Moonspun Spins

One of the buzz phrases at our University is shared governance, meaning that the administration  listens to all kinds of constituencies in its policy and gives everyone a voice.

I know for sure that our President, both of whom RP and I  have the utmost respect for, believes this wholeheartedly. I haven’t been completely convinced about his upper level VP’s and those that surround him. They are oft like feudal lords protecting their own and keeping their underlings dependent on them.

During my 15 years in retail, I worked for a pretty darn progressive company who listens to it’s team members and I felt very empowered. I do here at the University, but I am also blessed with my Great Boss, and being married to a respected and beloved faculty member. I have been struck over the past 2+ years at, as a whole, how disempowered and fearful some of the staff are. And it’s not ok with me.

While I am not a true go-getter, I do like to get in to things and try in small ways to make things better. So in January I was lucky to be appointed to the committee that represents the Staff on campus. (kind of like a student council for grown-ups) There is a faculty version as well, and my hubby is the vice chair of it.

Well, as of  yesterday with new terms starting and new officers being elected, I found myself as a vice chair, too. Not sure if I will live to regret it or not. That remains to be seen. But it sure will be an experience. At least now when RP listens to some of my sputterings about goings on, I have another vehicle through which to try and make positive change.

 And with RP and I being married, I guess it really is shared governance!