Under the state constitution, governance of the University is entrusted to the Board of Regents . The governor is officially the president of the board, but in practice the presiding officer is the chairman, who is elected by regents for a one-year term, as is the vice chairman. Regents appoint the UC president and, with the president's advice, officers, including vice presidents, chancellors, and directors of the national laboratories. Authority in academic matters is delegated by the Regents to the Academic Senate . It determines academic policy as a whole, sets conditions for admission and granting of degrees, authorizes and supervises courses and curricula, and advises administration on faculty appointments, promotions and budgets.
Students participate in policy-making at both the campus and universitywide levels.