Launch of the WesternU Shared Governance Assessment Survey

As you are aware, Western University of Health Sciences is committed to fostering a collaborative and inclusive shared governance model that supports our mission and values. An important component of this endeavor is to systematically measure our progress in achieving this goal.

Achieving this goal will require the university to garner high-quality independent third-party expertise to implement the comprehensive institution-driven shared governance initiatives. These initiatives will be conducted by high-quality independent third-party consultants, utilizing state-of-the-art evidence-based methodologies and gleaning input from all 5 branches of governance. The two comprehensive institution-driven shared governance initiatives will include the following: 1) a university-initiated Shared Governance Assessment Survey, and 2) a university-initiated Shared Governance Climate Survey.

Historically, the goal to launch a comprehensive institution-driven shared governance evaluations stems from recommendations from WesternU’s accrediting authority, WSCUC, at its most recent site visit, as well as a directive from the Board of Trustees (BOT), at its November 2024 Board of Trustee meeting. At that meeting, the BOT authorized an assessment of the university’s expanded shared governance model and the administration of a shared governance climate survey using the expertise of a university-approved, highly qualified independent third-party consultant. Accordingly, only surveys and assessments expressly authorized and sanctioned by the university and its BOT will be considered valid.

After a rigorous selection process with input from all five branches of governance, KH Consulting Group (KH), a high quality, independent third-party consultant, was selected to conduct the Shared Governance Assessment Survey for WesternU.

Following a rigorous process with input from the 5 branches of governance, the Request for Proposals (RFP) has been sent on behalf of the university to select a highly qualified independent third-party consultant to perform the university-initiated Shared Governance Climate Survey.

KH applies best practices, with an excellent qualitative and quantitative approach, and utilizes a comprehensive state of the art methodology. KH is keenly aware of the need for data collection, particularly stakeholder input, to be tailored to WesternU’s needs. KH has developed and implemented an approach with a focus on stakeholder input from faculty, staff, administrators, students, alumni, community partners, and other institutional leaders, providing the university with a thorough and well-documented understanding of the various perspectives and alternatives for our consideration. To ensure equitable and inclusive input, KH has developed a model that engages with the university in multiple ways, including surveys, focus groups, town hall meetings, open forums, interviews, workshops, labs, and other working sessions. To date, KH has conducted numerous interviews and focus groups with a cross-section of the WesternU community. To conduct these sessions, KH has used what is described as a Q² focus-group technique – a disciplined interview strategy to obtain both Quantitative and Qualitative perspectives. Through content analysis, KH can summarize themes and patterns across focus groups.

While focus groups are inherently subjective, KH’s Q² technique identifies empirically: 1) key issues and validates these perceptions through statistical and analytical interpretation, 2) the criticality, priorities, and challenges of shared governance, and 3) the similarities and differences in shared governance issues across focus groups.

A critical next step of the assessment project is to conduct a comprehensive survey to ensure that WesternU’s shared governance model is effective, transparent, and representative of stakeholders.

To that end, we invite you to participate in the first WesternU Shared Governance Assessment Survey at:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SharedGovernance2025.

Please complete the survey by March 17, 2025.

The survey covers key areas such as participation, representation, transparency, accountability, and decision-making processes. Your insights will help us assess how well our shared governance model aligns with its intended goals, supports decision-making, and fosters engagement across faculty, staff, students, administrators, and trustees.

The anonymous survey should take approximately 10 minutes to complete. KH Consulting Group (KH), an independent third-party consultant, is conducting this survey for WesternU. KH will treat your response confidentially and will only share summarized results. If you have any questions about the survey, please feel free to reach out to Heather Sims, a Vice President at KH, at heather@khcg.com.

Thank you for taking the time to share your perspectives. Your feedback is essential in shaping a more inclusive and effective shared governance model at WesternU.

Robin Farias-Eisner, MD, PhD, MBA
President

Paula M. Crone, DO
Provost & Chief Academic Officer