Resolution to Reaffirm Shared Governance in Instruction
We call for faculty to have the determinative role in instructional decisions, including those about curriculum, grading, and assessment. In accordance with the AAUP’s 1966 Statement on Government of Colleges and Universities, an essential principle of shared governance is that “when it comes to academic matters, a faculty decision should normally be the final decision” – faculty, not administrators, should set the curriculum and academic policy at the University of Michigan.
Concerns raised by LSA faculty indicate that the recently announced first-semester grade-covering pilot did not receive sufficient faculty consultation before it was launched. We are also deeply concerned by President Grasso’s directive to LSA leadership to “pause” the program. It is for LSA faculty, not the President of the University, to determine how, on what terms, and in what manner grades are given to LSA students. We urge the U-M administration and LSA leadership to respect faculty authority and work with LSA faculty through a meaningful governance process for grade covering and any future instructional policies.
Approved by the Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs (SACUA) on October 9, 2026.
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