UCLA Faculty Senate: Structure and Responsibilities

The UCLA Faculty Senate plays a crucial role in the shared governance of the university, ensuring faculty participation in decisions related to instruction, research, public service, and academic freedom. Rooted in the principles established by the Regents of the University of California, the Academic Senate at UCLA serves as a vital link between the faculty and the university administration, fostering a collaborative environment for the benefit of the entire academic community.

Shared Governance at the University of California

The Regents of the University of California recognize the Academic Senate's crucial role in upholding the university's standards for instruction, research, and public service, as well as safeguarding academic freedom. Faculty members engage in shared governance through departmental involvement, committee work, and the right to vote on significant departmental matters.

Systemwide Bylaw 55 emphasizes that faculty members have the right and responsibility to participate in shared governance at their school and the divisional level. This is achieved through voting for representatives on Faculty Executive Committees and the Legislative Assembly, serving on committees, and raising issues before these bodies. Departments and their faculty form the "local level" of shared governance, acting as an agency or committee of the Academic Senate.

The Regents grant departments the right to determine their administrative organization, with Senate members having the right to vote in department meetings, subject to the President's approval. This ensures that departmental organization aligns with University policies, bylaws, and regulations. All departments, including those in professional schools, share these rights and responsibilities, with a specific exception for courses and curricula at the graduate level related to specific first professional degrees (M.D., D.D.S., D.V.M., Pharm D., and J.D.).

Departmental Governance and Academic Senate Rights

Substantial department questions, which fall under the Academic Senate's purview, require meaningful consultation and voting opportunities. Departments should conduct Senate faculty meetings to facilitate discussion and voting on these matters. The right to vote inherently includes the right to discuss. Academic Senate members are expected to attend and participate in these meetings. Departments should periodically review their bylaws to ensure they align with the Code of the Academic Senate. Shared governance rights are fundamentally expressed through the right to discuss and vote on matters, including the processes surrounding shared governance.

While faculty members have the right to propose curriculum changes, they do not have the independent authority to change the curriculum. Systemwide bylaws stipulate that non-Senate faculty do not have voting rights on substantial department questions. However, departments can extend advisory votes to non-Senate faculty on these questions and/or on personnel actions, with those votes reported separately. Academic Senate faculty are also responsible for the teaching program within their department.

Department Chairs, as faculty administrators, possess administrative authority. However, in matters under the Academic Senate's jurisdiction, they serve as presiding officers over a deliberative body. Departments organized by areas, divisions, or sections must still uphold shared governance rights. These areas are not considered duly organized departments and cannot deprive faculty of their right to vote on substantial department questions. While areas may discuss and provide advisory votes, all substantial questions, including academic personnel votes, are subject to a full departmental vote.

Academic Senate members in professional schools possess the same duties, powers, and privileges as their counterparts in other schools. The misconception that faculty in professional schools are self-governing and not subject to Academic Senate oversight is incorrect. Professional schools and departments should adhere to the same Academic Senate processes as non-professional schools and departments. In UCLA-owned hospitals, clinical and academic departments share the same organization. Clinical matters involving teaching and research fall under the authority of the department and the Academic Senate, while strictly clinical matters are governed by the Medical Staff and UCLA Health policies.

To ensure the right of Senate faculty to vote on Senate academic personnel matters, departments should ensure that the departmental letter reflects the faculty discussion, consistent with academic personnel policy. If a department does not hold faculty meetings, Senate faculty should request that the department chair convene regular meetings. Faculty members have the right to request faculty meetings, particularly when there are matters requiring discussion and voting. If a chair refuses to hold Academic Senate faculty meetings after a proper request, faculty can seek assistance from their Dean or mediate with the Ombuds Office.

Faculty members who feel excluded from voting on a substantial department question may find that the matter is overseen by a committee. In such cases, faculty members can propose revisions to their department bylaws regarding how matters are handled. While committees may manage procedures, final decisions on key matters should be subject to a full faculty vote. Faculty can also discuss their concerns with the School's Faculty Executive Committee.

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Legislative Authority and Procedures

The term "legislation" encompasses Bylaws and Regulations of Senate agencies. Regulations govern admission and degree requirements, as well as the authorization and supervision of courses and curricula within the Academic Senate's jurisdiction at UCLA. "Modification of legislation" includes enacting new legislation and amending or repealing existing legislation. Modifying Divisional Bylaws requires a two-thirds affirmative vote of the voting members present, while extending voting privileges to non-Emeritae/i faculty also requires at least a two-thirds majority vote. Divisional Regulations can be modified with the approval of a majority of the voting members present.

A quorum, the minimum number of members required to be present for a meeting to legally transact business, should be defined in the bylaws. In the absence of such a provision, parliamentary law sets the quorum at a majority of the members. Only Academic Senate members can vote in Senate agencies and their committees when taking final action or advising University officers or other non-Senate agencies in the Senate's name.

Following each Legislative Assembly, the Secretary of the Division produces a "Notification of Actions" memorandum, listing action items and their vote tallies. Proposed legislation receiving at least a two-thirds affirmative vote goes into effect ten instructional days after the Notification of Actions is published, provided no petition is received.

Historical Context and Significance

The Academic Senate is a distinctive feature of the University of California, setting it apart from other major research universities. Established in the University of California's 1868 charter, the "academic senate" initially comprised all faculty and deans, presided over by the president. The Senate was created to conduct the general administration of the University. The Regents were responsible for determining the Senate's organization and its relationship with the university president and governing board.

Codified by the UC Regents in 1920, the Academic Senate serves as the mechanism through which faculty participate in the university's operation and management. UCLA's current practice of consultative decision-making and shared governance underscores the central role of faculty in the academic enterprise of teaching, research, and public service, and their importance in maintaining the quality of the university's academic programs. The Senate is delegated authority over degree and enrollment requirements, as well as program establishment, disestablishment, and review. It also plays a formal advisory role in academic personnel actions and various other matters.

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The Academic Senate's efforts are based on the principle that the university's excellence is sustained through substantive contributions from faculty, administration, staff, and students in an engaged, respectful, and collaborative manner. Reflecting the principles of shared governance, the Academic Senate structures itself to support the university's mission by facilitating communication and cooperation between the faculty and various university components, enabling informed and inclusive decision-making, and serving as a consultative body to other constituencies on matters pertaining to the university's well-being.

The Academic Senate represents the faculty in all matters related to shared governance. Its leadership consists of the Senate Chair, who serves a one-year term, the Vice Chair (Chair-Elect), and the Immediate Past Chair.

Committees of the Academic Senate

The UCLA Academic Senate fulfills its responsibilities through faculty participation in its committees and the Legislative Assembly. In 2022-2023, the UCLA Academic Senate comprised 3,819 members, with 2,481 being non-emeriti.

Legislative Assembly (LgA)

The faculty is represented in the Academic Senate through representatives in the Legislative Assembly (LgA), which is empowered to act on all matters for the Los Angeles Division. Members of the Assembly consider campus-wide issues such as approving the establishment or disestablishment of departments or degrees, and the creation of majors and minors. Senior administrators of UCLA attend the LgA each year to brief the faculty on current affairs, strategic initiatives, and other issues facing the University. The Chancellor, Executive Vice Chancellor, and Vice Chancellors commonly attend LgA meetings.

Council on Academic Personnel (CAP)

The Council on Academic Personnel (CAP) is a standing committee responsible for reviewing significant personnel actions involving UCLA employees holding academic titles. CAP's role is to maintain standards and equity across the campus. CAP's opinions, expressed in reports, are given considerable weight, although its role is strictly advisory.

Undergraduate Council (UgC)

The Undergraduate Council (UgC) makes policy for undergraduate education at UCLA.

Graduate Council (GC)

The Graduate Council (GC) makes policy for graduate education at UCLA, excluding the M.D., J.D., and D.D.S degrees. It recommends to the Legislative Assembly graduate programs leading to new degrees, as well as disestablishment or consolidation of existing degrees. It periodically reviews and evaluates all graduate programs of study, in conjunction with the Undergraduate Council's review of related undergraduate programs.

Council on Planning and Budget (CPB)

The Council on Planning and Budget (CPB) makes recommendations to the Chancellor and Senate agencies concerning the allocation of educational resources, academic priorities, and the planning and budgetary process. It also formulates a Senate view on the campus budget and major campus space-use and building projects.

Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (CODEI)

The Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (CODEI) advises the University Administration on policies and programs to advance faculty diversity, including the recruitment and retention of women and underrepresented minorities.

Council on Research (COR)

The Council on Research (COR) provides periodic evaluation of units that support faculty research. It formulates general guidelines for review of Organized Research Units (ORUs) and makes recommendations to the Vice Chancellor for Research based on ORU review reports. COR administers the Academic Senateâs Faculty Grants Program and establishes policies and procedures governing the allocation of funds within the purview of the Faculty Grants Program, for the conduct of research and for travel to attend scholarly meetings.

Other Committees

Other key committees include:

Academic Program Review Committee (APRC)
Committee on Academic Freedom (CAF)
Committee on University Community (CCUC)
Committee on Charges (Charges)
Committee on Committees (ConC)
Committee on Data, Information Technology and Privacy (CDITP)
Committee on Educational Resources (CER)
Committee on International Education (CIE)
Committee on Library & Scholarly Communication (COLASC)
Committee on Privilege and Tenure (P&T)
Committee on Rules and Jurisdiction (R&J)
Committee on Undergraduate Admissions and Relations with Schools (CUARS)
Council of Faculty Chairs (CFC)
Executive Board (EB)
Faculty Welfare Committee (FWC)
Self-Supporting Graduate Professional Degree Programs Advisory Committee (SSGPDPAC)
Grievance Advisory Committee (GAC)
Faculty Grants Program Committee (FGPC)

Ad Hoc Committees and Taskforces are formed on an as-needed basis.

Membership and Organization

Membership

Members of the Los Angeles Division include:

The President of the University
The Chancellor
Vice Chancellors
Deans
Directors of Academic Programs
The Chief Admissions Officer
The Registrar
The University Librarian
All officers of instruction at Los Angeles whose academic title entitles them, by Order of the Regents, to membership in the Academic Senate
Those Senate members holding University-wide appointments who elect to enroll in this Division
Any other persons certified for membership by the Secretary of the Division in accordance with Divisional and Senate legislation.

Membership does not lapse because of leave of absence or transfer to emeritus status. Academic titles that entitle membership in the Academic Senate are Instructor, Instructor in Residence; Assistant Professor, Assistant Professor in Residence, Assistant Professor of Clinical (e.g., Medicine); Associate Professor, Associate Professor in Residence, Associate Professor of Clinical (e.g., Medicine), Acting Associate Professor; Professor, Professor in Residence, Professor of Clinical (e.g., Medicine), or Acting Professor; Assistant Professor of Teaching, Associate Professor of Teaching, Acting Associate Professor of Teaching, Professor of Teaching, or Acting Professor of Teaching.

Instructors with less than two yearsâ service may not vote in meetings of the Division or its Faculties. Members of the Academic Senate from other Divisions may attend meetings of the Los Angeles Division with the privilege of the floor and may make motions but may not second motions or vote.

Power and Duties

The Los Angeles Division possesses all authority of the Academic Senate at UCLA not specifically delegated to the Assembly of the Academic Senate or to University Senate committees. Subject to the provisions of Divisional Bylaw 155.B, the Division delegates to the Legislative Assembly its authority to:

Originate and take final action on legislation substantially affecting only the Los Angeles Division.
Submit recommendations to the University Academic Senate or to the Assembly of the Academic Senate regarding changes in Senate legislation.

Such legislation includes:

Bylaws, which define the source of authority, membership, powers, duties, and organization of the Division and its agencies.
Regulations, which govern admission and degree requirements and the authorization and supervision of courses and curricula in all academic units under the jurisdiction of the Academic Senate at Los Angeles.

Legislation is subject to review by the University Committee on Rules and Jurisdiction for conformance with the Manual of the Academic Senate. The Division and the Legislative Assembly are empowered to receive and consider reports and recommendations from Divisional and University committees of the Academic Senate, from individual members of the Senate, from the Faculties of colleges and schools located at Los Angeles, from local administrative officers, and from other Divisions. However, only the Legislative Assembly may enact, amend, or repeal legislation. The Division or the Legislative Assembly may transmit resolutions on any matter of University concern directly to the President, with copies to the Assembly of the Academic Senate for its consideration and concurrence.

No change in the curriculum of a college or school at Los Angeles may be made by the Legislative Assembly until the matter has been formally considered by the Faculty concerned. A proposal by the Graduate Council for a new degree must be approved by the Legislative Assembly before transmittal to the Coordinating Committee on Graduate Affairs. A proposal to disestablish an undergraduate program or major must be voted upon by the Faculty of the school or college concerned; this authority may not be re-delegated by the Faculty to another agency.

Officers and the Executive Office

The officers of the Los Angeles Division are:

Chair: Presides over all meetings of the Los Angeles Division and its Legislative Assembly, maintains communication between the Division and the administration and its committees. The Chair serves a one-year term beginning on September first following their tenure as Vice Chair.
Vice Chair: Assumes the duties of the Chair in the Chair's absence or incapacity and performs duties assigned by the Chair. The Vice Chair serves a one-year term, beginning on September first following election, and succeeds to the chairship.
Secretary: Prepares the Call and Minutes for each meeting of the Division and the Legislative Assembly, and determines the membership of the Division. The Secretary serves at the pleasure of the Division following appointment by the Committee on Committees.
Parliamentarian: Assists the Division in issues of Parliamentary Procedure, provides guidance on questions regarding Divisional Bylaws and Regulations, and serves as an ex officio member on the Committee on Rules and Jurisdiction. The Parliamentarian is appointed by the Committee on Committees.
Elections Commissioner: Supervises all elections of the Division. The Elections Commissioner is appointed by the Committee on Committees for a three-year term.

The Executive Office, under the supervision of the Divisional Chair, assists in the discharge of duties assigned to officers and committees of the Los Angeles Division and the University Academic Senate. It maintains records of the Los Angeles Division and its committees, and of the University Academic Senate, including a record of the membership of the Division, the Senate committee service of each member of the Division, and the roster of all committees of the Senate. All records of the Executive Office, except those concerning matters not to be reported directly to the Division and for good cause held confidential, are open for inspection by any member of the Division.

Representatives to the University Assembly

Subject to confirmation by the Division, half the allotted number of Representatives and three alternate Representatives are appointed annually by the Committee on Committees. The term is two years, beginning on September first following their appointment. Members represent the Division in the Assembly of the Academic Senate and report actions of the Assembly to the Division.

General Provisions for Committees and Faculties

The following agencies are designated Committees of the Los Angeles Division: Standing Committees (including the Executive Board), Special Committees of the Division, each Faculty, the Divisional Legislative Assembly, and Senate Electoral Committees. Each committee is responsible to the agency establishing it and is obligated to report its actions to that agency. Each member of the Division has the privilege of a hearing by the appropriate committee or committees of the Division on any matter relating to personal, departmental, or University welfare. Unless otherwise specified, the Divisional Committee on Committees selects the Chair, Vice Chair, and members of committees, and reports such action to the Legislative Assembly for confirmation. Each member of a Divisional committee must be a member of the Academic Senate.

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