The following is the first of a two-part interview with Dr. Michael Wood, Assistant Professor in the Chapman Department of World Languages and Cultures, and Town & Gown’s Faculty Liaison. Part Two of the interview, featuring challenges confronted by the Faculty Senate, will appear in the next edition of “Talk of the Town.”

Dr Michael Wood

Michael Wood enjoying a beautiful hike.

(Note:  In the early 2000s Chapman University faculty representation changed from a full-time faculty corporate body to a senate format, whereby each college elects representatives to conduct faculty governance through a variety of committees and regular meetings of the  Faculty Senate throughout the academic year)

Cumiford: “Why did you seek this position?”

Wood: “I did not ‘seek’ out this position of Faculty Senate President, but was instead asked to consider running for the vice president/president-elect position by other colleagues in the Spring of 2021. After serving in that role last year, I assumed the position of president at the end of the Spring Semester earlier this year. The reason why I agreed to take on this role is because I am a firm believer in the principle of “shared governance.” I don’t think of shared governance as simply a term to be invoked when distributive responsibility is convenient.  Instead, I think of it as a set of existential procedures and policies that theoretically assure both accountability and a deliberative process. It works best when it is consciously focused on our shared values and commitment to the furtherance of a thriving institution. It is important that we embrace the idea of shared governance precisely when cooperation and discussion among various constituencies becomes difficult. The idea of shared governance in higher education is that the main constituencies vested in the well-being and continued success of the institution—namely governing boards, administrators, faculty, alumni, and students— work together in a good-faith manner to address challenges and solve problems collectively through discussion and consensus. While we have many successes to boast about here at Chapman, in the wake of major challenges these past few years, we also have pressing concerns that need to be addressed with integrity.”