UC Online

2025–2026 UC Online Instructional Funding – Protocols & Policies

Purpose

To ensure consistency and transparency in supporting instructional costs for cross-campus online courses, UC Online is implementing updated funding protocols for the 2025–2026 academic year. Developed in consultation with the UC Online Advisory Council, these protocols apply to courses offered through the UC Online Cross-Campus Enrollment System (CCES) and are intended to support instructional delivery by offsetting costs related to instructional assistance, such as supplementing the funding of teaching assistants (TAs). Instructional funding is distinct from other funding that UC Online provides for campus programmatic and Cross Campus Enrollment System (CCES) technical infrastructure.

Instructional Funding Guidelines

Effective for the 2025–2026 academic year, the following policies will govern cross-campus instructional funding for UC Online courses:

1.     Enrollment Thresholds & Funding Caps

• The calculation of students will be based on enrollment at the end of Week 1.
• Courses with five or fewer cross-campus enrollments will not be eligible for cross-campus instructional funding.
• Courses with six or more cross-campus enrollments will be funded for all cross-campus students enrolled, up to $150 per student per term.
• The maximum instructional funding per course is $6,000.
• Funds may also be used for equivalent instructional support roles (e.g., graders, learning assistants) if TAs are not applicable.
• Courses without instructional support needs should request only essential funding or opt out entirely.

TA Support Protocol and Departmental Thresholds

If cross-campus enrollments in a course meet or exceed the department’s internal TA assignment threshold, additional review and approval are required:

1. Initial Planning

• Departments are strongly encouraged to set seat caps below their TA threshold unless prior approval has been secured.
• Requests for TA support should be submitted prior to the course opening for enrollment, recognizing the lead time needed to secure instructional support.

2. TA Request and Review Process

• Faculty should submit TA support requests via their campus liaison, who will alert UC Online.
• Requests will be jointly reviewed by the hosting campus and UC Online and a decision will be made within ten days of the initial request, with consideration given to UC Online strategic priorities:
• Whether the course addresses a high-impact or bottleneck area critical to student time-to-degree
• Whether systemwide enrollment is essential to the course’s or program’s continuation

3. Additional Considerations

• Before requesting TA support, departments are encouraged to explore pedagogical or technological alternatives to meet student needs.
• Approved TA assignments will be valid for the entire academic year.
• If a TA request is not approved, the campus and UC Online will provide a shared rationale. Faculty may reapply for the following year.

An FAQ has been created to address questions regarding the 2025-26 instructional funding protocol. Please direct any additional questions or requests for clarification to Rolin Moe (rolin.moe@ucop.edu) or Mary Wong (mary.wong2@ucop.edu).