Dissertation
Shared Governance in the Community College: An Analysis of Formal Authority in Collective Bargaining Agreements
Doctor of Education (EdD), Washington State University
01/2012
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/4702
Abstract
This qualitative study examines shared governance in Washington State's community and technical colleges and provides an analysis of faculty participation in governance based on formal authority in collective bargaining agreements. Contracts from Washington's thirty community and technical college districts were reviewed in order to identify in what areas faculty participate in institutional governance and if participation has changed over time. The results are intended to increase the understanding of shared governance in the community college.
Grounded in organizational theory, the research adopts a theoretical framework that conceptualizes the internal governance of community colleges as a collegial process working within the framework of a professional bureaucracy. The findings suggest that collective organization and representation of faculty in Washington's system of community and technical colleges provide both economic and noneconomic outcomes to include formal structures for participation in governance. The study findings also suggest that important aspects of professional faculty practice coexist in the unionized community college environment; moreover, collective bargaining establishes formal authority for faculty in these institutions. The rights, roles, and responsibilities of faculty for participation in the internal governance of their institutions are outlined by the language of the bargaining agreements. Though the findings describe collective bargaining language and how it contributes to shared governance principles within Washington's community and technical college system, further research is needed to determine if practice consistently supports the collegial model of governance. Finally, further research is needed to determine if difficult economic times for states will impact collegial decision-making processes that have been established through collective bargaining.
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Details
- Title
- Shared Governance in the Community College
- Creators
- Linda Aimee McDermott
- Contributors
- Kelly A Ward (Advisor)Paul E Pitre (Committee Member)Joan U Kingrey (Committee Member)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Educational Leadership, Sport Studies, and Educational/Counseling Psychology, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Doctor of Education (EdD), Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 162
- Identifiers
- 99900581746301842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Dissertation