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Official Blog | UCGPC

Join UC Systemwide Committees: Graduate Student Opportunity

Pat Ordonez-Kim
7 minutes

Get involved and make an impact! Apply by August 15, 2025.

  1. Academic Senate Committees
  2. Presidential Committees
  3. Systemwide Administrative Committees
  4. Prepare 150-300 word answers for each of the questions, as applicable.

Use the application at the bottom of this page to apply. 

As the official voice of the UC graduate and professional students, UCGPC will nominate students to sit on UC systemwide committees. Systemwide committees confront issues in admissions policy, budget prioritization, and technology investments. Graduate and professional students must be represented in these committees.

Systemwide committee meetings will have different locations, times, and frequency. Most committee meetings are held at the UCOP offices in Oakland, CA, although many committees meet via video conference calls. The UC Office of the President covers travel for students to UCOP offices.

Requirements: Systemwide Committee Representatives will serve one-year terms. Candidates must currently be graduate or professional students at one of the University’s ten campuses. At the time of application, the candidate must be in good academic and disciplinary standing and remain in good standing throughout their appointment as a representative. UCOP will confirm students’ status with their respective campuses before the appointment. Applicants should be able to attend all committee meetings and participate in student representative conference calls as scheduled.

Read the guidelines for serving as student representatives
Guidelines for Student Representatives on Systemwide Academic Senate CommitteesDownload

For questions or concerns, contact info@ucgpc.org.

Academic Senate Committees

The Systemwide Academic Senate provides an 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 Standing Committees of the Senate, Per the Senate’s Bylaws, certain committees include students who sit with the committees as non-voting representatives. The UCOP staff or analyst listed manages the committees reports and rosters. They are the UC employees who request and review appointments to the committee, as well as provide feedback on student representative participation. These staff members may change without notice (to UCGPC).

  • UCACC – University Committee on Academic Computing and Communications
    • Represents the Senate in matters involving the uses of computing and communications technology.
    • Analyst – joanne.miller@ucop.edu
  • UCAF – University Committee on Academic Freedom
    • Studies and reports to the Assembly on issues related to academic freedom of the University and its academic community.
    • Analyst: fredye.harms@ucop.edu
  • UCAP – University Committee on Academic Personnel
    • Charge: Considers general policy on academic personnel, including salary scales, appointments and promotions.
    • Analyst: kenneth.feer@ucop.edu
  • UCAADE – University Committee on Affirmative Action Diversity and Equity
    • Charge: Considers general policies concerning affirmative action for academic personnel and academic programs.
    • Analyst: stefani.leto@ucop.edu
  • BOARS – Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools
    • Charge: Oversees all matters relating to the admissions of undergraduate students.
    • Analyst: brenda.abrams@ucop.edu
  • CCGA – Coordinating Committee on Graduate Affairs
    • Charge: Advises the Senate and University administration on all matters regarding the promotion of research and learning related to graduate education.
    • Analyst: Fredye.harms@ucop.edu
  • UCEP – University Committee on Educational Policy
    • Charge: Considers the establishment of curricula, colleges, schools, departments, and institutes, and on legislation or administrative policies involving educational policy.
    • Analyst: Brenda.Abrams@ucop.edu
  • UCIE – University Committee on International Education
    • Charge: Reviews the academic aspects of the UC Education Abroad Program.
    • Analyst: Fredye.harms@ucop.edu
  • UCOLASC – University Committee on Library and Scholarly Communication
    • Charge: Advises the President concerning the administration of University libraries.
    • Analyst: Stefani.leto@ucop.edu
  • UCPB – University Committee on Planning and Budget
    • Charge: Discusses and acts on systemwide budgetary, planning, and resource allocation issues.
    • Analyst: stefani.leto@ucop.edu
  • UCOPE – University Committee on Preparatory Education
    • Charge: Monitors and conducts periodic reviews and evaluations of preparatory and remedial education.
    • Analyst: kenneth.feer@ucop.edu
  • UCORP – University Committee on Research Policy
    • Charge: Fosters, formulates, coordinates, revises general research policies and procedures.
    • Analyst: joanne.miller@ucop.edu

Presidential Committees

  • National Advisory Board – UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement
    • Charge: Founded in 2017, the UC National Center for Free Speech and Engagement explores the intersection of speech, engagement, and democratic learning. The National Advisory Board guides the Center’s Executive Director to ensure high-quality programming and research.
  • APC – Academic Planning Council
    • Charge: The Academic Planning Council addresses the university’s overall size, shape, and long-term academic direction. It also deals with issues beyond a single campus, such as long-term enrollment, academic policies, and the impact of systemwide policies on academic matters.
    • Staff: Ethan.Savage@ucop.edu

Systemwide Administrative Committees

  • EFM – Education Finance Model Steering Committee
    • Charge: Guide the University’s policy on undergraduate financial aid, and oversee the Education Financing Model by adjusting assumptions and data as needed, while also providing advice to the President on its implementation.
    • Staff: shawn.brick@ucop.edu
  • SMHOC – Student Mental Health Oversight Committee
    • Charge: Provide guidance on systemwide coordination of student mental health efforts, collaborating with campus stakeholders, addressing common concerns, attending SMHOC meetings, and updating the UCOP behavioral health coordinator.
    • Staff: Genie.kim@ucop.edu 
  • UC Code – UC Code of Conduct for Trademark Licensees
    • Charge: The responsibilities of the UC Code committee include ensuring work and safety standards in the manufacturing of goods bearing the University’s name, logos, or trademarks. They also handle policy advice, investigate violations, and collaborate with various organizations on related issues. Student representatives should have expertise in business, ethical supply chain sourcing, and socially responsible business practices. Some experience in trademark, branding, or licensing is ideal but not necessary.
    • Staff: kelly.ogden@ucop.edu 
  • Committee on Community Safety
    • Staff: Staci.Bias@ucop.edu
  • UC Student Advisory Group for Systemwide Surveys
    • Charge: Advise the University’s administration, analysis, and reporting of key systemwide surveys that focus on student populations. These include the UC Undergraduate Student Experience Survey (UCUES), UC Graduate Student Experience Survey (UCGSES), Undergraduate Cost of Attendance Survey (UCOAS), and Graduate Cost of Attendance Survey (GCOAS).
    • Staff: andrea.belgrade@ucop.edu

Graduate and professional student representation at the systemwide level is vital. Your unique perspectives and experiences are essential for fostering a comprehensive and inclusive decision-making process.

This application will help us identify qualified students who are committed to serving their fellow students and contributing meaningfully to the UC system. We encourage you to apply if you are passionate about UC’s future and eager to leverage your skills and knowledge in a systemwide setting.

Please note: This application consists of five short-answer questions. We encourage clear, concise, and well-organized responses within the provided word limits.

We look forward to learning more about you and your qualifications!

Prepare 150-300 word answers for each of the questions, as applicable.

  1. What issues facing the UC system motivate you to serve on a systemwide committee? How do your academic or professional interests align with the work of these committees?
  2. Demonstrate your qualifications for this committee. Describe relevant academic experiences, leadership roles, or advocacy work that showcase your ability to contribute effectively. How will your skills and knowledge benefit the committee’s discussions and decisions?
  3. In your view, why is it important for graduate and professional students to have a voice in systemwide decision-making? How can student perspectives contribute to a more comprehensive approach to UC’s challenges and opportunities?
  4. Describe your academic and professional background (research, work experience, etc.) and any relevant civic engagement activities. Explain how these experiences will enable you to advocate for graduate student interests within the committee and at UCGPC meetings.
  5. UC systemwide committees have diverse schedules, ranging from two full-day meetings to shorter meetings held more frequently. If nominated by the UCGPC Board, are you committed to attending these meetings and understanding the importance of academic service and its contribution to your future career aspirations? (Yes/No)
  6. The UCGPC holds monthly meetings to discuss committee activities and coordinate graduate student advocacy. Are you committed to attending these meetings and reporting back on your committee’s work to ensure effective student representation? (Yes/No answer with optional short explanation)
  7. Required CV/Resume: In addition to your Microsoft Form application, submit your CV or resume electronically to systemwidecommittees@ucgpc501c3.org.
    • Subject line should read: Systemwide Committees – [Last Name] and [First Choice Committee]
    • Resumes should be in a format compatible with common word processing software (.docx, .pdf).
Apply here