As the Division chair, I am delighted to present the first Academic Senate newsletter under my leadership. It is an honor to represent the amazingly talented UCSF faculty. I hope that together we will achieve important advances for the faculty, and the University as a whole, over the next two years.
In a foreword to a history of the Academic Senate, Clark Kerr wrote “The two greatest gifts to the University of California have been the institutional autonomy given to its Board of Regents in the Constitution of 1878 and the unprecedented grant of authority the board assigned to the Academic Senate in 1920. These two gifts constitute the institutional foundation for the growth in distinction of the University of California.” The Senate shares governance of University affairs with the administration, and as such, has the ability
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to effect positive changes for its members. I look forward to working closely with the Administration, which is committed to involving the Senate in all aspects of University life. As an initial foray into developing collaborative solutions with the administration, I have changed the name of the newsletter.
Like many of you, I greatly enjoy Dan Lowenstein’s Expresso newsletters. However, they tend to leave me a little wanting – for dessert! In the spirit of restraint, we will only offer dessert on a quarterly basis.
The dessert recommendation for this first newsletter comes from Mission Pie, a wonderful bakery at the southeast corner of 25th and Mission in the City. A locally owned business in close proximity to La Taqueria (need I say more), I can attest that its pies are indeed special (my expertise comes from having a mother who made pies for every Friday night dinner, pies known to be some of the best in Toronto). My favorite of Mission Pie’s current offerings is Pear-Ginger, which comes in a mini-size, so you can still feel somewhat honorable while indulging.
So, while you’re having your espresso and dessert, do check out the newsletter articles on important issues on which we are working these days, and perhaps some stories from around the world that I think you may find as fascinating as I do:
Newsletter
Articles: UCSF Space Update: Issues and Initiatives The Role of the Academic Senate in School Curricular Improvement Retiree Health Benefits: What does it mean for you? Stories from around the world: Space/Housing: • This interesting article supports the notion that, although workspace changes are a necessary element to our lives, one size does not fit all. I was particularly struck by the statement “Research done by Craig Knight, a British organizational psychologist, concluded that “empowered offices” — in which workers can choose their conditions — can increase productivity on cognitive tasks by 25 percent or more.” • How about partnering with Sidewalk Labs/Alphabet to create Sidewalk UCSF, to address some of our massive housing needs innovatively? (Way to go, Toronto!) For Dog Lovers: Who would have thought that a genetic defect in humans (I see these patients regularly in my pediatric cardiology practice) may be the reason that your dog (and not a wolf) is your best friend; or, more to the point, that you are your dog’s best friend. Super Cool! Or super hot. The collision of two neutron stars was first detected by LIGO on August 17. This animation of the event is fascinating. The first article on it was authored by 4,000 scientists! Now that is truly a multi-center project. Lastly, I want to say that the Senate exists to represent and support you, the faculty, in all aspects of your work life. I would love to hear from you about any topic that concerns you, whether you have ideas for positive change, want support, or just want to vent. Please go to the Senate Response Page. The Senate is interested in all of your thoughts, and problems, and we are committed to supporting you, to make your experience at UCSF, and UCSF itself, better. Sincerely, David Teitel, MD, Chair Academic Senate (2017-2019)
Baldridge, J.V., Curtis, D.V., Ecker, G.P., & Riley, G.L. (1977). Alternative models of governance in higher education. In G.L. Riley and J.V. Baldridge. Governing academic organization. Berkeley, CA: McCutchan Publishing.
What stands out about American universities today? Is it the academic opportunities offered to students, experienced faculty, or strong sense of community? Or...perhaps they have lost their focus. It is not uncommon for universities to focus their efforts and budgets elsewhere; by building state of the art gyms, for example, remodeling luxury dorms, grooming campuses, or creating more management positions. College students and professors alike are subject to the nationally occurring changes in higher level education. Colleges are becoming commercialized and tuition is rising, but is the quality of education improving? In “Why We Should Fear University, Inc.”, Fredrik DeBoer is able to provide a personal take on the issue of corporate domination
I am exceptionally grateful for this opportunity to possibly be a member of this very prestigious organization. Every day I work tremendously hard to be noticed by both other scholars and my teachers. Now that an opportunity has come, I am truly excited to demonstrate and live by the values of The National Junior Honors Society. I hope to further expose and show both my dedication and want to join arms with my community and my peers and I wish to continue to work with passion and fire to shape the world into a brighter place.
I would like to begin with saying that I am honored to be invited into the National Honors Society. I am continually setting high standards for myself and to join a group of like minded people would be a very satisfying reward. I consider this invitation for application an incredible opportunity for forward advancement in my scholarly journey. So, to dive right into why I would like to join this honored society, I will briefly expound on my character and traits for you.
There are specials offered at every meal depending on the season and the catch of the day. Chef Vanzile says that he plans the menu around what fresh fish and produce look the best rather than what is trendy. However, there is still a great deal of ambition evidenced in the menu. Some recent specials included Mahi chowder and blackened salmon with Romesco cream as well as more expected fare such as sautéed crab cakes and a shrimp omelet. Fish and chips were the special on St. Patrick’s Day, an Irish themed-meal for diners to enjoy.
The report, Higher Education for American Democracy, triggered changes in federal policies and subsequently the universities followed suit. Members of the commission arg...
I am writing to inform you of my possible contributions to the National Honor Society and my interest in becoming a member. I view myself as a strong minded individual with a strong incentive to learn. Acquiring the ability to learn fast and adapt quickly has enabled me to be a part of a wide range of organizations. My participation and loyalty to the NHS could result in a great strive forward. I could provide more ideas of services to benefit the school and our community. I would also devote a large portion of my free time to the organization and assist in any way possible. Whether that means coming in early in the morning or staying late after school, I would do any means necessary to show my commitment.
Byrd, Robert C. The Senate, 1789-1989: Addresses on the History of the US Senate, Vol. 1. (New York: Bernan Associates, 1989).
cakes among many other freshly made recipes. They have a special cookbook for all of the fancy
Uhr, John. "Why We Chose Proportional Representation." Representation and Institutional Change: 50 Years of Proportional Representation in the Senate. By Marian Sawer and Sarah Miskin. Canberra: Dept. of the Senate, 1999. 13-40. Print.
Prop 13 has been labeled as the main cause for the education systems woes, because it decreased property taxes and pushed funding responsibility for education to the state level instead of local governments. Its reform has been demanded on several occasions, it has even been referred to as an “unmitigated disaster”.(Bohnett 2010) Several other factors have had a negative impact on the California higher education system. For instance the reliance on volatile tax sources have created a roller coaster of ups and downs in funding. The initiative process has also allowed voters to delegate certain taxes for...
	There was a time in the early stage of John Quincy Adams' career when he was a Senator, when many Senators careers would end because they did not follow the thought of their constituents. By this time Senate was to be a more executive council than a legislative body. If they became more of a executive council they would help advise the President. Senate was an executive council to the President for a while, until the Federalist Party didn't agree on foreign policy, and many more polit...
Newman, John Henry. "The Idea of a University." The Presence of Others. 3rd ed. Ed. Andrea A. Lunsford and John J. Ruszkiewicz. New York: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2000. 126 - 131.
In the beginning, the student movement was largely influenced by the non-violence aspect of the Civil Rights movement. Colleges and universities, at that time, had a view of “In Loco Parentis” ; which means, in place of parents or in other words, the faculty and staff acted as the parents. At University of California-Berkeley , the students were frustrated with having their freedoms restricted; therefore, they started protesting. In the beginning, the University officials took away ...
Rohde, David W., Norman J. Ornstein, and Robert L. Peabody. 1984. “Political Change and Legislative Norms in the U.S. Senate, 1957-1974.” In Studies of Congress, ed. Glenn R. Parker. Washington, D.C.: CQ Press.