Faculty, staff, and student groups at the University of California and California State University systems are campaigning for two bills that would tighten the rules that govern pay packages of university officials. The bills, which passed both chambers of the California Legislature last month, are being considered by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican, who has not yet indicated whether he supports them.

At a news conference today, Anthony Portantino, a Democratic member of the Assembly, said he had introduced the proposed changes to curb “sweetheart” deals for officials at the two universities. Such deals, he said, are enacted “without public oversight and accountability.”

Mr. Portantino was joined at the news conference by representatives of faculty, staff, and student groups from both university systems, including the California Faculty Association, which today announced a television ad campaign in support of the legislation.

The two bills, AB 1413 and SB 190, would, among other things, require:

That payments for retiring Cal State officials be awarded only for work performed, with the amount of payment not to exceed salary level at the time of separation.

That retiring Cal State officials who are named to “trustee professorships” receive compensation only for teaching, with the amount of payment not to exceed the top pay for a university professor.

That actions taken by the UC Board of Regents on executive compensation occur with input from more regents and, in some cases, in open sessions.

“We know we’re in a financial crisis,” Mr. Portantino said. “It’s incumbent on all of us to tighten our belts.” —Paul Fain