A Greeting from Acting Provost Julie Burrelle
Welcome Provost Julie!
Professor Julie Burelle has graciously volunteered to step in as Acting Provost during Provost Wayne’s brief break from Muir College. Dr. Burelle was most recently Head of Performance Studies in the Department of Theatre and Dance.
Her research focuses on how questions of Indigenous sovereignty, cultural identity, and nationhood are negotiated through performances on stage and in cinema, as well as in land-based protests.
Julie is also a dramaturg for plays, dance projects, and films. She is currently working on a documentary play about the Salmon War led by an Innu community in Canada in the 1980s.
Provost Julie is originally from Quebec, Canada. She loves a good mint tea, speaking French, and sharing good stories.
“Where’s Wayne?”

Provost Wayne is taking a sabbatical this fall to catch up on his research, his health, and his good humor. He’ll be back in Winter quarter.
What is a provost?
At UC San Diego, the Provost serves as both the academic and administrative leader of his or her college. One provost compared the role to that of a mayor of a small town—and the analogy is apt. As the college’s head, the Provost:
- Manages the college’s educational and business affairs and serves as supervisor of the college’s staff
- Develops college curriculum, in consultation with college faculty
- Oversees the programs and activities of college life
- Acts as the college’s representative with alumni, parents, and families
- Serves on several campus-wide committees
The provost also remains a tenured member of the university’s faculty and continues to engage in scholarly research and teaching.
College Discretionary Statements
Muir College leadership occasionally issue discretionary statements about current events that impact our students, staff, faculty, and broader community. The nature of these statements are to express care and provide resources for support for our student community, rather than necessarily support particular causes.
Nonetheless, because expressions of care will likely touch on the impact of political issues, we are developing internal processes on how to make such statements, consistent with Regents Policy 4408: Policy on Public and Discretionary Statements by Academic Units.
College Leadership Discretionary Statements. These statements are issued and signed by senior staff which includes the Deans, Associate Deans, Directors, and Provost. Such statements require unanimity and consensus in the crafting/wording of the statement. This means that the college leadership does not simply re-issue other statements.
Version: 10-2-2024 approved by senior staff (by consensus)
Student Statements - Different policies govern student statements. Generally, the College does not publish nor promote student statements, but we may reference them in appropriate informational links when needed. Referencing student statements does not imply endorsement.
For more information:
Regents Policy 4408: Policy on Public and Discretionary Statements by Academic Units