Policy on Participatory Governance

The Board of Trustees has the responsibility for governing Olympic College. The Board in turn delegates authority for the general supervision and control of the college to the President who is guided by Board policy and direction.

The Board recognizes the role and authority of the President as being directly accountable and responsible to the Board for the leadership and effective management of the College. The President is responsible for developing and implementing an effective Participatory Governance System that brings to the table many and diverse voices.

The President, subject to approval by the Board, shall ensure that with regard to Participatory Governance, the authority, responsibility, accountability, and roles and relationships among and between the Board, faculty, staff, students and administration are clearly described and communicated.

The Board of Trustees is committed to the collegial principle of participatory governance recognizing that the best decisions are made through the inclusion of many and diverse voices. The Board of Trustees is the ultimate authority in regard to, and accountable for, an inclusive and effective participatory governance system. The Board may delegate to the President portions of that authority at times deemed appropriate by the Board.

The President is authorized to develop a system of Participatory Governance for Olympic College.

The Board of Trustees believes that effective governance is achieved in the spirit of cooperation, collaboration, civility, respect and collegiality, and involves all levels of the College including students. It promotes inclusiveness and gives opportunity for a unified effort in ensuring the achievement of the College’s vision and mission through sound and current policies and appropriate consultation. The Board of Trustees further believes that students’ educational experiences are made more lasting and relevant in a collegial environment of communication, collaboration, civility, respect and professionalism that studies have shown can be enhanced by an effective institutional governance structure.

The governance structure at Olympic College shall be guided by the following general principles:

1. All decision-making is based on a shared understanding and recognition that Olympic College exists to support the comprehensive mission of student success at all levels.

2. All constituent groups within the College have a vested interest and a role in ensuring that the College fulfills the mission under the authority and direction of the Board of Trustees and with the leadership of the President.

3. Participatory governance is a method of organized and collegial interaction in which faculty, staff, students, and administrators participate in thoughtful deliberation and the decision-making process, leading to recommendations made to the College President, who represents the administration of the College as an agent of the Board of Trustees.

4. Mutual agreement is the goal to be achieved through active participation and collegial interaction by all constituent groups.

5. It is recognized that full consensus may not be reached in every case. The President will assure that decisions are informed by the multiple perspectives voiced during consideration of the matter. The President is the final authority in making final decisions.

The Board shall evaluate the Participatory Governance System based on its

1. Clarity of roles and responsibilities and decision-making authority

2. Wide and explicit communication

3. Effectiveness

4. Efficiency and timeliness

The President shall report to the Board on the work of the Participatory Governance System on an annual basis.