Apply to Volunteer on the Senate Service Portal
Call to Service: Volunteer for a Faculty Senate Committee
Participate in Shared Governance at UCSF
This year, the UCSF Academic Senate is seeking dedicated faculty volunteers to serve on our committees, councils, and task forces. Your participation is essential in ensuring diverse perspectives are represented, driving positive change, and advancing the University’s mission.
Volunteer Commitment
- 2 hours once a month to be a member
- Other special task forces and award committees, based on availability and nominations
- Additional leadership and systemwide volunteer opportunities, if sought
- Supported by Office of Academic Senate of policy analysts, with expertise spanning academic, education, legal, operations, economics and planning, HR and change management, among other areas.
What is the UCSF Academic Senate?
The UCSF Academic Senate is the voice of faculty at UCSF and part of the broader University of California system. Founded in 1878, the UC system’s Academic Senate grants faculty shared governance, allowing faculty members to influence decisions that affect the University’s academic mission. As a member of the Senate, you have the opportunity to contribute to key decisions regarding curriculum, academic policies, faculty welfare, and much more.
At UCSF, faculty serve on 18 standing committees, 4 faculty councils, and various special committees. The work of these bodies directly impacts UCSF and its role in the UC system, especially as health sciences programs continue to grow.
What Do Volunteers Do?
Jenny Liu, PhD, MPP
Past Chair
Committee on Faculty Welfare Academic Senate
Impact Story:
Faculty Time Use Study
"We launched a study with two primary goals:
to document, evaluate, and quantify faculty time spent across a range of university-related activities; and
to identify systematic disparities in the distribution of invisible work among UCSF faculty.
There has been significant interest, and we are collaborating with leadership to explore creative solutions. I'm optimistic that this effort will lead to meaningful change." (Time Use Study Task Force)
Volunteers serve on committees that support the academic mission of UCSF. Here are just some of the initiatives and activities faculty committees led:
- Faculty Time-Use Study: Leading efforts to quantify faculty time across various university-related activities and identify disparities.
- Faculty Writing Support: Supporting initiatives to improve faculty writing productivity and accessibility, including campuswide writing center feasibility study.
- Systemwide Memorials to the Regents: Reviewing and influencing systemwide policy changes, such as sustainability efforts across the UC system and expanding senate membership to HS Clinical and Adjunct faculty.
- Awards & Recognition: Reviewing nominations for Senate awards and fostering faculty recognition across UCSF.
Serving on these committees offers you the opportunity to shape policies, advance faculty welfare, and directly contribute to the academic life of UCSF and the larger UC community.
José Gurrola II, MD
School of Medicine Representative, Committee on Committees
Academic Senate
“As a new assistant professor, I did not realize how quickly you can network with and learn from experienced mentors—often people you’d never meet otherwise. Because I served on this committee, I was exposed to established colleagues who have provided amazing mentorship and sponsorship who I feel comfortable asking for advice, information, resources, and letters of recommendation.”
Why Volunteer?
- Representation: Represent your School and department, ensuring your colleagues’ voices are heard in key academic decisions.
- Professional Development: Build valuable skills, expand your professional network, and work closely with mentors and senior faculty.
- Community & Impact: Engage in meaningful service that supports the academic mission, promotes equity and diversity, and enhances faculty life.
- Leadership Opportunities: Influence policy, contribute to systemic change, and showcase your leadership within UCSF and the UC system.
Kewchang Lee, MD
Chair, Committee on Committees
UCSF Academic Senate
"When I see that a faculty member, and especially a junior one, serves on an Academic Senate committee, it shows me they're committed to UCSF and our community."
Areas of Impact
By volunteering, you’ll be able to contribute to one or more of these critical areas:
- Faculty Governance & Oversight
- Academic, Professional Development & Recognition
- Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
- Clinical Affairs & Faculty Welfare
- Research & Scholarship
- Library & Scholarly Communications
- Budget & Planning
Eighteen standing committees work directly on shaping UCSF’s strategic priorities and improving the overall academic experience for faculty. See Standing Commitee list.
Who Can Serve?
We are actively seeking a diverse group of faculty members from all series, ranks, and departments. At UCSF, we expanded local Senate membership to include all faculty series about a decade ago. Every UCSF faculty member is encouraged to participate, and we especially welcome junior faculty, new faculty, and faculty from underrepresented groups and departments. Your involvement is vital in ensuring that all faculty perspectives are considered in decision-making processes.
Recently faculty at UCSF voted to petition the Board of Regents to expand Senate membership to HS Clinical and Adjunct faculty systemwide. Read more about this example of Senate volunteers making a difference.
Representation Data for Academic Senate
Download Volunteer Information Slides for data on UCSF Academic Senate service by school, department, series, and rank.
Download Senate Volunteer Data
Current Volunteer Opportunities
Visit the Senate Service Portal to see a full list of current openings across our committees and councils.
Opportunities include:
- Academic Freedom
- Academic Personnel
- Academic Planning & Budget
- Clinical Affairs
- Committee on Committees
- Educational Policy
- Equal Opportunity
- Faculty Welfare
- Library & Scholarly Communication
- Privilege & Tenure
- Rules & Jurisdiction
- Research
- Space
- Faculty Councils (Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy)
How to Get Involved
To learn more about the specific committees, review open positions, and sign up to volunteer, please visit the Senate Volunteer Portal. Your service is not only an important contribution to the academic mission of UCSF, but also a great way to accelerate your professional development.