Define Shared Governance. If you ask ten people on campus what this means, you’ll probably get ten different definitions with a host of colorful comments. A recent article in the Chronicle of Higher Education illustrates this point (see http://chronicle.com/article/Exactly-What-Is-Shared/47065/). As a junior faculty member, I wasn’t really clear on the Academic Senate’s function, I was sheltered from university politics and was focused on earning tenure. However, an experience on a university-level search committee actually was a wake-up call for me, I learned quickly what shared governance is not. This experience made me want to improve the ability of the faculty to participate in decisions that affect the university. In addition, I realized that having clear faculty-approved policies and procedures in place for things that affect the academic interests on campus increases the ability of faculty to effectively participate in the process. The constitution and bylaws (Appendix 17) of the Academic Senate outline the role and duties of this body at Cal Poly Pomona. A quick way to familiarize oneself with the working of the Academic Senate and its referral process can be found at http://www.csupomona.edu/~senate/senate101.shtml. Referrals are the official way that the Senate consults on most matters.
I think that we (the faculty) need to participate in decision-making together with our administrators. Whatever you perceptions of this are, we need to approach this not as an adversarial endeavor, but one where we can openly present ideas and discuss them to arrive at solutions that both sides can live with. Ultimately, our decisions need to be what is best for the education of our students. Some of you are already rolling your eyes at this idealism----and no, I haven’t been sniffing organic vapors in my chemistry lab! Invariably, we are bound to have conflicts with the administration and we do. It’s how we solve or avoid these conflicts that represents how well shared governance is working. I can’t say that this is perfect, but it won’t get better unless we keep trying.
I’d like to thank my Senate colleagues for their confidence in my abilities by electing me as Chair for 2010-11. I will try my best to represent the interest of the faculty in ensuring that our voices are heard to protect the academic quality of our university. However, I can’t do this alone, I need your help to exercise shared governance. This can be in a multitude of ways such as sending a referral to the Senate, providing input on a referral, running for Senator, serving on Senate or other university committees or just routinely remembering to ask your Senator what is happening. We can make better decisions that are more reflective of our body as a whole when we have a diversity of opinions represented.
Cal Poly faces unprecedented times of uncertainty due to external forces that govern our budget allocation and the lack of timeliness in delivering that funding. This creates a difficult situation for faculty, students and the administration. However, I truly believe that through shared governance, we can see our university through these times and ensure that we meet the educational needs of our students today and in the future. Please join me in making that happen.
