Dear VCU Community:
Shared governance is an important part of VCU’s success. It provides a forum to foster communication and engagement for the betterment of the university and the advancement of its mission. Last fall, President Rao created an Inclusive Governance Task Force to develop recommendations that ensure all VCU employees are appropriately represented and able to fully participate in the university’s system of shared governance following the full implementation of the Great Place: HR Redesign.
The task force began by examining the university’s current governance structures. We considered how the new employee group would be covered by the existing bodies, such as the Faculty and Staff Sentates. We found that University and Academic Professionals would not be automatically included in either senate. We then looked to governance models at other universities within and beyond Virginia. Several general governance structures emerged that could inform changes to VCU’s model. Over several meetings, and through discussions with President Rao, Provost Hackett, and Vice President Rappley, we narrowed down the possibilities to the proposed model presented here for your review and feedback.
The Inclusive Governance Task Force now needs feedback from the university community. Your input is vital to the success of the new governance structure. Please review the proposed model and provide your feedback. We will compile your suggestions, ideas and concerns, and prepare a final recommendation to university leadership for approval. Our goal is to have a preferred alternative for consideration by the Faculty and Staff Senates, the University Council, and university leadership by late spring.
Sincerely,
Lauren Katchuk, President of Staff Senate and Scott Street, President of Faculty Senate
Co-Chairs, Inclusive Governance Task Force
VCU's Inclusive Governance Task Force members
Lauren Katchuk, Co-chair, Staff Senate President, Division of Student Affairs
lpkatchuk@vcu.edu
Scott Street, Co-chair, Faculty Senate President, College of Humanities and Sciences
wsstreet@vcu.edu
Joslyn Bedell, Division of Student Affairs
jdbedell@vcu.edu
Nick Fetzer, VCU Life Sciences
nbfetzer@vcu.edu
Stephanie Goldberg, School of Medicine
stephanie.goldberg@vcuhealth.org
Carol Ann Irby, Office of the Senior Vice President for Health Sciences
irbyca@vcu.edu
Karen Mullins, School of Education
mullinskl@vcu.edu
Susan Carkeek, ex officio, HR Redesign Project Office
scarkeek@vcu.edu
Jim Hinterlong, ex officio, President's Office
jehinterlong@vcu.edu