April 23, 2026
This message is distributed to Academic Department Chairs & Deans and Senate Faculty. (Click here to view description of distribution groups.)
The following is being sent on behalf of James Ford, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Initiatives, Undergraduate Education and Director of Summer Sessions
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Dear Faculty,
Summer Sessions invites you to submit a concept proposal for online course development funds and join a growing number of UCSB faculty who teach online courses during our summer term. Online courses help expand access to matriculated UCSB students, UC students from other campuses, and non-UC students interested in earning UCSB credit.
Summer Sessions students are expected to balance the academic rigor of summer coursework with other summer interests or responsibilities including internships, study abroad, and family responsibilities. Some of these responsibilities require that students live away from campus in the summer, and online courses may be their only option to take UCSB courses during this time.
Online courses also help us reach students who may otherwise choose to take a summer course at another institution. In Summer 2025, UCSB students transferred over 13,000 units from other colleges and universities to UCSB. Educational opportunities at other institutions may not match the UCSB designed learning experience, and online courses may help academic departments and faculty reach these UCSB students and better manage learning outcomes that align with UCSB standards.
If your area of expertise lends itself well to an online course offering, please consider submitting a concept proposal for course development funds. We welcome proposals to create online versions of impacted or in-demand courses, courses that utilize innovative pedagogical approaches that meet UCSB summer student’s interests, and courses that increase access to academic topics that may not be available during our Fall, Winter, or Spring quarters.
Please review our website for additional details, and do not hesitate to contact me at jamesford@ucsb.edu if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
James Ford
AVC, Academic Initiatives