Ohio University Board of Trustees is being asked to consider adding faculty representation to the university's top governing body.
The proposal to add faculty trustees to the board was presented to trustee chairman R. Gregory Browning in February and is the beginning of a formal discussion. Last year, Faculty Senate passed a resolution to kick-start efforts to name a faculty member to the board as a non-voting trustee.
This really goes along with the notion of shared governance
said Phyllis Bernt, Faculty Senate chair. It's a way to strengthen the faculty voice on campus.
Although there has been some discussion on the topic in recent years, faculty trusteeship is only now being seriously debated, Browning said. As a result, the board does not have a position on the topic.
The question that comes up is why should we stop with the faculty? What about the administrators the classified workers the union? Browning said. There is a legitimate set of questions that need to be addressed.
Like students, faculty members occupy a unique position within the university, and the board should hear their voices, Bernt said. State law mandates student representation on the board but makes no mention of faculty trustees.
However, faculty members could be named to the board as non-voting trustees without violating Ohio law.
We're not trying to get legislation passed
said Bernt. We'd propose the Board of Trustees just change their bylaws to allow for faculty advisory members.
Some universities across Ohio already have faculty members sitting in on their board of trustees. Though they cannot have executive voting rights without a change to state law, their input still adds a unique perspective to the board, said Betty Zavada, assistant to the secretary to the board for Cleveland State University.
Cleveland State University has had faculty trustees since 1972, and they have acted as advisory members on the board for 35 years. Both faculty and student trustees participate on the academic affairs committee and offer their opinions on university matters, Zavada said.
They're able to talk with the board members on what's happening on campus
she said.
While the discussion is only in its early stages, faculty voices on the board could only increase communication across campus, Bernt said.
Jordan Robinson What we're looking at here is just better for the university
she said. It's a positive way to improve two-way communication for everyone.
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