California State University, Fresno
PA-3: Inclusive and Participatory Governance

Associated Students, Incorporated (ASI) is the highest governing body for students at the university. ASI works to provide a means for responsible and effective participation in the governance of the campus and quality of the educational experience by: (1) Providing an official voice through which student opinions are expressed through shared governance of the University. (2) Assisting in the protection of student rights and interests of the student body. (3) Stimulating the educational, social, physical and cultural wellbeing of the University Community. (4) Investing in and providing services and programs that meet the needs of students and the campus. All positions in ASI are appointed by students for students.

The Academic Senate is the highest governing body for faculty at the university. It is composed of faculty elected to represent all of the university’s departments and programs. Under the university’s constitution, it is empowered to formulate, review, revise, and adopt all policies regarding the university’s educational mission, including matters directly affecting the institution’s budget. Through the Academic Senate, the faculty has the primary responsibility the university’s most fundamental responsibilities of curriculum, methods of instruction, research and creative activity, faculty status, and those aspects of student life related to the educational process. Most importantly, the Academic Senate defends the academic freedom of all faculty at Fresno State consistent with the principals laid down by the American Association of University Professors.

The Staff Assembly is the highest governing body for both academic and non-academic staff at the university. The goals of the Staff Assembly are to promote the interests of campus staff through social and engagement activities at Fresno State. This includes, but is not limited to: (1) Provide a vehicle to promote staff engagement and involvement to various programs and activities and foster an opportunity to be more involved and informed of the functions on campus. (2) Collaborate, as needed, in facilitating staff appointments to social and engagement committees. (3) Stand as a University-recognized organization for all staff to support social and engagement activities - pertaining to the University that are outside the scope of the HEERA and the concerns of employee organizations. (4) Provide opportunities for staff to form a cohesive community in the workplace. (5) Provide a vehicle for staff engagement and networking. (6) Provide opportunities for staff recognition and appreciation.

The California State University system's highest governing body is the California State University Board of Trustees. The CSU Board of Trustees is a 25-member governance board that adopts regulations and policies governing the entire CSU system. This group governs the CSU system as a whole and is the highest governing board for the system, but may not routinely have representative members from Fresno State specifically. Board committees have authority over educational policy, finance, campus planning, and facilities, among other areas.

Membership of the board of trustees is composed of five (5) ex-officio Trustees (including the governor of CA, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the assembly, the state superintendent of public instruction, and the CSU chancellor), and nineteen (19) trustees who are generally appointed by the Governor.

Of the nineteen (19) governor-appointed trustees, two (2) are students, one (1) is an alumni from the CSU Statewide Alumni Council, one (1) is faculty from the Statewide Academic Senate, and the others represent diverse stakeholder groups from across the state.

For more information on the CSU Board of Trustees, please visit: https://www2.calstate.edu/csu-system/board-of-trustees/Pages/default.aspx

For more information about current membership of the Board of Trustees, please visit: https://www.calstate.edu/csu-system/board-of-trustees/meet-the-board-of-trustees

In addition to the Board of Trustees, the University Advisory Board assists the university in effectively carrying out its mission. The Advisory Board serves in an advisory capacity and is used at the discretion of the University President to seek counsel and advice as needed. This Board is called to action 2-4 times a year to discuss a matter chosen by the President. Occasionally, the President will call on specific members of this Board when that member has expertise in a field related to the issue at hand. A full list of members can be found here: http://www.fresnostate.edu/president/administration/advisory-board.html

Furthermore, the President's newly established Connection Booth in the heart of the campus (commonly referred to as the "Quad") gives the campus and surrounding community the opportunity to speak to the President, other members of the University Cabinet, Deans, or other Administrators. Anyone is welcome to stop by the Connection Booth to ask questions, voice concerns, or learn more about the university. The schedule for who will be present at the Connection Booth can be found at the following website, which also includes a digital form to submit feedback in case you cannot attend the Connection Booth in person: https://president.fresnostate.edu/connection-booth.html

http://fresnostateasi.org
http://www.fresnostate.edu/academics/senate/
http://fresnostate.edu/orgs/staffassembly/index.html
https://www2.calstate.edu/csu-system/board-of-trustees/Pages/default.aspx
http://www.fresnostate.edu/president/administration/advisory-board.html