University Senate Bylaws & Governing Concepts Committee

Report on Resources

Craig Turner and Anne Gormly

October 19, 2005

 

DRAFT

 

 

Dimension of Capacity Building

We considered this dimension from the perspective of the value for the resources of senators’ time, expertise, and talents.  The assumption is that these resources should be used efficiently and responsibly.  Doing so may build a culture that values and respects the efforts in the area of shared governance. 

 

What Works?

University and administrative support for governance retreats.

 

Commitment of Senate leadership (ECUS and committee officers) and Executive Officers (University President and Vice Presidents) to seek ways to refine and improve the shared governance process and promote a culture that follows its rules and attempts to provides opportunities to all members of the campus community to be involved..

 

Reference is made to several key documents on governance. These include:

 

  1. GC&SU University Senate Beliefs  http://info.gcsu.edu/intranet/univ_senate/Beliefs_11-29-04.htm
  2. GC&SU University Senate Vision

http://info.gcsu.edu/intranet/univ_senate/vision_11-29-04.htm

  1. Robert’s Rules  Copied provided
  2. AAUP Statement on Government of Colleges and Universities (1995) http://www.aaup.org/statements/Redbook/Govern.htm  
  3. “Shared Governance Can Work” by David A. Hollinger http://depts.washington.edu/uwaaup/shared.htm
  4. “A University Senate for All” by Gary Engstrand in Academe, June 2005.
  5. http://www.aaup.org/publications/Academe?2005/05mj/05mjengs.htm
  6. “Capitalism, Academic Style, and Shared Governance” by Gary Rhoades in Academe, June 2005.

http://www.aaup.org/publications/Academe?2005/05mj/05mjrhoa.htm

 

 

What Does Not Work?

Many senators who hold an office on a US committee and those on ECUS are expected to provide important input and to communicate effectively. Are we attentive to and respectful of the obligations senators have beyond their commitment to governance (i.e. teaching, scholarship)?  This can present a challenge to identifying leadership on US.

 

A second issue is the sustainability of the record keeping (minutes, web page, motions) associated with US. 

 

Implications for US Bylaws

 

Outcomes

We list a series of questions that should be asked when reviewing proposed bylaw revisions.

 

  1. Is this good use of senators’ time?
  2. Are we able to support and sustain this process?
  3. Is this too much to ask of any one individual?
  4. Have we placed individuals with the appropriate and relevant expertise on the body (committee, Senate, ad hoc) under consideration?
  5. Is the process/committee informed by a representative sample of the points of view within those impacted by the work product of the process/committee?