Working Groups

The Urban Planning Program at UCLA, established in 1969, initiated a democratic form of governance, unique to the university system, which involves the active participation of faculty, staff, and students in the various administrative and programmatic functions of the school including admissions, financial aid, and staffing.   Working Groups for each of these concerns, chaired by ladder faculty, meet regularly throughout the school year to discuss relevant issues and to make proposals and/or designate action.   The Working Groups derive their mission and authority from the Assembly of Working Groups (a variation on the "town meeting" which meets at least once every quarter) both for ensuring a common information base within the program and to hear the proposals for changes in policy and/or degree requirements.   The Assembly is open to the entire Urban Planning community with each member given voting privileges.   The Working Group system has endured as a progressive approach to program development.   Working Group membership is by voluntary sign-up with the exception of Staffing, which is by faculty nomination and subsequent election.

Outline of Working Group Responsibilities:

MURP Program/Curriculum Working Group:
This group is responsible for the content of the MURP academic programs in Urban Planning.   It reviews the curriculum and deals with suggestions for altering requirements, adding and deleting courses, restructuring examination procedures, etc.   The committee is respoisible for reviewing all courses taught for the first time, all courses taught by visiting instructors, and all student initiated courses.  Proposals for official changes in degree requirements which are adopted by the Assembly of Working Groups must be forwarded to the UCLA Graduate Council for approval.

Staffing Working Group:
Because of the confidential nature of the personnel matters addressed by this working group, this group's members are nominated and elected.   This group makes recommendation for permanent ladder faculty appointments, tenure reviews and promotions.   Recommendations are submitted to the Urban Planning faculty for a vote.   The group reviews ladder faculty for within rank merit increases, and reviews and makes recommendations for the re-appointment of long-term lecturers.   It meets regularly throughout the academic year.

MURP Admissions Working Group:
This group reviews all applications for admission to the Urban Planning MURP degree program.   After a mandatory training session in January, the group meets, usually for two separate one-day sessions in the Winter Quarter, to review applicants' files.

MURP Recruitment Working Group:
This group meets to discuss recruitment policy and strategies, and also participates in recruitment events, many of which are held in the Fall Quarter, as well as a number of Open House events and other recruitment activities throughout the academic year.

Awards/Commencement Committee:
This committee plans the Urban Planning Pre-Graduation Party and Awards party which is held a few days before Commencement. The group meets mainly in the Spring Quarter.