Strategic governance

de Daryl G. Smith, Kathleen A. En Corak, Myrtle M. Yamada

If institutions of higher education are to respond to the changing needs of our society, strategic planning must be integrated more effectively with normal governance procedures. In Strategic Governance, the authors provide a positive and dynamic method by which higher education can balance the increasing need for efficient planning and management with the requirements of effective campus governance. That method is the strategic planning council (SPC), a committee made up primarily of faculty members and administrators. This model has its roots in higher education's response over the past two decades to the dual necessities of a more inclusive governance system and more efficient decision making. The rapidly changing environment faced by colleges and universities today makes strategic planning, appropriately linked to governance, a valuable tool for establishing priorities and making hard choices. Included in this discussion are examples of institutions that have successfully instituted "strategic governance." Factors that contribute to, or detract from, an effective linkage between planning and governance are identified. The authors propose guidelines for implementing strategic governance which they derive from case studies and other sources. Strategic Governance is an essential publication for those seeking to establish a representative council approach to organizational goal setting and decision making. College and university presidents, administrators, trustees, and faculty leaders will appreciate this well-written and incisive discussion of the issues.