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Northwestern University

Shared Governance and Service

VIEW THE MOST CURRENT INFORMATION ON THE WEINBERG COMMONS (NETID REQUIRED).

Shared Governance

Shared governance is a cornerstone of the academy, and the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences is committed to building and maintaining a strong partnership with its faculty.

Service

Shared governance brings with it the duty to serve. Indeed, faculty service is the foundation upon which effective shared governance is nurtured, and the College expects faculty members to assume increased responsibilities over the course of their careers at the University.

Tenured faculty members have a responsibility to serve on departmental, College, and University committees as either elected or appointed members. In rendering committee service, tenured faculty members are expected to voice their opinions and look to the best interests of the institution as a whole. In addition, they are expected to understand the policies of the College and University, as outlined in the Weinberg College Chairperson’s Handbook and Northwestern University Faculty Handbook, and to participate in the governance of their departments, the College, and the University at large.

Tenure-track faculty members are required to serve on fewer committees than tenured faculty during their probationary terms, but because proficiency in service is a requirement for tenure, they should accept some service assignments, especially at the departmental level.

Teaching-track faculty members may participate in service and governance at the level of the department or program, depending on the unit’s by-laws and the individual faculty member’s designated role in his or her department or program. There is ample opportunity for service in the Residential Colleges and on College and University committees.

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