Shared Governance at Central Washington University Aligning Priorities to Advance the University’s Vision and Mission Final Version for BOT Review – April 10, 2025 Preamble
Shared governance is a cornerstone of a thriving university, founded on relationships, respect, responsibility, and transparency. Though sometimes misunderstood as requiring unanimous consensus, full access to all information, or full participation in all decisions, its true strength lies in honoring the expertise of others, joining in collaboration around important issues, and operating through trust. In a healthy shared governance environment, constituents have opportunities to contribute to decision-making within their roles and expertise while recognizing that all decisions may not align with every perspective. Transparency builds trust, equity ensures fairness, and expertise drives sound decisions. This document outlines Central Washington University’s aspirational vision for shared governance. By sharing information, fostering collaboration, and encouraging meaningful participation, we create an environment where constituencies contribute to the university’s success. Through the description of authority and responsibility and the commitments outlined below, we are dedicated to fostering a system that drives innovation and ensures a thriving and sustainable future. I. Shared Governance Definition Shared Governance is the system by which various groups participate in the decision-making processes at Central Washington University (CWU). Each group participates in different activities in various ways, depending on their roles, authority, expertise, and scope of responsibility; honoring those roles and authority is critical to healthy shared governance. Shared governance allows for all constituents to work together to address the opportunities and challenges the university faces. Ultimately, shared governance creates an environment that allows the university to align priorities, communicate transparently, and foster innovation in order to advance the university’s vision, mission, values, and strategic goals. II. Shared Governance Constituencies The Board of Trustees (Board), administration, faculty, staff, and students all contribute to the shared governance of the institution. Other than the Board and the President, participation by these constituents is typically facilitated through one or more of their representative bodies, depending on the nature of the governance activity. These bodies include: • The Executive Leadership Team • Deans’ Council • The Academic Department Chairs Organization
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