University of Kentucky Research Administrator Courtney Chafin said a new shared governance structure will mean staff have a voice directly in decisions being made at the university. Chafin, chair of the UK Staff Senate, said one example is the ability to review the school’s budget before it goes into effect.
“Staff are being able to provide critical feedback on issues and opportunities that impacts us the most and that we are responsible for implementing,” said Chafin.
Chafin said there are more than 26,000 staff members across the UK institution statewide and even some outside the state. Chafin said the new structure sets out the Staff Senate is to be consulted on issues like career progression, compensation, benefits and human resource policies.
She said staff members across the higher ed institution are deeply involved in academic success of students. Chafin said they are experts in the academic health system.
“They are also in charge of implementing many policies and regulations, caring for our people and our places, facilitating and conducting innovative work, that they must have a voice and vote in those decisions,” said Chafin.
Representatives of UK’s faculty raised strong opposition to the new shared governance structure, citing concern about being removed from decision making regarding academics. Chafin said faculty is still going to have control over what and how the content of their courses is structured.
Here's more with UK Staff Chair Courtney Chafin:
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