Ready to apply? Submit your application here by August 10, 2024. (Applications for the GCLC/UCSSC Committee specifically are due June 15, 2024.)
APC – Academic Planning Council
BOARS – Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools
UC CODE – Code of Conduct for Trademark Licensees
EFM – Education Finance Model Steering Committee
GCLC/UCSSC – Global Climate Leadership Council/UC Sustainability Steering Committee
PSSC – Privacy and Security Steering Committee
SMHOC – Student Mental Health Oversight Committee
UCAADE – University Committee on Affirmative Action, Diversity, & Equity
UCAF – University Committee on Academic Freedom
UCACC – University Committee on Academic Computing & Communication
UCEAP – UC Education Abroad Program Advisory Committee
UCEP – University Committee on Educational Policy
UCIE – University Committee on International Education
UCOLASC – University Committee on Library and Scholarly Communication
UCOPE – University Committee on Preparatory Education
UCORP – University Committee on Research Policy
UCPB – University Committee on Planning and Budget
UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement’s National Advisory Board
Presidential Advisory Committees
Academic Planning Council (APC)
Raises questions, frames, issues, and guides analyses concerning the University’s overall size, shape, and long-range academic direction. APC addresses issues that are of magnitude beyond single-campus resolution, such as long-range enrollment, academic policies, and the impact of systemwide policies on academic matters.
Privacy and Security Steering Committee
This committee will review existing privacy and security policies; develop a new overarching policy framework to address privacy and security in the modern legal, technology, and social context; and provide clear updated guidance to assist the University community in meeting legal obligations to safeguard “protected” data while at the same time abiding by deeply held principles of privacy. Drawing from expertise within the University academic community and outside the UC system, the committee will provide recommendations for policy and changes in governance and accountability for privacy and security policy implementation.
UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement’s National Advisory Board
Founded in 2017, the UC National Center for Free Speech and Engagement furthers the University of California’s free expression legacy by exploring the intersection of speech, engagement, and democratic learning. Comprised of distinguished thought-leaders in media, technology, constitutional law, and higher education, the National Advisory Board provides guidance to the Center’s Executive Director to ensure the Center is advancing its mission with high quality and high impact programming and research.
Academic Senate Committees
University Committee on Academic Freedom (UCAF)
Studies and reports to the Faculty Assembly any conditions within or outside the University, which may affect the academic freedom of the University, its faculty and students. UCAF meets two times per year.
University Committee on Affirmative Action, Diversity, & Equity (UCAADE)
Considers general policies concerning affirmative action, diversity, and equity for academic personnel, students and academic programs. The committee reviews the annual reports of the Divisional Committees on Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Equity, and information provided by campus and University administration. Information may consist of data and analyses of working conditions, salaries, advancement, separation for women and ethnic minorities, and may also include data and analyses relating to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals. The committee may also undertake studies of policies and practices affecting affirmative action, diversity, and equity and make recommendations to appropriate University bodies. Meetings are held four times per year on Thursdays in Oakland.
Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools (BOARS)
The Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools (BOARS) is charged with advising the UC President and appropriate agencies of the Academic Senate on matters relating to admission of undergraduates, including the criteria for undergraduate student status, community college transfer preparation requirements, the admission of nonresidents, the “A-G” subject requirements, comprehensive review, diversity goals and strategies, and other systemwide and campus-based admission policies and practices. BOARS meets monthly, 10 times per year in Oakland, usually on the first Friday of the month. Many of the committee’s key policies, reports, and recommendations can be found on the BOARS website here.
University Committee on Educational Policy (UCEP)
Considers and reports on matters referred to it by President of the University, the Assembly, a division or any Senate Committee. Initiates appropriate studies and makes reports to the President, the Assembly, or any Division, on the establishment and disestablishment of curricula, Colleges, schools departments, institutes, bureaus, and the like, and on legislation or administrative policies of a fundamental character involving questions of educational policy. UCEP meets on the first Monday of each month from October through July.
UC Education Abroad Program Advisory Committee (UCEAP)
Recruits students who have participated in the UC Education Abroad Program (UCEAP) and can serve a one-year term on a new UCEAP Advisory Committee. This committee will be charged with advising on UCEAP’s strategic, financial, and organizational direction, and reviewing the program’s ongoing performance.
University Committee on Academic Computing and Communications (UCACC)
Represents the Senate in all matters involving the uses and impact of computing and communications technology. The committee also advises the President concerning the acquisition, deployment, and support of computing and communications technologies and related academic and technology policy issues either at its own initiative or at the President’s request. Meetings are held three times per year in Oakland.
University Committee on International Education (UCIE)
Oversees all academic aspects of the UC Education Abroad Program, which operates in conjunction with offices on the campuses and serves all UC students. The committee is responsible for approving new programs, changes in programs, and all program courses and credits. The committee also oversees the regular formal review of programs and advises the President on the appointment of study center directors.
University Committee on Library and Scholarly Communication (UCOLASC)
Advises the President concerning the administration of the libraries of the University in accordance with the standing orders of the Regents. Performs such other appropriate duties as may be committed to the Academic Senate by proper authority. UCOLASC meets three times per year.
University Committee on Research Policy (UCORP)
Faculty committee that fosters, formulates, coordinates, and revises general research policies and procedures, and advises the President on research matters affecting the University. Plays a leadership role in the Senate’s periodic review of multi-campus research units (MRUs). Meetings are held on the second Monday of the month.
University Committee on Planning and Budget (UCPB)
Confers with and advises the President and university-wide administrative agencies on planning, budget, and resource allocations. Initiates studies in planning and budget matters and, if necessary to accomplish the study, authorizes establishment of ad hoc committees; receives reports from and maintains liaisons with and among divisional planning and resources allocation committees. On matters relating to planning and budget, receives reports from and maintains liaisons with the University Committee on Educational Policy, the Coordinating Committee on Graduate Affairs, the Committee on Library and Scholarly Communications, and the Committee on Academic Computing and Communications; UCPB also provides advice on administration of the UC Education Abroad Program and the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. UCPB reports regularly to the Academic Council and Assembly on matters under consideration. UCPB meets on the first Tuesday of each month.
University Committee on Preparatory Education (UCOPE)
The University Committee on Preparatory Education (UCOPE) monitors and conducts periodic reviews and evaluations of preparatory and remedial education. In addition, the committee supervises the Entry Level Writing Requirement with special emphasis on establishing appropriate and uniform University-wide standards for the Analytical Writing Placement Examination. Each year the Committee selects the essay/prompt that is to be used in administration of the Analytical Writing Placement Examination and also sets the passing standard for the exam. UCOPE meets three times per year.
Systemwide Committees
Student Mental Health Oversight Committee (SMHOC)
The Student Mental Health Oversight Committee (SMHOC) seeks two graduate and two undergraduate student representatives who possesses aspirations to pursue a professional career in the behavioral health field, have lived experience, and/or general interest in the field to serve a one-year term.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Provide guidance and recommendations on systemwide coordination of holistic student mental health and well-being efforts, including policy, programs, and best practices to reduce health equity gaps from an undergraduate/graduate perspective.
- Collaborate with campus behavioral health directors, coordinators, researchers, and faculty to gather data and reports.
- Provide guidance and recommendations on common issues and concerns raised by students, staff, and faculty.
- Attend virtual and in-person quarterly SMHOC meetings, as needed.
- Provide updates to the UCOP behavioral health coordinator and/or SMHOC committee on projects.
The position requires a time commitment of 1-2 hours every month. UCOP will cover all travel and lodging related to attending in-person SMHOC meetings.
Education Finance Model (EFM)
Guides the University’s policy on undergraduate financial aid, monitoring and modifying, as needed, the assumptions and data used in the Education Financing Model, and providing consultation to the President on its implementation.
Global Climate Leadership Council (GCLC) & UC Sustainability Steering Committee (UCSSC)
The University of California Office of the President seeks two Bonnie Reiss Leading on Climate student fellows (one graduate and one undergraduate) to connect student sustainability efforts and serve as representatives to the University’s Global Climate Leadership Council (GCLC) and Sustainability Steering Committee (SSC) for the 2024-25 academic year.
The GCLC advises the President on achieving UC’s ambitious climate goals and provides guidance on integrating the University’s sustainability goals into its teaching, research and public service mission. Student representatives attend the GCLC meetings and help to support its initiatives, such as the Pathways to a Fossil Free UC (decarbonization) Task Force and efforts around equity and climate justice, living labs, and community engagement. The GCLC meets in person twice a year (fall and winter) and once virtually (spring). In-person meetings are hosted by campuses on a rotating basis, allowing the GCLC to tour innovative sustainable operations, education, and research projects.
The SSC oversees and directs the implementation of the systemwide Sustainable Practices Policy. They make recommendations to the UC President based on suggestions from the 13 policy working groups, comprised of staff from all UC locations with expertise in each policy area. Student representatives attend the SSC meetings and may participate in the policy area working groups. The SSC meets virtually twice a year. Working groups meet virtually (monthly or bi-monthly).
As a Bonnie Reiss Leading on Climate Fellow, the student representatives help the UC Office of the President connect students throughout the UC system participating in the Fellowship program at UC campuses, academic health centers, and other locations. Supporting this fellowship program includes helping organize and host fellowship events (e.g., orientations, trainings, the closing symposium), fostering collaboration between fellows (e.g., organizing monthly calls, drafting newsletters, etc.), and gathering student input into UC climate and sustainability initiatives for the GCLC and SSC.
Student representatives should anticipate spending a few hours a week on committee and fellowship activities. Occasional travel to in-person fellowship, GCLC, and SSC meetings is expected. The role involves some evening and weekend activities. Travel costs are covered, and student representatives can receive a $5000 award for the 2024-25 academic year.
Ad Hoc Committees
UC CODE – Code of Conduct for Trademark Licensees
Expertise, if possible, that student representatives should have: Business, ethical supply chain sourcing, socially responsible business practices. Some experience in trademark, branding, or licensing is ideal, but not necessary.
