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PS-01.A.03 - Academic Shared Governance Policy

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EFFECTIVE DATE: 09/01/25

ISSUE#: 6

PRESIDENT:  Dr. Loren J. Blanchard

PURPOSE

1.1. This policy statement affirms the philosophy of shared governance at the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) and describes the university’s shared governance structure in alignment with SB 37 and the procedures to be followed by components within that structure.

DEFINITIONS 

2.1. Constituency: A component of the university community. The four primary constituencies are:
2.1.1. Administration: Includes but not limited to the president, vice presidents, assistant and associate vice presidents, deans, assistant and associate deans, executive directors.
2.1.2. Faculty: Full-time UHD employees whose primary responsibilities are teaching research, and service who are members of the Faculty Assembly as described in the Faculty Council By-Laws. Department chairs hold faculty status with administrative appointments during their term.
2.1.3. Staff: Full-time UHD employees who are not members of the faculty or administration.
2.1.4. Students: Those who are currently enrolled in an educational program and who are not full-time employees of the University.

2.2. Shared governance:
Institutions of higher education in this state shall be governed by a principle of shared governance, which refers to a structured decision-making process in which the governing board of the institution exercises ultimate authority and responsibility for institutional oversight, financial stewardship, and policy implementation, while allowing for appropriate consultation with faculty, administrators, and other stakeholders on matters related to academic policy and institutional operations. The principle of shared governance may not be construed to diminish the authority of the governing board to make final decisions in the best interest of the institution, students, and taxpayers.

Administrators at institutions of higher education must make decisions in a manner that promotes efficiency, accountability, and responsiveness to state priorities, workforce needs, and the institution’s institutional mission. Faculty and staff may provide recommendations on academic matters, but that input is only advisory in nature, ensuring that governing boards and institutional leadership retain clear and ultimate decision-making authority. Shared governance structures may not be used to obstruct, delay, or undermine necessary institutional reforms or serve as a mechanism for advancing ideological or political agendas.

PROCEDURES

4.1. The President or designee shall maintain a publicly available UHD Councils and Committees document on the institution’s website which lists all advisory council and committees  and at a minimum, each entity’s status as permanent or temporary, its charge, the composition of its membership, how members are chosen, its current members, members’ terms of service, how the chair is appointed or chosen, and the method by which its recommendations are routed. Where relevant, it will also describe requirements for the frequency of meetings, standard meeting times, notification of meetings, posting of agendas, maintenance of meeting minutes, and other matters pertinent to the operation of the entity.

4.2. A person who is not clearly a member of one of the University’s four primary constituencies (e.g., adjunct faculty, alumni) may be appointed to a committee, council, or task force when it serves the objectives of that entity.

4.3. The provisions of this policy are aligned with SB 37 and its language on shared governance.

4.4. On rare occasions when leaders must act in the best interest of the University without full benefit of soliciting feedback from campus constituents, the campus community shall be informed in a timely manner and have an opportunity to provide feedback on the actions taken.

REVIEW PROCESS

As indicated below, this policy must be reviewed every two years. The responsible party for review shall be the President or his designee. The UHS General Counsel will review this policy to determine alignment with SB 37. The Board of Regents exercises ultimate authority and responsibility for institutional oversight, financial stewardship, and policy implementation, while allowing for appropriate consultation with faculty, administrators, and other stakeholders on matters related to academic policy and institutional operations.

Responsible Party (Reviewer): Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, Policy Advisory Committee (PAC)

Review: Every five years on or before May 31.

POLICY HISTORY

Issue #1:
Issue #2:
Issue #3:
Issue #4:
Issue #5: 10/16/95
Issue #6: 09/01/25 (this issue)

REFERENCES

01A01 University of Houston-Downtown Policy and Procedure System

EXHIBITS

There are no exhibits associated with this PS.