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

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BOARD OF REGENTS 
 
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 (Alumni and Student), Faculty Representatives to the Regents, and Staff 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. 

For more information: https://regents.universityofcalifornia.edu/about/members-and-advisors/ 
 
 
UC SAN DIEGO GOVERNANCE BODIES 

ASSOCIATED STUDENTS 

UC San Diego Associated Students (AS) is a body of student-elected representatives on campus that facilitate and encourage students to grow and develop through their involvement in student government, its services and auxiliaries. AS promotes student engagement in all areas of campus life through leadership, advocacy, and service in order to build and strengthen our community. Students have the opportunity to participate in campuswide elections to represent the student body in the positions of President Vice President of Campus Affairs Vice President of External Affairs Campus Wide Senators (5) Off-Campus Senators (2) Transfer Senator International Senator Out-of-State Senator Arts & Humanities Senator Biological Sciences Senator Engineering Senator Physical Sciences Senator Social Sciences Senator. In addition, students may participate in College level elections to represent all UC San Diego colleges. 

View more about Associated Students here: https://as.ucsd.edu/  

GRADUATE & PROFESSIONAL STUDENT ASSOCIATION (GPSA) 

The Graduate & Professional Student Association (GPSA) is the official representative body of graduate and professional students at UC San Diego, which exists to advocate for the rights and interests of our diverse community, to provide for the enjoyment of social, cultural, and service-oriented events, and for the betterment of academic and non-academic life of all graduate and professional students at UC San Diego. 

View more about the Graduate & Professional Student Association here: https://gpsa.ucsd.edu/  

 
NOTE: Undergraduate and graduate students, appointed by AS and the GPSA, sit on a number of committees at both the UC-wide/system-level and at the UC San Diego campus level, including but not limited to the UC San Diego Advisory Committee on Sustainability, the Global Climate Leadership Council, and as representatives to the UC Board of Regents. 

UC SAN DIEGO STAFF ASSOCIATION 

The UC San Diego Staff Association creates community, champions staff interests, and provides opportunities for professional networking and development. The Staff Association is a non-dues organization made up of all career staff employees. The Staff Association is managed by staff members for staff members, and presents staff views to the Office of the President, the Chancellor, and senior UC San Diego administration.  

View more about the UC San Diego Staff Association here: https://staffassociation.ucsd.edu/  

 
 
UC SAN DIEGO ACADEMIC SENATE 

Under the leadership of an elected chair, the San Diego Division of the University of California Academic Senate operates through three bodies at its highest level: The Representative Assembly, The Senate Council, and The Senate Administration Council. The Academic Senate is governed by its own systemwide and local bylaws and regulations promulgated by the San Diego Divisional Representative Assembly (local) or the Assembly of the University of California Academic Senate (systemwide). 
 
The Senate’s standing and special committees address matters which span the operations of a university. As of fall 2024, there are currently 27 standing committees. Of note is the Campus Climate Change Committee and the Jane Teranes Climate Change Education Requirement Committee. 
 
In addition to standing committees, ad hoc workgroups are formed in partnership with the Administration to address specific issues of interest to the faculty, and the Senate regularly participates in administrative committees, including search committees to fill campus and systemwide administrative positions. 

View more about the UC San Diego Academic Senate here: https://senate.ucsd.edu/  

The Chancellor’s Office is committed to fostering and strengthening positive relationships with the campus and community organizations. The Chancellor’s Community Advisory Board (CCAB), formerly known as the Board of Overseers, advocates for UC San Diego and advises the Chancellor, with specific emphasis on the university’s role in the community. The board also supports the formulation and execution of advocacy plans and programs related to increasing the community’s understanding of the positive impact UC San Diego has on the region’s development and progress. 

Created by former Chancellor William D. McElroy in 1973, CCAB is one of the oldest advisory boards of its type in the University of California system. 

The board is composed of talented, experienced and motivated citizens of San Diego interested in fostering positive and productive relationships between UC San Diego and the community at large. The board’s membership reflects the diversity of San Diego. 

View more about the Chancellor’s Community Advisory Board here: https://chancellor.ucsd.edu/community/community-advisory-board/index.html  

Points of contact for credit information: