Shared Governance--It’s Not Just a Faculty Thing

As stated in the American Federation of teacher’s (AFT’s) governing documents, “Shared governance is the set of practices under which college faculty and some staff members participate in significant decisions about the operation of their institutions.”  Similarly, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) supports true integral involvement of staff as an important constituent decision-making group in Criterion 5.1 that states: “Shared governance at the institution engages its internal constituencies—including its governing board, administration, faculty, staff and students—through planning, policies and procedures.” Those staff members include MATC’s highly skilled and effective paraprofessionals. 

As a union, we know that all parts of the puzzle are integral to the effective functioning of the college and its services, and therefore, the success of our students. We know how important truly collaborative issues identification, problem solving, and decision-making are to “continuous quality improvement." We know that non-faculty student-facing professionals deserve to be at the table early and often, to not only be heard, but listened to. Paraprofessionals responding to Local 212’s recent issues survey called for this. That’s why your union leadership has been actively advocating for a formal, codified Shared Governance vehicle for the Enter/Stay (student services) side of the house, most recently pushing for a counterpart to the Learn Pillar Integration Committee (LPIC). 

Moving initiatives like this forward will require all-hands-on deck to achieve our goals. If you would like to become involved in this initiative or others, to help develop and realize the organizing plan of your bargaining unit, please reach out to VP of Paraprofessionals Lynnette Harvey at lharvey@local212.org