Resolution Affirming Shared Governance and Budget Transparency in Times of Crisis

Resolution Number: RS21-417

March, 2021

Whereas:

RATIONALE: San Francisco State University (SF State) is experiencing a confluence of crises, including: the COVID-19 pandemic; the shifting economic conditions in the Bay Area affecting the basic needs, health and wellness of students, faculty and staff; student enrollment declines and accompanying budget cuts from the State of California to the CSU system; and the uncertainty around Fall 2021 curriculum delivery. In times of crisis, the establishment of an independent body made up of constituents from across the campus community is essential to offer an opportunity for real-time data sharing and unmediated discourse about how to move through errant times.

Whereas:

We live during especially challenging times where anxiety, tension, and mistrust can affect the communicative climate of the campus; and

Whereas:

The University Mission Statement (in S15-176) affirms “unwavering commitment to social justice that is central to the work of the university; and

Whereas:

Service, including participation in shared governance, represents a significant investment of faculty and staff time and labor, often without garnering credit toward tenure and promotion or course equivalency for lecturer faculty; and

Whereas:

Up-to-date information and data presented in a timely and understandable way can strengthen the process of dialogue and the capacity of shared governance units to offer informed consultation; and

Whereas:

The Academic Senate of SF State (in RS16-342 and RF17-363) strongly advocates for communication mechanisms that a) provide stakeholders with access to budgetary information, b) enable stakeholders to raise questions and concerns about the budget and c) encourages stakeholders and administrators to engage in a transparent decision-making process with respect to budgetary decisions; and

Whereas:

Departments and equivalent units must play an essential role in budget decision making to establish priorities and serve student needs; and

Whereas:

The SF State University Budget Committee (UBC) in its January 28, 2021 and February 25, 2021 meetings was presented with an update on the current budget including proposed allocations from the State of California and the federal government of the United States; and

Whereas:

The Directive Memo on Academic Affairs Budget Realignment issued by the Provost January 28, 2021 to respond to an immediate economic crisis has been withdrawn given new economic outlook; therefore, be it

Resolved:

That the Academic Senate of SF State urge that service be considered an essential element of, and acknowledged as a significant part of, faculty and staff workload so that all individuals of our campus community can contribute and participate in shared governance activities at all levels while maintaining reasonable and appropriate workloads in teaching and professional development and growth, and more substantially credited toward tenure and promotion; and be it further

Resolved:

That the Academic Senate of SF State affirm its commitment to and appreciation for faculty and staff who engage in shared governance as part of their service contributions; and be it further

Resolved:

That the Academic Senate of SF State strongly urge continuing support for, and advancement of, shared governance as a central element of decision-making on campus and on issues of the budget at all levels (especially budget priorities); and be it further

Resolved:

That the Academic Senate of SF State continue to urge the cultivation of budget transparency, budget clarity, budget priorities, and budget literacy across all levels of the campus; and be it further

Resolved:

That the Academic Senate of SF State affirms the use of student-centered and social justice priorities when considering budget decisions; and be it further

Resolved:

That the Academic Senate of SF State recognizes Academic Affairs’ and UBC’s improved practices in updating budget systems and communication, but also calls for robust Senate oversight and meaningful input in budget matters; and

Resolved:

That the Academic Senate of SF State designates the Strategic Issues Committee as its committee responsible for encouraging University-wide budget transparency, monitoring, and input on behalf of the Senate; and be it further

Resolved:

That the Academic Senate of SF State calls for all divisions and colleges to be transparent and clear with their budgets, providing future planning scenarios, and highlighting major issues and initiatives; and be it further

Resolved:

That the Academic Senate of SF State distribute this resolution to SF State President, Vice Presidents, Provost, Deans, Department Chairs/School Directors/Program Coordinators, RTP Committee Chairs, Union (e.g. CFA and CSUEU) presidents and Associated Student Incorporated (ASI).