2013 Candidate Statement Donald Potts

Donald Potts
Professor
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Senate Service (since 1990): Two periods (1990-91; 2002-05) as member (including chair) of the Committee on Rules, Jurisdiction, and Elections (RJE), and one year (2005-06) on the systemwide UC Committee on Rules and Jurisdiction UCRJ). Committee on International Education (CIE): 1994-2000. Committee on Educational Policy (CEP): 2008-09. Secretary, Parliamentarian and Senate Executive Committee (SEC): 1996-99. Acting as Parliamentarian pro tem and Secretary pro tem on several occasions since 2001. Parliamentarian: 2010-13.

Rationale:  I believe strongly that shared governance is one of the great strengths of the UC system, but its effectiveness depends on the willingness of Senate Officers and Committees to accept the responsibilities and to participate fully in shared governance. I see COC’s responsibilities as including the use of committee memberships to educate senators about shared governance, and then constituting committees that will exercise the prerogatives effectively.