Why does my MAC Log on to The Regents of the University of California!?

Hi

Your mac is not interfacing anywhere. It's part of the firmware and is displayed every time you switch on your mac. Normally you don't see it but if you booted in verbose mode (command+v) on restart you'll see it displayed. Console simply logs what's happening behind the gray screen at boot time.

I know nothing definite but FWIW I think it's an internal reference that may have some historical significance? Perhaps someone might know more?

Nothing to worry about. You can safely ignore it.

Tony

Tony is absolutely correct, no worry, it's where our BSD comes from...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BSD_license

The typical BSD license contains 3 major clauses, allowing unlimited redistribution for any purpose as long as its copyright notices and the license's disclaimers of warranty are maintained.