As part of the 2019 University of California Policing Task Force, a systemwide recommendation was made that stated: 

“Campuses shall create independent advisory boards with representatives from the campus who can facilitate and enhance communication between the police department and the greater campus community as well as work collaboratively with the departments on issues involving campus safety and security.”

UC Santa Cruz first established a police advisory board in 2014, and until 2020 this board provided advice and community input directly to the Chief of Police. To enhance the campus wide perspective and highlight the independent nature of the board, starting in July 2020 the Board will report to the Chancellor. 

In 2021, the UC Office of the President released the UC Community Safety Plan that requires “Current and future campus-based task forces or working groups focused on campus safety will include broad representation of the full UC community, including historically marginalized communities.” The UCSC Campus Safety Community Advisory Board will continue to include this broad representation.

The Board is composed of a diverse group of individuals who have perspectives and experiences from across our campus community. Selected individuals should have a vested interest in improving our community and the safety of all those who live, work, and learn on our campus. The Board will create a list of shared communication agreements to guide its work together.

At a minimum, the board will consist of members that represent the following units or groups. The Board reports directly to the Chancellor and is chaired by the Chancellor’s designee. 

Ex-officio members

• Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Diversity Officer
• Associate Vice Chancellor and Equity and Equal Protection  
• Associate Vice Chancellor Risk and Safety Services
• Dean of Students
• Fire Marshal
• Police Chief (will participate in meetings as requested by Advisory Board)

Appointed members   

• Academic Senate (3 members)
• Big 5 Student Groups (up to 5 seats plus alternates)
  Each group named may occupy a seat on the CAB and designate an alternate to sit with the CAB and support the representative’s participation. The seated representative may notify the board that the alternate will be participating in votes on their behalf whenever needed. 
  • Asian Pacific Islander Student Alliance (APISA)
  • Bayanihan 
  • Movimiento Estudiantil Chicanx de Aztlán (MEChA)
  • Student Alliance of North American Indians (SANAI)
  • Open Student Group Seat – the BSU has a separate seat
• Black Student Union
• Campus Fellow  
• CARE Office
• Colleges, Housing and Educational Services 
• Counseling and Psychological Services
• College Academic Preceptor 
• Employee Housing Resident Association
• Graduate Student Association 
• Information and Technology Services
• Physical Plant 
• Resource Center Staff
• Santa Cruz Community
• Staff Advisory Board 
• Student Union Assembly 
• University Library

Student representatives are appointed for one year terms. Other members are appointed to one, two, or three year terms that begin at the start of each fall quarter allowing for staggered membership and continuity. For the same reason, some members of the prior police advisory board will continue their appointments in 2022-23.

The committee will work to reach consensus as a group, but recognizes that full agreement is not always possible. Where consensus cannot be reached, the group will vote. In putting forward recommendations to the Chancellor, the co-chairs commit to recording the conversation and the range of perspectives related to the vote in order to preserve dissent and discussion and provide the fullest recommendation possible.

In the event of a vote, a roll call vote will be taken. Appointed members will have one vote each on matters before the advisory board. Student members will have an alternate, who can be delegated the vote by the primary student organization representative in the event that representative is not able to participate in a vote. Alternates may also participate in discussion and advise the primary representative on votes. Reports on the votes will be made by the co-chairs, and will include a full summary of discussion, including dissenting voices.

The Community Advisory Board will meet monthly, however there could be additional meetings should the circumstances warrant. Members of the board may be invited to work on subcommittees focused on specific issues that would increase the workload of this committee. 

The committee represents a range of community groups each of which has different levels of institutional authority and power. Recognizing that, student representatives have the ability to at any time request a “safe space” during a meeting or as a separate meeting to discuss issues with a subset of the board.

• Review significant UC Santa Cruz community issues and make recommendations regarding potential resolutions 
• Assist with communication and outreach 
• Assist with the budget process through review and recommendations about priorities.
• Annually review and make recommendations regarding metrics and activities of the UCSC Police Department
• Produce annual written report summarizing the Board’s activities and recommendations