To: Academic Senate Faculty
Dear Colleagues:
The 2025-26 academic year is upon us, and I’d like to extend a welcome back (or welcome!) to all of you. To introduce myself, I’m a Professor in the Institute for Society & Genetics and Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics. After serving as Senate Vice Chair/Chair-Elect last year, I am grateful to be stepping into my role as Senate Chair this year with the knowledge that I have the support of a great team. I am joined in Senate leadership by Vice Chair/Chair-Elect Tim Groeling, Professor of Communications, and Professor Kathy Bawn has transitioned to the role of Immediate Past Chair. Kathy was an excellent leader during a difficult year and I’m glad we still have her wisdom and expertise as part of the leadership trio. I would also like to extend my heart-felt thanks to Past Chair Andrea Kasko, Professor of Bioengineering, for her tireless work during three years of service in Senate leadership.
It is an understatement to say that we are facing challenging times. We have external challenges that threaten higher education at UCLA and nationwide, as well as internal concerns that must be addressed. But I strongly believe that through shared governance, where we harness the collective expertise and experiences of our outstanding faculty, we can make thoughtful contributions that will help us weather this period. One of my goals this year is to strengthen the shared governance process and our partnership with the administration. Robust discussions about how and when Senate representatives and/or committees and councils are (or should be) involved in consultation and decision-making are underway.
I have heard from many faculty that they desire more information about where UC/UCLA stands on issues and how decisions are being made. Another goal I have this year is to encourage greater transparency and communication from administrators to faculty about issues that affect them. I will do my part as best I can to communicate to faculty as well.
As part of this pledge to communicate, please note that there will be a special Legislative Assembly meeting held in-person on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, from 2 to 4 p.m. in Covel Commons (see below). While I realize that this location takes some effort to get to, it was selected because this room can accommodate the large number of Senate faculty member that we anticipate will attend (there is no Zoom option). The topics that will be discussed are shared governance and the campus budget situation and effects on faculty. While an official announcement will be made a week ahead of the meeting, in the meantime, please SAVE THE DATE and spread the word. We would be grateful to have a robust conversation among Senate faculty.
Additionally, we would like to collect qualitative and quantitative information through a UCLA Senate Faculty Survey. We hope that through strong participation we can collect meaningful data that will help us strategize about priorities for the year. Please read below for more information.
Following recent news articles, a number of you have reached out to me asking if I know if or when the Trump administration’s settlement proposal will be released to the campus community. I don’t have any information about whether this will happen. Weekly Federal Update Briefs are being provided by UCOP. While I recognize that “I don’t know” is not a satisfying response on this issue, I feel it is best to state this plainly rather than say nothing. I hope that more information will be coming soon.
The last few years have shown us that challenges can come to us from many different directions. While none of us can know what the future brings, we will weather disruptions better with proactive planning. At the systemwide level, the Academic Senate Task Force on UC Adaptation to Disruptions (UCAD) worked over the last academic year to develop strategies that “aim to uphold the teaching and education, research and discovery, and public service mission areas” of the UC system. The UCAD Interim Report has recommendations for maintaining the academic mission in light of disruption. Some of the UCLA Senate Faculty Survey questions ask for your feedback on the report. In addition, the UCLA Academic Senate intends to charge a task force to deal with local issues and concerns on our campus: UCLA Adaptation to Disruptions (UCLAAD).
Please feel free to reach out to me with your questions and concerns. I am looking forward to working with you and for you in the year ahead.
Megan McEvoy
Chair, Academic Senate
Academic Senate Updates
September 2025
In this issue:
→ Action Requested: Survey of UCLA Senate Faculty
→ Save the Date: Special Legislative Assembly Meeting
→ 2024-25 State of Shared Governance at UCLA
→ CAF Statement on Instructional Use of Offensive Materials
→ Rising Star Award Recipients
→ Your Academic Senate
Action Requested: Survey of UCLA Senate Faculty
Please complete this survey by 11:59 p.m. PT on September 27, 2025. The UCLA Academic Senate Faculty Survey is to help inform the UCLA Academic Senate about the attitudes and opinions of our senate faculty regarding a variety of UCLA issues and also to solicit feedback regarding the systemwide interim report of the UC Academic Senate Task Force on UC Adaptation to Disruptions (UCAD). Please use a computer browser to complete the survey for best display.
Save the Date: Special Legislative Assembly Meeting
We will hold a special meeting of the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Grand Horizon Room in Covel Commons. All Senate members are welcome to attend; RSVP will be required. An official notice with additional information is forthcoming.
2024-25 State of Shared Governance at UCLA
2024-25 Senate Chair Kathy Bawn authored a summary on the state of shared governance at UCLA during the 2024-25 academic year. Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Hunt replied to the summary. 2025-26 Senate Chair Megan McEvoy provided a response to EVCP Hunt’s letter. The full exchange is available in the 2024-25 State of Shared Governance at UCLA report.
CAF Statement on Instructional Use of Offensive Materials
The Executive Board endorsed a statement from the Committee on Academic Freedom regarding the “Instructional Use of Potentially Offensive, Disturbing, or Controversial Materials.” The statement includes the following guidance: “Universities aim to expose students to a range of ideas and perspectives. Toward this end, the principles of academic freedom protect an instructor’s choice to discuss topics that are relevant to the course even when some parties find them offensive. The instructor should not introduce such topics capriciously; the decision should be based on the instructor’s academic judgment of its value and relevance.” The full Statement on Instructional Use of Potentially Offensive, Disturbing or Controversial Materials is available in the DMS.
Rising Star Award Recipients
The Executive Board approved the creation of an Academic Senate Service Rising Star Award. This award celebrates and recognizes UCLA Senate faculty who are in an early stage of their Senate service and have demonstrated a noteworthy contribution to the Academic Senate. A noteworthy contribution may include activities such as consistent and meaningful participation in committee or council meetings or projects; effective chairship of a subcommittee, special committee or task force; championing shared governance; or demonstrating Senate leadership potential. Preference is given to Senate members who have not yet chaired a standing committee or council. Current committee and council chairs, Senate Leadership and Senate staff are eligible to nominate candidates. The recipients of the inaugural awards for the 2024-25 academic year are:
- Isla Garraway, Professor, Department of Urology
- Jose Rodriguez, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Your Academic Senate
The Academic Senate is only as strong as its engaged faculty. We welcome you to volunteer, contact your Legislative Assembly representatives, reach out to your Faculty Executive Committee Chairs who serve on the Council of Faculty Chairs, visit the Academic Senate website, and follow us on X at @UCLASenate or on Bluesky @uclasenate.bsky.social.
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