| dc.description.abstract | This study investigated the scope, process, and effect of student participation in
governance at the University of Alberta, including student government, and identified and
analyzed related issues, various influential factors, and potential for improvement.
The researcher employed a naturalistic and qualitative inquiry approach. Related
literature was reviewed to provide a conceptual framework for the study. Two pilot studies
were conducted. Augmented by documentury analysis and direct observations, the semi-
structured interview was the major data-gathering technique utilized.
The results of the study reveal that student participation in the governance of the
University is beneficial to students, the University, and society. Students have been
extensively involved in decision-making at different levels. Both student organizations and
students at large employed different informal means, such as lobbying, media, and
caucuses to exert their influence. Associations of students as organized forces had much
greater influence than students at iarge. A variety of factors affected how influential they
were.
The successful experience of the student government has demonstrated that students
are capable of administering their own affairs, satisfying various student needs, and
protecting the political interests of students. The University-run student services and the
services run by the student government have complemented each other.
Implications of the study include the following: a) further cooperation between the
two kinds of student-related services can help them conserve resources and better serve the
needs of students; b) joint efforts could be made to improve student participation. The
University administration may facilitate student involvement by providing necessary
training, including students in some University committees with no student representation,
using multiple approaches to obtain student input, and treating students as equals. Students
should be aware of their limitations and work to compensate for these limitations; c) in
resolving common problems, ail members of the University community, including
students, ought to strive to consider the interests of the University as a collective rather than
attending predominantly to their own interests; and d) future studies of student involvement
in university governance should include student government and the informal involvement
of students in their research design | en_US |
