Aerial view of campus

Shared Governance at KU

What is Shared Governance?

In the context of the university, shared governance embodies the principles of collaborative decision-making and shared responsibility in running the institution.

Defining & Restoring Shared Governance at KU

In 2022, University Senate called on KU leadership to re-commit to the principles of shared governance. A Shared Governance Advisory Group met throughout the 2022-2023 academic year to define a shared vision of governance at KU and published a final report of recommendations. Learn more about this initiative and its progress.
Advisory Group | 2022-2023 Advisory Group | 2022-2023
Ongoing Progress | 2023-Beyond Ongoing Progress | 2023-Beyond

“Shared governance, according to the [1996] Statement on Government of Colleges and Universities, refers to the responsibility shared among the different components of the institution—governing boards, administrations, and faculties—for its governance, and the specific areas of primary responsibility for each component.”

― American Association of University Professors (AAUP) | Program on Shared Governance

“By including multiple constituencies in decision-making processes, the university can ensure that different voices are heard and integrated into a cohesive vision. Shared governance thus provides the mechanisms to support the university’s autonomy, enabling the institution to fulfill its educational, research, and service missions."

― American Association of Universities (AAU) | Statement on Academic Principles (April 2013)

Campus Constituent Surveys

KU leadership has committed to a 3-year survey cycle to continuously evaluate the experiences of faculty, staff, and students. In partnership with survey sponsors, the Office of Analytics, Institutional Research, & Effectiveness (AIRE) leads the evaluation and assessment activities to make evidence-based recommendations for continuous improvement. While not strictly a Shared Governance initiative, the surveys gather input and perspectives that inform the work of shared governance.
Learn More About Campus Surveys Learn More About Campus Surveys

Shared Governance Updates

Recommendations to Improve Staff Job Satisfaction will be Shared at Forum

The Office of the Provost and Staff Senate announce a public forum to share the recommendations from the Docking Institute working groups, as well as the action steps to improve staff satisfaction at KU. Provost Bichelmeyer will attend.

Final Spring 2023 Update from University Governance

University Governance leaders share their final updates of the year, including the current status of the Shared Governance initiative and a summary of the policies amendments passed this year.

CODE Amendment: University Senate Reorganization (21-day Review)

SenEx has referred to the University Senate a proposed amendment to the CODE, which was approved at the last University Senate meeting. This communication serves as the official 21-day review to campus on this proposed policy change.