Whether we’re aware of it or not, members of the University of Wisconsin System community are part of something unique. We are part of a system in which students, staff and faculty are each given the opportunity to have a say in the decisions made that impact the educational community they participate in through the idea of “shared governance.” But changes to this structure are a matter of “when, not if.”
Last month Assembly Speaker Robin Vos spoke to the UW System Board of Regents saying university chancellors should be given power to “truly be the chief executive officers” of the system’s universities. With shared governance being the decision making structure given to UW schools through state legislation, state lawmakers do indeed have the power to take it away.
Whether we realize it or not, shared governance impacts our UW experience. Branches of the Associated Students of Madison hold significant leverage with setting segregated fee rates each year—and thus to determine how much students should be expected to pay each year for particular amenities such as Recreational Sports facilities and the Wisconsin Unions. Faculty and staff have the ability to influence upcoming changes on campus, such as to the Human Resources redesign they amended last year.
In stripping students, staff and faculty of these official decision making powers, we are left to hope university chancellors will know and act on what is best for the members of their campus community.
Student response amid the threat of the state taking away our say in our education has been one thing: underwhelming.
But it is hard to blame students for not fighting for a cause they know little about.
Shared governance, however important, can be a difficult concept to grasp. In addition, students who do not actively seek out information regarding the structure of the UW System are likely completely unaware that shared governance exists.
So if ASM—which historically has a tradition of spending too much time on internal politics and petty tiffs—wants to do something to truly help the campus community this year, it should hold informing students about the importance of shared governance as a top priority.
As a major source of information on campus, The Daily Cardinal recognizes it also has a role in fighting for this important right that the state is threatening to strip us of. As a news publication, we will do our best to put the concept of shared governance into understandable terms and emphasize its vitality to the system to all stakeholders.
A tablet displayed upon entering Bascom Hall proclaims: “Whatever may be the limitations which trammel inquiry elsewhere, we believe that the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”
Shared governance—a concept unique to the UW System—encourages all university stakeholders to take an active role in its inner workings. Active participants in the campus community must act now to inform and inspire other stakeholders to fight for their right to continually sift and winnow.
Do you have your own opinions on the role of shared governance on campus? Share it with us! Please send all feedback to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
