Decision Paths: Policy Issues, Curricular Proposals, and the
Budgetary Process
Decision Paths: Policy Issues, Curricular Proposals, and Budgetary Process
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- Consultation/Decision- Path Model for Policy Issues (Adobe PDF)
- Curricular Proposals (Adobe PDF)
- Budgetary Process (Adobe PDF)
Planning and decision-making are important processes within the university that must be executed in as effective a manner as possible. There are many models an institution could employ in addressing these processes; however, there is no one perfect model or approach. In fact, circumstances often dictate the most effective model. Therefore, the university needs flexibility in addressing these processes. Nonetheless, it is also important, as a matter of everyday operation, for the university to have in place a carefully considered plan that allows decision-making to proceed in an orderly fashion and that embraces openness and inspires confidence among the various stakeholders throughout the campus community.
Resolving policy issues, generating the annual budget, and evaluating curricular proposals require different decision/consultation-path models. Each of these models builds upon the Jesuit traditions of respect for the individual and for diverse views and opinions, of the pursuit of truth through critical reflection and analysis, and of a commitment to create a community of dialogue and service. The following assumptions apply to all three of these models.
- Policy ideas and issues may arise anywhere in the university. To the degree that implementation of these ideas affect constituencies within or across divisions or have implications for employee relations, student relations, parent or alumni relations, and public or community relations as well as legal or risk-management implications, ample effort must be made to seek information broadly from appropriate constituencies and feedback provided regularly during the critical junctures in the policy-making process.
- Communication among groups is essential. Principal planning groups seek input and provide information frequently to ensure that participation, timely information, and feedback are not just apparent but real.
- The preferred model of governance is a collaborative mode of operation. As such, it recognizes the locus of authority in both faculty and administration, each with its own particular role. It is understood that faculty will let administrators administer without attempting to micromanage every operational decision and that administrators will let faculty participate effectively in determining policy.
- This collaborative model calls for balance between elected representation and appointed representation (based on faculty, staff, and student expertise and interest) to make the system both efficient and representative.
- The University Planning Team (UPT) is the university-wide planning organ.
