The AAUP's new report reveals mixed results in community colleges' shared governance practices. Faculty leaders from 507 community colleges assessed their institutions in 26 decision-making areas. Findings show strong faculty authority in tenure systems regarding curricula and salary policies, but limited involvement in budgets and strategic planning. Compared to four-year institutions, community college professors have less input in academic decisions, though they are more engaged in salary policy decisions due to union presence. The report suggests tools to enhance faculty authority in governance practices and align them with national trends.
The report used data from the AAUP's inaugural survey of community colleges, conducted in partnership with the Center for the Study of Community Colleges.
At most institutions surveyed, especially those with tenure systems, faculty had an AAUP-recommended level of authority over decisions about curricula, salary policies, teaching assignments, faculty searches and evaluations, and tenure and promotion standards.
Community college professors participated less than faculty at four-year institutions in most academic and personnel-related decisions, though they played more of a role in decisions about salary policies.
Community college-based faculty members and administrators can use the tools described in this report to assess governance practices at their institutions and compare those practices with national trends.
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