Lisa Alvarez-Cohen

The opening remarks addressed the unprecedented challenges facing institutions of higher education, referencing recent government actions and fiscal pressures. The Chair emphasized the University of California's historical role and the collective responsibility to ensure its continued prosperity for future generations. Key discussion items highlighted for the meeting included a closed session for the Health Services and Finance and Capital Strategies Committees to discuss the Vision for the UC Riverside Health Clinical Enterprise. Another focus is the UC Programs in Medical Education (UC PRIME), which aims to cultivate physician leaders. Additionally, the upcoming Annual Report on Basic Needs for students will be discussed. Finally, an update was provided on the diligent work of the Special Committee on the Selection of a President.

The primary focus of the Assembly of the Academic Senate meeting was the action item concerning the proposed revisions to Academic Personnel Manual (APM) Sections 015 and 016, which detail the Faculty Code of Conduct and the Administration of Discipline. These revisions address widespread faculty concerns regarding academic freedom, free speech protections, and shared governance, including establishing a Systemwide Reserve Privilege and Tenure Pool and defining specific timeframes for initial assessments, investigations, and filing of disciplinary charges. Key discussions also covered the ongoing fallout from federal investigations concerning data disclosure, including the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) requests, and status updates on various task forces like UCAD Plus and the Performance of Undergraduate Degree Programs (PUDP) task force. Senior University Managers provided updates on the volatile federal and state budget environments, potential federal research funding changes, and proposals for a research bond. Additionally, President Milliken addressed faculty opposition to the Trellix software deployment and reaffirmed UC's stance on gender-affirming health care.

The Assembly meeting addressed several major agenda items. Leadership provided updates on ongoing federal proceedings, noting the November 2025 injunction preventing federal fines or grant withholding, and UC's strategy of seeking dialogue rather than litigation. The launch of UCAD Plus, the successor to the UC Adaptation to Disruptions task force, was announced. Budget discussions highlighted Governor Newsom's January proposal including a $350 million ongoing funding increase for UC. Labor relations updates covered averted strikes with UPTE and CNA, while UAW planned an authorization vote for a potential strike in February 2026, prompting the Senate to prepare faculty guidance. Concerns were raised regarding declining math readiness among entering students based on a UCSD report. The Academic Council presented proposed revisions to Academic Personnel Manual Sections 015 and 016 concerning faculty conduct and discipline, which were subsequently approved by the Assembly after extensive discussion regarding timelines and expressive activities guidelines. Senior University Managers provided commentary; the President reflected on positive developments like Nobel Prizes and record enrollment while addressing federal investigation uncertainty and budget advocacy. The CFO detailed the state budget proposal, capital financing plans including potential state bonds, and reaffirmed credit ratings. The Provost discussed research collaboration expansion with international partners and updates on academic initiatives like the Degree Plus pilot program. Finally, the Assembly considered an unfinished resolution concerning the disclosure of faculty, student, and staff information to the federal government, passing amendments to urge advance notification for disclosures, though quorum was lost before a final vote on adoption, requiring the resolution to return as unfinished business.

The meeting agenda included the approval of minutes from the June 12, 2025 meeting, announcements by the Chair, and reports from standing committees, specifically the Academic Council concerning proposed revisions to Senate Regulation 750 to recognize the 'Math Fellow' instructional title. Senior University Managers provided announcements on the new UC President, Provost, and CFO. The agenda also covered the presentation of multiple 2024-25 Annual Reports from various committees. A primary focus of discussion, both in the Assembly and in subsequent reports, was the resolution regarding the immediate suspension of Trellix and similar monitoring software on faculty systems due to academic freedom and privacy concerns, which ultimately passed. The Academic Council report detailed extensive work on responding to federal disruptions, budget issues, faculty welfare items (including benefits, retirement contributions, and the Mortgage Origination Program), academic personnel matters such as faculty discipline guidelines and APM revisions, and graduate/undergraduate education topics.

The meeting covered several key announcements and reports from Senate leadership and senior university managers. Key discussion topics included celebrating UC Nobel Laureates for 2025, addressing the suspension of federal grants at UCLA and related demands from the U.S. Department of Justice, and discussing the U.S. Department of Education's request for UC Berkeley incident reports. Updates were provided on the Regents' September meeting, which addressed the 2026-27 preliminary budget and the Tuition Stability Plan renewal. Several Senate task forces and workgroups were reviewed, including the Task Force on UC Adaptation to Disruptions (UCAD Plus), the Task Force on the Performance of Undergraduate Degree Programs (PUDP), and workgroups reviewing revisions to APM 015/016 and streamlining data collection for faculty discipline cases. Senior managers discussed the federal fiscal environment, potential research funding reductions, and UC's advocacy strategy, including support for State Senate Bill (SB) 607. The Academic Council approved a revision to Senate Regulation 750 concerning the "Math Fellow" instructional title. The President also addressed ongoing federal actions, faculty privacy regarding monitoring software, and UC's position on gender-affirming health care.