What is a "Request for Consultation" (RFC)?
Through the Request for Consultation (RFC) process, the Davis Division reviews and comments on campus and systemwide items. Sometimes the Davis Division has authority to approve or deny an item (such as a new major or minor), and sometimes it only offers advice. The RFC process ensures that the Davis Division as a whole is fully consulted and engaged in the shared governance of the University, and allows for central record keeping of all inquiries and responses in a transparent and public manner.
The RFC process is used for non-routine Davis Divisional business:
- Routine Business
These are items that, by authority of Davis Division Bylaws, fall under the charge of a standing committee and its established procedures. For example, undergraduate program reviews are always under the authority of the Undergraduate Council. Likewise, course approval requests are always under the authority of the Committee on Courses of Instruction. Such routine business items do not need to pass through the Senate office for processing. - Non-Routine Business
These are items that do not meet the above criteria and are typically requests of an outside nature seeking Senate advice on, review of, or approval of an item. Examples include a proposal to establish a new school or college or major; proposed changes in the Academic or Policy Personnel Manual; proposed changes in Universitywide Senate policies or legislation; and more.
How do I submit an RFC?
Please email your request to Katheryn Russ, Chair of the Davis Division, at aschair@ucdavis.edu, and copy the Executive Director of the Davis Division, Edwin Arevalo, at emarevalo@ucdavis.edu. You should include all material relevant to your request, such as proposals, background information, support letters from previous reviewers, etc.
If you’re unsure about what to submit, or unsure if your item needs to go through a Davis Division consultation, please reach out to Edwin and he will work with you individually.
RFC Timelines
Within two weeks of receiving your request, the Senate office will respond with a timeline for consultation. While timelines vary depending on the time of the academic year and the workload of Senate committees, consultations will, in general, follow an eight-week timeline (beginning when the Senate office releases your request to committees). Committees have six weeks to opine, and the Davis Division has two weeks to compose a formal response to your request. On occasion, if it’s determined that only one or two specific committees need to opine on your request, the consultation process may proceed more quickly.
Since committees need adequate time to meet and opine on your item, sometimes they will not begin their review of your request until the following quarter. For example, if you submit a request at the beginning of March (which is near the end of winter quarter), the Senate office might not release your items for committee review until the beginning of spring quarter (late March/early April), which will add to your overall timeline. Please keep this in mind during your planning process.
Furthermore, sometimes the Davis Division must focus on items of high priority and must hold non-urgent business. If this occurs, the Senate office will notify you promptly.
How can I check on the status of my RFC?
Please email Edwin Arevalo at emarevalo@ucdavis.edu.