Current model
An illustration of VCU's current shared governance model

 

Faculty Senate

  • Faculty Senate membership is elected from T&R and Professional Faculty in the schools, VCU Libraries, and Student Affairs. Professional Faculty in other units are not eligible for elected membership, although, they may be appointed by the Senate president.
  • Administrative Faculty (i.e., deans, senior leaders) are not eligible to serve in the Faculty Senate.
  • You can find the Faculty Senate website and faculty bylaws here.

Staff Senate

  • Staff Senate membership is comprised of volunteers from VCU’s Classified staff and VCU Health employees; membership is voluntary and senate leadership is elected by the members. There is no formal process or structure to ensure all schools/units across the university and VCU Health System are represented.
  • VCU Health System special membership is around shared interests for career and professional development, workplace culture, and employee appreciation.
  • You can find the Staff Senate website and bylaws here.

University Council

  • The Council provides representation for all current employee groups.
  • Administrators represented on University Council include Deans and Vice Presidents. Classified staff representation on University Council are selected by the Staff Senate. Faculty representation on University Council consists of those directly elected by the schools and those from the Faculty Senate.
  • More information about the University Council is found here.

 

Positive impacts of current model

  • Some Professional Faculty are eligible to serve on the Faculty Senate.
  • Staff Senate includes both VCU and VCU Health System employees.

What to consider

  • The new employee group, University and Academic Professionals, is not explicitly covered by either senate or by the University Council. These employees have previously been represented as Classified staff or faculty members.
  • Currently, some Professional Faculty are not eligible to be elected to the Faculty Senate.
  • Although currently represented by the Staff Senate, VCU Classified staff and VCU Health System employee policies, benefits, etc. are different.
  • Over time, the number of Classified staff at VCU will decline, because new employees will be assigned to the University and Academic Professionals group. This has implications for ensuring the continued representation of Classified staff members.
  • Changes being proposed to this governance structure only impact Faculty Senate and Staff Senate (the gold boxes above). The University Council itself is solely responsible for determining what, if any, changes may be necessary for the Council.