Statement of Goals and Objectives
Shared governance, as it is practiced in the University of California, is among the more important
features of the University of California that have resulted in UC becoming the highest quality public
research university in the country (if not the world). The preservation of this tradition of shared
governance is essential to the continued excellence of the university. The leadership of the Academic
Senate has the responsibility to ensure that this long tradition of shared governance continues to thrive at
UC Irvine. Actions taken by the Irvine Division, and its leadership, should always be considered in the
context of preserving this tradition of shared governance.
I have observed shared governance in action from both sides. I have held administrative positions as
chair of the Department of Physics & Astronomy, associate executive vice chancellor, dean of the
Graduate Division and vice chancellor for research. In addition to the senate committees listed in my
Senate Service History I have served ex-officio on the Graduate Council and the Council of Research,
Computing and Libraries (CORCL). Perhaps this unique experience in both the administration and the
Academic Senate qualifies me to be considered for the position of the chair-elect of the Irvine Division.
In addition to my personal commitment to the principal of shared elected there are several additional
principles and concerns that will guide my actions should I be elected.
The University of California is a public research university whose quality is determined by the
excellence of its graduate education and research programs. Within the environment of outstanding
graduate/professional education and research programs we create perhaps the best environment for a
quality undergraduate education and experience. Graduate/professional programs and research must
remain at the center of planning and resource allocation.
The challenges of expanding the financial base of the University while maintaining the character of a
public research university should not be underestimated. The search for additional financial resources
that will compensate for declining State allocations to UC may test the campus commitment to the
highest quality graduate education and research programs. The practice of shared governance means that
the faculty voice must be loud and clear during this process of broadening the base of financial
resources. The search for financial resources should not detract from a commitment to the highest
quality academic programs.
The Academic Senate must be a strong advocate for competitive salaries and benefits for the faculty. For
the past decade or more UC has been slipping in comparison to the compensation offered by other
universities historically used as benchmarks. My involvement with the campus and system wide
committees on faculty welfare has made me acutely aware of the need for the Academic Senate to
advocate for increased faculty salaries and benefits, and to defend what the faculty currently receive.
The constraints on the budget of UC, and the pressure from competing needs of the university, will
likely continue. The Academic Senate must be a loud and effective voice for the benefit of the faculty.
Shared governance also carries with it certain responsibilities that the leadership of the Irvine Division is
charged to accept. The divisions fulfill its responsibility delegated by the Regents for degree
requirements, academic programs, courses, admissions, and academic appointment and advancement.
These responsibilities also include adherence to the Standing Orders of the Regents and the Bylaws of
the Academic Senate. The Academic Senate is most effective if it addresses the concerns of all the
faculty of the campus and actively encourages all faculty to participate in governance of the Academic
Senate. Thus the Irvine Division should strive to better understand the goals, aspirations and challenges
faced by professional programs such as medicine and law and to be more responsive to their concerns.
Finally, I am honored to have been selected by the Committee on Committees to appear on the ballot for
chair-elect of the Irvine Division of the Academic Senate, and should I be elected, this statement of
goals and objectives will guide my actions.
William Parker, Professor
Physics and Astronomy