This book approaches the administration and education system of American research universities. We focus on the University of California, particularly Berkeley campus. 2018 is the 150th anniversary of the University of California, whose history includes the successful development of 10 research-intensive campuses. We believe we can learn many things about the nature and development of research universities from this example. Indeed, this book is, in part, the outcome of a graduate course in “Comparative Higher Education Management” at the Graduate School of Education at the University of Tokyo. Student groups visited Berkeley Campus twice in 2014 and 2016. In each of our visits, we met with more than fifteen people and engaged in lecture and discussion sessions over the course of one week.
This book has four parts. Part 1 is about the UC system. Chapter 1 presents a historical overview of changes in UC’s financial model. Chapter 2 discusses its Board of Regents. Part 2 focues on the management and organizational structure of Berkeley. Chapter 3 discusses OPA and IR. Chapter 4 focuses on the role of the Provost, the important position for academic governance unique to American research universities. Chapter 5 considers the Alumni Association, which plays a critical role in Berkeley’s financial strength. Part 3 discusses aspects of quality assurance and improvement. Chapter 6 describes the accreditation process by WASC, an institutional accreditation board of California. Chapter 7 analyses how internal quality assurance of undergraduate education works at Berkeley. Chapter 8 discusses research strategy and support at Berkeley, focusing on the work of BRDO. The three chapters of Part 4 concern undergraduate education and student support. Chapter 9 discusses the admissions process in the UC system. Chapter 10 focuses on how the Student Learning Center works. Chapter 11 discusses financial support for undergraduate students of Berkeley.