The participation of the University of California (UC) in public service is discussed, along with the role of faculty in public service and motivations and rewards needed to promote involvement. Public service at UC is defined as the extension of research, teaching, and professional expertise of faculty members for the benefit of the community and the larger society. Directed at nonuniversity audiences, it is normally, but not necessarily, uncompensated. Public service is generally marginal but sometimes a significant factor in the advancement of UC faculty. Components of the university that are involved in public service include cooperative extension, university extension, two national laboratories, organized research units, and two special programs: the Public Service Research and Dissemination Program and the California Policy Seminar. Structures that facilitate public service are considered, along with faculty attitudes toward public policy involvement, and characteristics of faculty who participate in public service. It is concluded that the university benefits by improved public image and awareness of public policy issues. Faculty benefit from stimulating contacts and application to practical problems, and students and the curriculum can also benefit from new applications of theory as applied to current issues. (SW)