Interviews with Stephen A. Arditti, director of State Government Relations; William B. Baker, vice president, Budget and University Relations; Ronald W. Brady, senior vice president, Administration; William R. Frazer, senior vice president, Academic Affairs; and Cornelius L. Hopper, M.D., vice president, Health Affairs. Senior administrators in the Office of the President discuss the University of California's budget process; interaction with the state legislature, the governor, and the Board of Regents; contracts with the federal government for management of the national laboratories; technology transfer initiative; planning for new campuses; executive compensation and retirement benefits (including the Voluntary Early Retirement Incentive Plans); divestment from South Africa and affirmative action in admissions.

Interviews with Theodore L. Hullar, chancellor, Davis and Riverside; Clark Kerr, UC president emeritus; Julius R. Krevans, M.D., chancellor, UCSF; Pedro Noguera, ASUC president, 1985-1986; Glenn T. Seaborg, chancellor emeritus, Berkeley; Neil J. Smelser, faculty representative, Board of Regents, 1985-1987; Martin Trow, faculty representative, Board of Regents, 1990-1992; Charles E. Young, chancellor emeritus, UCLA, 1969-1997. Former chancellors, members of the Academic Council, and a student leader reflect on shared governance within the University of California; relationships between the campuses and the Office of the President; budget planning for existing and new campuses; the interplay between the state government, the UC administration, and the regents.

Interviews with Roy T. Brophy, regent; Robert J. Campbell, member, Assembly Committees on Education, Higher Education and Ways and Means; George C. Deukmejian, governor; Richard G. Heggie, alumni regent; Walter E. Hoadley, alumni regent; Meredith J. Khachigian, regent; Howard H. Leach, regent; Steven A. Merksamer, governor's chief of staff; Dean A. Watkins, regent; Harold M. Williams, regent. Seven regents, a legislator, a governor, and his chief of staff reflect on leadership and management issues at the University of California, including how the president and his staff interact with the governing board and elected representatives in Sacramento; the Master Plan for Higher Education; affirmative action in hiring and admissions; executive and faculty compensation and benefits; and budgeting and finance issues.