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Shared Governance FAQ

Wednesday, May 31, 2023

1. What is governance?

Governance is a process involving faculty, administrators, staff and students in deliberations regarding strategic and operational decision-making. The governance structure at UA- PTC organizes the decision making process between several Councils and Standing Committees.

2. Where do I find a list of all the shared governance groups?

A list of groups can be found here: Shared Governance Structure.

3. How do I become a member of a Council or Committee?

Faculty and staff may volunteer or be appointed to serve on councils or committees. It’s important that you share your interest to serve on a specific group with your supervisor and representative body.

Students may volunteer or be recommended by college faculty or staff to serve on committees which require student representation.

Members of each council and committee are responsible for fulfilling the purpose of the council/committee and for maintaining effective two-way communication between the council/committee and the constituencies they represent.

The Faculty Senate’s Committee on Faculty Involvement coordinates the process for filling any vacant at-large faculty seats, and Staff Senate’s Committee on Staff Involvement does the same for at-large staff seats.

Any faculty or staff member that experiences an issue getting placed on a committee, should notify the Institutional Effectiveness Office by emailing [email protected]. All attempts to be placed on a committee through the supervisor and/or representative body must have been made prior to contacting the IE Office.

4. How are appointed seats made?

Seats that require representatives from specific offices are appointed by the area supervisor.

Academic Deans are appointed by the Provost.

5. Who is eligible to be a Council or Committee chair?

Any voting member of the committee can be elected as chair by other committee members. Councils have standing chairs that are not elected from the membership.

6. How is a member removed?

The council or committee has the authority to remove a member. Lack of attendance is a reason for removal.

7. Who takes minutes?

With the exception of a few Councils, any member may take minutes. An official recorder of minutes must be elected at the first meeting of each academic year.

For further information, please read the Governance Guidelines.