University of California, Riverside
PA-3: Inclusive and Participatory Governance

The University of California (UC) Board of Regents is the highest form of governance for all ten UC campuses. The UC Board of Regents consists of Appointed Regents, Ex Officio Regents, a Student Regent, Regents-Designate, Faculty Representatives to the Regents, and Advisors to the Regents.

The student Regent is a voting member of The Regents of the University of California, attending all meetings of the Board and its Committees and serving a one-year term. This position is not elected but is filled by application and open to all students currently enrolled in the UC system. From the time of appointment as a Student Regent, but prior to the commencement of service as a member of the Board, the appointee holds the title Regent-designate and is invited to participate in all meetings of the Board and of its Committees, but without a vote.
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.

The Systemwide Academic Senate and the ten Divisional Senates (one for each UC campus) provide the organizational framework that enables the faculty to exercise its right 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.

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.
Staff members can participate in governance on a UC-wide scale as Advisors to the Regents. 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.

CAMPUS SPECIFIC GOVERNANCE BODIES
UC Riverside has four recognized campus constituent organizations. The Associated Students, University of California, Riverside (ASUCR); the Graduate Student Association (GSA); The Riverside Division of the Academic Senate; and the UC Riverside Staff Assembly comprise the entire campus community and are the basis of the shared governance process of this campus.

STUDENTS(e.g., a student council)
The ASUCR and the GSA are both ways in which undergraduate and graduate students, respectively, can get involved with campus governance. Associated Students of UCR: ASUCR is an independent, student-directed, unincorporated, directly elected, three-branch student government, that aims to: supplement and complement formal and informal education at UCR; propagate the general well-being of undergraduates; fairly represent student interests, needs and welfare within the University community; represent and articulate our rights to a voice in campus governance by fostering recognition of the rights of students and providing a forum to articulate and represent the views and interests of students; recognize, represent, and support the diversity of needs and views of students at the University; provide for the expression of student opinion and interests to the community at large on issues affecting student life; and provide services and coordinate activities for students, while advancing our common interests and concerns as students and as citizens. The ASUCR government’s three branches include the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. “In ASUCR, the Executive Branch is also known as the ‘Executive Cabinet’. The Executive Cabinet is a representative body composed of five Executive Officers and six non-voting Directors. These officers and directors are elected by the student body At-Large.” Currently, the Executive Officers are comprised of the President, Vice President of Internal Affairs, Vice President of External Affairs, Vice President of Finance, and Vice President of Sustainability while the Directors are comprised of the Personnel Director, Marketing and Promotions Director, Transfer/Non-Traditional Director, and Elections Director. Within the Legislative Branch, “the Senate is responsible for approving or rejecting any legislation that is brought before them, approving registered student organizations allocations, approving the budget for the fiscal year, and approving or rejecting any recommendations for amending the ASUCR Constitution, Bylaws, and the Elections Code. In addition, the members are also required to meet with the dean of their respective colleges at least once per quarter and host weekly office hours to address any concerns from their constituents.” Within the Judicial Branch, “justices are tasked with ensuring the efficient and ethical operations of ASUCR, which involves understanding of the ASUCR Constitution and Bylaws, reviewing financial allocations, verifying the legality of all approved legislation, regulating and reviewing all elections violations during the yearly elections, and reviewing any cases of a request for censure and/or removal of a member of ASUCR as outlined in the ASUCR Constitution and Bylaws.” In addition, ASUCR’s Student Voice Committee “is to be one of UC Riverside’s leading insights into the beliefs of enrolled students. Using [their] knowledge, skills, and influence, [they] aim to present both what students think the University does strongly and what they can improve on. [Their] aim is to provide the appropriate leadership and governance to ASUCR to inspire positive change.” Likewise, the UCR GSA consists of a legislative and executive body, the Graduate Student Council (GSC) which “exists to advance, through [their] advocacy and programs, the academic, social, and physical environment of current and future graduate and professional students at the University of California, Riverside.” The Executive Board is comprised of the “President, Vice President of External Affairs, Vice President of Internal Affairs, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Graduate Student Health Insurance Policy Officer, Public Relations Officer, and Finance and Grantwriting Officer and all appointed officers of GSAUCR.” Representatives who are elected into their positions are voting members while representatives who are appointed by their departments are non-voting members of the Board.
https://asucrexchange.ucr.edu/

ACADEMIC STAFF (e.g., a faculty senate)
Academic Senate: Senate leaders serve on administrative committees and advisory boards. Administrators attend senate committee meetings to exchange information and hear debate. Information sharing extends to the highest level of the university, where the chair and vice chair of the Academic Council are the official faculty representatives to the Board of Regents, positions through which they participate in the discussions at the board's monthly meetings, make faculty views known, and relay Regent actions and concerns back to the senate. UCR also has various committees concerning a range of topics from academic personnel to committees on each of our colleges where faculty have the ability to get together and discuss. The Academic Senate serves as the voice of the UCR faculty and as the “shared governance” of UC. “This responsibility is delegated by the Regents and shared with the University administration, both at the campus level and systemwide. The University of California Academic Senate is one of the most highly developed and influential faculty governments in any university. It is the one organization through which the faculty, as a whole or on any of the campuses, can express its views on an issue. The senate guides the university’s educational course and is responsible for determining academic policy, setting conditions for admission and granting of degrees, authorizing and supervising curricula and courses, and advising on faculty appointments, promotions and budgets.”
https://senate.ucr.edu/committee/

NON-ACADEMIC STAFF(e.g., an employee council)
UCR Staff Assembly: The vision of Staff Assembly is that staff may continually be challenged to stay informed, involved, connected and recognized, both internally to UCR and system-wide, as one of the most diverse, fastest growing, and, thus, impactful campuses in the UC system and state. The UCR Staff Assembly value include staff volunteerism, advocacy, shared governance, diversity, equality, partnership, ethical and responsible stewardship, accountability and transparency, and sustainability and excellence in the organization's operations, programs, and services. UCR Staff Assembly holds quarterly meetings, during which they collaborate with Human Resources and the Office of the Chancellor to recognize the service credit milestones UCR employees. All career staff employees are members and are invited to attend all Staff Assembly events. UCR’s Staff Assembly “is an association of many employees dedicated to promoting the interests and welfare of all UCR staff. It seeks to inform, involve, connect and recognize staff in one of the fastest-growing campuses in the UC system.” The three main pillars of the Staff Assembly are Recognition, Engagement and Professional Development.
https://staffassembly.ucr.edu/mission-purpose-and-goals

The University is governed by a Board that includes as members the persons specified in Article IX Section 9 of the Constitution of the State of California. The Board consists of the following members: The Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the Assembly, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the President and the Vice President of the University’s alumni associations and the President of the University; eighteen Regents appointed by the Governor; and one Student Regent.
https://regents.universityofcalifornia.edu/governance/bylaws/bl20.html

As part of the campus strategic planning efforts called the UCR 2020: The Path to Preeminence, the Community Engagement Committee with the charge to focus on community outreach and external relationships and to review and make recommendations on how UCR can strengthen its contribution to the community. One of the activities that the committee created was an online questionnaire called “A Candid Look at UCR.” Most of the 146 respondents were from either the immediate Riverside area or the Coachella Valley. Most had a connection to UCR and positive impressions of the campus’ involvement with the community. Many respondents identified a connection to one specific program, such as ARTSblock, science lectures, Extension programs, or tutoring programs for school-age children. A general impression among respondents in the Riverside area is that UCR is an economic driver that provides employment, brings the latest research to the community, and draws people who are educated, socially conscious, and culturally aware. A representative comment described UCR as “the best hope for communities to deal in positive way to challenges of dynamic, diverse population.” Several respondents acknowledged their appreciation that some members of the campus are involved in local committees and organizations. Others called for increased involvement in local activities and events by the UCR community and increased opportunities for UCR partnerships with organizations and businesses. However, written comments from respondents in the Riverside area also revealed two criticisms. First, several respondents commented on their difficulty in finding information about events at UCR or UCR activities in the community (i.e., lack of a comprehensive listing or point of general contact). Second, many comments were related to problems associated with the cost and perceived difficulty of parking on campus.

https://strategicplan.ucr.edu/sites/g/files/rcwecm2701/files/2019-03/community3.pdf

AASHE STARS does not provide clear instructions on how to report numbers for this credit when individuals do not self-identify their gender or underrepresented groups status.

In reporting gender, the reporting team relied on the pronouns used for each individual as shared on the UC Regents' public website.

In the absence of self-identification of underrepresented group status, UCR has decided not to report the optional field. The UC campuses will continue to work with the Diversity and Engagement office to obtain more accurate and ethical public reporting of gender data, and as appropriate, underrepresented groups status.

Credit prepared by Michelle Baron and revised by Chelsea Lee. Statement adapted from UC Davis 2020 submission.