Signed for a collegial university
Join colleagues in writing the President a postcard about the importance of collegial and transparent governance.
Collegial governance is essential to a strong university. With a new President, we have an opportunity to open a path toward greater collegiality, transparency, and democratic decision-making at the university. APUO members bring deep expertise and a long-term commitment to the academic mission and our voices must be meaningfully included in how decisions are made.
Budget transparency matters. Members are asking clear questions about priorities, accountability, and how resources are allocated across the institution. A healthy system of collegial governance ensures that these questions are addressed openly and responsibly.
Some key facts highlight why this conversation matters:
- 0/1,258: the number of APUO members represented on the Board of Governors’ Finance and Treasury Committee.
- $238.7 million: the amount paid by central administration to private, for-profit consultants between 2019 and 2024.
Once a majority of APUO members sign a postcard, they will be printed and delivered to the President. Sign up here if you would like to join your colleagues to hand-deliver the postcards.
Act now: choose a message
- Best Wishes for New Mandate: All the best with your new mandate, President Sylvestre. I look forward to building a strong, transparent, and collegial institution together.
Click here to send this message. - Program suspensions: I value a university where colleagues participate in the decisions that affect programs and working conditions. I hope your administration will prioritize transparency and collegial processes.
Click here to send this message. - De-centralizing power: Strong collegial governance ensures that academic decisions are informed by those closest to teaching, research, and supporting students. I encourage your office to work closely with Senate, faculty councils, and academic units to keep these processes robust and meaningful.
Click here to send this message. - Budget transparency: A shared vision depends on clear information and long-term planning. I hope we can move towards greater transparency around academic and budgetary decisions so our community can participate fully and constructively.
Click here to send this message.
Further reading about the importance of collegial and transparent governance for universities:
- Collegial governance: Shared responsibility for better education
- Academic staff associations and collegial governance
- Communiqué about governance, dating from December 2015, showing how longstanding this issue is.