What difference does a year make?

On April 1, 1999, the Student Government Association passed a resolution of no-confidence in Saint Louis University’s upper administration. Dissatisfaction with decision-making processes-as well as significant increases in parking prices-raised the question of shared governance and its function at SLU.

SGA rescinded the vote at the end of April last year, after several steps were promised by University President Lawrence Biondi, S.J. These steps to further shared governance, included:

 expanding the President’s Coordinating Council to include a participating representative from SGA, the Faculty Senate and the Staff Advisory Committee, as well as a representative of the Deans,

 reinstituting the Budget Advisory Committee to include representatives of the Deans, SGA, the Faculty Senate and the Staff Advisory Committee, and appointing a Task Force for Shared Governance to review decision-making structures in the University.

Biondi also recommended that the Board of Trustees admit a student, faculty member and staff representative to observe its meetings. However, the recommendation was not approved by the Board.

The three steps listed above have all been implemented this year, and the findings of one of those committees will soon be revealed. The Task Force for Shared Governance held its last meeting of the semester on Thursday, April 27, inviting a number of constituents to present an evaluation of shared governance.

The task force-charged to review decision-making structures and processes to assure that all have input into the nature of policies and decisions at SLU-heard from representatives from the Faculty Senate, the Staff Council and SGA.

“Each group provided a general discussion of their definitions of shared governance, an assessment of the current state of shared governance, and suggestions for any needed improvements,” said James Gilsinan, dean of the College of Public Service and chair of the Task Force.

Throughout the year, the Task Force gathered responses to a survey sent out last semester asking the SLU community to submit their opinions and concerns with the state of shared governance at SLU. Gilsinan said that of the more than 15,000 surveyed, 54 responded.

“It’s hard to make any generalizations,” Gilsinan said. He added, though, that according to many of the responses, one perception exists: Shared governance does exist through a number of committees, but the problem centers around communication among all constituencies.”

Gilsinan said that he hopes to have a draft report of the Task Force’s findings written within the next week or two.

“The task force will review it, offer suggestions and edit it,” Gilsinan said. “A final document will hopefully be agreed upon by the beginning to middle of June.”

Gilsinan said that what the report contains is unknown since information is still being collated.

Other members of the task force agreed that significant steps to improve shared governance have been taken.

“I think there’s been tremendous progress in the past year,” said James Kimmey, executive vice president. “There’s certainly more that can be done in terms of improving communication . and enhancing everyone’s understanding of how we can get to where we need to be.”

Nick Fagan, SGA representative on the Task Force, also agreed that progress has been made. “I think we’ve made a step in the right direction, but it’s an issue that will go on forever,” Fagan said.

“It’s a long process that goes beyond the lifespan of an undergraduate student,” Fagan added.