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UC president’s Berkeley home vandalized, but regents won't buy him home in Piedmont
The University of California regents want to protect President Michael Drake, whose Berkeley home has been the target of vandals — including racist graffiti since UC bought it last year. But they won't buy Drake a nearly $13 million home in Piedmont.
BERKELEY, Calif. - The University of California regents are looking for a security upgrade after its president's home in Berkeley has become a target of racist graffiti and vandalism, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
Michael Drake is the UC system's first Black president.
He and his family live in a home on Claremont Boulevard, which has a new fence around it, the Daily Californian reported.
But vandals have jumped over the fence.
There had been a suggestion to buy him a $13 million home in nearby Piedmont, the Chronicle reported.
But regents rejected that idea last month, by a 13-to-7 vote and said they will arrange for better security.
Those who voted no said that price alone doesn't automatically bring safety.
The UC system used $6.5 million of a private donation fund to purchase Drake's home Berkeley last year, the Daily Californian reported.