The controversy became public in October 2016, when comedian Heather McDonald aired comments that Pattiz had made to her while taping a podcast commercial in May 2016 for a memory-foam bra.
She flubbed some of her lines, and Pattiz asked, "Can I hold your breasts? Would that help?" and showed his hands, saying, "These are memory foam."
Pattiz subsequently apologized for the remarks and said they were meant as a joke.
The University of California promptly created new guidelines on sexual harassment for its governing board in response to outrage over Pattiz' behavior. Under that policy, all regents are now required to take the university's training program in sexual harassment prevention, as do employees at UC's 10 campuses.
Students revived calls for his resignation in recent weeks as women across the country have spoken out about sexual misconduct by powerful men. Students protested at a November UC Regents meeting, demanding he be removed.
Earlier this month, several regents including Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom raised questions about whether the Board of Regents had dealt too lightly with Pattiz.
Delaine Eastin, a former UC regent, said that the omission of sexual harassment allegations in the announcement was suspect, especially after Pattiz recently accepted a new term.
"He accepts a reappointment to the office of the regents and then he said, 'Well, I'm going to quit but it has nothing to do with my inappropriate behavior.' Well what does it have to do with then?" she said.
Regent Ellen Tauscher will take over Patiz' main duties.
