Brief Paper 2
Abstract
Higher education institutions inevitably face major issues or crises on their campuses.
Shared governance and collaboration amongst college leaders, faculty, and board members are
paramount in addressing such crises. This paper explores the manner in which faculty,
administrators, and board members should collaborate through shared governance when dealing
with campus unrest, particularly in the times of social media and live reporting. Shared
governance will include open and transparent communication as well as shared decision making
strategies. Christian faculty, staff, administrators, and board members must adhere to a higher
calling to act justly, love mercy, pursue wisdom, and seek resolution. Micah 6:8, 1 Corinthians
12:12-14, and James 3:17 are Scripture references that provide Biblical support on promoting
unity, justice, and wisdom. The paper will also include personal thoughts and applications that
highlight the importance of communication, identifying the root causes, and development of
protocols for a crisis response. Shared governance, when done properly, has the opportunity to
address campus unrest in a positive and biblical manner.
Keywords: Shared Governance, unrest, response
Brief Paper 3
Brief Paper on Shared Governance in Higher Education
When facing major issues or crises, higher education institutions should leverage the
expertise of their faculty, adjunct and tenure, administrators, and governing boards. Bastedo et al
highlight this shared governance approach in their work “American Higher Education in the
Twenty-First Century” (Bastedo, et al., 2023). Joining the faculty, administrators, and governing
board together will bring together individuals with unique perspectives to observe a situation and
pursue a just outcome.
Shared Governance and Leadership
A shared governance system is an environment where stakeholders from multiple levels
contribute thoughts and ideas toward a decision-making process (Bastedo et al., 2023). Each
individual represents a unique perspective as it aligns with the institution’s existence. When an
institution experiences crisis or unrest a shared governance model allows for faculty expertise to
provide academic and pedagogical knowledge to influence decisions on the curriculum, research,
and student affairs. Administrators are available to offer guidance on logistical and operational
protocols for the effective implementation of a response or approach to the unrest (Rosowsky,
2022). The board will ensure that the institution’s values, direction, and compliance are pursued.
Working together also ensures that institutions address crisis and unrest with academic,
operational, holistic, and strategic implications in mind.
Handling Campus Unrest and Social Media
Social media has amplified an already challenging situation of campus unrest. The advent
of social media has allowed involved or uninvolved parties to livestream a crisis which could
amplify the situation. Campus unrest is often fueled by some form of systemic bias or inequity;
topics that grab an audience’s attention on social media (Basinger, 2019). During such an event,
Brief Paper 4
shared governance and collaboration are essential in protecting the institution. Communication
from the faculty, administrators, and board should be clear and open. Students’ concerns should
be heard and responded to in a timely manner. The responses should come through official and
social media avenues (Kinnaman, 2021). Developing a task force is one idea that would include
student representatives as well as faculty, admin, and school board members. This task force is a
show of good faith towards the issue as well as an opportunity for the board to provide guidance
on legal and ethical considerations. Inclusive decision-making could lead to a better dialogue,
and open communication, while constructively addressing campus unrest. A peaceful resolution
is in favor of the school as well as the parties involved in the unrest.
Biblical Worldview and Response
A Christian, who should adhere to a biblical worldview, should have a response to
campus unrest that is guided by humility, wisdom, and justice. Micah 6:8 instructs to do justice,
love kindness, and walk humbly with our God. Adhering to this verse means that campus unrest
should be approached with humility, empathy, and a desire for resolution. Seeking justice also
implies standing against oppression. When considering a shared governance in conjunction with
a biblical worldview it is necessary to include Paul’s writing to the Corinthians. In 1 Corinthians
12:12-14 Paul illustrates that there are many parts of the ‘body’ and not one is more important
than the other. This sentiment allows space for faculty, administrators, and board members to
work together to reach a solution that is glorifying to God without selfish ambition. Each part of
the body has an obligation to listen and work towards a just outcome. The Bible also encourages
wisdom and discernment: “The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to
reason, full of mercy, and good fruits, impartial and sincere” (James 3:17, ESV). Campus unrest
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is a stressful time when Christians should strive for impartial decision-making that is guided by
Christian principles.
Personal Insights and Practical Application
Willingness to listen is the basis of effective communication which is paramount when
addressing campus crises as highlighted in Bastedo et al.’s work (Bastedo, 2023). An immediate
defensive posture could lead to further dissent and tensions that could prove to be
insurmountable. Instead, through shared governance, an institution should create open dialogue
with involved parties in an effort to reach a peaceable timely resolution. This action will lead to a
greater sense of community among the student body, staff, and board which will strengthen the
institution in the future. With that said, it is important to identify and address the root of the
causes of campus unrest. Without proper identification, a response would be only reacting to
symptoms rather than the actual issue. By being willing to have an introspective review,
institutions can promote a positive lasting change in the environment. Which would limit the
frequency of campus unrest.
Conclusion
Adopting a shared governance approach to campus unrest will help open lines of
communication between faculty, administration, and board members. Christian members will
uphold biblical principles of wisdom, justice, humility, and unity as they approach campus unrest
constructively. While campus unrest can be a stressful time, the burden of resolution should not
fall on just one section of the institution. Rather, using shared governance will lead to a
resolution that is rooted in wisdom, justice, and humility.
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References
Basinger, J (2019) Campus Unrest. Association of Governing Boards of Universities and
Colleges. https://agb.org/trusteeship-article/campus-unrest/
Bastedo, M., Altback, P., &Gumport P. (Eds.).(2023). American Higher Education in the
Twenty-First Century: Social, Political, and Economic Challenges (5th ed.). Johns
Hopkins University Press.
Kinnaman, K. (2021). Managing Social Media During Times of Campus Unrest. Inside Higher
Ed. https://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/call-action-marketing-and-communications-
higher-education/managing-social-media-during-times
Rosowsky, D. (2022). Shared Governance At America's Universities: Reaffirming Higher
Education's Cornerstone In The Post-Pandemic Era. Forbes.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidrosowsky/2022/09/23/shared-governance-at-americas-
universities-reaffirming-higher-educations-cornerstone-in-the-post-pandemic-era/
The English Standard Version Bible. (2009). Oxford University Press.
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