Statement on Shared Governance

Definition of Shared Governance:

As defined by SUNY, “In a shared governance system, faculty, professional staff, administration, governing boards, and students participate in the development of policies and in decision making that affects the institution.” (https://www.suny.edu/about/shared-governance/) At SUNY Brockport, our shared governance bodies include Brockport University Senate, Brockport Student Government (BSG), College Council, and University Administration. Together, we see shared governance as the means by which we most effectively and sustainably implement the priorities of the University, collaboratively established in our Strategic Plan. (Building a Better Brockport) The values of community, excellence, engagement, inclusion, and transformation are central to the University’s collective commitment to the highest quality public higher education and integral to our shared governance system.

Core Characteristics of Shared Governance for SUNY Brockport

Trust. Trust depends on and is reflective of the broader culture and the effective working relationships among individuals and offices at the University. Trust is the single most important barometer of the effectiveness of a shared governance system, as it often reflects the extent to which the expectations for governance are being met.
Transparency. Transparency in decision-making allows the University community to see the interests involved in any major campus decision, to understand its origin, the problems it attempts to solve, and the predicted results for the new policy or practice. Transparency both supports the development of trust and sustains it during crises.
Effective Communication. Effective communication within and among the various campus constituencies must be timely, allowing for collaboration in decision-making to the extent possible for the most critically informed, inclusive, creatively considered, and sustainable resolution of discrete issues. One of the most important tools of effective communication is the art of listening to what others say: seeking to understand what they believe to be true, and learning from others’ insights, inquiries, experiences, and expertise.
Consultation. Fully informed, collaborative decision-making through shared governance requires timely consultation. Constituent group representatives are brought into the consultative processes at the earliest relevant point in the development of initiatives. In addition, consultation respects the fundamental rule that representatives are chosen by the group they represent. Representatives of shared governance groups must regularly confer with the groups they represent, reporting to and soliciting feedback.
Inclusiveness. We seek to make visible our respect for differences in ideas, in approaches to knowledge, and in experience within the diverse society we share and serve. Shared governance serves the community best when the voices engaged in decision-making reflect our diversity. Governance groups are committed to inclusive representation, while being cognizant of not overburdening individuals from underrepresented groups.
Honesty and Integrity. Shared governance requires sharing as much information as possible without compromising confidentiality. Such disclosures need to be honest, direct, and relevant. Personal, professional, and institutional integrity must be maintained at all times.

Guiding Principles for Shared Governance for SUNY Brockport

SUNY Brockport will employ its shared governance practices and procedures, as defined by our policies, governance group bylaws, etc., for the development of new and review of existing policies, strategic planning, academic programming, and other instances of collaborative decision making.
Shared Governance is at its heart representative, and broad consultation with appropriate constituent groups is fundamental to the decision-making process. Representatives of shared governance groups must regularly confer with the groups they represent, reporting to and soliciting feedback from them. This requires time and timely communication.
SUNY Brockport administration will routinely engage different constituent representatives at the earliest possible point in the decision-making processes.
Constituent governance groups at the University commit themselves to providing considered and timely responses to proposed initiatives through regular procedures, including review by established committees or an ad hoc group, as needed.
Constituent governance groups nominate those who serve as their representatives, according to their respective practices and procedures. At SUNY Brockport, executive committee members of shared governance groups are best placed to ensure fair representation of their interests, and each group is empowered to determine the best practice for representation. University Administration may suggest parameters for these governance groups to consider, including with respect to inclusivity and diversity. If appropriate, Brockport University Senate may be represented by faculty or staff who are non-senators; students may be represented by students not on Brockport Student Government Senate; the important principle is that the relevant group elects or appoints its own representatives according to its own policies and procedures. University Administration may, for the purposes of inclusion, appoint a limited number of members “at large” or as “presidential nominees” to ensure the widest possible range of voices are heard. The general principle stands: those who serve must be nominated by the group they represent.
Constituent governance group leaders will regularly consult with one another to seek ways of developing more effective relationships.
The Shared Governance Committee, as established by the University’s Strategic Plan, will regularly assess the effectiveness of the University’s shared governance system. This will be accomplished through periodic surveys, regular consultation, regular review of principles and their implementation, and reports and recommendations to constituent governance groups.

Conclusion

We intentionally commit ourselves to working collegially with one another on the decisions we face, as members of the University.

We recognize the complexity of shared governance: “It requires action from multiple people serving in a variety of roles; regular policy review, habitual reflection on policy implementation, and ongoing dialogue should be sought by all involved.” (Shared Governance: Changing with the Times: An Association of Governing Boards (AGB) White Paper, 2017, p.6)

The broadly participatory nature of deliberations among parties with different interests offers particular relevance for public colleges and universities, as shared governance allows us to mirror the best practices for collective governance in a democratic culture.

This document was endorsed by the following bodies on the following dates:

Brockport University Senate: Cathy Houston-Wilson (12/03/2023)
Brockport Student Government: Lily Wegerski (12/08/2023)
President’s Cabinet: Heidi Macpherson (11/29/2023)
College Council: Scott Turner (12/12/2023)

This document will be formally reviewed every 5 years.

Next Review Date: December 2028