Faculty Senate holds co-governance meeting

By Yvonne Condes

Arizona Daily Wildcat

UA faculty are in the process of changing their position from a subservient one to an equal one, said the chairman of the Faculty Senate in a special meeting yesterday.

The meeting was called to discuss a draft proposal of co-governance between the faculty and the UA administration, the goal being to have mutual accountability in decision-making of policies and procedures.

"We have enormous hurdles to jump, let's at least jump this one together," said Provost Paul Sypherd to the senate last night.

Chairman John Schwarz, political science professor, said faculty needs to be involved in the decision-making process within the university.

But first, issues need to be cleared up. The two bodies can't "get in bed together (thinking) it will be all right in the morning," said Marlys Witte, professor of surgery and senator-at-large.

The proposal is "building a roof" when general principles need to be dealt with at the foundation, said Miklos Szilagyi, electrical and computer engineering professor and senator-at-large.

The definition of co-governance is confusing, Witte said. It is more of a wish or an ideal, she said.

Co-governance concerns policies and procedures that lead to decisions related to the academic enterprise in which faculty and administration concur.

Faculty and administration would share decision-making power in the proposal. In cases where there are unusual circumstances and a decision cannot be reached after going through the proper committees, the president will establish the new policy and will report to the senate. Then, they may voice their reaction.

Karen Anderson, assistant history professor and senator-at-large, said that she feels a profound cynicism.

"We have not had a tradition of sharing power, but this looks like a step in the right direction," she said.

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