Group and team class decision-making activities often focus on demonstrating that "two heads are better than one." Typically, students solve a problem or complete an assessment individually, then in a group. Generally, the group does better and that is what the students learn. However, if that is all such an activity conveys, then a…

Faulty group processes have harmful effects on performance but there is little research about intervention protocols to pre-empt them in higher education. This naturalistic experiment compared a control cohort with an inducted cohort. The inducted cohort attended a workshop, consultations, elected a leader and used tools (a group log and group…

A rapprochement between managerialism and collegialism has become commonplace within policy discussion on governance within higher education. Processes of deliberation within university governance are suggested as one means of fostering this apparent accord. I suggest that Dryzek's notion of meta-consensus can assist processes of deliberative…

Uses the example of Vermont's Middlebury College to explore the challenges and possibilities of achieving consensus about institutional change. Discusses why, unlike in this example, consensus usually fails, and presents four demands of an effective consensus process. Includes a list of "test" questions on successful collaboration. (EV)

Argues that, with shrinking budgets, academic libraries must obtain optimal performance from their human resources, requiring a larger investment in staff training and development. Discusses how strategic planning and changes in organizational structure to include greater staff participation in decision making can improve staff effectiveness. (16…

Weber State University (Utah) has successfully implemented shared decision making and governance between faculty and administration. Critical elements were communication, faculty involvement, and trust. Two major decisions and their outcomes are compared. One was made without faculty input and the other was made with the new shared decision-making…