As is the case for all UC campuses, Santa Cruz has regular planning forums in which to discuss strategic planning issues.  Illustrative of such forums are two that deal with campus budgets and space/infrastructure.

•  Executive Budget Committee The Executive Budget Committee (EBC) was formed to advice the Chancellor and Campus Provost on budget issues and priorities in response to the recent reductions in State funding; however, now the EBC also provides oversight and coordination for the development and implementation of campus budget strategies.  In the past year, the EBC and its support teams have focused on six transformation projects designed to position the campus for growth and development, to improve its processes and services, and to avoid unnecessary costs. •  Space and Infrastructure Planning One of five administrative committees formed to advice the Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor on strategic planning issues, the Advisory Committee on Facilities is an on-going forum for vetting the campus' strategic plans with respect to campus buildings and physical infrastructure.

As part of its system of shared governance, the campus administration and the Academic Senate meet regularly in order to discuss issues of campuswide concern.  The Chancellor’s Cabinet and the Senate Executive Committee meet together several times during the academic year to share information and concerns necessary for decision-making.  In addition, leader of the Academic Senate meets weekly with the Executive Vice Chancellor/Campus Provost to plan together how best to proceed with various university initiatives.

In addition, each fall, the Chancellor invites senior leaders from the administration, faculty and student body to reflect on a specific aspect of UCSC future.  Recent topics have included: enhancing undergraduate education, the graduate student experience, renewing the Long Range Development Plan, WASC accreditation.

The campus also organizes special events at which campus constituencies can come together with experts from across the nation to discuss strategic planning issues of relevance to Santa Cruz' future.  For example, in October 2003, on the occasion of the first new residential colleges at UCSC in 30 years, the campus convened a panel of national leaders in higher education and industry to the first Clark Kerr Symposium to reflect on the current state of the research university in a program entitled “Rethinking the Student Experience in the 21st Century Public Research University.”  Panel discussions during the daylong conference focused on: the benefits of a diverse student body, the creation of innovative curricula, and the challenge of developing engaged citizens who will make meaningful contributions to society.

Planning Documents

UC Santa Cruz engages its core community and related constituencies both in periodic reflection and in on-going planning efforts.  The following documents are representative of recent efforts that form the foundation for the campus strategic planning.  The issues raised in the campus' institutional proposal to WASC were identified as part of these planning efforts.

•  UCSC at a Crossroads: Advisory Report of the Millennium Committee (1998) Charged with developing a set of principles to guide campus planning during a period in which the campus grew to 15,000 students, the Committee engaged the campus in nearly a year of intensive discussion and thoughtful exchange about the campus' future and the shared vision that should guide its development.  In order to help focus consideration and action on its recommendations, the report set out a number of "invitations to action"—some of which could be accomplished quickly and others that required additional analysis and consultation. •  Divisional Ten-Year Plans (2000-2002) As part of a comprehensive long-range planning effort, both academic and support divisions were asked to articulate a vision for their organization in the year 2010, their priorities and plans for achieving that vision, and how their division would contribute to a set of eight campuswide goals/priorities.  While these plans were constrained by the resources that the campus could reasonably expect by 2010, the process provided the campus with an opportunity to think broadly and strategically about its future, to link planning and budgeting activities, to identify the key issues that required further thought and discussion, and to articulate a path to implementation. •  Strategic Futures Committee (2003-04) In that the campus' enrollment would soon exceed the 15,000 students projected for 2005, the Strategic Futures Committee was charged with recommending an on-campus enrollment scenario for 2020—as well as articulating the academic rationale for growth.  This (predominately faculty) committee recommended that the campus' 2005-2020 long-range physical plan accommodate up to 21,000 students and made a number of observations about the goals and objectives that should inform land-use planning.  [A library of related academic planning documents is available on-line.] •  Long Range Development Plan (2003-06) When completed in 2006, the Long Range Development Plan (LRDP) will define a building program and land-use map that can serve as a comprehensive planning framework for capital construction, infrastructure, and land-use programs.  The plan is premised on the campus' academic goals as well as projected Statewide enrollment demand.  [A library of related physical planning documents is available on-line.] •  Silicon Valley Center (1999 -06) UC Santa Cruz is establishing the Silicon Valley Center to enhance the impact of UC research, improve access to UC education, and provide new educational opportunities for Silicon Valley residents.  The center will be a conduit for the state's research university system to contribute further to the economic growth and intellectual vitality of the Silicon Valley region.  These documents summarize the most recent planning associated with the initiative.

Also see the campus' response to Standard 4.1.

In addition to the plans developed under the auspices of the administration, the Academic Senate (as part of its shared governance role) periodically issues planning documents.  In some cases, these respond to campuswide plans; in others, these articulate priorities and issues from the perspective of the faculty.

•  Shaping our Future—Planning for 15,000 Students (1992) In a planning statement adopted unanimously by the Senate, this document explained some of the constraints the campus faced and provided a general framework and a planning process to allow faculty to take advantage of the opportunities associated with campus growth.  This statement is informed by a report prepared by the Committee on 2005 (appointed by the Chancellor): 2005 Report (1992) This report was intended to advise the administration on academic planning for UC Santa Cruz as it grew to 15,000 students in 2005. •  Divisional 10-year Plans (2001-2002) Intended not only to provide a critique of the divisional ten-year plans, this series of Senate documents also offered observations about the campus' comprehensive planning processes and the issues of importance to the Senate. •  Campus Enrollment Planning and Growth (2001-03) In this series of reports, the Senate expressed its concern about the lag between enrollment growth and the campus' ability to build the space needed to accommodate academic programs, the campus' enrollment management issues and activities, and the challenges associated with growth and infrastructure facing the campus. •  Silicon Valley Center (2000-01) In a series of five reports, the Senate provided advice about the campus' proposal to establish a regional center in Silicon Valley—as well as University proposals to move toward year-round operations by establishing a State-funded summer term.

Other reports issued by the Academic Senate Committee on Planning and Budget and other Senate committees are available online.  Also see the campus' response to Standard 3.11.