CSEA Connection: Decision Making Process

by Saodat Aziskhanova

CSEA President

Classified Institute Day kicked off a new academic year. I hope we’ll catch up on growth during the second 8-week session.

My topic for this article is the importance of participation in the decision-making process - shared governance - which cannot be underestimated. Strengthening shared governance should be a priority for our chapter. Shared governance incorporates the views of faculty, students, administrators, and classified staff at all levels of decision-making. It is a way for effectively participating in the decision making process on issues and policies which affect all of us; it is a process of open communication and feedback from all constituencies.

I would like to thank those who volunteered for the first time to serve on various committees, and those who renewed their terms. However, we still have some CSEA seats we need to fill in order to have full participation. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Seboo Aghajani, 2nd VP, whose duties include monitoring shared governance committees’ representation by the classified staff, and to receive reports and/ or minutes. Every decision, issue, and policy affects classified in one way or another, and by engaging in effective and collaborative governance, you participating in the governance process.

Decisions made on shared governance committees include budget planning, campus planning and development, so decisions made by shared governance committees have actual influence in all areas of the college. Some of you might say, "I don’t have time, we are short in staff, I don’t know anything about shared governance committees", but only by active involvement can we both learn and make a difference for our betterment.

All staff representatives should commit and take responsibility for informing the membership regarding issues. Finally, although, the final decision is made by the trustees and/or the Superintendent/President, we still have a voice, so please consider volunteering.

I would also like to wish all the best to classified employees who are retiring soon after many years of service to the college:

Kristine Hanna  -  Administrative Assistant I

Armik (Mick) Gregorian - Mail Services Worker

Guillermo Rios - System Administrator

Visit us on the web: www.glendale.edu/csea

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