Book excerpt: This book contains vital information on the historical, philosophical, and legal foundations for shared governance, and it makes the link between fundamentals of law and policy as related to professional practice in student affairs. Practical insights and suggestions for student affairs are offered for practitioners at all levels to ensure success. Chapter 1 offers definitions and common understandings of shared governance, its history in higher education, and relevant theories and models. Chapter 2 presents the common structures with a broad span of interest and authority. Chapter 3 focuses on the ways in which those in higher education can help foster and strengthen shared governance. Chapter 4 shares a brief history of student participation, strategies for greater student involvement, the potential benefits, and concludes with important open questions about students and shared governance in American higher education. Chapter 5 explains sources of law related to student affairs work, areas of law, and law-making processes. Chapter 6 discusses the individual role in shared governance and addresses the tension between the roles of employee and private citizens. Chapter 7 describes the policy and policymaking processes, centering on ways in which the formation of policy and policy itself play out. Chapter 8 draws together themes from throughout the preceding chapters. The goal of this work is for readers to come away from the book with a better understanding of and appreciation for shared governance, law, and policy as well as an enhanced set of skills and strategies for engaging in shared governance as a matter of professional performance. Through fostering knowledge and abilities related to shared governance, the book assists readers in developing and forming their professional identity as well as in achieving learning outcomes aligned with specific professional practice standards in the field.