Frequently asked questions
What is the Great Place: HR Redesign, and why does it impact shared governance?
The Great Place: HR Redesign is the VCU initiative to modernize its HR practices in response to employee feedback from the Great Place survey. More than a hundred representatives from around the university worked over the past two years to design a new HR plan with the goal of making VCU an even greater place to work. The new Working@VCU policy went into effect January 1, 2018. The new HR plan results in several key changes with implications for shared governance:
- HR Redesign creates a new employee group: University and Academic Professionals.
- HR Redesign eliminates the current employee groups: administrative faculty and professional faculty (A&P faculty).
- The new University and Academic Professional employee group (university employees) will be composed of former Classified staff and most former A&P faculty members.
- No existing governance body is designated to represent this new employee group.
What does “shared governance” mean at VCU?
VCU’s University Council recently answered this question when adopting its statement on the Philosophy of Shared Governance at its May 2017 meeting. It describes shared governance as an ongoing commitment by all individuals at VCU to bring forth and respect the voice of diverse constituencies; to effectively communicate and collaborate among the board, administrators, faculty, staff and students; and to be transparent in the decision-making process.
What is the existing shared governance structure?
VCU’s existing structure facilitates shared governance by providing representation and opportunities for participation through the Faculty Senate, Staff Senate, Student Government Association and University Council. While each body states their purpose somewhat differently, they share the common goal of providing a forum to foster communication and engagement for the betterment of the university and the advancement of its mission.
The Inclusive Governance Task Force does not seek to change the purpose of these existing representative bodies or hinder their efforts to fulfill their role in the university’s governance model. Making such changes would be the sole responsibility of the respective council, senate or association.
How does this impact the VCU Health System?
While the VCU Health System is a separate corporate entity governed by an independent public authority, it is a critical partner in accomplishing VCU’s mission. For this reason, the staff of the VCU Health System long have been invited to participate in the VCU Staff Senate, working together with university staff members around common interests such as career and professional development, workplace culture, and employee appreciation.
What is the charge of the Inclusive Governance Task Force?
The task force was charged by President Michael Rao to develop recommendations that ensure all VCU employees are appropriately represented and able to fully participate in the university’s system of shared governance at the institution and unit levels following the full implementation of the HR Redesign.
Who is on the Inclusive Governance Task Force?
The task force is co-chaired by Lauren Katchuk, Staff Senate president, and Scott Street, Faculty Senate president. Other members include: Joslyn Bedell, professional faculty; Nick Fetzer, Staff Senate; Stephanie Goldberg, Faculty Senate; Carol Ann Irby, Office of the Vice President for Health Sciences; Karen Mullins, Staff Senate; Susan Carkeek (ex officio); and Jim Hinterlong (ex officio).
What did the Inclusive Governance Task Force consider in developing alternative models?
The task force adopted the following principles to guide its work:
- Keep it simple.
- Any alternative model should enable all employees to understand clearly how their views can be included in governance processes and how they can participate in these processes.
- Alternative models must be feasible and realistic to implement in the VCU context.
- Alternative models should have the potential to enhance shared governance by ensuring full inclusion of all VCU employees.
The task force also recognized the following about VCU’s current governance processes:
- Employees subject to different HR policies and benefits could be included within the same body. This is true currently, for example, of the University Council and the Staff Senate.
- In many instances, constituency bodies are advisory; they may make recommendations, but final decision-making rests with the appropriate administrator.
What happens next? How will final decisions be made?
The Inclusive Governance Task Force is asking for feedback from the university community. The task force will evaluate the feedback received in consultation with Faculty and Staff senates, and make their final recommendations to senior leadership. The final decision will be made by the president. Implementation of any resulting changes will begin July 1, 2018.
The task force acknowledges that a change in governance structure may require or trigger changes to the University Council structure. This is a natural outgrowth of the new employee group. The council itself is solely responsible for determining if and what type of changes may be necessary. The University Council is currently reviewing its bylaws and is in contact with this task force.