A Brief Review

Revised September, 2002

The Academic Senate of the University of California is generally
regarded as the most powerful such institution in the country. It is true
that on some questions it may be consulted only as a matter of form or
not at all, but on other matters, its expressed view may condition, if not
control, the answer; and still on others, the Senate is the sole judge
under delegated authority. The fact that so many of its activities fall into
the latter two categories makes it apparently unique among faculty
organizations.

Lynn W. Ely

AAUP Bulletin 1964

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The following provides a brief outline of the major responsibilities and structure of the Senate. Additional information is available in the Senate Office in Girvetz 1233.  You will receive periodic e-mails for items such as news, surveys and ballots for your action through the Academic Senate website.

The Responsibilities of the Academic Senate

Two organizational characteristics of the University of California distinguish it from other public and private research universities in the United States. One is the designation of the institution in the State Constitution as a public trust, thereby giving the Regents an ability to manage the institution relatively free of outside interference. The second is the remarkable power invested in the faculty by the Regents, and specifically the Academic Senate, to guide the academic and administrative affairs of the University.

The Academic Senate of the University of California was established with the creation of the University in 1868. Under the Organic Act passed that year as statutory law, the Senate and its faculty would act as administrators, instructors and researchers. This model of faculty as both managers and teachers within the University was affirmed when the University was elevated to a "public trust" under the California State Constitution in 1879. At several important junctures in the history of the University of California, the Regents reaffirmed and actually strengthened the decisive role of the Senate in both the daily management and long-term planning of the institution.

Over time, the institution grew in complexity and a need developed for a professional staff. Today, the Senate is empowered by the Regents to exercise direct control over academic matters of central importance to the University, and has advisory powers on all issues relating to the mission of the University: instruction, research and public service. In summary, the Senate's chief responsibilities are to: 

• Authorize, approve, and supervise all courses (except those of certain graduate professional schools).
• Determine the conditions of admissions, certificates and degrees.
• Recommend the hiring and promotion of faculty members.
• Approve the publication of manuscripts by the University of California Press.
• Advise on the administration of the UC libraries.
• Assist in the searches for deans, chancellors, and presidents.
• Advise the University President and the Chancellors on budget and administrative matters under the rules of "Shared Governance."

The University has developed a dual-track system of authority and responsibility which presumes that faculty members are best qualified to chart the University's educational course, while administrators are most competent to direct its finances and organization. In practice, these domains are overlapping and interdependent. To function successfully together, faculty and administrators depend upon a high degree of consultation, trust, mutual respect, and a tradition of collegiality. 

The Systemwide Academic Senate

The Senate is a federation of campus "Divisions" that ultimately reports to the Systemwide Assembly of the Academic Senate. This is a representational body with members from each Division that meets approximately three times a year. In turn, the Assembly and its officers report directly to the University President, who then reports to the Board of Regents. Hence, the Senate is not under the authority of campus Chancellors or other administrators besides the President. The systemwide organization also includes the following: 

• The Academic Council: the Council acts as the executive committee of the Assembly, and includes the Chairs of each Division, the chairs of key systemwide Senate committees (such as the Board on Admissions and Relations with Schools and the University Committee on Academic Personnel), and includes a Chair and Vice Chair. The Chair manages the affairs of the Systemwide Senate, and also sits as an ex officio and non-voting member of the Board of Regents.
• Standing and Special Committees: a total of eighteen committees including, in addition to those mentioned above, the University committees on Faculty Welfare, Graduate Affairs, Planning and Budget, Educational Policy, Affirmative Action, Privilege and Tenure, UC Press Editorial Board, Education Abroad Program, Rules and Jurisdiction and Committee on Committees.
• Divisions of the Academic Senate: each campus has a division with either a Faculty Legislature (consisting of representatives from the various departments), or an Assembly structure which extends voting privileges to all Senate members on the campus. Each division then has its own set of committees that mirror, to some extent, those at the systemwide level.

The Santa Barbara Division

The Santa Barbara Division of the Academic Senate operates as a legislative body, and as a system of councils, committees, and elected officials run by and for the faculty. It functions in accord with the Systemwide Bylaws and Regulations of the Senate, and under its own set of Divisional Bylaws and Regulations. The Division and its officials are responsible to the faculty at UCSB, and report directly to the Academic Assembly.

• Faculty Legislature: the legislature meets approximately five times a year and serves as a forum for debate on issues; it may pass resolutions establishing formal faculty positions, and has final authority over all changes in the Divisional Bylaws.
• Divisional Councils and Committees: these councils and committees carry out the day-to-day business of the Senate, acting on behalf of the faculty to make recommendations, review plans and proposals, and make decisions about academic matters and professional concerns. The committees usually operate by consensus, although certain issues require votes.  Non-voting representatives—students and non-Senate academics—have their opinions recorded separately.
• Elected Officials: these officials include the Chair of the Division, the members of the Committee on Committees (who make all appointments to standing and special committees), and the three Divisional Representatives to the Academic Assembly. The Chair has had the specific responsibility of managing the affairs of the Division, and of representing the campus at the systemwide Senate level.

The Academic Senate Office

The Senate office, located at 1233 Girvetz Hall, is the administrative center for the Division.  Professional staff serve in the capacity of administrative coordinators and advisers to the councils and committees.  The staff also assist faculty generally with Senate matters.