Regents Restore Admissions
Authority to Senate

The UC Board of Regents on May 16 unanimously rescinded admission policies from 1995 that infringed on the statewide Academic Senate's prerogatives and, at the same time, reaffirmed the University's commitment to a student body representative of California's diverse population.

"This action sends a clear and unequivocal message that people of all backgrounds are welcome at the University of California," said Regent Judith L. Hopkinson, who introduced the new resolution (RE-28).

While eliminating SP-1 and SP-2, the regental policies that prohibited the use of preferences in University admissions, employment, and contracting practices, the University is still governed by a similar ban incorporated into the California Constitution through Proposition 209, a measure passed by California voters in November 1996.

Consensus was reached in part by reaffirming the shared governance role of the UC faculty in determining admissions criteria, including the "two-tier" process through which the campuses admit 50 percent to 75 percent of an incoming freshman class on the basis of academic achievement alone.

"I am delighted to see that the board has taken action to return the authority of establishing admissions policy to the Academic Senate, as specified in their own standing orders," said Richard Watt, chair of the UCSB division of the Senate. He said that authority had been "usurped" by Section 5 of SP-1, and was concerned about the nature of any revised two-tier approach to admissions. He welcomed UCOP's bid for a comprehensive review of admissions procedures and policies.

President Richard C. Atkinson requested in a Feb. 15, 2001, letter that the Academic Senate develop admissions criteria that allow a more comprehensive, holistic evaluation of applicants. That review is underway and is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2001.

The Regents' action underscored the university's commitment to K-12 outreach programs.