Themes from faculty governance white papers

Report containing recommendation is indicated in parentheses; see original report or compiled recommendations for exact language.

1) Two way communication

a) Conversation/debate at faculty meetings (faculty meetings)

b) Regular administrator and EC meetings with divisions (communications)

c) Forum to discuss evolution of library services (culture)

2) Input to decision makers from faculty/APs

a) AUL office hours (communications)

b) Post EC agenda and documents sooner (communications; faculty meetings)

c) OTRS system to track comments to EC (communications)

d) Deadline for feedback on EC discussion items (communications)

e) Anonymous feedback form for comments to EC (communications)

f) Faculty input into EC and faculty meeting agendas (communications)

i) Faculty meeting agenda committee (faculty meetings)

ii) Increased role for faculty secretary (faculty meetings)

iii) EC has bigger role in faculty meeting agenda (faculty meetings; structure)

iv) Faculty meeting agendas approved at meeting to allow for additions

v) Include faculty meeting agenda items related to “business cycle” (faculty meetings)

vi) Accept and encourage motions from the floor at faculty meetings (faculty meetings)

g) Open EC meetings or timed discussion of agenda items with faculty (communications)

h) Exit interviews for departing faculty/staff

i) Share drafts earlier in process (structure)

j) Include more matters for votes on faculty meeting agenda (faculty meetings)

k) Faculty comments to EC posted on LIBFAC (faculty meetings)

l) EC should solicit feedback on upcoming issues at faculty meeting (communications; faculty meetings)

m) Changes in library mission, principles, or strategic plan should always be discussed at a faculty meeting (faculty meeting)

3) Output to faculty from decision makers

a) EC response to comments received (communications)

b) Clear communication from administration about decisions: who/what/why (communication)

c) More detailed EC minutes (structure)

d) Earlier posting of EC documents/agendas/minutes with e-mail (RSS?) notice to faculty (Communications)

e) Expand EC model of posting documents to Administrative Council, Budget Group, Services Advisory (communications)

f) Regular AUL reports to faculty (communications)

g) Regular reports from administrative units and NSM at faculty meetings (faculty meetings)

4) General communication issues

a) Online bulletin board for notices from faculty about projects, events, etc. (communication)

b) More chances for casual interactions (communication)

c) Guidelines for faculty meeting procedure and etiquette (communication)

d) General communication about best practices/metrics/goals (communication)

e) Use technology to disseminate information quickly, encourage dialogue (communication)

f) Reduce unexplained acronyms

g) Reports given in writing and sent out with faculty meeting agenda (faculty meetings)

5) Training

a) Leading meetings

b) Civil communication (communication)

c) Diversity and shared values (culture)

d) Management (culture)

6) Abstract recommendations

a) Encourage debate, discussion and participation (communication; faculty meetings)

b) Clarify understanding of shared governance process (communication)

c) Move to an evidence-based culture

d) Increase day-to-day communication between administration and faculty (communications)

e) More collaboration between EC and Budget Group (structure)

f) Include more faculty in determining strategic directions (communications)

7) Other recommendations

a) Rewrite EC charge (structure)

b) Examine ways for administrative professionals to be involved in governance (structure)

c) Create civility team (culture)

d) Administer ClimQual survey (culture)

e) Interview faculty to identify specific problems with faculty governance structure (structure)