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Shared Governance and Shared Governance and Transparent Decision Transparent Decision

MakingMaking

American Democracy Project National American Democracy Project National MeetingMeeting

Orlando, FloridaOrlando, Florida

June 4, 2011June 4, 2011

Patrick Dolenc, Professor of Economics and Political SciencePatrick Dolenc, Professor of Economics and Political Science

Kimberly Gagne, Program CoordinatorKimberly Gagne, Program Coordinator

Keene State CollegeKeene State College

MissionMission

Keene State College prepares promising Keene State College prepares promising students to think critically and creatively, students to think critically and creatively, to to engage in active citizenshipengage in active citizenship, and to , and to pursue meaningful work. As the public pursue meaningful work. As the public liberal arts college of New Hampshire, we liberal arts college of New Hampshire, we offer an enriching campus community and offer an enriching campus community and achieve academic excellence through the achieve academic excellence through the integration of teaching, learning, integration of teaching, learning, scholarship, and service.scholarship, and service.

NEASC Accreditation: NEASC Accreditation: StrengthsStrengths

• Shared governance is a way of life at KSC. Shared governance is a way of life at KSC.

• Faculty unions, the College Senate, the Operating Staff Council, the Faculty unions, the College Senate, the Operating Staff Council, the Professional/Administrative/Technical Staff Council, and the Professional/Administrative/Technical Staff Council, and the Student Assembly all have input in decision making. Student Assembly all have input in decision making.

• Faculty, staff, and students report they have regular access to Faculty, staff, and students report they have regular access to senior-level administrators and genuine responsibilities for senior-level administrators and genuine responsibilities for representing the needs of their constituent groups to the representing the needs of their constituent groups to the administration. administration.

• Principal administrators keep community members informed and Principal administrators keep community members informed and solicit their input on serious matters that face the College. solicit their input on serious matters that face the College.

• This open communication is apparent in the planning and shared This open communication is apparent in the planning and shared problem-solving culture. problem-solving culture.

• Open communication ensures integrity. Open communication ensures integrity.

NEASC Accreditation: NEASC Accreditation: ConcernsConcerns

• The consultative process on which decision making at KSC rests is The consultative process on which decision making at KSC rests is many layered and involves multiple councils, committees, and many layered and involves multiple councils, committees, and individuals. individuals.

• Some overlap appears to exist within the roles and/or actions of Some overlap appears to exist within the roles and/or actions of certain bodies (e.g. Planning Council and Budget Resource Council). certain bodies (e.g. Planning Council and Budget Resource Council).

• The complex nature of this system can and, at times, has impeded The complex nature of this system can and, at times, has impeded communication and a nimble response to a complex issue. communication and a nimble response to a complex issue.

• This system has also impacted workload for all constituents and This system has also impacted workload for all constituents and may actually reduce the faculty’s participation in teaching, their may actually reduce the faculty’s participation in teaching, their primary role. primary role.

• The College has recognized these and other potential challenges The College has recognized these and other potential challenges within its current governance structure. The Cabinet will review the within its current governance structure. The Cabinet will review the current committee structure by 2012. current committee structure by 2012.

Employee Employee RepresentationRepresentation

HistoryHistory

• 2009 Leaders from all four employee groups meet for first time to discuss issues of mutual interest for all four groups.

• PAT Council hosts “Professional Development Day” after graduation for all faculty and staff.

• Human Resources Planning Advisory Board is designed with representatives from all employee groups.

• Senate – KSCEA division of labor.

• Mutual Gains bargaining (KSCEA) since 1995.

• Faculty host open information sessions on unionization.

Budget CrisisBudget Crisis ““Total Rewards” Survey SolidarityTotal Rewards” Survey Solidarity

Faculty and Staff co-host campus-wide “Speak Faculty and Staff co-host campus-wide “Speak Out” on legislative process, budget crisis and Out” on legislative process, budget crisis and activismactivism

As legislature proposes massive budget cuts, As legislature proposes massive budget cuts, employee leadership works with HR and Cabinet employee leadership works with HR and Cabinet on RIF criteriaon RIF criteria

Budget Task ForceBudget Task Force

Collective BargainingCollective Bargaining

Shared governance historicallyShared governance historically

Open & transparent communicationOpen & transparent communication

Mutual respect and advocacyMutual respect and advocacy

Shared responsibility and sacrificeShared responsibility and sacrifice

Modeling a compassionate communityModeling a compassionate community

Living Our ValuesLiving Our Values