| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 67.18 |
| Liaison | Weston Dripps |
| Submission Date | Aug. 19, 2024 |
Amherst College
PA-3: Institutional Governance
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 4.00 |
Weston
Dripps Director of Sustainability Sustainability |
Does the institution have one or more ongoing bodies through which students can democratically participate in the governance of the institution?:
Narrative and/or website URL outlining the ongoing bodies through which students can democratically participate in the governance of the institution:
Association of Amherst Students (AAS)
https://www.amherst.edu/campuslife/aas
The Association of Amherst Students is the student government that serves the Amherst College community. Their purpose is to represent the student body and be a liaison between students and administration. AAS is committed to articulating student voices for advancing action and change. They take an active role in affecting the College’s policies and priorities.
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:
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:
Students are regularly consulted informally and formally on institutional decisions through the Association of Amherst Students (student government) and standing and ad hoc campus committees. The president frequently consults with student leaders on decisions, plans, and new policies.
Points earned for indicator PA 3.1:
Does the institution have one or more ongoing bodies through which academic staff can democratically participate in the governance of the institution?:
Narrative and/or website URL outlining the ongoing bodies through which academic staff can democratically participate in the governance of the institution:
Faculty Governance
https://www.amherst.edu/academiclife/provost_dean_faculty/faculty-governance
Faculty governance is an integral part of the college's decision making process. Faculty meetings, which all members of the faculty have the right and obligation to attend, take place a handful of times each semester. They provide the opportunity for the formal dissemination of information, for discussion within the faculty and between the faculty and the administration, and for the official transaction of faculty business. The Faculty Executive Committee sets the dates and agendas for these faculty meetings.
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:
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 college has a large number of standing faculty committees that are regularly consulted by the administration around institutional decisons, plans, and policies. A list of these committes and their charges can be found here:
Points earned for indicator PA 3.2:
Does the institution have one or more ongoing bodies through which non-academic staff can democratically participate in the governance of the institution?:
Narrative and/or website URL outlining the ongoing bodies through which non-academic staff can democratically participate in the governance of the institution:
The Employee Council
https://www.amherst.edu/offices/staff-life/employee_council
The college has an Employee Council, a representative body of non-faculty employees, who work to increase staff involvement in the governance of the College by broadening and strengthening lines of communication within the entire college community. The Employee Council provides avenues for the College’s diverse staff to participate in policy making, promotes visibility, fosters a supportive work environment, and strives to develop a sense of community among students, staff, faculty, and senior administrators.
The Charge of the Employee Council is to promote the welfare of the staff and the college and to enhance the role of the staff within the college. To realize these goals, the Council:
- Acts in an advisory capacity to the President, Senior Staff, The Board of Trustees, Faculty, Managers Council, and other entities on campus.
- Advocates on behalf of college staff.
- Supports the exchange of information within the college community.
- Examines employment environment policies and make recommendations to appropriate administrators and committees.
- Establishes standing and ad hoc committees as appropriate to the performance of the Council’s functions.
- Recommends staff for appointment to college committees.
- Gathers and shares information to research and support staff interests.
- Exercises control over the internal operations and maintenance of the Employee Council.
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 Employee Council holds open listening sessions twice a month in which any staff member can share a concern or issue to be brough to the council for discussion during their regular council meetings. The Council also hosts an all-staff town hall once a semester to provide updates to the staff as well as hear from the admnistration about issues impacting the campus community. These forums provide an opportunity for staff to submit or ask questions of the administration on any issue.
Points earned for indicator PA 3.3:
Does the institution have one or more ongoing bodies through which local community-based organizations not affiliated with the institution can democratically participate in its 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:
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:
The college has a full time staff member Sarah Barr who is the advisor to the President on Campus Initiatives and Director of the Center for Community Engagement. Sarah serves as a liaison with our community partners and the town of Amherst, and has almost daily conversations with our community members about the college's plans, goals, and decisions. Our current President has made improving town-gown relations a priority.
Points earned for indicator PA 3.4:
Notes about the information provided for this credit:
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.