Vice Chair/Chair Elect Candidates

Kathleen L. Komar,  Professor of Comparative Literature & German

Adrienne Lavine,  Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

to vote, click here http://my.senate.ucla.edu/ballot

Kathleen L. Komar, Professor of Comparative Literature & German

Summary of Service
Administrative Service: Associate Dean of the Graduate Division, 1992-2002; Director of the Humanities Cluster Program, 1991-92; Chair of the Program in Comparative Literature, 1986-89; Graduate Advisor in Comparative Literature, 1980-86 and 1999-02; Graduate Committee of the UCLA Center for the Study of Women, 1989-92; Humanities Computing Committee, 1989-91; Faculty Advisory Committee for the Center for the Study of Women, 1992-94; Faculty Advisory Committee on the UCLA Orientation Programs, 1993; Faculty Advisory Committee to the L&S Counselors, 1992-95; Provost's Committee on Scale and Delivery of Instruction, 1994-95; Advisory committee for expansion of the University Libraries, 1995-96 
Academic Senate Service: Advisory Member of the Graduate Council, 1992-2002; Advisory Member of the Committee on Degree Programs, 1992-2002; Faculty Executive Committee of the College of Letters & Science, 1985-87; Committee on First Year Programs, 1991-92; Committee on Teaching, 1992-93; Chancellor’s Committee for Instructional Improvement Programs, 1989-present; Chancellor’s Committee on Sexual Harassment,1992-2001; Committee to select the Collegium of University Teaching Fellows, 1993-present; General Education Advisory Committee, 1990-92; Numerous ad hoc committees for tenure and promotion; review team for departmental review, 1991; Undergraduate Education Concilium, 1991-92 
Systemwide Service: Attended and served on various committees for the Council of Graduate Deans, 1992-2002; Systemwide Conference on Ethnicity & Gender, 1990; Systemwide Conference on Teaching Assistants, 1990; Systemwide Conference on Sexual Harassment, 1992.

Statement:
When my colleagues first approached me about running for Chair of the Academic Senate, I thought, “After 10 years as Associate Dean—I don’t think so…” But as I considered what the next few years might bring to UCLA and the UC system, I decided that this was no time for the faculty to sit back or hide. I have sat through too many meetings where faculty members would say “But what can we do? It’s out of our hands.” Happily, UCLA has a system of shared governance in which the faculty input does indeed count. I don’t believe that any issue of academic concern to UCLA should be beyond the judgment and active participation of its faculty. And I believe that the health and quality of the academic programs of the university should be our chief concern. In years of budget tribulations, it is crucial for the faculty to be involved in making sure that the degree programs of the university remain of the highest possible quality. That would be my first focus.
My second area of interest would be promoting more interaction among colleagues from different parts of the campus. Working with faculty members from across the campus as Associate Dean, I came to appreciate the importance of different ways of thinking and approaching problems. I learned a good deal from faculty who came from parts of the campus very different from my own. I think that this diversity of intellectual approaches strengthens our ability as a faculty to seek creative solutions to academic and administrative problems.
Finally, having served in a number of administrative positions, I believe I can understand some of the pressures our administration faces. I would hope that that would assist me in helping the administration to see the concerns of the faculty and in promoting genuinely shared governance.

Adrienne Lavine, Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Summary of Service
Academic Senate Service: Task Force on Undergraduate Education in a Research Environment (2003), Academic Senate Program Review Ad Hoc Committee, Chair (2000-01), SEAS FEC member (1999-2000), Undergraduate Council (1996-99: Vice Chair UgC, 1998-99, Chair of Admissions Subcommittee of UgC and liaison to CUARS, 1996-1997), Committee on Educational Policy (1990-92), Legislative Assembly Representative (1986-88). 
Administrative Service: Vice Chair for Undergraduate Affairs, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Dept. (1999-2002). 
Other University Service: Faculty Resources Task Force (2002), Summer Session Planning Committee (2002), SEAS Dean Search Committee (2001-03), Dean Review Committee, School of Dentistry (2000-01), General Education Governance Committee (1998-present), Committee on Instructional Improvement Grants (1997-present).

Statement:
The main responsibility of the Senate chair is to facilitate shared governance: to enable the faculty to exercise its authority over academic policy, and to bring the counsel of the faculty to the administration on issues over which the latter has authority.
The Senate has recently tackled the issue of semesters vs. quarters. Whatever the outcome, the process itself has been a success. The Senate, in concert with the administration, brought the facts to the faculty, solicited input across campus, and will soon reflect that input back to the administration. This is a model for how I would want to tackle issues of similar import.
One issue with potentially even greater impact is the threat of further budget cuts. UCLA will undoubtedly be faced with tough decisions, and it will be especially crucial for the faculty and administration to work in partnership to make cuts wisely. We must draw on our shared experience from the last budget crunch, to recall what worked and what didn’t. The faculty must advise the administration as to how any proposed cuts would impact our treasured academic and research programs.
As Senate vice chair and chair, I would work hard to facilitate the exchange of facts and opinions, so that an informed, representative, and forceful faculty voice is heard.

to vote, click here http://my.senate.ucla.edu/ballot