Statement from UC Academic Senate Chair Ahmet Palazoglu on BOARS undergraduate admissions review

Today (July 22), the University of California's Academic Council directed the Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools (BOARS) to oversee a faculty-led, evidence-based review of the use of standardized testing in undergraduate admissions. The review will be conducted under an expedited schedule during the 2026-27 academic year. The Academic Council charged BOARS to deliver its report on standardized testing to the Council by February 12, 2027 with the Board of Regents receiving their recommendations no later than June 2027. As part of a separate review process approved today, BOARS will submit its initial report on A-G course requirements to the Academic Council in May 2027. The Board of Regents will consider the issue at a later date.

The Academic Senate is committed to a rigorous, evidence-based process that reflects the University's commitment to shared governance. As these reviews move forward, faculty leaders will continue working collaboratively with subject matter experts, K-12 partners, and other stakeholders to carefully examine how UC can best promote academic preparedness, student success and educational opportunity for California's students.

Additional background:

• In comparison to the rescinded BOARS admissions review roadmap, the Academic Council's charge to BOARS does not substantively change the scope of the review - it accelerates it, advancing the standardized testing timeline by approximately four months and establishing a sequential review of the standardized testing question first, followed by evaluation of UC's A-G framework. The review will consider the current number and subject areas that are required and recommended.
• Prospective students should continue preparing for their UC application based on UC's current undergraduate admissions requirements. If any changes are approved for the future, the University will publicize them and make every effort to provide clear, advance notice to students, families, counselors and schools.
• There has been no change to UC's standardized testing policy at this time. Students applying by December 1, 2026, for fall 2027 admission will not be required to submit SAT or ACT scores.
• Because this process is just beginning, the University has not determined whether admissions requirements for fall 2028, or any future admissions cycle, will change.
• Any implementation timeline would follow a Board of Regents vote and provide prospective students and families time to prepare for any change in admissions requirements.

About the Academic Senate:

• The Academic Senate is the University's faculty governance organization. It establishes faculty policy on academic matters under authority delegated by the Board of Regents. It has approximately 15,000 members.
• The Assembly of the Academic Senate is the legislative body of the Academic Senate. It debates and votes on systemwide Senate legislation, resolutions and major policy positions. It has 60 members.
• The Senate's Academic Council is the executive body of the Assembly. It has 20 members.
• The Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools (BOARS) is the Academic Senate's systemwide faculty committee responsible for undergraduate admissions policy. Under authority delegated by the Board of Regents, BOARS establishes and reviews systemwide admissions standards, oversees the A-G college-preparatory course requirements, advises on comprehensive review policies, and works with K-12 and higher education partners on college preparation and access. It has 12 members.

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