As he prepares to leave his current position, University of Wisconsin Vice Chair of Finance and Administration Darrell Bazzell offered some parting words of advice about shared governance on campus to student government leaders.

After announcing his plans to leave UW for a new position at the University of Texas-Austin, Darrell Bazzell was invited to the shared governance committee meeting to discuss with student government leaders about the future of shared governance and steps students should take to ensure their voice is heard.

Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration to leave UW for similar position

Shared governance is a “natural thing” to be doing, Bazzell said. It’s a way to ensure those who are impacted by UW’s choices get to have a seat at the table to discuss those choices.

UW administration appreciates the role of students and the knowledge they provide when engaging in issues that matter and affect them, Bazzell said

But Bazzell said if students want to ensure the administration is open to their opinions and problems, they need to do more than remind the administration that they have a right to participate in these discussions — they need to add value to their conversation.

“Students aren’t just at the table to assert their right to be at the table, but to actually problem solve,” Bazzell said. “Everyone is looking for solutions, and if administrators see students sitting at the table and engaging in a constructive way to solve problems, what more can you ask for?”

Granted, Bazzell said, the process is not always smooth and students and administration may disagree at times. But it is still helpful for administration to understand student positions so they can find a constructive way to solve problems on campus, he said.

Though challenges students face are becoming greater and the goals more complex, Bazzell said he urges shared governance leaders to reach out to other student groups that may be affected by issues as well, to work toward solving problems.

“[Students] should never come to a table and feel like [they] don’t have power,” Bazzell said. “People need to see the value that [students] bring to the table.”