University of California, Berkeley
PA-3: Participatory Governance

UC Berkeley has an undergraduate and graduate student government organization. The undergraduate organization is the Associated Students of the University of California (ASUC). The graduate organization is the Graduate Assembly (GA). Each advocates for student participation in all campus decision-making. Through their work, undergraduate and graduate students are often seated on standing and ad hoc governance committees. https://asuc.org/ https://ga.berkeley.edu/ UC does have a voting student regent on the Board of Regents. This position is not elected but is filled by application and open to all students currently enrolled in the UC system. The student reviews and approves a wide range of governance actions throughout the UC system. http://regents.universityofcalifornia.edu/about/members-and-advisors/student-regent.html

The UC Berkeley Chancellor's Staff Advisory Committee (CSAC) advises the Chancellor and her Cabinet on a wide range of issues relating to staff. The charge is to provide staff input into campus decision-making processes, including but not limited to, the development and modification of policies and procedures that directly affect staff. The staff committee members select the representatives of the committee through a competitive process and forward recommendations to the Chancellor; the Chancellor gives final approval of the selected membership. https://csac.berkeley.edu/ Initially introduced in January 2005 under a Presidential pilot program, the positions of Staff Advisor were made permanent by the Board of Regents on January 18, 2007. The Staff Advisors are selected from all staff and non-Senate academic employees, and are appointed by the President in consultation with the Chairman of the Board. Serving as non-voting advisors to designated Regents' committees, the Staff Advisors have direct input into the Board's deliberations and decisions.

UC faculty in the Academic Senate carry out shared-governance responsibilities established by The Regents. The Senate is empowered by UC's governing body, the Board of Regents, to exercise direct control over academic matters of central importance to the University – to determine academic policy, set conditions for admission and the granting of degrees, authorize and supervise courses and curricula; and to advise the administration on faculty appointments, promotions and budgets. UC systemwide Academic Senate: The Academic Senate and the 10 Divisional Senates provide the organizational framework for the faculty to participate in the University's governance. The faculty voice is formed through a deliberative process that includes the Standing Committees of the Senate, the Academic Council, the Assembly of the Academic Senate and their Divisional counterparts. Consultation with the senior administration occurs in a parallel structure: at the systemwide level between the Academic Council Chair and the President; and on the campus level between the Divisional Senate Chairs and the Chancellors. With some exceptions and as defined by the Standing Order of the Regents 105.1, Senate membership is granted to individuals who have a ladder-rank or other selected academic appointment at the University. https://senate.universityofcalifornia.edu/ Two faculty members — the chair and vice chair of the Academic Council — sit on the Board of Regents as non-voting members. The Academic Council elects its chair and vice chair: https://senate.universityofcalifornia.edu/bylaws-regulations/bylaws/blpart2.html UC Berkeley Academic Senate: The Berkeley Division of the Academic Senate represents Berkeley faculty in the shared governance of the University of California. The Academic Senate is empowered by the Regents to determine academic policy, set conditions for admission and granting of degrees, advise the Chancellor on the campus budget, authorize and supervise courses and curricula, and advise the administration on faculty appointments, promotions, and budgets. https://academic-senate.berkeley.edu/

UC Berkeley's large capital projects and Long Range Development Plan/Environmental Impact Report are subject to the California Environmental Quality Act regulations. This requires proscribed public notifications, as well as required public meetings and procedures to which the campus must respond to public comment. Additionally, UC Berkeley has an office of local government and community relations that serves as the link between the university and its East Bay neighbors – residents, businesses, civic organizations and local government agencies. UC Berkeley participates in, including providing financial support to, numerous local groups include the Downtown Berkeley Association, the Telegraph Business Improvement District, the City of Berkeley Chamber of Commerce, and a 2020 Vision for Berkeley's Youth and Children initiative. Additionally UC Berkeley sponsors the Advisory Council on Student-Neighbor Relations which is dedicated to improving the quality of life in the neighborhoods adjacent to the campus. https://chancellor.berkeley.edu/gcr/local-community

UC Berkeley's Board of Visitors provides advice and support to the Chancellor, Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost, and campus leadership. While the UC Regents have overall fiduciary responsibility for the system’s ten campuses, much responsibility is devolved to the campus level. At Berkeley, the Chancellor’s leadership is strengthened by having an impartial, external group of advisors known as the Board of Visitors. The types of activities the board engages in are: considering the opportunities and risks facing the university, advising the campus on long-term strategy, helping to shape and advance key initiatives, reviewing and consulting on Berkeley’s annual operating and capital budgets and plans, and reviewing significant capital projects. Board members also advocate for the university with donors, the public, and policymakers. The Board of Visitors is composed of 18 to 24 outstanding members of the UC Berkeley community (generally alumni) and now represent numerous organizations and businesses. See the current board and additional information: https://chancellor.berkeley.edu/board-visitors

Information in this field was provided by the UC Berkeley Student Environmental Resource Center and the Office of Sustainability and Energy.