Few would argue that faculty members are a college or university’s academic experts and that they need to play an integral role in institutional planning, academic decision-making and curriculum design. Faculty senates often play a role in making decisions around these issues; however, they are can be viewed as “slow moving” and “ineffective.” Are you seeking to make your faculty senate more effective, transparent and meaningful? 

Join the expert presenter, who serves as AAUP chair of the Committee on College and University Governance, as he guides you through a brief history of the development of shared governance and then explores how faculty senates can more effectively contribute to meeting the challenges and opportunities facing higher education in the 21st century.

You’ll hear about the history and current status of faculty senates and why their presence is imperative at your institution. You’ll understand the variety of forms of faculty involvement in governance--senates and other types of governance bodies that include faculty members--that currently exist on campus. We’ll highlight traits that make for effective faculty participation in shared governance.  You’ll also learn about current and future challenges to meaningful faculty involvement in governance.

Objectives

• Understand effective faculty senate models and traits that make faculty senates work.
• Hear about current and future challenges that can impact and influence the effective role for faculty in governance.
• Explore why in turbulent times university governance especially needs faculty involvement.
• Understand the link between the overall expectations of faculty and the increased role faculty play in college and university governance.

Speaker

Larry G. Gerber, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus of History at Auburn University and Chair, American Association of University Professors Committee on College and University Governance