College Governance

UCLA Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost

College of Letters and Science Faculty and Staff; Campuswide Administrative Officers, Deans, Directors, and Vice Chancellors
 

Dear Colleagues:

I am pleased to inform you that Chancellor Block and I have accepted the recommendation of the College deans to continue the Cabinet model of governance.  Dean and Vice Provost Judith L. Smith has been appointed as Chair of the Cabinet, to serve a two-year term effective January 1, 2010.

The Cabinet model was implemented on a trial basis beginning in January 2008.  Under this model, the position of Executive Dean was eliminated.  The five divisional deans report to me, and each dean carries responsibility for her or his division as well as selected college-wide duties.  Decisions affecting the College as a whole are made primarily through discussion among the deans at their weekly cabinet meetings.

The functioning of the College over the past two years has demonstrated the effectiveness of the Cabinet model.  In addition to supporting academic excellence within divisions, the model has facilitated stronger interdivisional collaboration.  It also represents a significant cost savings.  Over the past two years, the Office of the Deans has eliminated eight staff positions and reduced expenditures by approximately $800,000 per year.

As Chair of the Cabinet, Dean and Vice Provost Smith will represent the College on the Chancellor’s Executive Committee, convene the College Cabinet and other management groups, work with the Chief of Staff to manage the Office of the Deans, and sustain a College-wide strategic plan for fundraising.

Please join me in extending appreciation to all College deans for their partnership, and leadership and to Dean Smith for her dedication to College-wide management.

Sincerely,

Scott L. Waugh
Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost