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University Governance

I. Preamble

Charter approved for adoption July 29, 2026

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A. Purpose

  1. The purpose of collaborative governance is to bring together all constituencies in the university community in a common effort to provide for the best decisions in moving the university forward. Collaborative governance encourages participation and the consideration of diverse viewpoints, while recognizing legitimate spheres of responsibility and competence in a variety of domains.
  2. The system described here is intended to achieve consensus, while fostering timely decision making and innovation. This system is based upon the following principles outlining good practices in governance, which serve as guides for developing structures and processes and for making decisions.
    1. Principle #1:  Strengthen academic excellence and the Catholic and Jesuit identity of the University in a mutually reinforcing way.
    2. Principle #2: Ensure that the university mission and vision guide policy development, decision making, and priority setting. 
    3. Principle #3: Exercise collaboration based on the recognition that Santa Clara University can flourish only if there is a healthy sense of community in which all members have a role in working for the common good.
    4. Principle #4:  Recognize the domains of primary authority and responsibility of the various University components and expect participants in the process to be held accountable for carrying out their responsibilities.
    5. Principle #5:  By means of clear and appropriate communication be open, accessible, and understandable to members of the University community.
    6. Principle #6:  Be efficient, effective, and productive.
    7. Principle #7:  Foster innovation and change.
    8. Principle #8:  Strive for continuous improvement and a culture of active participation.
    9. Principle #9:  Ensure timely and effective response to the changing external environment.
  3. This document defines the structures and processes that make up collaborative governance at SCU, which shall be the agreed upon system to be used for all policies affecting the university at large, whether as part of normal operations or in response to extraordinary circumstances.
  4. This charter, including all described processes, applies to all councils, committees, and task forces dealing with policy issues of importance to the university community.

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B.  Definitions

  1. Policy
    1. A policy is a principle that establishes a standard by which the University manages its affairs. A policy mandates, specifies, or prohibits conduct in order to enhance the University’s mission, vision, and values, ensure coordinated compliance with applicable laws and regulations, promote operational efficiency, reduce institutional risk, and/or promote the wellbeing of all members of the University.
    2. Examples of policies can be found in the Faculty and Student Handbooks and the Staff Policy Manual.
  2. Procedure
    1. A procedure is a description of the operational processes necessary to implement policy. A properly developed and approved procedure ensures that policy is implemented efficiently and applied consistently. 
    2. Procedures may change to accommodate updated standards or methods.
  3. Councils
    1. Councils are governance entities that reflect the needs of the entire campus community and are composed of representatives either appointed or elected along with representatives who are seated on an ex officio basis.
    2. Councils make referrals to policy committees or other groups for policy review and drafting.
  4. Policy Committees
    1. Policy Committees are the final collaborative bodies with the authority to formulate and recommend new University policies and procedures, and to review significant changes in existing policies and procedures.
    2. Policy Committees will have primary jurisdiction over their portfolios (as outlined in this charter).
    3. Policy Committees will recommend and monitor the effectiveness of policies and procedures in their jurisdiction.
  5. Other Committees
    1. Joint committees shall be formed by the University Coordinating Council (UCC) to focus on a specific charge that relates to the work of at least two separate policy committees and shall be composed of at least one member from each of the policy committees. 
      1. Joint committees can be permanent or temporary. The charge and membership of permanent joint committees shall be elucidated in this charter while temporary joint committees will have a clear end date listed in their charge by the UCC.
    2. A task force may be formed by the UCC to enact a specific charge to be completed within a specified time. Each task force shall work directly with other university governance entities and report their findings back to the UCC. Staffing, timing, and other factors shall be determined by the UCC. All policy-related recommendations coming from a task force must be sent to the UCC. The chair of the UCC will respond to the task force within 45 calendar days, indicating the next step for each of the recommendation(s) from the task force report. 
    3. An advisory committee may be temporary or permanent. Advisory committees cannot create or modify policy, but serve to provide guidance and advice to the particular administrator or entity forming the committee. All policy-related recommendations must be sent to the UCC for delegation to the relevant policy committee(s).
  6. Senates
    1. The Faculty Senate, Staff Senate, and Associated Student Government shall be the primary representative body for consultation with their respective members.
    2. Senate membership shall be determined by that Senate’s own governing document(s). 
    3. Senates shall serve as key links between members of the constituent groups and the collaborative governance system.

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