University Of California, Santa Cruz

AS/SCP/1331

SUMMER REVIEW OF UC ADMISSIONS POLICIES

The UC systemwide work of BOARS during summer 2001 concentrated on policies for “comprehensive admissions”. A review of the effectiveness of SAT tests in determining UC eligibility was also begun. Three two-day retreats have been held since spring: June 28-29 [at UC Riverside], July 25-26 and Sept. 5-6 [at UCOP, Oakland]. Two fora were conducted at UCSC, on July 20 and August 3 with about two dozen faculty and admissions office attendees (http://senate.ucsc.edu/cafa/Attend.htm). Also in attendance on August 3 were Prof. Dorothy Perry, Chair of BOARS (systemwide), and Prof Michael Cowan, Chair of the Academic Council (of the systemwide UC Academic Senate).

The definition of “comprehensive” review of applications for UC admissions adopted by BOARS [9/5-6/2001] is: “Comprehensive review is the process by which students applying to UC campuses are evaluated for admission using multiple measures of achievement and promise, while considering the context in which each student has demonstrated accomplishment.” BOARS also [6/28-29/2001] “endorses a comprehensive review of applications using a broad variety of factors to select an entering class.” BOARS has endorsed the continued use of academic and other criteria listed in the 2001/2002 document “Introducing the University”, except that the system of “tiers” would no longer be applied. The pros and cons (http://senate.ucsc.edu/cafa/Pros&Cons.htm) of altering the tiered admissions policy was actively debated at BOARS and at UCSC with a UCSC document included as Distribution Item 4 of the BOARS Agenda [7/25-26/2001].

Review of the proposed new policy by the Academic Council, the Academic Assembly, and the Regents [November 2001] is now in progress and, if approved, could apply to the entering class of Fall 2002. It is deemed important by BOARS that the Academic Senate of each campus should develop its own individualized process and that the transition will be both iterative and evaluative. Initial plans for each campus will be presented to BOARS on 10/11/2001. BOARS is now working on guidelines for accountability and monitoring of results systemwide. The UCSC reaction to the proposal for comprehensive admissions was summarized and transmitted to BOARS by K. McNally and J. Tamkun on 8/30/2001 (http://senate.ucsc.edu/cafa/Reaction.htm) with the main points as follows:

1. There is an overriding concern that decisions are being rushed without thorough analysis and deliberation appropriate to the seriousness of the admissions issues.

2. A UC applicant should be able to evaluate his/her standing using the new criteria (i.e., the process should be transparent). If not, the public might not perceive the new system to be fairer than the present system.

3. There must be adequate funding on each campus and at UC systemwide for ongoing research, statistical analyses, monitoring and implementation of new proposed systems. Student retention and graduation are the goals to be achieved.

4. We support the reaffirmation by BOARS and the Regents that the authority over admissions policies rests with the Academic Senate.

5. UCSC is cautiously optimistic about comprehensive admissions and wishes to work with BOARS and UCOP in developing new prototype models this year in the expectation that UCSC will become selective for freshman admissions by AY 2003-4.

In conclusion, we ask the UCSC Academic Senate to recommend: (1) that CAFA conducts at least two fora for the faculty: one in Fall 2001 to discuss comprehensive admissions policies, and one in Winter 2002 to discuss future developments in reviewing the effectiveness of SAT tests for UC admissions; (2) that CAFA formulate a plan for establishing a campuswide database for creating, tracking and comparing comprehensive admissions guidelines, including grading statistics, scores on admissions tests required by the University, and high school grades and report to the Divisional Senate and BOARS on the status of this effort not later than February 1, 2002.

Karen C. McNally

UCSC representative to BOARS and member of CAFA,

Summer 2001

*For additional information, please consult the CAFA web page (www.senate.ucsc.edu/cafa/).