Governance Models

Prepared by Eileen Hogan, Ph.D. for The Executive Vice President, cade!ic "ctober #$$%

&. 'ntroduction Shared governance in post secondary education is often misunderstood. Richard Alfred (1994; 1998) remar s that it can either !e vie"ed as (a) a system of self#government in "hich !oard mem!ers$ administrators$ faculty and students share responsi!ility in the governance$ and cooperate in the operation of the institution or (!) all personnel have a share in the governance. %his paper provides definitions$ e&amples and an overvie" of the four models of shared governance. #. (hared Governance 'overnance is defined as (the process for distri!uting authority$ po"er and influence for academic decisions among campus constituencies) (Alfred$ 1998). %hese constituencies include$ !ut are not limited to$ the !oard of trustees$ faculty$ students$ staff$ administrators$ the academic or education council*senate$ and unions (Alfred$ 1998). +ommittees and su!#committees that include these representatives may also play a role. ,n the 199-s$ the face of shared governance changed as (a) students !ecame more critical a!out the services provided to them$ (!) ne" colleges replaced traditional post#secondary institutions$ and (c) accounta!ility and performance documentation "as intensified "ith the concern for improved student outcomes and controlled costs. Schuet. (1999) defines /shared governance0 as a (social system of self government "herein decision#ma ing responsi!ility is shared among those affected !y the decision.) %o !e successful$ shared governance re1uires commitment$ time and focused effort from all participants including !oard of trustees$ administrators$ faculty$ staff and students (2au$ 1993). ). The *our Models of +niversity Governance ,a- Definitions of Each Model iii) +nica!eral Governance .governed !y a single governing !ody responsi!le for !oth administrative and academic matters (4ount Royal +ollege$ 5--6). /ica!eral Governance 0 governed !y t"o legislative !odies7 i) a governing !oard and ii) a senate or a university*educational council http7**""".yor u.ca*secretariat*governance.htm Tri0ca!eral Governance. governed !y three legislative !odies i) a governing !oard ii) a senate iii) a(n) university*educational council http7**""".1ueensu.ca*secretariat*govern.html

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iii- Hybrid Governance Shale (5--5) defines hy!rid governance as a !lend of governance$ usually unicameral (!oard or a faculty*academic council or a faculty council esta!lished !y academic council). 8ach is responsi!le for academic governance. %he institutions "ho use this model typically are institutes of technology$ institutions that offer on#line or distance education as a priority and*or institutes "here a!out 6-9 of the courses are on the :e!. 4any do not have tenure and are privately or independently funded. 1. "vervie2 of Each Model 2ith Exa!ples ,a- +nica!eral Governance ;ne !ody governs the institution0s administrative and academic duties. ;ften !icameral governance operates "ithin the internal$ unicameral governance structure.
Exa!ple3 thabasca +niversity , +- . Governed by + Governing 4ouncil. A<$ a pu!licly funded institution in Al!erta$ reports to the 'overnment of Al!erta through the 4inister of Advanced 8ducation and +areer =evelopment. %hrough the <niversities Act$ the government authori.es A< 'overning +ouncil to grant degrees and govern its o"n affairs. %he 'overning +ouncil e&ercises the po"ers and performs the duties of !oth a !oard and a general faculties council. 4em!ers of the A< 'overning +ouncil are appointed under order in council of the 2ieutenant >'overnor of Al!erta. A< is uni1ue !ecause it is e&empt from any or all of the provisions of a num!er of sections of the ?ost#Secondary 2earning Act. As per Section @4 of the ?ost Secondary 2earning Act$ A< has esta!lished an Academic +ouncil ('overnment of Al!erta$ ?ost#Secondary 2earning Act$ 5--4).

,b- /ica!eral Governance0 Most +niversities have this for! of governance 'n bica!eral governance, the +orporate +harter delegates authority over institutional decision ma ing to t"o legislative !odies7 (a) a governing !oard "hich usually appoints the president and is responsi!le for the administrative and financial elements of the university (areas of property$ revenue$ e&penditure$ !usiness$ and other matters "ithin the conte&t of process and duties accorded it)$ and (!) an academic senate or a university*education council "ith responsi!ility (in some cases on a purely advisory nature !ut often "ith specific duties assigned under the charter) for academic matters of an educational*academic nature that affects the university or college as a "hole.

Exa!ple7 Malaspina +niversity 4ollege ,M+4-, 5anai!o, /4. Governed by a /oard and an Education 4ouncil (http7**""".mala.ca*calendar*ArontSection*governance.asp) %he Board is empo"ered !y the +ollege to manage$ administer$ and direct the affairs of the institution in areas of property$ revenue$ e&penditure$ !usiness and other matters "ithin the conte&t of process and duties accorded it. %he details on ho" the education council fulfills its roles and responsi!ilities are spelled out in the Terms of Reference of each of its Standing +ommittees. %heses committees ma e recommendations only to the +ouncil "hich$ in turn$ may !e for"arded to the 4<+ Board or 8&ecutive for ratification or implementation. %he +ouncil has an advisory role to the Board$ Coint po"ers "ith the Board and statutory po"ers. All communication "ith the 4inistry of Advanced 8ducation is reported to the ?resident !y "ay of copy or covering memo or other means. ,n matters of a serious or significant nature$ the ?resident "ill !e consulted !efore communication is made "ith the 4inistry. ,c- Tri0ca!eral Governance3 %he +orporate +harter delegates authority over institutional decision ma ing to three legislative !odies7 (a) a governing !oard Dof trusteesE "hich usually appoints the president and is responsi!le for the administrative and financial elements of the university$ (!) an academic senate "ith responsi!ility (in some cases on a purely advisory nature !ut often "ith specific duties assigned under the charter) for academic matters$ and (c) a university or educational council. Exa!ple3 6ueen7s +niversity ,http7**""".1ueensu.ca*secretariat*govern.html) Governed by three legislative bodies as follo2s3 /oard of Trustees (enate =etermines all matters of an academic character "hich affect the <niversity as a "hole ?articipates in planning the development of the <niversity Gas final responsi!ility for the discipline of students 4 ;versees the management of the university financial matters7 operating !udget$ fees$ investments$ campus planning$ adit etc. Appoints the Fice ?rincipals$ senior officers of the university and$ in association "ith the Senate$ the ?rincipal

+niversity 4ouncil =iscusses any matter related to the "ell#!eing of the <niversity ;versees the election of the +hancellor and the Rectors Arames !yla"s for the election of the +hancellor$ <niversity +ouncillors and %rustees. ,d- Hybrid Governance is a ne" structure in governance "here the president and faculty ("ith some student representation) ta e on leading roles in university governance (Shale$ 5--5). ,t consists of a Board or Academic +ouncil or Aaculty +ouncil esta!lished !y Academic +ouncil. ,t e&ists today in higher education !ecause of trends in universities and colleges to reflect a gro"ing convergence !et"een conventional and distance learning modes or technology modes. The acade!ic council7s role is to consult "ith the president. %he po"ers of this council depend on "hat po"ers the president decides to give it. %he academic council is comprised of the registrar "ho consults "ith professors and students and other university employees (appointed under su!section 4)$ at least half of the mem!ers (not appointed under su!section 4) must !e professors$ and the president may appoint 1 > 5 additional mem!ers. 8&ample3+niversity of "ntario 'nstitute of Technology (unicameral "ith faculty councils) (http7**""".uoit.ca*8H*main5*11543*1@656*14-6I*uoitJact.html) %he university is a corporation "ithout share capital and consists of the mem!ers of its !oard. /oard of governors %he Board of 'overnors of the university$ consists of not more than 56 mem!ers$ as follo"s7 1. %he president of the university$ !y virtue of office. 5. %he chancellor of the university$ !y virtue of office. @. %hree mem!ers appointed !y the 2ieutenant 'overnor in +ouncil. 4. At least 15 and not more than 13 mem!ers$ as may !e set out in the !y#la"s of the university$ appointed !y the !oard$ at least si& of "hom shall !e mem!ers of the !oard of governors of the college !ut "ho are not employees or students of the college. 6. Aour mem!ers "ho are students or employees of the university and "ho are elected !y the relevant constituencies of the university. %en mem!ers of the convocation constitute a 1uorum of the transaction of the !usiness. 6

8ach faculty has a *aculty 4ouncil that is responsi!le for (a) the academic governance and approval of ne" programs and courses and (!) policies of the Aaculty including admissions$ academic standards$ curriculum re1uirements$ degree re1uirements and long# rang academic planning. Aaculty +ouncils are esta!lished !y Academic +ouncil and operate under the delegated authority of Academic +ouncil. %he rules$ procedures and mem!ership of Aaculty +ouncils$ and proposed changes to them$ are revie"ed !y the e&ecutive committee of Academic +ouncil. 8ach *aculty 4ouncil consists of7 (a) %he =ean$ Associate =ean and Assistant =eans of the Aaculty; (!) All core faculty mem!ers of the Aaculty "ith a primary appointment in the Aaculty including those on sa!!atical or leave; (c) All core faculty mem!ers "hose primary appointment is in another Aaculty$ !ut "ho hold a 569 or more secondary appointment in the faculty; (d) All full time la!oratory instructors holding complementary faculty appointments; (e) Representatives of the %eaching Assistants and ?art#%ime Aaculty "ho have taught in the Aaculty for at least t"o consecutive academic years and "ho do not num!er more than 1-9 of the categories a$ !$ c$ and d$ com!ined ("here this num!er is at least 1-); (f) Students not to num!er more than 1-9 of the categories a$ !$ c and d com!ined ("here this num!er is at least 1-); (g) %he =ean of the Aaculty acts as +hair of the Aaculty +ouncil; (h) 8ach Aaculty shall elect a Fice#+hair annually from among the core faculty mem!ers of the Aaculty7 %he ?resident$ Fice ?resident and Associate ?rovosts of the <niversity$ the =eans of the Aaculties of the <niversity$ the Secretary of Academic +ouncil. Exa!ples3 ;pen <niversity +onsortium of B+$ %echnical <niversity of B+ (6-9 of courses availa!le on :e! and "ith no tenure status)$ Royal Roads <niversity (unicameral and no tenure) and the <niversity of ;ntario ,nstitute of %echnology (proposed to have most advanced e#learning technologies in +anada). 8oyal 8oads +niversity (unicameral)# is continued as a corporation and is composed of a board and a convocation. %he Business +orporation Act does not apply to the university$ !ut on the recommendation$ the 4inister of Ainance$ !y regulation$ may declare that all or part of that Act applies to the university (http7**""".royalroads.ca*a!out#rru*governance*!oard#or#gov.htm). %he /oard of Governors has the duties and may e&ercise the po"ers of the !oard of governors and*or senate of a university under the <niversity Act e&cept those po"ers given !y the president !y this act.

%he /oard is composed of the7 (a) president "ho has the po"er to set academic and 1ualifications for admission$ set conditions of e&amination$ set curriculum content for courses$ a"ard scholarships*!ursaries$ set recognition for academic e&cellence$ esta!lish committees he deems necessary. %he president is assisted !y an academic council composed largely of professors (http7**""".royalroads.ca*a!out#rru*governance*!oard#or# gov.htm). (!) a professor elected !y the professors (c) up to 3 persons appointed !y the 2ieutenant 'overnor in +ouncil (d) a student elected !y the students (e) an employee "ho is not a professor elected !y employees of the university "ho are not professors (f) up to t"o persons "ho are not employees of the university$ appointed !y the !oard %he 4onvocation of the university is continued and is composed of7 (a) the chancellor$ "ho is chair of the convocation (!) the president (c) the mem!ers of the program and research council (d) the professors (e) graduates of the university (f) persons "hose names are added to the roll of the convocation !y the !oard (g) the registrar "ho as secretary of the convocation$ must esta!lish and eep up to date the roll of the convocation %he convocation may esta!lish a fee to !e paid !y its mem!er to defray the necessary e&penses of the convocation. %. (u!!ary Shared governance is a system of governance "here!y the decision#ma ing capacity of the institution is shared !y those affected !y the decisions; these include the !oards$ administrators$ faculty$ staff and students (Schuet.$ 1999). %here are fours models of governance7 uni#cameral$ !i#cameral$ tri#cameral and hy!rid. ,n other#"ords$ decision# ma ing in performed !y one (unicameral)$ t"o (!icameral)$ three (tri#cameral) or a !lend of governing !odies (hy!rid). ;f the four models of university governance$ !icameral governance is the most common and is comprised of t"o legislative !odies7 (a) a governing !oard that usually appoints the president and is responsi!le for the administrative and financial elements of the university$ and (!) an academic senate or a university*education council "ith responsi!ility for academic matters of an educational*academic nature that affects the university or college as a "hole. %he challenge of shared governance is for different parties to identify specific areas of responsi!ility !efore decisions are made and actions ta en (Alfred$ 1998). %o effectively govern$ administrators much "or colla!oratively "ith faculty$ staff$ senates$ and unions in an environment "herein the authority of each constituent group is clearly understood.

I. 8eferences Alfred$ R. (1994) (Research and Practice on Shared Governance and Participatory Decision-making9. ,n Handbook of the Community College in merica$ 8d. '. Ba er. 'reen"ood ?ress. Alfred$ R. (1998) (Shared Governance in Community Colleges!" 8ducation +ommission of the States$ p.1#8. 'overnment of Al!erta ?ost#Secondary 2earning Act. Kueens ?rinter$ +hapter ?#19.6. D;n#lineE$ Availa!le$ ;cto!er 4$ 5--3 at7 http7**""".1p.gov.a!.ca*documents*Acts*?19?6.cfm 2au$ R. (1993) )Shared Governance and Compton Community College District!" 8=,4 I1- ;rgani.ational 4anagement L 'overnance$ ?epperdine <niversity ?la.a. 8= @93 8-3. 4alaspina <niversity#+ollege. 'eneral ,nformation7 'overnance of 4alaspina <niversity +ollege. D;n#lineEon 4ay 6$ 5--6 at http7**""".mala.ca*calendar*ArontSection*'overnance.asp 4ount Royal +ollege$ (5--6) Board of 'overnors7 Report on the Board %as Aorce on ,nstitutional 'overnance$ Septem!er @-$ 5--6$ p. 3. Kueens <niversity (5--4). %he 'overnance at Kueen0s <niversity. D;n#lineE$ Availa!le$ 4ay 6$ 5--3 at7 http7**""".1ueensu.ca*secretariat*govern.html Royal Roads <niversity Board of 'overnors. D;n#lineE$ Availa!le ;cto!er 3$ 5--3 at (http7**""".royalroads.ca*a!out#rru*governance*!oard#or#gov.htm). Schuet.$ ?. (1999). Shared governance in community colleges. 8ric =igests$ 4. Shale$=. (5--5). %he Gy!ridi.ation of Gigher 8ducation in +anada. #nternational Revie$ of Research in %pen and Distant &earning" 'ol ()(* http"$$$"icaap"org+iuicode, -./"("("0 <niversity of ;ntario ,nstitute of %echnology (<;,%). Aaculty of 8ngineering and Applied Science 'overnance.DonlineE$ availa!le7 http7**engineering.uoit.ca*governance.php Mor <niversity. (5--3). Mor Secretariat # <niversity Secretariat$ 'overnance Structure at Mor <niversity. D;n#lineE$ Availa!le$ 4ay 6$ 5--67 http7**""".yor u.ca*secretariat*governance.htm