Sources of Authority for University of California Policies

University of California policy information is issued by the Office of the President. The Office of the President has comprehensive and interrelated policies and guidelines that address the conduct of UC employees. The chart showing the structure of administrative sources of authority illustrates the hierarchy of authority for the University. It shows how different constituencies work together to define the rules governing employees in University-related activities. This foundational structure supports the University's missions of teaching, research and public service, and principles of shared governance.
State and federal legislation provide the first level of authority to the University. Article IX, Section 9 of the California Constitution establishes The Regents of the University of California with "full powers of organization and governance" subject only to very specific areas of legislative control. The article states "the university shall be entirely independent of all political and sectarian influence and kept free therefrom in the appointment of its Regents and in the administration of its affairs." The California Master Plan for Higher Education represents "a written covenant by the state and its higher education enterprise to provide broad access to educational opportunity and to support an intellectual infrastructure which would continually create and apply new knowledge for the benefit of California's people."
The University is governed by The Regents, a 26-member board that appoints the President of the University and the principal officers of The Regents: the General Counsel, Treasurer, and Secretary. The Bylaws of The Regents discuss the responsibilities of the officers and committees, and include, among others, policies on the use of the University name and seal. The Standing Orders include provisions that establish the duties of the President, Chancellors, Academic Senate, and establish programs, such as the UC retirement system, that concern academic and staff employees of the University. From time to time, the Board of Regents adopts policies pertaining to the governance of the University of California that fall outside the purview of its Bylaws and Standing Orders. Some examples are policies on nondiscrimination, fundraising campaigns, and admission requirements.

The Regents promulgate policy for the University overall, but certain policy-making duties are conferred on the President of the University in Standing Orders 100.4. New Presidential policy may result from Regents' action, changes in law, or new administrative issues within the University itself. Presidential policies are revised or rescinded based on changes to Regents' policy, legal or societal changes, or administrative changes. Policy review prior to issuance by the President is performed by the University Policy Office, within the immediate office of the Senior Vice President--Business and Finance in the Office of the President. The General Counsel of The Regents is responsible for legal review. Presidential policies customarily set forth courses of action, provide administrative direction, and promulgate regulations or processes which are applicable Universitywide.

Presidential policy-making usually involves extensive consultation with various constituencies of the University community and may include representative administrators, faculty and students from each of the ten University of California campuses and the national laboratories. The University Policy Office coordinates appropriate consultation during the policy-making process and assures that the proposed policy is consistent with existing Presidential policy and regulations outside the University. While policy review is performed by the University Policy Office, Office of the General Counsel is responsible for legal review.

  • Presidential Delegations of Authority - Authorities conferred upon the President by the Board of Regents which the President has chosen to redelegate to other senior officers, including Chancellors, in published form.