UW Board Chairman Appoints Shared Governance Committee

An 11-member committee composed of members of the University of Wyoming Board of Trustees and administrative, faculty, staff and student representatives has been appointed to strengthen shared governance at the university.

Board of Trustees Chairman Kermit Brown appointed the ad-hoc group in response to recent concerns raised in a UW Faculty Senate resolution conveying a vote of no confidence in the leadership of President Ed Seidel.

“This initiative responds to the concerns and calls to action articulated in Faculty Senate Resolution 488, which stressed the urgent need to re-establish trust, transparency and collaboration between campus leadership and university constituents,” Brown wrote in a charge letter to the committee. “The work of this group will be grounded in the university’s mission and commitment to a transparent, inclusive and academically excellent institution.”

The Board of Trustees announced plans for the committee in a statement last week that expressed unanimous support for Seidel and a commitment to shared governance of the university.

“The president and interim provost have voiced strong support for shared governance, and we have directed them to strengthen and improve shared governance at all appropriate levels,” the trustees said.

The committee will be co-chaired by board Vice Chair Michelle Sullivan and Treasurer Laura Schmid-Pizzato. Other members are:

-- Scott Turpen, interim provost.

-- Peter Parolin, dean of the Honors College.

-- Rob Godby, Department of Economics associate professor and Faculty Senate chair-elect.

-- Anne Alexander, assistant dean and senior lecturer in the College of Business, representing the Faculty Senate.

-- Brad Rettler, associate professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, representing the Faculty Senate.

-- Jesse Grosinger, business manager in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, and Staff Senate president-elect.

-- Tai Baker, senior program manager in the Wyoming Institute for Disabilities, representing the Staff Senate.

-- Seth Holmquist, business manager in the Department of Criminal Justice and Sociology, representing the Staff Senate.

-- Kameron Murfitt, president of the Associated Students of UW.

Among other items, the committee is charged with reviewing the university’s shared governance documents and developing implementation policies and procedures; developing a framework for alignment of priorities and transparent decision-making; promoting a culture of mutual respect and trust; and engaging stakeholders across the university community through listening sessions or other feedback mechanisms.

To read the full charge letter, go here.

The committee is asked to provide a written report of recommendations to the Board of Trustees and the president at the November board meeting. Updates on the group’s progress are expected at next month’s regular board meeting as well as in September.