Government of the College

With regard to the government of the College, Centenary subscribes to the 1966 Joint Statement on Government of Colleges and Universities, formulated by the American Association of University Professors, the American Council on Education, and the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (see Appendix A). Because of the interdependence of the varied and complex tasks performed by the Board of Trustees, the administration, the faculty, the student body, and others, communication and joint planning among these components of the College are of utmost importance. While, for practical reasons, the primary responsibility for acting in certain areas is divided among the various components, there should be the broadest exchange of information and participation among the Board of Trustees, the administration, and the faculty prior to making major changes in the following areas:

1. the size and composition of the student body;
2. the relative emphases given to various elements of the education program;
3. the selection of the President, the Vice Presidents, the Provost and deans.

Also, with due consideration to the principle of primary responsibility vested in the Board of Trustees, there should exist a continuing communication and participation among the Board, the administration, the faculty, and the student body (e.g. in matters relating to academic programs and student life) in the following areas:

1. the framing and execution of long-range plans;
2. the design, approval, and establishment of the structure and procedures for faculty participation in the governance of the College;
3. decisions regarding existing or prospective physical resources;
4. budgeting: both short- and long-range allocation of resources among competing demands;
5. the academic program, including curriculum, subject matter, methods of instruction, academic standards, and research;
6. faculty selection, status, development, promotion, tenure, and dismissal;
7. the quality of student life on campus.