Fall 2026 Senate Administration TAS Allocation Task Force
The function of UC Merced’s Temporary Academic Staffing (TAS) budget is to support the delivery of undergraduate instruction by providing funding for temporary instructional staffing. Since 2022, TAS funds have been allocated to schools based on the proportion of student credit hours delivered. As instructional needs, curricular practices, and budget realities have evolved, the campus is conducting a comprehensive review of the allocation model to determine whether it continues to distribute resources equitably and effectively across the schools. The goal of this effort is to develop a revised process for allocating TAS resources to schools that better aligns available resources with instructional realities and sets the stage for ongoing institutional change. The new allocation process will be implemented for FY28.
Task Force Charge
The task force will recommend to the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost one or more revised models for allocating the Academic Affairs TAS budget to schools. The EVC/P expects to decide which model to implement, and allocate budgets for AY27-28, no later than November 30th. Task force co-chairs will keep the EVC/P updated on the group’s deliberations and progress via a mid-August and mid-September meeting. The timeline for the task force's work is provided below. AY27-28 will be treated as a pilot year with the task force reassembled in fall 2027 to evaluate the efficacy of the model and recommend amendments as appropriate.
Per the charge, the recommended model(s) should:
- Incorporate a central reserve held by the Provost, representing a fraction of the TAS allocation to Academic Affairs, to address midyear or annual changes in spending needs resulting from uncertainty and imperfect projections of student enrollment across schools and courses.
- Account for instructional capacity and constraints while encouraging continued innovation.
- Be adaptable and scalable, ensuring robustness to the potential addition of a Gallo school.
In developing its recommendations, the task force is expected to take into consideration prior analyses, models, and deliberations related to the allocation of TAS within Academic Affairs, including past Senate, decanal, and administrative work on this topic. The task force is welcome to consult with school deans.
Additional background information and documents can be found in the Task Force Charge.
| August 2026 | Taskforce meetings initiated |
| September 30th | Update on task force progress to EVC/P and CAPRA Chair |
| ~October 16th | Task force presents draft recommendations for CAPRA to review, discuss, and comment on during its regularly scheduled meeting |
| ~October 23rd | CAPRA returns its review to the task force |
| November 16th | Task force submits its recommendations, including CAPRA's review to the EVC/P |
| November 30th | No later than this date, the EVC/P communicates decision regarding the TAS allocation |
Membership
Senate Representatives
Ajay Gopinathan, Co-chair, Professor, Physics, SNS
Ramesh Balasubramaniam, Member, Professor, Cognitive and Information Sciences, SSHA
Victor Muñoz, Member, Professor, Bioengineering, SOE
Administrative Representatives
Christiane Spitzmueller, Co-chair through Sept 30, 2026, Vice Provost, Academic Affairs and Strategy
Hrant Hratchian, Member, Professor, Vice Provost and Dean, Graduate Education
Maria Tinoco, Member, Executive Director, Budget and Financial Planning
Amy Bergerson, Co-chair effective October 1, 2026, Vice Provost and Dean, Undergraduate Education
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Temporary Academic Staffing (TAS)?
Temporary Academic Staffing (TAS) provides Academic Affairs funding to support temporary instructional staffing needed to deliver undergraduate courses.
2. How are TAS funds currently allocated?
Since 2022, Academic Affairs TAS funds have been allocated to the schools based on the proportion of student credit hours delivered in the previous academic year.
3. Why is the TAS allocation model being reviewed?
The current allocation model was intended to be revisited after implementation. As instructional needs, curricular practices, enrollment patterns, and budget realities have evolved, the campus is reviewing the model to determine whether it continues to allocate resources equitably and effectively.
4. What is the purpose of the task force?
The task force has been charged with recommending to the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost one or more revised models for allocating the Academic Affairs TAS budget to the schools.
5. Does the task force make the final decision?
No. The task force serves in an advisory capacity. The Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost will make the final decision regarding the TAS allocation model.
6. When will the new allocation model take effect?
The revised allocation model is expected to be implemented as a pilot beginning in AY 2027–28 (FY28). The task force will reconvene following the pilot year to evaluate the model and recommend refinements as appropriate.
7. Who serves on the task force?
The task force includes representatives from the Academic Senate and the administration with experience in academic planning, budgeting, and previous TAS reviews. A complete membership list is available on this page.
8. Where can I learn more?
Additional information is available through the Task Force Charge, Timeline, Background, and Historical Documents linked on this page.
