2015 SUNY and CUNY Joint Statement on Shared Governance
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Authors
SUNY FCCC
SUNY UFS
CUNY UFS
Issue Date
2015-01-08
Type
Other
Language
en_US
Keywords
Shared Governance
Alternative Title
Abstract
New York’s two public higher education systems—SUNY and CUNY—are represented by three faculty governance bodies (SUNY’s University Faculty Senate and Faculty Council of Community Colleges, and CUNY’s University Faculty Senate) that collectively affirm shared governance as the most reliable structure for sustaining innovative, effective institutions. They emphasize that faculty disciplinary and teaching expertise is central to curriculum design, pedagogy, and the advancement of knowledge. Higher education functions best when faculty exercise academic judgment over who teaches, what is taught, how it is taught, and the standards by which learning is assessed—especially at institutions serving students with widely varied academic preparation. To fulfill these responsibilities, faculty must have academic freedom, ensuring institutions can remain responsive to societal needs and support an informed, thoughtful citizenry even as external pressures shift over time.