College Governance
Welcome to the Renton Technical College (RTC) governance web page! The links to the left include information about RTC’s governance model and the councils that make up the system. All members of the RTC community are invited and encouraged to contribute to the governance model at the College. For more information about each council, contact the council chairperson or another representative of the council.
In 2012, RTC began the process of adopting and implementing its current governance model. The goal of developing a shared governance model was established when the College Board of Trustees decided to govern by policy. The concepts shaping the model were agreed upon by a task force identified by the college president.
RTC Governance Councils serve as oversight and coordinating groups based on functions pertinent to the College’s Mission. Additionally, Councils shepherd and foster a shared governance model and seek to increase communication across campus as they discuss, deliberate, and advise the President.
The President determines the general scope and responsibilities for Councils. As of May 2023, Councils at RTC include the following:
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council
- Facilities Council
- Learning Council
- Resource and Planning Council
- Student Success Council
- Technology Council
Governance Councils have the authority to create two different governance bodies to ensure efficient operations and broad campus involvement:
- Committees for ongoing work
- Action teams for timebound projects
The faculty, classified staff and Associated Student Government (ASG) all have rights to appoint their representatives to councils. The president appoints executive cabinet members to councils. All employees of RTC have the right and opportunity to participate in college governance.
The governance model, in its entirety, is responsible to the board of trustees through the college president.
Questions and comments regarding college governance can be directed via email to info@rtc.edu.
Membership
RTC’s governance model recognizes stakeholder groups and administration members through representational roles and appointments on the college’s five councils. Stakeholder groups include: the faculty, classified staff, ASG, any and all college employees represented or not represented by a union. All stakeholder groups have the right to appoint their representatives to each council. The president appoints executive cabinet members to councils.
Guiding Principles
- Everyone plays a role in college governance.
- The governance model will provide stakeholders with participation in the decision making process and will rely on collective wisdom.
- All stakeholders have a right to representation on college governance committees.
- As directed by the board of trustees, the President is responsible for developing the college governance model. The President is responsible to the Board of Trustees for decisions made within the governance model.
- The governance model will be efficient and effective, balancing the need for timely, informed decisions with the need to provide adequate time for meaningful participation in decision-making processes.
- The governance model will encourage and promote a wide range of opportunities for employees and students to provide leadership, regardless of their formal positions at the College.
- The governance model will provide clear, frequent, consistent, and timely communication within governance groups and between groups and the larger college community.
- The governance model will include clear decision processes.
- The governance model will be open, and will provide consistent and accessible records of council and committee work.
- Participants will have access to pertinent information to fulfill their role within the governance model.