CUCSA Delegate Frequently Asked Questions

CUCSA Delegate – Frequently Asked Questions

The Council of UC Staff Assemblies (CUCSA) provides a systemwide forum for staff to share perspectives, collaborate across UC locations, and advise University leadership on issues of importance to staff.

Below are answers to frequently asked questions about CUCSA and the UC Merced Junior Delegate opportunity.

About CUCSA

The Council of UC Staff Assemblies (CUCSA) is a systemwide organization dedicated to improving communication between University of California administrators and staff and among staff at UC locations.

CUCSA provides staff perspectives to University decision-makers, shares information across locations, and works collaboratively on issues affecting UC staff.

Each participating UC location sends two delegates to CUCSA.

Participating locations include the UC campuses, the UC Office of the President, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and UC Agriculture & Natural Resources.

Under the CUCSA Bylaws, all CUCSA officers and delegates must be exclusively non-represented staff.

This is a systemwide CUCSA membership requirement and is not established by UC Merced Staff Assembly.

No. Current CUCSA Bylaws require delegates to be exclusively non-represented staff.

CUCSA's broader constituency includes UC staff employees, and CUCSA may address matters outside the scope of representation for exclusively represented employees; however, CUCSA delegate membership itself is limited to exclusively non-represented staff.

No. CUCSA eligibility is based on an employee's representation status, not whether the position is salaried or hourly.

Employees who are unsure of their current representation status should confirm their status before applying.

CUCSA delegates serve a two-year term, with each year beginning July 1.

UC locations generally have delegates serving staggered terms, providing continuity as one delegate continues and another begins their service.

CUCSA delegates are expected to:

• Attend all official functions of CUCSA meetings.
• Serve as a connection between CUCSA and their local Staff Assembly.
• Actively participate in at least one CUCSA committee or workgroup.
• Complete work between quarterly CUCSA meetings.
• Participate in the development of their committee or workgroup's final report.
• Serve as a committee or workgroup Chair or Vice Chair if selected.

CUCSA recommends selecting delegates who demonstrate:

• Broad knowledge of the University of California and their local campus.
• Broad knowledge of staff and staff issues.
• Strong communication and analytical skills.
• An ability to consider issues from multiple perspectives.
• A commitment to fully participate in CUCSA meetings, committees, workgroups, and related activities.

CUCSA schedules at least four regular meetings each year, generally one per quarter.

Meetings are hosted by participating UC locations on a rotating basis, giving delegates an opportunity to visit and learn about campuses and locations throughout the UC system.

UC Merced Delegate Application & Selection

UC Merced Staff Assembly is seeking its next CUCSA Junior Delegate.

The Junior Delegate serves alongside UC Merced's Senior Delegate, learning the role during the first year before transitioning into the Senior Delegate role for the second year of the two-year CUCSA term.

Applicants must:

• Be a UC Merced staff employee.
• Be exclusively non-represented, as required by the CUCSA Bylaws.
• Have at least one year of service at UC Merced.
• Be able to fulfill the meeting, travel, committee/workgroup, and participation expectations associated with the role.
• Receive supervisor endorsement to participate.

UC Merced's local selection process requires applicants to have at least one year of service to help ensure candidates have sufficient familiarity with the campus, its staff community, and issues affecting UC Merced employees.

This also supports CUCSA's recommendation that delegates possess broad knowledge of their location and staff issues.

Yes. As part of UC Merced's application process, applicants must receive supervisor endorsement.

Because the CUCSA role requires participation in meetings, travel, workgroups, and other activities during the two-year term, supervisor awareness and support are important before a candidate can be considered.

Yes. CUCSA holds quarterly meetings at participating UC locations on a rotating basis.

Delegates should be prepared to travel to other UC campuses or locations as required for CUCSA meetings. Travel provides delegates with opportunities to connect with staff throughout the UC system, participate in campus tours and programming, and engage directly with UC leaders and fellow delegates.

No. CUCSA delegates have responsibilities between quarterly meetings as well.

Delegates are expected to actively participate in at least one CUCSA committee or workgroup, complete work associated with that group, and participate in additional meetings and activities as required.

Yes. The Junior Delegate will serve as an ex-officio member of the UC Merced Staff Assembly Board and will participate in select Staff Assembly meetings and activities.

An important part of the CUCSA delegate role is serving as a connection between CUCSA and the local Staff Assembly, sharing information in both directions.

Interested eligible employees must complete the UC Merced Staff Assembly CUCSA Delegate application and receive the required supervisor endorsement.

Following the application period, eligible candidates will move through the UC Merced Staff Assembly selection process. Additional information regarding the selection timeline and next steps will be communicated to applicants.

Applications that do not meet the established eligibility requirements cannot move forward in the selection process.

Applicants who are unsure whether they meet a requirement are encouraged to verify their eligibility before submitting an application.

Because CUCSA requires delegates to be exclusively non-represented staff, employees who are uncertain about their representation status should confirm their current employment/representation status before applying.

UC Merced Staff Assembly cannot waive CUCSA's systemwide eligibility requirements.

For official systemwide information, please visit:

UC Office of the President – Council of UC Staff Assemblies (CUCSA)
https://www.ucop.edu/human-resources/units/employee-and-labor-relations/employee-relations/cucsa.html

Council of UC Staff Assemblies – Bylaws
https://cucsa.ucla.edu/about/bylaws/

For questions regarding the UC Merced Delegate application or local selection process, please contact UC Merced Staff Assembly.

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