Academic
Council Task Forces and Special Committees
2003-2004
Bylaws
The By-laws task force is continuing it work and has proposed
a number of additional
amendments to the systemwide bylaws. These amendments follow
up on the changes
approved by the Academic Assembly last year. The group is
also reviewing the systemwide bylaws governing the Divisions of
the Academic Senate. The revised by-laws, when approved by Academic
Council will be reviewed by Rules and Jurisdiction and then placed
on an agenda of the Academic Assembly.
Members:
George Blumenthal (Academic Senate), Chair; Jean Olson (UCR&J);
Peter Berck (Parliamentarian); Maria Bertero-Barcelo (Executive
Director)
Graduate/Professional
Entrance Examinations
During 2001-02, the Academic Senate adopted "properties and purposes"
for the use of entrance exams for undergraduate admissions. The
Senate, via this task force, will now address the question of
whether a set of principles could be developed for the proper
use of entrance exams in the admissions processes in UC's graduate
and professional programs. This review is of a very different
nature given that there are more than 600 such programs at UC,
each with a significant degree of autonomy in its decision making
with respect to admissions. But the task force will consider whether
it is possible to frame a set of criteria for the various departments,
schools and programs to consider in determining proper reliance
on GRE, MCAT, LSAT or GMAT. This task force includes members from
a wide variety of academic disciplines, CCGA, law, medicine, veterinary
medicine, and business. The Graduate
and Professional School Admissions Task Force Report has been
completed and submitted to President Dynes.
Members:
Lawrence Pitts, (Academic Senate), Chair; David Atwood (UCB);
Michael Bernstein (UCSD); Richard Church (CCGA); Robert Goldstein
(UCLA); Bruce Madewell (UCD); Vickie Mays (UCLA); David Mowery
(UCB); Samuel Otter (UCB); Henry Ralston (UCSF); Marjorie Shapiro
(UCB); Emily Hung (Committee Analyst)
Honors/AP
An issue that has been before the Academic Senate for five years,
and is still unresolved, is the appropriate role of Honors/AP/IB
and community college courses with respect to admissions to UC.
In the case of AP courses, there are also questions with respect
to the principles governing the credit given at UC campuses. Because
of the dual but interrelated nature of these questions, the a
task force including the Academic Senate Chair, the Chairs and
Vice Chairs of BOARS and UCEP, as well as an additional specialist
in the area, will review the wealth of data that UC has amassed
on the subject(s). The group will also review the various perspectives
on these matters in an attempt to formulate recommendations to
the Senate and the Regents on policy in this arena. This task
force is a continuation from 2002-03.
Members: Gayle Binion
(Academic Senate), Chair; Barbara Sawrey (BOARS); Michael Brown
(BOARS); Andrew Grosovsky (UCEP); Lisa Alvarez-Cohen (UCEP); Richard
Brown (UCI); Louisa Tapley-Van Pelt (Committee Analyst)
Professorial
Steps
Concerns have been raised over recent years about the rationale
behind the step system at the Professor level. Two specific issues
have had preliminary review in the recent past but without resolution.
These are: whether triennial merit review involves a too-frequent
application of the "quality-control" system for full professors,
and whether the Step VI "barrier" is an appropriate form of review.
With respect to the latter, the task force will be considering
whether a step with uniquely high standards should be maintained,
and, if so, whether Step VI is the right point in a professorial
career to place a review of that nature.
Members: Richard
Watts (UCSB), Chair; Faye Crosby (UCSC); Robert May (UCI); Deborah
Nolan (UCB); Ramon Gutierrez (UCSD); Joel Dimsdale (UCSD); Michael
LaBriola (Committee Analyst)
Reports
2002-2003
Task Forces
