AA/11/AS/21/SEC/ASI - Shared Governance Resolution

Effective Fall 2021

Rationale: Associated Students, Inc. [ASI] constitutes the elected representative voice of students at our university; students elected or appointed to roles within ASI, by ASI officials, represent student interests and concerns on decision-making governance bodies such as Academic Senate and other appropriate committees. 

The practical discourse in meetings of the Academic Senate and in meetings of other governance committees is inevitably distorted by power, privilege, and the perspectives that calcify as a result of specific roles (such as member of the faculty, staff, or administration). These effects on discourse in meetings cannot be eliminated, nor is the goal of the affirmation of the attached principles to attempt to reduce meaningful dissent or to police discursive tone. The intention of the attached principles is, rather, to underscore that each person who contributes does so because they have the right to do so, and their right to do so should be embraced by all participants regardless of power or rank. 

Affirming these attached principles is one way to signal our collective commitment, across each of our shared governance and decision-making roles, to aspire to discourse that honors and dignifies the perspectives of student representatives and student guests at meetings. When someone participating in shared governance meetings-as a formal representative or as a guest at open meetings-voices a question or concern, their perspective is as worthy of the same honor and dignity as any other perspective in the room, regardless of formal educational level or discursive aptitude. Indeed, it is consonant with our university’s educational mission to note that we have an obligation to approach those with the least power and the least formal educational attainment with the most deliberate and intentional excess of honor and dignity, as we should be advocates for people currently in those positions. 

Related Policies and Procedures: Statement on Shared Governance and Consultation (attached)

Review History: Approved by the Academic Senate on May 4, 2021

Approved President Ellen Junn on May 20, 2021 

Academic Affairs Division has the primary responsibility for this policy.

Attachment(s): AA/11/AS/21/SEC/ASI Shared Governance Resolution  

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