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
