Shared Governance: Representing your discipline
Last week, our Dean called a town meeting where we were brought up to date on various bits of news dealing with our school, as well as news around the campus, and specifically, the budget. One of the common threads in the questions asked of the Dean was “how can our voices be heard in this time of budgetary uncertainty.” I suggested that everyone who wants to participate be sure to let the Committee on Committees (ConC) know of your willingness to serve on Academic Senate committees.
Late each fall, we send out a card to all Senate members listing all of the committees that need filling. The information you provide us is compiled and used as the primary source book for our work. Many of the committees’ bylaws stipulate that representatives from specific academic areas be represented. In these cases, the person who serves speaks for your discipline. This person could be you. Shared governance works when faculty members participate in these important committees.
Current vacancies:
Inevitably, committee members occasionally must resign due to administrative appointments, being over-committed, health issues, or other personal reasons. While we normally work to staff committees for the upcoming academic year, from time to time we need to replace members immediately.
Presently, there are several current vacancies including the Graduate Council, Undergraduate Council, and our own Committee on Committees. If you are interested in serving on either the UGC or the GC, contact the Committee on Committee Analyst, Tom Nykiel by email, nykiel@senate.ucla.edu or by phone at (310) 206-2470. If you are interested in serving on the ConC, contact the Chair of your Faculty Executive Committee (FEC), or contact Tom Nykiel.
A Time Commitment for Everyone:
Some committees meet as infrequently as one time per quarter and have a light workload. Others meet every two weeks and have a much heavier workload. The Committee on Committees does not normally appoint Assistant Professors to senate committees with heavy time commitments, as committee service could take time away from energy that should be spent in preparing for tenure.
We will be sending you cards asking for your participation before too long. In the meantime, if you are interested volunteering right now, or have any other questions, contact Tom Nykiel. The following link gives a list of all Senate Committees, and brief descriptions of their charge and responsibilities.
Senate Committee Structure We have also listed the Standing Committees of the Senate below.
Best regards,
Roger Bourland
Committee on Committees, Chair
Division of Composition, Chair
Department of Music
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1. Academic Freedom
2. Charges
3. Council on Academic Personnel
4. Council on Planning and Budget
5. Council on Research
6. Council on Research, Faculty Grants Program
7. Committee on Committees
8. Committee on Diversity and Equal Opportunity
9. Committee on Undergraduate Admission and Relations with Schools
10. Education Abroad
11. Faculty Research Lectureship
12. Faculty Welfare
13. Graduate Council
14. Grievance and Disciplinary Procedures
15. Intercollegiate Athletics
16. Library
17. Privilege and Tenure
18. Rules and Jurisdiction
19. Teaching
20. Undergraduate Council
21. Undergraduate Council, Honors, Awards, and Prizes Committee
22. University Emeriti and Pre-Retirement Relations
23. University Extension