Shared Governance

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Central Georgia Technical College *

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663

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Communications

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Apr 3, 2024

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Shared Governance Dennis L Brown EDUC 663: Social and Political Aspects in Higher Education Liberty University Dr. Christian Raby March 28, 2024

Brown 2 Abstract This paper will discuss how faculty, administrators, and governing board members should work together when facing major campus issues. It will also talk about where shared governance or leadership fits in and how the institution should handle issues that deal with the widespread usage of social media and live reporting. This paper will also discuss how Christian faculty, staff, and administrators should respond to campus unrest and how the biblical worldview impacts the Christian response to an issue or situation. Keywords : shared governance, faculty, administration, Christian

Brown 3 According to the AAUP or the American Association of University Professors, “the role of the governing board is to ensure that the institution stays true to its mission, to play a major role in ensuring that the institution has the financial resources it needs to operate successfully, to possess final decision-making authority, and to entrust the conduct of administration to the administrative officers” ( Shared Governance , 2023). The board of trustees usually has the final say when it comes to any decision on any matter. Everything runs through them. Although the board of trustees has the final say in policies, it is up to the universities or college president to implement them. “According to the Association of Governing Boards, there are an estimated 50,000 trustees in the United States. The overwhelming majority of them are volunteers; only trustees of for-profit universities then to be compensated, although trustees abroad may be compensated similar to corporate trustees” (Bastedo et al., 2016, p. 156). Faculty, administration, and the governing boards of the college or university should always work together when they are facing any type of challenge. This implements effective communication throughout the university or college, and it even lets the faculty and staff know that the board of trustees wants their input and has the faculty and staff's interests at heart. This allows for a more cohesive staff throughout the university or college. When major issues arise, it is important for the faculty, administration, and governing boards to stick together and work together. This allows for one swift course of action instead of four or five different responses that work against each other. That being said, every level of the governing body, whether it be the faculty, administration, or the governing board, should be prepared for any issue to arise in a unified manner., This allows for a swift action plan that ensures the support of any affected population.

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Brown 4 The role of Shared governance is to operate the daily function of higher education. “Shared governance may improve campus communication, increase the breadth of understanding related to issues, and promote buy-in to decisions by all parties” (Cohen et al., 2013). Shared governance brings everyone to the figurative table, allowing for all voices to be heard, perspectives to be seen, and a decision to be made as a whole. However, these collaboration techniques being used by the shared governance may lead to a slower response time on some major issues. It takes some time to get everyone involved and the correct course of action. In cases like these, especially in emergencies, the leaders of the universities or college, such as the president, should have the power to make emergency decisions based on the policies and procedures given to them by the governing board. The leader and the governing board should be in constant communication during these emergencies to make sure that the appropriate course of action is being taken, and this allows for accountability and mutual support by both parties. When it comes to campus unrest, there is no given time or place for it to happen. Thankfully, most universities and colleges have crisis management teams that help think and plan for any type of issue that may arise at the college or university. The unknowns about the future of technology have become the big issue most universities face when it comes to campus unrest. Social media has become the biggest influencer on students' thoughts and actions. Cyberbullying has been at the forefront of issues that social media has brought to campuses across not only the nation but the world. The potential damage that social media has on students and the institution poses a big threat. Colleges and universities need to shift their focus on real human communication and try to be less dependent on the ever-changing social media platform. Sometimes going back to the basic of straight human communication and human interaction is all that a college or university needs to easy are type of social media unrest on campus.

Brown 5 Humans are very complex creatures and we all react to unrest in unique and individual ways, but how should a Christian in a position of authority resolve any type of campus unrest? First off, we need to employ the Christian worldview through faith and knowledge. We must always remember to use our Christian perspective when evaluating the world. Having a Christian leadership counsel at the college or university allows for a more cohesive group and easier decision-making. If everyone in the governing body or shared governance used faith and biblical reasoning for policies and processes then there is no question that the Christian worldview is a main priority at that institution. Proverbs 11:14 says it best, “where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” This scripture has a lot to do with this topic because as Christians in today's world, it is our duty as Christ's followers to educate and create a safer understanding for the students.

Brown 6 References Bahls. (2014, April). How to Make Shared Governance Work: Some Best Practices . Otis. Retrieved March 28, 2024, from https://www.otis.edu/sites/default/files/How%20to %20Make%20Shared%20Governance%20Work%20Some%20Best%20Practices%20- %20AGB.pdf Bastedo, M. N., Altbach, P. G., & Gumport, P. J. (Eds.). (2016). American higher education in the twenty-first century: Social, political, and economic challenges. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. Cohen, A.M., Brawser, F.B., & Kisker, C.B. (2013). The American Community College. ProQuest EBook Central http://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy.liberty.edu Shared Governance . (2023, December 12). AAUP. https://www.aaup.org/our-programs/shared- governance

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