Counting shared governance chicks as they hatch

As my adventure in online teaching comes to a close, excuse me for clucking like a proud mother hen. In eight short weeks, the  “chicks” in HIED 512: Organizational Culture and Governance have gone from knowing almost nothing about shared governance to being able to make a strong case for it.

I’ve pulled the following quotes from the final forum discussion in which I asked students to make their best case for shared governance. The thoughtful replies tell me the future of Christian higher education is in good hands. Read on, and I think you’ll agree.

Shared governance and the body metaphor

For a Christian institution, particularly one with a Brethren in Christ heritage, the matter of shared governance ultimately comes down to our responsibility to live in community. . . If we are to take seriously Paul’s vision of the church as the “Body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 12: 12-31), then we must acknowledge the legitimacy of each others’ involvement in the governance process. — Dan

Shared governance allows an institution to develop an identity and accounts for the accountability that an institution will have with a mission statement. Maybe shared governance is too slow or clumsy but all the parts work together as a whole to complete the institution. The first thing that comes to mind is a metaphor of the body- all the parts work together to make a whole. This is what shared governance does. — Josh

The importance of trust

I wonder how many institutions would function so much more effectively if each person involved in shared governance would trust the other to handle their role correctly. I think trust is a huge piece to effective delegation.  — Katrina

Shared governance and institutional mission

It is necessary for lots of people to be involved in governance if the mission of the institution is to be fully realized. . . We know that the mission of the institution is established by the board and is ultimately the full responsibility of the board, but it has to be carried out by the administrators. The President and Provost have the responsibility of making sure everything that takes place is a reflection of the mission.  From there the mission has to be fully understood by the faculty so that they can put it into practice in their teaching.  It is a large part of the faculty’s duty to communicate the mission of the institution to the students. — Kerrie B.

. . . it is shared governance that gives the institution it’s heart, and its image. Messiah College would not have the reputation that it does if it was not for shared governance.  It is the same with every other institution. — Ian

I cannot tell you how many times it has helped when I was a part of a team that was struggling, to refer back to the mission. The mission keeps us on track, eye on the prize…it unites a team. I think mission is key to shared governance working and working well. You can tell when a team is united in pursuit of a shared mission and/or vision. It is a beautiful thing indeed!  — Katrina

Worth the effort

Is shared governance sometimes clumsy and slow? Sure. But in the end, it ensures participation from groups with various perspectives and strengths in the process of making important decisions to improve and sustain the institution of higher education…and I think that makes it worth it. — Jonathan

On the idea of being advocates for shared governance

. . . we have all learned of the need to have shared governance. We have all seen the benefits. I think we all believe that it is important and necessary in higher education. Now, it is our role to teach the benefit of the system to those who do not know about shared governance. . .  it is important for us to use what we have learned. — Anne

To those who already believe in the benefits of shared governance: become the advocate to challenge those who believe that shared governance is too clumsy, too slow, too contentious, and too inflexible. –Kerrie T.