By Andrea Estrada

Leaders of the working groups within the newly established UC Commission on the Future kicked off a systemwide listening tour with a visit to UCSB in late October. Over the next several months, the group leaders will meet with faculty and staff members and students at all 10 campuses to hear their ideas about the issues that must be addressed to help UC meet the challenges it faces.

Hundreds of faculty and staff members and students turned out for the forum in Campbell Hall on October 22, during which representatives from the campus community were invited to address the working group chairs. Among the speakers were Henning Bohn, professor of economics, who represented the Academic Senate; Charlie Arreola, Associated Students president; Rachel Winslow, vice president of budget and finance for the Graduate Student Association; Stephanie Coghlan, co-chair of UCSB’s Staff Assembly; and Philip Bugay, an alumnus who has served on the boards of the UCSB Alumni Association and the Alumni Associations of the University of California, and as an alumni member on the UC Board of Regents.

Each spoke passionately about UC’s historic contributions, and implored the commission to protect the University’s vitality, integrity, and its stature among the best institutions of higher education in the world. Their sentiments were echoed by more than three dozen faculty and staff members and students, many of whom commented on the need for strong UC leadership in the face of an unresponsive California legislature and a state in economic crisis.

The commission was established by the University of California, and is chaired by UC Board of Regents Chair Russell S. Gould, and UC President Mark G. Yudof. It is charged with developing a new vision for the University that affirms its core values of excellence and access, while addressing the financial challenges resulting from declining state funding. Four of the five working groups are chaired by representatives from UCSB, including Chancellor Henry Yang and Executive Vice Chancellor Gene Lucas.

The forum at UCSB followed on the heels of an October 14 Teach-In, during which faculty members, students, and guest speakers debated many of the issues the UC commission has been asked to study.

In addition to holding the local forums, the commission is requesting members of the campus communities to post their questions, suggestions, and ideas through the “Tell Us What You Think” feedback page on the commission’s Web site at <http://ucfuture.universityofcalifornia.edu>. Comments can be directed to any or all five working groups.

“It is crucial that we have the full engagement of the entire UC community and the broadest possible consultation,” Gould said.

The commission will begin framing its recommendations in early 2010 and have a draft ready for review in February. The final proposal will be presented to the Regents at their March meeting.

A Webcast of the forum proceedings can be found at <http:// chancellor.ucsb.edu/ucfuture/ucfuture_ucsb.mov>.