Shared Governance Spotlight
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Thank you to those who shared their feedback at the Block 7 Faculty Meeting and who attended the Faculty Insight Forum last Thursday to discuss shared governance practices at Colorado College.
In the Block 6 Work of the College newsletter, we focused on the 4 Cs of shared governance—competence, concerns, cooperation, and cash. In Block 7, we explored three types of shared governance—distributive, collaborative, and consultative—which describe how decision-making authority is shared depending on the issue at hand.
In Block 8, we’re focusing on the three models that shape how those decisions take place in practice: how information flows, how input is gathered, and how decisions are finalized.
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- Communicative (flow of information): Shared governance depends on sustained information exchange and communication across shareholders. This model ensures that the community stays informed and connected to institutional direction—focusing on shared understanding rather than shared authority.
- Examples: State of the College updates, Work of the College Series, Divisional and Institutional Strategic Plans, Faculty Meetings, In the Loop
- Consultative (flow of input): Participation in governance often involves seeking input from shareholders, even as authority remains differentiated. In a consultative model, the full community or specific constituent groups are asked for their input in an advisory capacity, even if they do not make the final decision.
- Examples: College Operational Groups, Institutional Review surveys and interviews, Compensation Committee, Staff Council, President’s Council
- Legislative (flow of authority): Shared governance is still anchored in formal authority structures. Boards, presidents, faculty and staff bodies, and student groups each have defined domains in which they are empowered to make decisions that impact the College. This model provides clarity on who has the responsibility and authority to decide and act.
- Examples: Board of Trustees, Presidential and Cabinet-level decisions, Faculty Executive Committee, Colorado College Student Government Association
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Shared governance is an ongoing, collective effort that depends on participation, role clarity, and shared responsibility for outcomes. Taken together, these frameworks reflect the many ways voices across CC shape institutional direction in different contexts.
This series draws on both Colorado College practices and established scholarship on shared governance, including William D. Leach’s 2008 paper, Shared Governance in Higher Education: Structural and Cultural Responses to a Changing National Climate.
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Institutional Review Update
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Thank you to those who participated in Baker Tilly’s campuswide survey as part of the Institutional Review. Baker Tilly received 505 responses, representing 48% of faculty and staff. The firm is now analyzing survey input alongside institutional data and peer benchmarking to develop a report with key insights and recommendations.
In the fall, College leadership will begin sharing high-level themes from the review with all staff and faculty. This work will unfold over time, with a mix of near- and long-term actions and a continued focus on thoughtful implementation and impact mitigation. For additional detail, please see Dean Pedro de Araujo’s April 9 update to the campus community.
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Below, you will find brief updates on the progress of the Standing and Temporary Operational Groups. You can find meeting summaries and additional information by visiting the Work of the College website and clicking on your group of interest.
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Standing Operational Groups
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Campus Events Operational Group (CEOG)
The CEOG is developing a “Know Before You Go” standard operating procedure document to standardize campus event policies and guest expectations.
Clear Bag and Event Safety Guidelines
This document outlines visitor expectations, including entry procedures, conduct, and permitted and prohibited items. It introduces a clear bag policy beginning in 2026-27 for major venues (Robson Arena, Mohrman Theatre, and Celeste Theatre) to enhance safety and streamline entry. The guidelines also encourage event organizers to consider clear bag policies for public-facing, high-profile, or alcohol-related events to promote consistency, reduce risk, and support smooth operations. Additionally, they reinforce the College’s commitment to a secure, respectful, smoke- and tobacco-free environment, and note that visitors may be asked to verify their identity.
Parent & Family Engagement Operational Group (PFEOG)
The PFEOG is continuing to build a monthly communications strategy for the upcoming academic year, with parent newsletters currently in development for FY27.
We have also partnered with the Registrar’s Office to reimagine how FERPA education is delivered to incoming families throughout the summer, during orientation, and across the academic year, with a focus on consistency, repetition, and improved comprehension.
In addition, our team has completed a proposal for a family volunteer program designed to engage those interested in giving back through their time and talents. The program aims to connect CC families with one another, with the campus, and within their own communities. The proposal has been submitted to Advancement leadership for review.
The Space Governance Operational Group (SGOG)
SGOG thanks the campus community for its feedback on the Space Modernization Request process. Building on that input and ongoing mapping of space and space-adjacent processes, the group will pilot a centralized intake to better guide community members to the process that aligns with their needs.
Policy Administration As a reminder, if you are working on a new policy or revising an existing policy, the College Policies and Procedures webpage has been updated to include a revised policy timeline and Policy Resources section to provide better support for those processes. To be included in the Block 3 Open Comment Period:
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Policy Administration
As a reminder, if you are working on a new policy or revising an existing policy, the College Policies and Procedures webpage has been updated to include a revised policy timeline and Policy Resources section to provide better support for those processes. To be included in the Block 3 Open Comment Period:
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Commencement Volunteers Needed
Commencement is Sunday, May 17, 2026, and the College still needs volunteers to help make our upcoming commencement ceremony a success! If you’re interested in helping, please reach out to Katherine Cummings at events@coloradocollege.edu.
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14 E. Cache La Poudre St.
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
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