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Recalibrating University Governance: Restoring Collegial Engagement In Decision Making

October 9, 2020

An analysis of current vulnerabilities in university governance and recommendations for moving to a more democratic model. Get a clear view of the current system and its potential for improvement.

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University governance is in crisis at British Columbia’s institutions. It has been eroded by decades of chronic underfunding and corporate-oriented government policy. The balance of power has shifted over time, concentrating in the hands of a select few and marginalizing faculty involvement in university governance.

At CUFA BC we believe it’s possible to shift to a more collegial model of governance — one that allows faculty to contribute meaningfully to the important work of senates and boards of governors.

This paper aims to:

  • Raise awareness of the importance of university governance in British Columbia
  • Identify current vulnerabilities in university governance
  • Eliminate or reduce institutional inconsistencies
  • Inform best practices in university governance
  • Make recommendations for the improvement of university governance

“We believe it is possible to restore university governance to a more democratic and collegial state, one that enshrines public accountability and transparency.”

- Excerpt

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