University of Illinois System

University Professional Personnel Advisory Committee

In 1977, University of Illinois President Corbally created the University Professional Personnel Advisory Committee (UPPAC) to serve the academic professionals working at the University, and provide advice to the University of Illinois president on behalf of all academic professionals. Today, there are more than 6000 academic professionals employed by the University of Illinois, providing a variety of administrative, technical, and professional support on the three campuses and throughout the state. 

Academic professionals on each University of Illinois campus (Chicago, Springfield, Urbana-Champaign) elect colleagues to represent them on their own campus advisory committees. The representatives of UPPAC are usually nominated from members of these professional advisory committees based on individual bylaws. Individuals serve one year terms but can repeat terms. There are also several non-voting members, including a chancellor's representative from each campus, a representative from Central Administration Personnel, and a representative from the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

The mission of University Professional Personnel Advisory Committee (UPPAC) is to gather and synchronize system-wide input from all Academic Professionals (APs) in order to inform and advise the President and the System Office on all matters impacting APs.  UPPAC will thereby strengthen campus-level engagement by APs in shared governance and other service activities and sustain recognition for the significant contributions of APs to the success of the University of Illinois system.

UPPAC serves the interests of full-time, part-time, visiting and retired academic professionals through implementation of the following objectives:

  • coordination and fostering of formal and informal communications between APs, the President and other administrative officers across the University;
  • consultation on and/or recommendations for University-wide policies affecting APs;
  • advocacy for AP views on University planning, resource allocation, and other strategic decisions;
  • provision of representation on key University committees and task forces, including participation on search committees for senior University administrative positions;
  • promotion and harmonization of AP professional development, leadership and recognition initiatives and programs across the UI system; and 
  • formation of UPPAC subcommittees to address emerging issues.