Have a perspective on where the University of California should be going in the next 20 years? A suggestion for how to keep a UC education affordable for students? A comment on what staffing needs the University should be preparing for in the coming years?

Two upcoming webchats will give UC students and staff the opportunity to provide input to the “UC 2025” planning process launched by President Robert C. Dynes. The electronic exchanges follow similar webchats offered to UC faculty and alumni earlier this academic year.

UC students are invited to participate on Monday, April 10, from 4 to 5 p.m. UC staff members are invited to participate on Tuesday, April 18, from noon to 1 p.m.

Participants can join either webchat at the appointed time by visiting www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/uc2025/webchats.html.

Each webchat will be led by the co-chairs of the UC planning effort, Acting Provost Rory Hume and Senior Vice President for University Affairs Bruce Darling. In addition, Student Regent Adam Rosenthal will join the student webchat on April 10.

Dynes launched the planning initiative in 2005. Its purpose is to identify the long-term challenges and opportunities facing the UC system and to equip the institution with some of the information it needs in order to begin positioning itself today for success 20 years from now.

“In an ever-changing global economy, how can UC preserve and enhance its contribution to California? More specifically, what will the University of California need to look like to serve the needs of the people of California 20 years from now?” Dynes said. “We want to solicit the views of the UC community as we explore these questions.”

Those interested in participating in the webchats are invited to visit the UC 2025 web page at www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/uc2025/ to learn more about the planning process. The site features a presentation on many of the overarching issues facing the University of California in the coming years. In addition, those unable to participate in the webchats may submit online comments at the site, and transcripts of each chat will be posted afterward there as well.

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