Chapter 9: Trends and Issues Addressed in Staff Governance

To simply say that the role and significance of college and university staff has increased over the last 30 years would be a gross understatement. Not only do staff outnumber faculty at many of the nation’s institutions of higher learning, but their role has drastically changed from one of support, to one of necessity and great significance. Not too very long ago, the word “staff” in higher education generally invoked images of typing pools, custodians and clerks, today, “staff” includes professionals whose accolades and education frequently exceeds those of faculty and institutional administrations.

This chapter will evaluate the state of trends in the realm of staff governance in American colleges and universities. These trends and changes are the result of monumental shifts in higher education that began in the mid 20th century and are still evolving today.