1. Enrollment Planning
Members of the Academic Planning Council discussed several topics related
to ongoing enrollment planning activities. First, they raised a number of issues with respect to the report of
the Workgroup on Student Incentives, a systemwide group convened to consider actions campuses might take to encourage
summer enrollment. One of the issues identified was related to transferability of courses between campuses for
students who enroll in summer classes at UC campuses different from their own. Current Senate policy requires campuses
to accept units from other UC campuses. However, applying these units to general education and major requirements
needs the home campus's departmental approval. The APC advised that if summer becomes State-funded, both the systemwide
Senate and campus departments should address ways of improved course articulation.
Another issue prompted by the report was how to ensure that incentives intended to increase summer enrollment have
the intended result of the campus being able to accommodate more students. In addition, APC members identified
several questions related to summer admissions requirements, campus residency regulations and part-time status
policies that should be referred to the Senate and to the campuses. They noted that while campus implementation
of new programs may be phased in over some time, resolution of some fundamental policies must come before this
fall.
In addition to considering issues related to summer enrollments, the APC discussed another option for accommodating
increased numbers of students–the expansion of off-campus programs. One specific idea being put forward is the
establishment of "multi-campus instructional centers" modeled on existing programs such as UCDC, or the
Bodega Bay program managed by the Davis campus. The academic objective of such a proposal is to pool disciplinary
strengths from throughout the system, taking advantage of the resources offered by specific locations. Examples
include centers for marine sciences, environmental sciences, the arts (in San Francisco, Los Angeles and/or New
York City), and a program in Sacramento comparable to the one at UCDC. The University's Natural Reserve System
offers opportunities as well. Other locations that could be explored include the Monterey Naval Postgraduate School,
the San Francisco Presidio, and urban areas where UC does not have a strong presence.
APC members were concerned that, while the proposal appears to have academic merit, the costs of operating centers
could be high, particularly at locations requiring new facilities. However, they recommended further study and
discussion because in addition to providing high-quality educational and research opportunities, the proposal could
make a small contribution to relieving on-campus enrollment pressures. Members agreed that a one-day discussion
of various interested campus and OP staff to review existing models and to make more specific proposals was an
efficient way to proceed.
2. Consortium for Language Learning and Teaching
The APC applauded a proposal submitted to the Council of Vice Chancellors for the creation of a UC Consortium for
Language Learning and Teaching. This faculty-initiated proposal is intended to pool systemwide intellectual and
financial resources to address the many issues facing language programs, such as: increasing demand for language
instruction, a decreasing number of languages taught in high schools, reduced graduate enrollments in the languages,
increased reliance on lecturers for teaching, opportunities presented by CD-ROM, website-based instruction and
State-funded summer programs, and the globalization of education and the economy.
APC members suggested the next steps for the Consortium (which the Vice Chancellors and the Office of the President
have agreed to fund for five years) are to develop a charge and a set of related measurable objectives, to begin
early to identify external support, and to consider possible ways of linking with the California Digital Library
and the Center for Learning Technologies.
3. Professional School Planning, Professional Masters and Degree-Oriented Continuing Education
The APC discussed several topics related to the planning of professional education in UC. The overall issue, which
will appear again on a later APC agenda, is when and how it is appropriate to plan for new professional programs
and degrees, particularly in a system as decentralized as UC where most academic planning occurs at the campuses.
First, members discussed a recently concluded workforce analysis of the Rand Corporation that reviewed California's
supply and demand for new lawyers. The report contained findings from interviews conducted with law school deans
and business professionals, in addition labor market projections which were somewhat inconclusive given the changing
environment. The report did not address the need for a new public law school, nor the need for better-educated
lawyers. However, several members noted that the report was useful in crystalizing issues relevant to law school
planning in UC.
The APC discussed the role that professional schools play in a research university. It was noted that UC professional
schools are often well-integrated into the broader campus academic fabric, with faculty teaching undergraduate
courses, and professional school students enrolling in other departments, and vice versa. Members reviewed data
showing that professional masters enrollments have been flat for the last 30 years (as have graduate enrollments
overall), while academic masters have declined. One potential workforce need that was noted is for increased content
masters, particularly for grade 9-12 teachers who want to expand their skills and knowledge.
A final aspect of graduate planning that the APC discussed was the Masters of Advanced Study, a new self-supporting
program that allows working adults to receive masters degrees. A number of pilot programs have been given seed
money, much of which is being used to carry out marketing studies. Academic guidelines for the review and approval
of these programs are still being developed and will evolve as new degrees proposals are brought forward.