Preparing Our Educators

CEHS Research Forum featuring doctoral student James Archibald

James Archibald discussed his research concerning
faculty senate leaders and budget planning.

ATHENS, Ohio (March 15, 2011) – On Feb. 11, James Archibald, Senior Graduate Research Associate in The Patton College’s Center for Higher Education and graduate student in the Higher Education Administration and Student Affairs doctoral program, presented the research he conducted through a survey titled “The Role of Faculty Senate in Budget Planning.” His research topic stemmed from a study conducted by the Center for Higher Education titled “A National Study of Faculty Leadership."

A total of 434 faculty senate leaders at doctoral and master’s degree granting institutions were identified to participate in the survey. Approximately 207 senate leaders responded to the Faculty Senate Leader Survey yielding a 47 percent response rate. The survey gives participants the opportunity to rate the importance of critical issues in higher education, budgets and policies, and how they think their institution allocates funds to certain areas such as scholarships, salaries, athletics, libraries, student activities and technology.

“Education is not exempt from this struggling economy and its budget cuts,” said Archibald. “It’s very important to have everyone involved in the budget planning process.”

The survey explored how much the faculty senate leaders are involved in budget planning and how frequently they interact with the institution’s chief financial officer. Many said they would meet with their CFOs on an “as needed” basis; however, an alarming 26 percent said that they never meet with their CFOs.

The percentage of the leaders who do not meet with their CFOs is directly correlated with the participants who said that their institution is spending too much; however, how can they make an informed opinion if they have not sought budget information in the first place?

“It’s easy to point fingers and be critical, and say that the institution is not doing enough when you are not involved in the decision-making process,” said Dr. Archibald.

Archibald suggests that faculty senate leaders should regularly seek opportunities for enhancing knowledge on budget and financing higher education by increasing effective communication, especially before a crisis arises. “It is the responsibility of the faculty senate leaders to obtain this information and report back to their constituents for feedback.”

“There tends to be more involvement when there are budget cuts, but in fact, we need to all be constantly involved and in the loop to make a difference,” said Archibald. “Be proactive, not reactive."

The CEHS Research Forum provides faculty members the opportunity to present their research findings to interested students and faculty as well as answer their questions. Forums are held Fridays at 12 p.m. and lunch is always provided.

For more information, visit http://www.cehs.ohio.edu/news-events/events.htm.

Story by Nicole Bersani; photos by R. Devin Hughes