P&As are the largest employee class at the University. Our individual responsibilities are mind-bogglingly diverse. Our efforts are critical in delivering the University’s mission. The complexity and diversity of our individual roles make it challenging for any one job class to be heard clearly. Coming together as a Senate representing all P&As gives us far greater access to change makers.
1980-2002 — ASAC
Shortly after 1980, the Academic Staff Advisory Committee (ASAC) was established to advise the president and administration on P&A needs and concerns. ASAC members, selected by the University president, served in this capacity until the late 1990s when the group decided a more active governing organization was needed.
2002-2011 — CAPA
Reflecting a growing emphasis in governance, ASAC renamed itself the Council of Academic Professionals and Administrators (CAPA) in January 2002. CAPA became an elected body of approximately 50 representatives from each of the colleges, administrative units, and campuses. CAPA also recommended P&As to the University Senate and University committees in order to ensure that P&A concerns and perspectives were considered.
2005-Present — P&A Senators to University Senate
In 2005, the University Senate took the groundbreaking step of including representatives from CAPA and civil service. CAPA elected 23 senators from among its ranks to serve in the University Senate. The CAPA chair and vice chair also serve on the Senate Consultative Committee, which provides them with voting seats in the University Senate. The addition of these “CAPA Senators” gave P&A employees a new voice in University affairs, and led to even greater opportunities for advancement and change.
2011-Present — P&A Senate
In the fall of 2009, with CAPA members now serving in the University Senate, CAPA’s leadership team commissioned a subcommittee to consider changing CAPA to a P&A Senate. Many benefits were identified, chief among them increased visibility and legitimacy, transparency of the relationship of the P&A governance body to other governance bodies at the University, greater opportunities to participate in University affairs, and improved relevance to viewers outside the University. CAPA voted to adopt this change in June 2010, with the change becoming effective July 1, 2011 following approval of the Board of Regents. In addition to CAPA becoming the P&A Senate, its Executive Committee became the P&A Consultative Committee (PACC).
Next Steps
The future of the P&A Senate is directly determined by its volunteer senators and alternates. In other words, the future depends on you! Whether you’re brand new to the University, or have years of experience under your belt, your voice matters in governance and in the direction of the Senate.