University Committee of Academic Review (UCAR)


The University Committee of Academic Review (UCAR) oversees the academic review process. UCAR is a permanent, standing university committee appointed by the President. Recommendations for membership are solicited from a variety of sources, including Academic Deans and the Executive Board of the Academic Senate. Each year, the Provost appoints one member of the committee to serve as chair.

UCAR consists roughly of 18 members, including faculty and ex-officio members, and will:

  1. Provide oversight for each academic unit by reading and discussing the review documents and assessing the report of the Review Committee. Any critiques arising from the review are incorporated in the UCAR chair’s memorandum that accompanies the transmittal of the report to the Provost.
  2. Advise the Provost on any modifications to the Academic Review process that may prove necessary.
  3. Receive reports of other forms of program evaluation at USC, including professional accreditation visits, internal school reviews, and advising the Provost of the outcomes.

Committee Members

GJ Halfond (Chair)
Viterbi School of Engineering

Kenneth Ahern
Marshall School of Business
Hector Amaya
Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism
Burcin Becerik-Gerber
Viterbi School of Engineering
Thomas Buchanan
Keck School of Medicine
Sean Curran
Davis School of Gerontology
JoAnn Farver
Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
Christian Grose
Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
Heather James
Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
Oneka LaBennett
Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
Darius Lakdawalla
Mann School of Pharmacy
Amy Murphy
School of Architecture
Chris Sampson
Thornton School of Music
Yong (Tiger) Zhang
Mann School of Pharmacy
Suzanne L. Wenzel (Ex-Officio)
Vice Provost for Academic and Faculty Affairs
Chi Mak (Ex-Officio)
Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
Andrew Stott (Ex-Officio)
Vice Provost for Academic Programs and Dean of the Graduate School

Last updated January 2024