Preamble

The governance of Eastern Mennonite University is the responsibility of EMU’s Board of Trustees, administration, and faculty. Governance policy and procedure creates a framework for the various entities of the university community to participate in pursuing the mission and goals of the university. The Shared Governance Guidelines of the Faculty define the mission and responsibilities of the faculty regarding Faculty Meetings and Academic Council as participants in the governance of the university, and establish the policies and procedures of their operation in this capacity. These policies and procedures are intended to foster broad participation in curricular decision-making and academic policies and accountability among administration, faculty, and stakeholders in a spirit of mutual trust and respect. The faculty acknowledges that the Board of Trustees has the ultimate decision-making responsibility and authority. 

Footnotes

The Philosophy of Decision Making and The Academic Division sections of the Employee Handbook clearly state the expectation for reporting decisions (with rationale) at all levels of decision making. Therefore, with these decision making guidelines, it is understood that decisions made at the level of Provost’s Council, President’s Cabinet and Board of Trustees are to be communicated back to faculty via the Academic Council. The model is to be one that fosters open communication at all levels

These guidelines are subject to review by the faculty every three years.