| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 76.02 |
| Liaison | Megan Litke |
| Submission Date | Sept. 17, 2024 |
American University
PA-3: Institutional Governance
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.00 / 4.00 |
Lucy
Yearling Sustainability Intern Sustainability |
3.1 Student participation in governance
Narrative and/or website URL outlining the ongoing bodies through which students can democratically participate in the governance of the institution:
The Undergraduate Senate consists of 30 elected senators that represent, legistate, and delineate policies regardering the concerns of the undergraduate student body.
https://www.american.edu/student-affairs/student-involvement/au-student-government.cfm
The Graduate Leadership Council serves as the primary representative of the graduate student body to American University's administration, faculty, staff, trustees and alumni.
https://www.american.edu/student-affairs/student-involvement/graduate-leadership-council.cfm
Are one or more student representatives included as members of the institution’s highest decision-making body?:
Narrative and/or website URL outlining student representation on the institution’s highest decision-making body:
A Student Trustee serves as a regular in-person member of the Board of Trustees for meetings, committee participation, and other general obligations, except for the power to vote.
https://www.american.edu/student-affairs/student-trustee.cfm
https://www.american.edu/trustees/current-trustees.cfm
https://www.american.edu/trustees/campus-reps.cfm
Does at least one student representative have voting rights on the highest decision-making body?:
Description of other mechanisms used to consult students on institutional decisions, plans, or policies:
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
3.2 Academic staff participation in governance
Narrative and/or website URL outlining the ongoing bodies through which academic staff can democratically participate in the governance of the institution:
Members of the Faculty Senate are elected by faculty colleagues. The senate's responsibilities include monitoring academic policies and regulations, making recommendations for the academic budget, and setting the general and minimum standards for instruction throughout the university.
https://www.american.edu/facultysenate/committees.cfm
Are one or more academic staff representatives included as members of the institution’s highest decision-making body?:
Narrative and/or website URL outlining academic staff representation on the institution’s highest decision-making body:
Faculty Senate appoints representatives for the Board of Trustees.
https://www.american.edu/trustees/campus-reps.cfm
https://www.american.edu/trustees/current-trustees.cfm
Does at least one academic staff representative have voting rights on the institution’s highest decision-making body?:
Description of other mechanisms used to consult academic staff on institutional decisions, plans, or policies:
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
3.3 Non-academic staff participation in governance
Narrative and/or website URL outlining the ongoing bodies through which non-academic staff can democratically participate in the governance of the institution:
The Staff Council is a body of elected full-time and regular part-time AU staff that serve the interests and needs of eligible American University staff pertaining to their daily activities and work conditions as they strive to support the university's goal of quality education.
https://www.american.edu/staffcouncil/
Staff who are represented by unions participate in governance through their union.
Are one or more staff members representing non-managerial workers included as members of the institution’s highest decision-making body?:
Narrative and/or website URL outlining non-academic staff representation on the institution’s highest decision-making body:
Does at least one staff member representing non-managerial workers have voting rights on the institution’s highest decision-making body?:
Description of other mechanisms used to consult non-academic staff on institutional decisions, plans, or policies:
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
3.4 Community participation in governance
Narrative and/or website URL outlining the ongoing bodies through which local community-based organizations can democratically participate in the governance of the institution:
The American University Neighborhood Partnership is a shared forum connecting AU and leaders in the surrounding communities.The Partnership primarily operates through five standing Working Groups – each of which is co-chaired both by a neighborhood resident and a university representative – with guidance provided by a Steering Committee.
https://www.american.edu/communityrelations/neighborhood-partnership/
Has the institution used one or more ad hoc mechanisms during the previous three years to consult local community members on institutional decisions, plans, or policies?:
Narrative and/or website URL outlining the ad hoc mechanisms used during the previous three years to consult local community members on institutional decisions, plans, or policies:
In March of 2023, members of the community were invited to attend an Information Forum to discuss AU’s proposed Alan and Amy Meltzer Center for Athletic Performance Meltzer Center (Meltzer Center) and Sports Center Annex (SCAN) projects. This Information Forum was designed to provide campus and neighborhood stakeholders with an opportunity to review preliminary concept renderings for the projects and to ask questions or voice comments to American University staff on the proposals.
https://www.american.edu/communityrelations/newsletter/march-2023-neighborhood-newsletter.cfm
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
Optional documentation
Additional resources to the Board include cabinet, alumni, and staff who attend Board meetings, but do not serve as official members.
Additional documentation for this credit:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.