Faculty Perceptions of College Governance

York College of Pennsylvania, which has moved from a junior college to a four-year institution in the last decade, has responded to accreditation reports that suggested changes in the college's governing structure. A review of the literature showed that faculty should participate in governance on a shared-authority basis. The study was designed to survey the faculty to see how they perceived the governance of the college. The survey was divided into areas of leadership, motivation, communication, interaction, decision-making, setting goals, and feedback control. Particular recommendations were made in areas that were found deficient. The results of the survey demonstrated that the faculty perceived the governance structure somewhere between the benevolent authoritative and consultative forms. The ratings, calculated from highest to lowest, were communication, setting goals, interaction, leadership, motivation, feedback controls, and decision-making. The highest rated question concerned the accuracy of upwards communications; the lowest, the level at which decisions were formally made. Specific recommendations were made for each area involved that had serious deficiencies. In general, the recommendations were to make the governance structure or the college more participatory. (Author/LBH)