gift to UCLA and UC Berkeley Extension to fund what he calls a “UC Excelerator” program. He’s not a mysterious academic hermit; he’s a public figure used to loud takes and big headlines.
Why Scott Galloway will move the needle
Galloway isn’t shy about criticizing higher education. He has argued that parts of the academy have lost their way, and he’s publicly questioned diversity, equity and inclusion programs that many university leaders defend. That makes him an attractive pick for Californians who want reform and accountability at UC. As he put it about his donation, “The accessibility and affordability of UCLA and UC Berkeley changed my life,” and he says he wants to expand access for non‑traditional students. If he pushes for affordability and workforce alignment, that could be useful. If he uses the regent’s office to lecture from a podcast stage, voters should know what to expect.
Gifts and influence: reasonable questions to ask
There’s also a straight-up ethics question here. A seven-figure gift and a governor’s appointment can look cozy — even if everything is aboveboard. Sacramento has a long history of mixing money, influence and appointments. The State Senate and UC ethics officials should explain recusal rules and whether Galloway will need to step back from votes tied to programs he funded. Transparency isn’t optional; it’s the minimum we should demand when private cash meets public power.
The confirmation fight is just beginning
The appointment must clear the California State Senate, and that is where the real oversight happens. Senators should schedule a full vetting: ask about his priorities for tuition, campus safety, DEI policy, and where he stands on academic freedom. Campus groups — students, faculty and staff — will also want to weigh in. If the Senate treats this as just another ribbon-cutting, it will have failed its job.
Bottom line: vet the choice, don’t worship the messenger
Governor Newsom picked a bold, loud figure who could shake up UC for better or worse. Conservatives skeptical of campus orthodoxy should welcome a voice that questions the status quo — but they should also insist on rules that keep graft and influence out of governance. The confirmation process should be public and probing. If Scott Galloway is serious about improving access and outcomes, he’ll win support. If this is another Hollywood-style headline move, the State Senate should call it what it is and act accordingly.
