This coming August, I will have completed my 12th year as president of Saint Louis University, and with all my heart, I can report to you that each day, I thank the Lord for allowing me to be a part of the gift that is Saint Louis University. My years here have been the most satisfying, most enjoyable of my life. Even during challenging times, such as the sale of Saint Louis University Hospital or the past weeks' debates, I remain energized, enthusiastic and proud to be president of this remarkable institution. Although the purpose of this address is to review briefly the events of the past year, as well as to look at the coming academic year, I think it is important that I begin with the topic that has been with us for more than a week and which has caused great discussion among some in our community. For some faculty, staff and students, the discussion has focused on parking fees, while for others, the issue at hand is shared governance, an issue that all colleges and universities across the nation are facing and that we also are addressing.
Shared governance is a cherished concept and tradition in academic administration.
There are two basic principles that form the foundation of shared governance. So, governing boards, administrators, faculty, staff and students each have primary responsibility for specific issues. Working out this dual concept of shared responsibility has been the focus of institutional governance issues for at least the past 30 years. Anyone who regularly reads the Chronicle of Higher Education is aware that shared governance is right now an area of debate, and often controversy, in colleges and universities across the nation, and not just for Saint Louis University. Faculty and university administrations and boards of trustees are searching for ways to respect and, if necessary, restructure shared governance in the context of a modern university.