Policies & Procedures

GO1001 College Governance/Presidential Authority

Mission

The mission of Shared Governance is intended to represent and promote a broad range of perspectives, input, and influence on governance issues; to facilitate timely, factual, and systematic two-way communication and information dissemination between constituents and the Administration relative to decisions related to SUNY Broome policy and procedures and matters important to the development of the College; and to support a more transparent and inclusive decision-making process with clear accountability for the recommendations made and decisions produced.

Purpose

Governance is a process of consultation and communication by which decisions and policies are developed to meet the mission of an institution. Faculty, staff, students, administration, and the Board of Trustees of SUNY Broome Community College are key stakeholders committed to shared governance – a dynamic, open, and cooperative process that seeks input and recommendations from all campus constituencies whenever possible, to inform decision-making that will help the College best achieve its mission and goals.

Such a participatory structure and process is intended to assist the campus community to communicate and collaborate in a respectful, honest, and productive manner regarding decisions that are for the good of the College as a whole in terms of establishing its course and direction.

Policy

SUNY Broome Community College is governed by a ten-member Board of Trustees. Five of the Trustees are appointed by the County Executive, with the approval of the County Legislature; four by the Governor; and one member is a SUNY Broome Community College student (with voting privileges), elected by student peers.2

Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees structure supports the organization of the College. Its scope of governance and designating authority is outlined within New York State Education Law Article 126. This includes, but is not limited to, adopting curriculum; preparing a budget for county approval; acquiring property; protecting, preserving, and improving this property; entering into contracts over $50,000; appointing and evaluating a President; and advises the President on appointment of officers and other College hires. Within the College governance structure, the Board of Trustees is the College body responsible for reviewing and approving College policies and the college budget.

College President

The College President is appointed by SUNY Broome Community College’s Board of Trustees, with the approval of the SUNY Chancellor and SUNY Board of Trustees; and performs duties and exercises responsibilities assigned by law, by rules of the State Board of Education, and by the Board of Trustees. The President is the Chief Executive Officer who reports directly to the College Board of Trustees and whose governing authority is stipulated in New York State Education Law, section 6306, item #2.

Under the leadership and direction of the College President, the Administrative structure of SUNY Broome Community College serves to administer the affairs of the College within the bylaws, resolutions, and policies of the Board of Trustees. The President, as the College’s CEO, has the full authority and responsibility for ensuring the achievement of the College’s long-range goals and short-term objectives in support of the College’s mission. In implementing the Mission and Vision of the College, the President leads a diverse team of administrators via the Executive Council, which meets regularly to review, discuss, advise, and plan strategic initiatives for the College.

Shared Governance Units

There are formally recognized shared governance units that provide recommendations to the President: College Senate, the Faculty Senate, and the Student Assembly.

College Senate

Guided by core values of shared governance, SUNY Broome’s College Senate is a collegial, consultative body composed of representatives from all campus constituencies that will review and advise on the creation, revision, or discontinuation of policy and is not, in and of itself, a decision-making body. Its role is to recommend and provide advisory input to the President on decisions related to policy and other issues that affect the institution as a whole. Decision-making authority should be, wherever possible, delegated to those areas/persons most affected and with the most specialized expertise within the governing bodies representing various components (Faculty Senate and Student Assembly) as well as within their various Standing Committees, administrative units, departments, divisions, and collective bargaining units. However, where there are issues that affect the entire College, or issues that clearly affect more than one organizational area of the College, or more than one constituent group, the College Senate shall have the responsibility and authority to review, revise, initiate, and recommend. The College Senate shall act in a manner consistent with the policies, statutory requirements, and/or responsibilities of the State University of New York, SUNY Broome Community College Board of Trustees, and the SUNY Broome Community College Administration, notably the President.

Faculty Senate

The Faculty Senate is the body that makes recommendations to the Vice President of Academic Affairs relative to academic issues, policies, and standards as well as aspects of student life that relate to the educational process. Its scope and sphere of influence will be articulated in its standing/ad hoc committee structure and, as such, will have recommending responsibilities and influence in the areas of activity central to the interests of the faculty and the academic program(s) of the College. In addition, the Faculty Senate will provide a forum for the consideration of other general academic matters of interest to the College community or academic issues affecting the institution. The structure and function of the Faculty Senate provides for an organized relationship between the SUNY Broome faculty and other SUNY Broome governance bodies, the President of the college, other administrative officers, and the college community at large. The Faculty Senate ensures a broad participatory role from the cross-campus faculty in the initiation, development, implementation, and evaluation of the educational program at SUNY Broome..

Students (SA)

SUNY Broome’s Student Assembly is the Shared Governance body that represents the student’s voice. Members of the group identify and discuss issues concerning campus life, review student-related campus policies, and serve alongside faculty and staff on college committees charged with making recommendations to the College Administration. Representatives of Student Assembly serve on the College Senate and Faculty Senate. In addition, one Student Assembly member serves as the Student Trustee on the SUNY Broome Board of Trustees and votes on all items brought forth to that group.

Appendix

• Campus Governance Constitution and Bylaws
• SUNY Broome Board of Trustees Bylaws