To: Academic Senate Faculty
Dear Colleagues:
As UCLA and the entire UC system struggle with issues that threaten our core mission it is vital that faculty voices are heard. The University of California’s long-standing approach to shared governance requires active Senate participation in key decisions to ensure the academic mission is protected. This strong form of shared governance is codified in Regents Bylaw 40 which declares that the "faculty participation in shared governance through the agency of the Academic Senate ensures the quality of instruction, research and public service at the University and protects academic freedom."
The systemwide Senate’s statement on The Defense of the University was written to offer high level guidance from the faculty for navigating crises like the one that we currently face regarding frozen funds, as well as other systemic challenges. Crafted by systemwide Academic Council with input from all divisions, and endorsed by UCLA’s Legislative Assembly, the statement calls on the Regents, the President and the Chancellor to:
- defend our ability to conduct the research, teaching and mentoring that define our academic mission;
- protect the privacy and safety of community members; and
- protect academic freedom and faculty authority.
These principles encapsulate our core values; they must guide UCLA’s decisions moving forward. Senate leadership advocates continuously for these principles, and for the importance of adhering to UC’s tradition of institutionalized Senate consultation at all phases of the decision process. Strong and active shared governance is more important than ever as the university crafts its response to the existential threat posed by the current freezing of grant funds.
As part of our ongoing efforts to amplify faculty voices, we will co-host a Town Hall for Senate faculty to interact with EVCP Hunt, CFO Agostini, VCAAP Levine, VCRCA Wakimoto, AVCGCR Poulakidas and myself. Details and a formal invitation will be sent on Monday. This is an opportunity not only to raise questions, but also to provide your perspective on how the recent campus budget decisions, federal funding crisis and other recent issues are impacting the academic mission and to offer advice on how the university should proceed.
Sincerely,
Kathy Bawn
Chair, Academic Senate
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