VIII. Role of the Academic Planning Council

The Academic Planning Council (APC) was established in 1994 to provide guidance on planning issues of systemwide concern. It is chaired by the Provost with the Academic Council Chair serving as Vice Chair. Membership includes the Vice Chair of the Academic Council; the Chairs of CCGA, UCPB, UCEP, and UCORP, Divisional Senate representatives; key administrators including an EVC and Vice Chancellors for Research, Planning and Budget, and Student Affairs; and both a Graduate Dean and an Undergraduate Dean. The APC is staffed by UCOP Academic Affairs. 

Although the APC may take actions that have implications for individual campus proposals reviewed systemwide, the APC does not take any direct action on such proposals. APC has the option of reviewing the Five-Year Planning Perspectives and pursuing planning issues arising from their review. Also, throughout the Compendium, there are references to routes by which the Senate or Provost can identify potential systemwide issues to be referred to the APC for deliberation. These are mechanisms by which APC may bring a systemwide perspective to the attention of those on the campuses developing proposals to be submitted for system-level review and approval. The composition of the APC assures representation of many viewpoints in its deliberations; the aim is to bring together Senate and Administration representatives to address challenging planning issues.

While many Compendium-related questions can be resolved by interactions with the campuses, some issues are of a magnitude that goes beyond single-campus resolution. Systemwide issues of this sort often have implications for efficient use of resources across the UC system, including:

• Potential for cooperative planning/cost-effective alternatives;
• Disappearance of programmatic area from the entire system;
• Appropriateness of a major new programmatic direction to campus mission;
• Student interest in various programmatic areas;
• Needs of the state and nation; and
• Resource needs and opportunities.

Such planning issues should be referred to the APC for discussion on how to proceed. The APC might recommend referral to existing groups, creation of ad hoc task force, a special staff study, convening of a subcommittee, or other approaches to gather information and expert advice. At the conclusion of the planning activity, the Chair and the Vice Chair of the APC should determine how to transmit the results to the campuses.