Shared Governance Task Force

Dear Spartans,

San José State University has a proud history of shared governance, affirmed by Sense of the Senate Resolution SS-S15-6 with a Statement on Shared Governance that emphasizes collegiality, engagement, consultation, and communication. Recent reviews by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) reaffirm the need to ensure a common understanding of roles and responsibilities for all stakeholders.

The Special Task Force on Shared Governance is established to respond to these expectations  by ensuring the following elements of shared governance across 4 stakeholder groups are included: 1) academic senate expansion to include staff within the various committee structures; 2) staff council and their role to support staff engagement; 3) the role of organizational committees and 4) student governance. The Task Force final product shall ensure that the institutional governance structures align with 91ÁÔÆæ’s institutional mission, vision and values. 

Deliverables: Affirm and update the Guiding Principles of Shared Governance as defined in SS-S15-6 including: 

  1. Guiding principles that the Office of the President will incorporate into the institutional framing documents alongside our institutional mission, vision and values.
  2. Recommendations for adoption across 91ÁÔÆæ to include:
    1. Proposals for orientation or training of all stakeholders about the role of shared governance and various responsibilities across the 4 stakeholder groups.
    2. A framework for governance within academic departments or colleges.
    3. Proposals for proactive engagement between administrators and the various stakeholders to ensure adequate time for consultation.
    4. For institutional committees offer recommendations to reduce redundancy, increase effectiveness, and ensure cross-committee communication.
    5. Propose recommendations to ensure consistent communication about the roles and responsibilities of shared governance. 

Membership

President Teniente-Matson is seeking nominations for members to serve on this task force. The committee shall be composed of faculty, students, administrators and staff. 

You are invited to nominate yourself or others who are interested in serving on this important committee. Nominations must include a written statement reflecting one’s interest in shared governance at San Jose State University. Please submit your by 12:00 pm on Friday, September 26. 

President Teniente-Matson has selected Karthika Sasikumar, Professor of Political Science, and Shawn Whalen, currently Acting Vice President for Information Technology/CIO, permanent Chief of Staff, to serve as co-chairs. She will also select the task force members.

The Task Force shall include:

2 faculty representatives 
2 staff representatives
2 student leaders
2 academic administrators
1 student affairs administrator 

Timeline

  • Open Nominations: September 11-26, 2025
  • Convene: twice per month in October, November, and December
  • Town Hall (if necessary): November 2025
  • Interim Review of Shared Principles: February 2026 (for consultation with Senate, Staff Council, and Associated Students)
  • Final Review:  March 2026
  • Recommendations to the President: May 2026 (for implementation beginning FY 2026-27)

Staff Support 

Someone with an interest in shared governance and ability to schedule meetings and keep minutes over the academic year. A student can provide support for taking meeting minutes.  

Thank you for considering this important opportunity to shape the future of shared governance at San José State University. Your participation will help strengthen the culture of collegiality, consultation, and collaboration that is essential to our mission as a nationally recognized public research university. We look forward to receiving your nominations and working together to ensure that our governance structures reflect the values and aspirations of our entire Spartan community.

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson

President

(She/Her/Ella)