Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 57.90
Liaison Jessica Bowen
Submission Date Aug. 3, 2015
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Aquinas College
PA-3: Governance

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.00 / 3.00 Jessica Eimer Bowen
Director of Sustainability
Center for Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Do all enrolled students, regardless of type or status, have an avenue to participate in one or more governance bodies (through direct participation or the election of representatives)?:
Yes

A brief description of the mechanisms through which students have an avenue to participate in one or more governance bodies:

The Student Senate is the third branch of the college governance structure. Senate is the avenue for student voice in college policy and activities. Senate represents the needs of the general undergraduate student. The students have a voice in strategic and long term college planning & prioritization of programs and projects. Representatives from the Student Senate, often the officers of the Student Senate themselves are invited to take part in the college’s strategic planning retreat with the College’s board of trustees future.


Is there at least one student representative on the institution’s governing body who was elected by peers or appointed by a representative student body or organization?:
Yes

A brief description of student representation on the governing body, including how the representatives are selected:

The Chair of the Senate meets regularly with administration and has a voice at Board of Trustees meetings. This position is elected by the student body.


Do students have a formal role in decision-making in regard to the following?:
Yes or No
Establishing organizational mission, vision, and/or goals Yes
Establishing new policies, programs, or initiatives Yes
Strategic and long-term planning Yes
Existing or prospective physical resources Yes
Budgeting, staffing and financial planning No
Communications processes and transparency practices No
Prioritization of programs and projects Yes

A brief description of the formal student role in regard to each area indicated, including examples from the previous three years:

Like the other 2 governing bodies, the Student Senate has a right and responsibility to make formal recommendations to change or augment the college's mission, vision, etc...and initiate new programs. For example during the 2013/14 academic year, they successfully proposed a new diversity and inclusion statement to address the LGBT community.


Do all staff, regardless of type or status, have an avenue to participate in one or more governance bodies (through direct participation or the election of representatives)?:
Yes

A brief description of the mechanisms through which all staff have an avenue to participate in one or more governance bodies:

The Staff Assembly is the second branch of the college governance structure and is the avenue for staff voice in college policy and activities. The 4 positions on the executive committee of the Staff Assembly are all nominated and elected by their peers.


Is there at least one non-supervisory staff representative on the institution’s governing body who was elected by peers or appointed by a representative staff body or organization?:
No

A brief description of non-supervisory staff representation on the governing body, including how the representatives are selected:
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Do non-supervisory staff have a formal role in decision-making in regard to the following? :
Yes or No
Establishing organizational mission, vision, and/or goals Yes
Establishing new policies, programs, or initiatives Yes
Strategic and long-term planning Yes
Existing or prospective physical resources Yes
Budgeting, staffing and financial planning Yes
Communications processes and transparency practices Yes
Prioritization of programs and projects Yes

A brief description of the formal staff role in regard to each area indicated, including examples from the previous three years:

1. The Director of Sustainability and team proposed a new economicology/sustainability statement in 2013 and it was accepted.
2. A group of staff members (Campus Safety, Wellness, and Sustainability) started a successful bike sharing program in 2013.
3. Many staff members serve on the college's strategic leadership team.
4. The Facilities Committee of the college includes several staff members.
5. Many staff members serve on the college's budget advisory committee.
6. A communications committee with numerous staff members is currently engaged in a process-based management exercise to improve our campus communication processes.
7. Through many of the committees described above, staff members have a say in the prioritization of programs (especially the budget advisory committee).


Do all faculty, regardless of type or status, have an avenue to participate in one or more governance bodies (through direct participation or the election of representatives)?:
Yes

A brief description of the mechanisms through which all faculty (including adjunct faculty) have an avenue to participate in one or more governance bodies:

The Faculty Assembly is the first branch of the college governance structure and is the avenue for faculty voice in college policy and activities. The 4 positions on the executive committee of the Faculty Assembly are all nominated and elected by their peers.


Is there at least one teaching or research faculty representative on the institution’s governing body who was elected by peers or appointed by a representative faculty body or organization?:
No

A brief description of faculty representation on the governing body, including how the representatives are selected:
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Do faculty have a formal role in decision-making in regard to the following?:
Yes or No
Establishing organizational mission, vision, and/or goals Yes
Establishing new policies, programs, or initiatives Yes
Strategic and long-term planning Yes
Existing or prospective physical resources Yes
Budgeting, staffing and financial planning Yes
Communications processes and transparency practices Yes
Prioritization of programs and projects Yes

A brief description of the formal faculty role in regard to each area indicated, including examples from the previous three years:

1. Like the other 2 governing bodies, the Faculty Assembly has a right and responsibility to make formal recommendations to change or augment the college's mission, vision, etc..
2. A group of faculty members and administration are currently on a team writing the new Academic Master Plan for the college.
3. Many faculty members serve on the college's strategic leadership team.
4. The Facilities Committee of the college includes several faculty members.
5. Many faculty members serve on the college's budget advisory committee.
6. A communications committee with numerous faculty members is currently engaged in a process-based management exercise to improve our campus communication processes.
7. Through many of the committees described above, faculty members have a say in the prioritization of programs (especially the budget advisory committee).


The website URL where information about the institution’s governance structure is available:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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