In this essay, I introduce the term "governance inversion" to describe a situation in which a university administration repositions a governance body in such a way as to limit its legitimate governance function. Structural conditions might make governance inversion more likely, but narratives might also be deployed to make the inversion…

The faculty senate is the agent of the faculty, and its mission statement stakes the faculty's claim in the institutional decision-making process. It is in this context that the chair of the faculty senate at a large southwestern state university tasked an ad hoc committee (comprised of the authors) with writing its inaugural mission statement.…

This paper discusses the roles of stakeholders in improving quality of university education in Nigeria. Internal and external stakeholders are identified and the various roles they could play in improving the quality of university education are discussed. The paper contends that continuous and holistic improvement in university education system…

Despite trends toward greater corporatism and bureaucratization of the academy, some vestiges of shared governance remain, including some level of faculty decision-making in faculty senates or councils. Generalizations about faculty senates are difficult to make because they vary with regard to their level of power and faculty involvement.…

In the face of public controversies, presidents and board chairs are often called upon to resolve difficult and divisive issues. When they are faced with public controversies and other challenges, a strong working relationship grounded in mutual respect and trust can make the difference between meeting the challenge head on and falling behind.…

Described in detail are the governance patterns on 30 campuses, including state, comprehensive, and research universities, independent institutions, and general baccalaureate colleges. The extent to which new forms of governance have realized their objectives is shown, the implications for other institutions are pointed out, and recommendations…

This document discusses Los Angeles City College's (LACC) (California) Shared Governance Model. In response to California Assembly Bill 1725, LACC set forth a plan to implement the statutory requirements of shared governance. Shared governance is a concept grounded in the idea that decision-making is a process that affects the entire campus…

This handbook for the presidents of California community college academic senates addresses the California Academic Senate's history, state legislation pertaining to academic senates, the duties of local senate presidents, and strategies for increasing the effectiveness of academic senates. The Academic Senate in California began in 1963, with the…

Four case studies concerning joint faculty-administration committees established to make major decisions (Princeton University, New Jersey; Northwestern University, Illinois; Teacher's College Columbia University, New York; Ohio University) suggest that, although the committees have potential to improve campus management, they are neither as…

In an effort to realize greater representation of all constituencies in college governance and decision-making, a proposal was developed to establish an All-College Senate at Castleton State College. The proposal was prepared after a review of the college's current governance system and of relevant literature, and meeting with interested groups on…

Firm planning objectives, clearly stated relationships to overall institutional objectives, faculty involvement, and active leadership are advocated for successful academic planning. Faculty involvement is dependent on the strength of the technical, marketing, and budgeting staffs, and involvement in the planning process may kindle faculty…

Argues that change is the rule rather than the exception for community college boards and provides suggestions for reducing the negative consequences of change. Discusses strategies for building effective teams and maintaining board unity and reviews the role of the chair during change. Describes a quality-based strategy for forming effective…

This guide to the policy-making functions of community colleges' boards of trustees is based on a 3-year operational review conducted by Cambrian College in Sudbury, Ontario (Canada). The guide begins by outlining the purposes and processes of Cambrian's governance self-study. Next, differences among Canadian colleges that affect the role of their…

Describing procedures and policies related to the consultation process established by the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges, this handbook is designed as a reference for participants on the state's Consultation Council, composed of the system Chancellor, representatives from college-based organizations, and representatives…

This position paper of the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges begins by examining the philosophy behind different structures in an academic institution. This discussion leads to a discussion of the roles and responsibilities of "chairs" within that structure and how they might be fulfilled by department chairs, division…