UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, 1211 Frentin Set Onkiand,Calferia 9607-5200 Phone: (510) 989.3074 Fan: (510) 987-9086 fuipsivrow vzope86 March 16, 2010 ACADEMIC COUNCIL CHAIR POWELL, Dear Harry: ‘Thank you for your letter of March 2 clarifying your views of shared governance and appropriate consultation. It is imperative that we work togother to encure that shared governance is robust and effective in sustaining the University as a premiet educational and research institution. | fully understand that the Academic Council must follow its processes and guidelines to best serve its needs for faculty consulta- tion and deliberation. My administration will do everything wo can to present com- plete proposals about various issues to the Senate for its consideration, and to allow sufficient time for consideration and response whenever pousible ‘Your second bullet rofors to “formal consultation . .. for matters in the Senate's pur- view" but I don’t fully understand your stated need that “a formal (written) request for input (be) made and reviews (be) submitted in response.” I, the Provost, and others, routinely bring topics to your attention to try to keep you, and through you, the Academic Council and committees informed about issues we think are important. Ido not ask the Senate to review every issue, but the Academie Council and its com: mittces can and should choose to review whatever topics they think are important without my invitation. I would nover consider it inappropriate for euch reviews despite my not having specifically asked for them. Of course, I will extend a “formal request for roviow” when I deem it appropriate, or when you specifically ask me to do so. Lam confident that the Senate will choose to review issues on its awn with or without my prompting, and I think this is entirely appropriate, and crucial to sustain an environment of healthy shared governance. When the Senate is reviewing an issue, I anticipate that you will keep my colleagues and me informed in order that thoy can enter the discussions at an appropriate time in your discussions o that the Senate is aware of and can take into account the administration's views. I generally agree that when administration puts forward a proposal, it is best that we provide adequate information from which to opine. We will try to provide complete data when we send such proposals to the Senate for review. It will serve all of us bottor if the Academic Council or your committees identify the need for additionalAcademic Council Chair Powell March 16, 2010 Page 2 data and ask for or develop it. As you can imagine, given the substantial reductions in staff at the Office of the President, we may not have exhaustive information for each and every idea we put forward. On the other hand, what I seek from the Senate are now ideas to make any proposal better including eecking additional pertinent data, not just a criticism of a proposal as we send it. Just as we need to provide proper information to you including budget estimates, it is important for the Senate to similarly estimate costs of requests that you make of the administration and University. Your committee consultants can usually help in developing the cost of projects you propose — and Business Operations. Academic Affairs and other UCOP. offices will be fully cooperative. ‘Your last bullet would ecem to propose that the administration not include faculty in discussions as ideas are formulated, which I would find to be a great loss to eonsulta- tion and shared governance. In many, if not most instances, the faculty members in small “preliminary” groups are actually appointed by UCOC or from a list of candi- dates developed by UCOC. Indeed we call on such faculty members because of their expertise and find them to be extromely valuable in helping develop our ideas. Except in unusual circumstances (e.g. concerning matters subject to collective bargaining), these faculty should consult the appropriate Sonate committees. In fact, faculty membexs whom we've appointed are often chosen specifically because they do come from particulay committees, T must say that I am disturbed by the Academic Council's “foars” regarding the “recommendations of the (Gould) Commission, no matter how sound (my emphasis).” We went to great longths to appoint Senatemominated faculty members to the Commission Workgroups, and indeed nearly half of the Workgroup members are faculty members, although it took some months for us to receive your nominations. Clearly most of the effort of the Commission will be that of the Workgroups, and there the faculty are woll represented. The Size and Shape and the Education and Curriculum Workgroups are particularly related to Senate interests and one of the Co-Chairs of each are faculty whom the Senate nominated, In my recent budget meetings with each Chancellor and Senate Division Chair, I was impressed to learn that the campus Senate leadership was closely involved in making difficult budgetary decisions. As you know, we will have a “budget retreat” on March 31 with the Academic Council and UCPB to share as much information as possible ebout the current fiscal situation. We hope that increased communication will enable greater engagement with the Senate at the systemwide level in advising me about how the University can best meet its current budget problemsAcademaic Council Chair Powell March 16, 2010 Page 3 We all seek the best way forward for the University, and I believe it will be achieved by close collaboration. I worry, however, about too much formality in our interactions at a time when the current challenges demand greater flexibility, I look forward to discussing these issues further with you. With best wishes, I am, Sincerely yours, iN ai Mark G. Yudof President ce: Interim Provost Pitts Executive Vice Provost Brostrom Senior Vice President Dooley Associate Vice President Kelman.