Academic Senate: Upcoming Spring 2026 Events

Dear Colleagues,

With Spring Quarter now well underway, I want to update you on some upcoming activities to add to your calendar.

First, however, I want to congratulate Professor Emeritus Robert Horwitz (Communication) on being awarded the 2026 Oliver Johnson Award for Distinguished Leadership in the Academic Senate. This is the highest service award that the UC Academic Senate bestows; it is presented every other year to honor an Academic Senate member or members in recognition of lifetime service to the Senate, outstanding and creative contributions to faculty governance, and exceptional abilities in working with different University constituents. This recognition complements Robert’s receipt earlier this year of our divisional Donald F. Tuzin Award for Distinguished Service. Having read the nominating letter for this award, I can say that I was staggered by the sheer scale and significance of his contributions, which as many of you know included terms vice chair and chair of both our divisional and the systemwide Academic Senate. So, congratulations to Robert on this well-deserved honor!

Spring Academic Senate Budget Town Hall
Please join us next Thursday, April 23, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. for our second virtual Budget Town Hall. Chancellor Pradeep Khosla, Executive Vice Chancellor Elizabeth Simmons, Vice Chancellor John Carethers, Vice Chancellor Meenakshi Wadhwa, Vice Chancellor Lawrence Furnstahl and Associate Vice Chancellor Mercedes Muñoz will discuss the current budget forecast and respond to questions from faculty. Please register to attend.
Faculty Coffee Chat
For our upcoming Coffee Chat, on Thursday, April 30 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Center Hall 315, the Academic Senate will be hosting a listening session and conversation on Faculty Rights and Vulnerabilities, focusing on the experience of teaching in our current political and social media environment. While faculty in California are not subject to the kind of state-mandated censorship that our colleagues at public institutions in Texas and elsewhere now face, we have nonetheless felt the chill of the current climate. At the same time, faculty members’ sense of vulnerability in the classroom has been heightened by a range of factors—from professors being filmed without permission to the threat of gun violence. This is especially true for faculty who teach on topics long regarded as controversial. Come discuss these issues with Senate leadership and share ideas on what role the Senate can play in addressing these issues. Refreshments will be provided; please sign up, only so that we know how many people to plan for.
Happy Hour at the Faculty Club
Mark your calendars now for our Spring Happy Hour at the Faculty Club, which will take place on Thursday, May 7 from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. No sign up is required.
Spring Quarter Lunch with the Senate Chair and Vice Chair
Akos and I are hosting our quarterly lunch at the Faculty Club on Wednesday, May 20 from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Sign up to attend; space is limited.
UC San Diego AI Symposium
Chancellor Khosla and the Academic Senate will be holding a day-long symposium (9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) on Friday, May 29 that will address how AI is reshaping higher education. The day will feature twelve short presentations by UC San Diego faculty who will demonstrate how they are incorporating AI into pedagogy, as well as two panel discussions on broader AI-related issues. Keep an eye out for future announcements with more details and registration information.

All best,

Rebecca Jo Plant
Chair, Academic Senate, San Diego Division

University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093