Issue 28(1)
The
Art and Politics of Academic Governance: Relations among boards,
presidents, and faculty.
(2007). Kenneth P. Mortimer
& Colleen O-Brien Sathre. Greenwood Publishing Group. 160
pp., $42.95 (hardback). ISBN 978-0-275-98478-6.
Review
by: Kathie Sindt
Office
of Academic Advising
Johns
Hopkins University
While new
academic advisors may not view developing their abilities to be
“politically savvy” as a high priority, an experienced advising
administrator will certainly have learned about the importance
of understanding campus politics. In The Art and Politics
of Academic Governance , the authors provide an overview
of the relationships between boards, presidents, provosts, unions,
and faculty senates that create the shared academic governances
found in higher education.
The
authors progress through the book discussing each of these relationships,
using real-world examples to illustrate the key characteristics
that make shared governance work. One theme throughout is the
concept that for successful shared governance, leaders must be
“ market-smart – able to understand the market and other
external forces at work; mission-centered – able to
keep their institution’s basic goals and distinctive purposes
at the forefront of the decision-making process; and politically
savvy – able to lead their institution safely through the
jungle of competing advocates” (p.xiv). An example in the book
examines the relationships among campus administration, faculty,
students, and the board of trustees. The authors describe the
intersection of the political agendas of the constituents during
the board’s review of a request for an increase in tuition. Another
example, used to demonstrate how major academic decisions are
reached, is an examination of how new academic programs, especially
ones that may be trendy in the market, are approved. One strength
of the book is the use of realistic examples that allow the reader
to understand the complexity of academic governance.
Those who seek
perspective about campus forces that interact during the making
of big decisions will find this book useful. While major decisions
facing campuses are not part of most of typical conversations
between academic advisors and students, advisors will benefit
from knowledge of the complexity of these issues. This book may
be quite beneficial for advisors on campuses where politically-charged
major decisions are affecting the campus environment for students.
