final version of the self-study document - Keuka College's Middle ...

worked with IPEDS variables according to the weight assigned to them by the survey, and a draft
list of institutions was created and discussed with the President and his cabinet and the Faculty
Liaison Committee. Collaborative review of the draft list led to further refinements, and facultyadministration
consensus was reached on a list of 35 institutions which was submitted to the
Board of Trustees for their review and approval. With the completion of the peer group list, the
College has begun to benchmark its performance on a number of key college metrics to improve
institutional effectiveness (Appendix 3.14 Selection of Peer Group Process).
In a recent major innovation with regard to shared governance, the President opened the budget
process to include staff and students. As part of 2012-2013 budget development process, the
President invited the leadership of the Staff Advisory Council, two Student Senate leaders, and
the Faculty Liaison Committee to meet with administration and to participate in an overview of
the budget draft. At this meeting, the Budget Manager explained how the budget is built,
identified key assumptions regarding expenditures and revenues, and answered questions. Those
invited provided valuable insights and feedback to inform the process going forward.
Another new organizational structure aimed at improving communication and participation in the
work of the institution is the College Advisory Council (CAC). At the August 2012 Community
Day, the President outlined the concept of a College Advisory Council which would address the
following general functions:
To serve as an integrative body by bringing together the various constituencies of the
College, and hence to act as:
A. An agency for multidirectional communication among constituent elements of the
College
B. A forum through which current or continuing issues affecting the College can be
discussed
Membership includes the leadership of the Staff Advisory Council, the elected officers of the
Student Senate, an ASAP student representative, the Academic Division Chairs, three
representatives from the Alumni Association, three elected representatives from the faculty, and
the College Cabinet, i.e., the President and the vice presidents (Appendix 3.15 College Advisory
Council Bylaws Draft 11-27-12). President Díaz-Herrera anticipates that this Council will serve
as a vital means of communication on the Long Range Strategic Planning activities, on the
budgeting process, and on other matters of interest to the College. As an important symbolic and
real step in increasing communication across the College, the College Advisory Council will
attend the tri-annual Board of Trustees General Meetings. The faculty themselves, through the
Faculty Liaison Committee, are embarking upon a critical examination of the faculty governance
structure, especially to review expansion of the sizes of the standing committees, their
responsibilities, and the concept of a “senate” model of faculty governance as part of their 2012-
2013 work plan.
As indicated in this chapter, Keuka College has many strengths related to leadership,
administration and governance. As an institution that values shared governance, the College has
instituted a number of mechanisms to foster and maintain strong interaction and collaboration
between the administration and principal College constituencies. Faculty, staff, and students have
Page 18 of 19 Chapter 3: Leadership, Gov. & Admin.