UNIONS & FACULTY SENATES: Governance Within Private Universities Carlene Blake-Hudson Carlene Blake-Hudson Department of Graduate Education Educational Leadership Administration and Policy A CROSS-CASE ANALYSIS OF

Research Problem & Purpose Research Problem: When a university has both a faculty senate and a union, what areas of governance do each influence? Further, what are the factors that promote or diminish conflict among the union, the senate and the administration? Purpose: To examine academic governance in two private universities in an effort to glean best practices in collective bargaining situations and reflect upon the relationship unionization might have on the university governance structure, specifically as it relates to the faculty senate or university senate. Theoretical Framework: Power and its impact on structure (Giddens, 1981, 1986; Mann 1993).

Universities in this study Hofstra University University SenateUniversity Senate AAUP Collective Bargaining AgentAAUP Collective Bargaining Agent Adelphi University Faculty SenateFaculty Senate AAUP Collective Bargaining AgentAAUP Collective Bargaining Agent

Methods, Data Sources, & Analysis Cross- case study with multiple participants Cross- case study with multiple participants 30 interviews in total – 15 from each university 30 interviews in total – 15 from each university ( professors, administrators, union officials, and senate leaders) Interview protocol was the same for both universities, and each interview was recorded and transcribed. Interview protocol was the same for both universities, and each interview was recorded and transcribed. Contracts and senate documents were reviewed. Contracts and senate documents were reviewed. IRB approval was obtained from both universities, as well as Fordham. IRB approval was obtained from both universities, as well as Fordham. Themes were coded to capture the nuances of the categories using the constant comparative method. Themes were coded to capture the nuances of the categories using the constant comparative method.

Nature of the Interview Questions Perceptions of the senate Perceptions of the senate Perceptions of the union Perceptions of the union Describe the working relationship between the senate and the union. Describe the working relationship between the senate and the union. Governance Style - collegial, bureaucratic, or political (Kemerer & Baldridge, 1975) Governance Style - collegial, bureaucratic, or political (Kemerer & Baldridge, 1975) Where is the power in this university? Where is the power in this university? Describe a good leader. Describe a good leader. Does shared governance exist in a university? Does shared governance exist in a university? Are you content/happy at this university? Are you content/happy at this university?

Quotes from Hofstra Participants Quotes from Hofstra Participants “The senate is a great part of governance.” “The senate is structured so that not much can be done.” “The union works in a collegial way.” “It’s called a union - but it does not function as a union; it’s a collective bargaining unit.” “It’s like a family here.” “The administration has the power.”

Hofstra Quotes Continued Hofstra Quotes Continued “I have been here 27, 20, 36, 10, 3 years.” “I have been here 27, 20, 36, 10, 3 years.” “The former president ran the place like a family; we are very collegial.” “The former president ran the place like a family; we are very collegial.” “Is everyone really very happy, or is it co-optation (when people higher on the chain of authority give some nominal power to the people lower on the chain to absorb their participation)?” “Is everyone really very happy, or is it co-optation (when people higher on the chain of authority give some nominal power to the people lower on the chain to absorb their participation)?” “I would describe it as collegial first - then bureaucratic.” “I would describe it as collegial first - then bureaucratic.” “History can be very powerful.” “History can be very powerful.” “This is a parochial place; most of the leadership comes from within.” “This is a parochial place; most of the leadership comes from within.”

Quotes from Adelphi Participants Quotes from Adelphi Participants “Our faculty senate is typical of most faculty senates.” “Our faculty senate is typical of most faculty senates.” “We had a very active faculty senate during the Diamandopoulos years.” “We had a very active faculty senate during the Diamandopoulos years.” “The senate is our collegial governance, and the union is our legal governance.” “The senate is our collegial governance, and the union is our legal governance.” “There is lip service to shared governance.” “There is lip service to shared governance.” “Respect of a person’s position is very important.” “Respect of a person’s position is very important.”

Adelphi Quotes Continued Adelphi Quotes Continued “It is very difficult to make shared governance work; sometimes it becomes an obstacle.” “It is very difficult to make shared governance work; sometimes it becomes an obstacle.” “Trust is important.” “Trust is important.” “The faculty has very little power because we lost many faculty members during the war years (8 years); we have faculty that will soon retire and new faculty – the middle is gone.” “The faculty has very little power because we lost many faculty members during the war years (8 years); we have faculty that will soon retire and new faculty – the middle is gone.” “The faculty senate sees itself as important, but they are not problem solvers. When conflict comes up, they look to the AAUP.” “The faculty senate sees itself as important, but they are not problem solvers. When conflict comes up, they look to the AAUP.”

Findings Both leaders have raised the profiles of the universities during their tenures, and both universities are financially sound. Both leaders have raised the profiles of the universities during their tenures, and both universities are financially sound. Leadership style impacted governance and labor relations. Leadership style impacted governance and labor relations. Often labor and academics intersect in the academy. Often labor and academics intersect in the academy. Respect is extremely important in university governance. Respect is extremely important in university governance. Often collegiality, control, and co-optation are used by administrators in the governance process. Often collegiality, control, and co-optation are used by administrators in the governance process. The union and the senate often work together to accomplish important goals. The union and the senate often work together to accomplish important goals. Most of the participants, despite some concerns, were happy. Most of the participants, despite some concerns, were happy.

A Model of Administrative Styles Control Collegiality Co- optation A Model of Administrative Styles

Limitations and Further Study Only two private universities were studied. Only two private universities were studied. Public universities may have similar as well as different challenges. Public universities may have similar as well as different challenges. Universities in other geographical areas may have different perceptions. Universities in other geographical areas may have different perceptions. Survey or Quantitative Methodology Survey or Quantitative Methodology A study of universities with only a faculty senate or a union, not both A study of universities with only a faculty senate or a union, not both Comparisons of university senates and faculty senates Comparisons of university senates and faculty senates