1 Shared Governance and Transparent Decision Making American Democracy Project National Meeting Orlando, Florida June 4, 2011 Patrick Dolenc, Professor of Economics and Political Science Kimberly Gagne, Program Coordinator Keene State College

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

NEASC Accreditation: Strengths 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 Professional/Administrative/Technical Staff Council, and the Student Assembly all have input in decision making. Faculty unions, the College Senate, the Operating Staff Council, the Professional/Administrative/Technical Staff Council, and the Student Assembly all have input in decision making. Faculty, staff, and students report they have regular access to senior-level administrators and genuine responsibilities for representing the needs of their constituent groups to the administration. Faculty, staff, and students report they have regular access to senior-level administrators and genuine responsibilities for representing the needs of their constituent groups to the administration. Principal administrators keep community members informed and solicit their input on serious matters that face the College. Principal administrators keep community members informed and solicit their input on serious matters that face the College. This open communication is apparent in the planning and shared problem- solving culture. This open communication is apparent in the planning and shared problem- solving culture. Open communication ensures integrity. Open communication ensures integrity.

NEASC Accreditation: Concerns The consultative process on which decision making at KSC rests is many layered and involves multiple councils, committees, and individuals. The consultative process on which decision making at KSC rests is many layered and involves multiple councils, committees, and individuals. Some overlap appears to exist within the roles and/or actions of certain bodies (e.g. Planning Council and Budget Resource Council). Some overlap appears to exist within the roles and/or actions of certain bodies (e.g. Planning Council and Budget Resource Council). The complex nature of this system can and, at times, has impeded communication and a nimble response to a complex issue. The complex nature of this system can and, at times, has impeded communication and a nimble response to a complex issue. This system has also impacted workload for all constituents and may actually reduce the faculty’s participation in teaching, their primary role. This system has also impacted workload for all constituents and may actually reduce the faculty’s participation in teaching, their primary role. The College has recognized these and other potential challenges within its current governance structure. The Cabinet will review the current committee structure by The College has recognized these and other potential challenges within its current governance structure. The Cabinet will review the current committee structure by 2012.

Employee Representation President PAT Council Professional, Administrative and Technical Staff- Non Unionized Elected Board Represent 180 Staff OS Council Operating Staff Non-Unionized Elected Board Represent 160 Staff Provost and VP for Academic Affairs KSCEA Full Time Tenure Track Faculty-Unionized Elected Board Represent 190 Faculty KSCAA Adjunct Faculty- Unionized Elected Board Represent 200 Faculty

History 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 Faculty host open information sessions on unionization.

Budget Crisis “Total Rewards” Survey Solidarity “Total Rewards” Survey Solidarity Faculty and Staff co-host campus-wide “Speak Out” on legislative process, budget crisis and activism Faculty and Staff co-host campus-wide “Speak Out” on legislative process, budget crisis and activism As legislature proposes massive budget cuts, employee leadership works with HR and Cabinet on RIF criteria As legislature proposes massive budget cuts, employee leadership works with HR and Cabinet on RIF criteria Budget Task Force Budget Task Force Collective Bargaining Collective Bargaining

Shared governance historically Shared governance historically Open & transparent communication Open & transparent communication Mutual respect and advocacy Mutual respect and advocacy Shared responsibility and sacrifice Shared responsibility and sacrifice Modeling a compassionate community Modeling a compassionate community Living Our Values