SWAGÊÓƵ

Dear SWAGÊÓƵ Colleagues,

I am excited to announce a few resolutions the Board of Trustees have passed after hosting a Special Site Visit and Exit meeting with members of the WASC Senior College and University Commission last month. The resolutions will strengthen our work around shared governance, decision-making and institutional ethos.

Dedicated to a Culture of Civility and Inclusion
The Board of Trustees at Western University of Health Sciences believes in ensuring that our campuses have built and maintained a culture of evidence, civility and open communication and respectful dialogue. Reflecting our humanistic traditions, we believe that all members of our community are treated with civility, respect, and dignity. The board has adopted the Institutional Principles of Civility plan to demonstrate its ongoing commitment to ensuring a respectful working and learning environment.

Creation of the Division of Institutional Ethics, Compliance and Culture
Due to our firm commitment to inclusivity and civility, the Board recommends the establishment of the Division of Institutional Ethics, Compliance and Culture. I will spearhead the development of this division which, tentatively, will include four sub-departments that will report up to the head of this new division. Those sub-departments include the Office of the Ombudsperson; Office of Institutional Compliance; Office of Title IX; and Office of Humanism, Equity, and Anti-Racism (HEAR). In the coming weeks, you’ll hear more information about a strategy for this division and how you might provide feedback and input.

Strategic Plan on Shared Governance
The Board has asked me to develop and present an operational document that formally addresses the effectiveness of shared governance principles, policies, structures, and activities of the University. This document will operationalize SWAGÊÓƵ’s shared governance activities while enhancing processes to ensure sharing of timely information. The board believes that SWAGÊÓƵ’s ability to reinforce a culture of civility and open communication is part of our shared governance responsibilities.  My office will soon be communicating with campus about a process for input, next steps and deadlines.

Enactment of a Campus-Wide Referendum Process
To live up to expectations around shared governance, we must communicate efficiently and effectively. In order to do that, we have  established the ability to institute a campus-wide referendum process that incorporates campus stakeholders when the Board or administration receives resolutions requesting institutional consideration or action from the Academic Senate, Academic Assembly, Deans Council, Staff Council, Student Government Association or the University Executive Operations Team. The campus-wide referendum process will include several procedures, including sharing a Notice of Referendum issued via email to the entire campus community at least one week prior to the scheduled voting date. This notice will include the voting date, description of the voting process and method, explanation of the basis of the referendum question, a copy of the applicable group’s resolution or supporting documents, and the proposed referendum questions subject to the vote. The Notice of Referendum will also be published on the SWAGÊÓƵ website. The voting process will be documented, tracked, and recorded according to each voting campus community member’s unique SWAGÊÓƵ identification and status (i.e., staff, student, faculty, or administrator).

Thank you for your continued commitment to SWAGÊÓƵ and our institutional ethos of shared governance and decision-making. You help make our University a wonderful place to work and a community that I am proud of.

Sincerely,
Robin

Board of Trustees Approved Resolutions