Shared Governance

Shared governance is described in detail in the Faculty Handbook (Section 1.4 and Sections 2.2.3–2.2.7).  This page highlights key points, but faculty are encouraged to review the full policy.


University-Level Shared Governance

At the university level:

  • Faculty voice: Faculty Senate
  • Staff voice: Staff Council
  • Student voice: Student Government Association (SGA)

 

These groups provide input on policies in the Policies and Procedures Manual and other university-wide initiatives. The University Executive Council manages these policies, and the JSU President serves as the primary point of contact for shared governance matters.


Shared Governance in Academic Affairs

Academic Affairs includes:

  • Faculty voice: Faculty Senate
  • Department head voice: Department Head Council
  • Dean voice: Extended Deans’ Council (EDC)

 

These groups review and provide input on catalogs, the Faculty Handbook, and other Academic Affairs policies and procedures. Proposals follow the Shared Governance for Academic Affairs Flowchart.

 

Typical process:

  1. A proposal originates from a committee, stakeholder group, or Academic Affairs leader and is shared with Faculty Senate and EDC, ensuring Department Head Council chairs are informed.
  2. The proposal is placed on the EDC agenda. Deans and Faculty Senate review and decide whether to vote, provide minor feedback, or request further discussion (collaborative review).
  3. If collaborative review is needed, the Provost sets a timeline and convenes representatives from all three groups plus the originator.  The group’s role is to identify areas of concern, offer feedback, and suggest possible revisions to address issues preventing approval.  These recommendations are advisory only—the originator retains full discretion over the proposal’s content.
  4. After the review, the originator determines the next step: incorporate some or all of the feedback into a revised version, resubmit the original proposal without changes, or withdraw it entirely (final version).
  5. Faculty Senate and Deans vote on the final version.
  6. If both approve, the proposal moves forward. If neither approve, it does not proceed. If one approves and the other does not, the Provost makes the final decision.

Example:

  • A task force proposes a catalog policy change.
  • The Provost (or other administrative liaison) adds it to the EDC agenda and ensures Faculty Senate and Department Head Council are notified.
  • The proposal is discussed at EDC; feedback is gathered from constituent groups.
    • The task force chair might be asked to present the proposal at EDC, Faculty Senate and/or Department Head Council.
  • If there are no concerns or only minor feedback, the groups would vote on this following their voting processes.
  • If concerns arise, a collaborative review meeting is scheduled (subset of deans, department heads, Faculty Senate, and task force members).
  • The task force revises and resubmits final version for voting by Faculty Senate and Deans.

Shared Governance in Committees

Faculty Senate solicits faculty preferences for University and Academic Affairs committees and, through its Elections Committee and the Faculty Senate President, recommends appointments in consultation with the department head and the faculty member. Final appointments are made by the JSU President, Provost, or Faculty Senate President, depending on the committee (see Appendix A of the Faculty Handbook).  Committee membership records, charges, and terms are maintained on the President’s and Provost’s websites. The Committee Management Committee ensures year-end reports and minutes are posted for University committees.

  • The JSU President may form or dissolve university-level committees and task forces.
  • The Provost may form or dissolve Academic Affairs task forces.
  • The Provost may form Academic Affairs committees and these may be dissolved by vote of EDC and Faculty Senate, following shared governance procedures.

 

College deans and department heads also form committees including, but not limited to, promotion and tenure, curriculum, strategic planning, assessment/program evaluation, and awards. Each college administration determines its appointment process and communicates it to faculty.


Faculty Rights and Responsibilities

In order for shared governance to work, there is also the expectation of civility in behavior and discourse within the University setting, including the expectation of non-retaliation for participation in shared governance.  Violations may be addressed through the faculty grievance process.

 

Faculty have both the right and responsibility to:

  • Participate actively in governance through committees at all levels.
  • Receive timely information on University, Academic Affairs, and Faculty Senate matters.
  • Engage in and provide feedback on major issues affecting JSU’s academic mission.

 

If faculty have any questions about the shared governance process, they should contact their Faculty Senate representative.