1. Academic Uses of Information Technology
The Academic Planning Council explored the evolving Digital Library Initiative with Richard Lucier, Chair of the
Initiative's Executive Working Group, and Associate Vice President for Information Resources and Communications
Stuart Lynn.
As a first step, the Initiative will pursue two prototype projects. The first project applies an experimental standard
to give faculty, especially in the humanities, on-line tools to find material archived in UC's special collections.
Through more descriptive cataloging, the project could save scholars travel time and also make certain documents
available on-line. The second project will be a call for joint faculty-library projects to develop on-line support
for distance learning courses. The Executive Working Group also expects to promote a scholarly communications project,
such as an on-line UC journal, and a health sciences project.
APC members probed the vision of the future of UC's library system in the electronic age, as well as the current
status of regulations governing control and ownership of intellectual property on-line. Some professional associations
already publish on-line journals and have adapted peer review and circulation accordingly. Defining how to shape
a vision of the library of tomorrow is a leading APC priority. At its February meeting, the APC will continue its
investigation of ownership and other information technology issues.
2. Part-Time Professional Degree Programs
In light of campus and Senate comments, APC members approved amendments to the proposed Policy on Part-Time Graduate
Professional Degree Programs, including insertion of "Self-Supporting" in the policy title. The amended
policy and accompanying procedures for implementation answer questions about fees, oversight, and faculty participation.
Because the changes are substantive, there will now be a final round of consultation with the campuses and Senate.
Because the Council of University Extension Deans and Directors has suggested the development of systemwide guidelines
for certificate programs, the APC will ask that group to write draft guidelines for discussion. The purpose of
such guidelines would be to establish a common definition, provisions for quality control, and an approach for
avoiding unnecessary duplication of programs.
3. Program Differentiation: Los Angeles Proposal to Charge Professional Fee Differential for the MFA in Theater
The Executive Budget Committee requested the Academic Planning Council's advice on the following matter. The Los
Angeles campus has proposed a Professional Fee Differential for its two MFA programs in the School of Theater,
Film and Television. While the MFA in Film and Television is unique, there are three UC MFA programs in Theater
in addition to Los Angeles's: at Davis, Irvine, and San Diego. These campuses do not want to charge a Professional
Fee Differential for their MFA programs. The Executive Budget Committee has asked the APC whether the professional
orientation of the Los Angeles program, its location in a professional school, and its links with Film and Television
differentiate it substantially from the other three MFA programs and thus justify an exception to charging similar
fees for similar programs.
APC members considered what defines a professional school and how the Los Angeles curriculum is distinguished from
the other three. APC student member Welner shared the negative responses from two Los Angeles MFA in Theater students.
The APC asked that CCGA do a curricular analysis at its February meeting and transmit its findings to the February
28 APC meeting to aid the APC in its final disposition.
4. On-Going Activities
a. Long-Range Enrollment Planning
Assistant Vice President Smith presented the update report on UC's long-range enrollment plan, "Enrollment
Monitoring, 1996." Since last year's plan was issued, DOF has lowered its long range projections of high school
graduates somewhat while freshman participation increased a little in 1994-95. Several significant new analyses
will be forthcoming in the next year or two, including new studies of UC's eligibility pool and of student expenses
and financial resources. Also, the California Education Round Table has engaged the Rand Corporation to conduct
a new Rand study of the future of California higher education. Changes in UC's enrollment plan await the results
of these studies and further data on trends affecting UC.
b. UC's Influence on California's Economy and Society
APC members focussed attention on the many ways in which faculty and staff contribute to
K-12 improvement. While concerned faculty sometimes find it frustrating to work with the schools, K-12 now appears
to have a new openness to deregulation and change. The APC discussion concluded with a frank exchange on how faculty
are rewarded for service to the schools.
c. APC Statement of Purpose and Priorities for 1995-96
The APC gave final approval to its statement of purpose and priorities.
The next meeting of the APC will be held in Oakland on February 28, 1996.