Death of PR

UCSD’s budget crisis has claimed the glitzy job of Stacie Spector, the school’s associate vice chancellor of university communications and public affairs. Deputy communications director in the Clinton White House and deputy campaign manager for Al Gore’s 2000 presidential bid, Spector arrived at UCSD in August 2004. In 2006, during the salad days of the university system, when money was no object, she headed up a six-figure “branding initiative” to promote the campus in the national media. “The bottom line is, outside of San Diego the UCSD name is not that well known,” she told the Union-Tribune. “What we’re trying to do is beef up and strengthen the UCSD brand.” Spector’s biggest splash came in May 2007, when UCSD paid Al Gore $100,000 to give a lecture on global warming at the school and threw a lavish VIP-only party in his honor at Scripps Aquarium. Gore’s contract banned contact with the media. “There will be no press opportunities or availabilities, i.e., press conferences or statements, etc.,” it said. “Vice President Gore will accept no interview requests.”

Spector’s PR duties are being taken over by Associate Chancellor Clare Kristofco, longtime second-in-command to Chancellor Marye Anne Fox. According to a database of UC salaries compiled by the Orange County Register, Spector was paid $180,569 in 2007. Kristofco got $184,300. Last month, UC regents voted to boost Kristofco’s pay grade due to the added workload.