Letters: UC leadership should resign after handing over names

"As the UC system asks its supporters to stand up against the federal government's demand for $1 billion from UCLA, it throws 160 of its own under the bus. In a cynical act of self-service, UC's leadership has given the names of those who practiced free speech, endangering their lives and livelihoods. As a Berkeley alum, I am appalled by this decision."

"CalPERS is heavily invested in private equity (over 17% of its portfolio), and it reports a healthy 11.3% return. But all too often, private equity thrives by raising prices or pushing unnecessary services. That is especially true of its substantial involvement in health care facilities and medical practices. Because private equity firms enforce silence on their investors, it is impossible to know how much CalPERS invests directly or indirectly in health care, but it's probably substantial."

UC leadership provided federal authorities with the names of 160 students and staff connected to protests while seeking support against a $1 billion federal demand from UCLA. The disclosure reportedly endangered individuals' lives and livelihoods and prompted calls for the resignation or removal of the regents, president and senior council, with assertions that the institution failed to protect its community. CalPERS holds over 17% of its portfolio in private equity and reported an 11.3% return. Private equity ownership of healthcare facilities and physician practices is associated with higher patient costs and increased fees, resulting in pension gains tied to rising healthcare expenses.

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