Abstract
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to examine how student leaders are involved in decision-making in the university. The study explores their participation in the decision making, their roles and what value they add to the university and to themselves in the process of their engagement.
Olsen’s, Model of the university organization and governance was used in this study as a conceptual framework to create an understanding of how student leaders can contribute in the decision-making in the university.
The study adopted a qualitative method in a case study of Kenyatta University in Kenya. Data was collected through use of semi-structured interviews, document analysis and field notes. Six student leaders were interviewed.
The research findings indicated that student leaders were involved in decision making in the university through participation in the various boards and departmental committees. Students as stakeholders in the university should have a say on issues affecting them. It was found that there was satisfaction among the student leaders when their ideas were implemented though after a bit of drag and delay. It was also found that by involving the student leaders, they form a link between the student body and the university administrators. This leads to peaceful co-existence in the university. The student leaders therefore are the voice of the students in the committees where they are members. Most of the decisions the students made had to be vetted by the university authorities as they were seen to lack qualification to have a final say on decisions made in the university. Lack of adequate consultation between the student leaders and the university administrators can lead to frequent student revolts. In KU some calmness had been restored as there was good consultation on both ends.
It was also found that, students were concerned about the quality of the knowledge transmitted to them; as such KU has introduced many programs which in turn have attracted many self sponsored students.
Through involvement in the governance, the student leaders gain self-concept and divergent thinking. The skills they acquire enable them to fit into the bigger society. It is therefore important for the university administrators to give the student leaders adequate opportunity to play their roles in the university governance.