I am pleased to welcome you to the website for University of Detroit Mercy Shared Governance. Shared governance is just that, shared rights and responsibilities among administrators, faculty, staff, and where appropriate, students and alumni. The spirit of shared governance at Detroit Mercy is a dynamic faculty-administrator-staff partnership that promotes collaboration, shared decision-making and accountability. The governance structure provides an opportunity for the ongoing assessment and improvement in many aspects of the university and an expanded communication avenue to enhance the academic and administrative functions of the university.
All university constituencies share in the university mission as a Catholic urban university sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy and the Society of Jesus. Central to this common mission is quality teaching and learning supported by an efficient and effective administrative structure. Shared governance provides opportunities to identify and bring to life new interrelationships that strengthen the common mission. As such, it is the expertise across the spectrum of administrators, faculty, and staff and each one’s commitment to being involved, giving of his/her time and energy that makes shared governance successful.
Take a few moments to learn about the shared governance structures of the Corktown, McNichols, and Riverfront campuses, committee and team memberships, annual charges to each entity, approved proposals, and much more information. Of particular note is the Shared Governance Task Force which has oversight responsibility and final authority that monitors shared governance activities.
Professor Pamela Zarkowski, JD, MPH
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
To submit minutes and any other governance documents for posting and for questions, concerns, or requests for editorial changes, please email sharedgovernance@udmercy.edu.
Greetings!
As a faculty librarian, I take great pride in my role as President of the McNichols Faculty Assembly.
Faculty are crucial to the process of shared governance. We are responsible for an evolving curriculum, innovative methods of instruction, new program development, advancing research across a variety of disciplines, and a stimulating student academic life. As such, faculty representation is key to a healthy shared governance process.
The core values of librarianship that guide my practice, defined by the American Library Association in the ALA Policy Manual, include commitment to access, democracy, diversity, education and lifelong learning, intellectual freedom, professionalism, service, social responsibility, and sustainability, all of which apply to the practice of shared governance. Librarians value service and as faculty we take this practice beyond the library walls to the university community, positively impacting not only our students but our broader shared communities.
I look forward to serving with and for my colleagues and partnering with diverse stakeholders in helping to drive the sustainability of our institution. Feel free to contact me on issues regarding the roles of faculty in the shared governance process. Together, we can lead Detroit Mercy to a new chapter in our mission as a Catholic urban university in the Jesuit and Mercy traditions.
Jennifer I. Bowen, MLIS
President, McNichols Faculty Assembly
bowenji@udmercy.edu
Phone: 313-494-6904
Broadly speaking, shared governance is a system whereby those who have a stake in decisions, have a voice in the decision making processes. The underlying premise is that staff, faculty, administrators and the Board of Trustees, while having different institutional roles, perspectives and levels of authority, have a shared interest in the quality of education and the welfare of the institution. Collaboration, communication and cooperation are key components to the success fo any shared governance endeavor.
While shared governance may look different at different institutions, this LibGuide provides a working overview of shared governance at the University of Detroit Mercy.