Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 67.06
Liaison Allie Schwartz
Submission Date April 14, 2015
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Columbia University
PA-3: Governance

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.00 / 3.00 Jessica Prata
Assistant Vice President
Environmental Stewardship, Columbia University Facilities and Operations
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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:

This information may be found within the academic sections of this report.


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:

Undergraduate and graduate students are represented on our central Sustainability Advisory Committee. Student EcoReps leaders are selected to participate. There is also an Earth Institute Student Advisory Committee. Each school Dean identifies a student to participate on this group.


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 Yes
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:

There are many student groups on campus that any enrolled student has the ability to join.
Additionally, students sit on the Sustainability Advisory Committee, as well as the Dining Advisory Committee and Housing Advisory Committee, and are pivotal in making all decisions.


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:

In the coming year we will be engaging more broadly and this will give staff the opportunity to voluntarily engage in working groups focused on key impact areas of sustainability.


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?:
Yes

A brief description of non-supervisory staff representation on the governing body, including how the representatives are selected:

The members of the Environmental Stewardship office participate in the Sustainability Advisory Committee, along with the Director of Programs from the Earth Institute. All were nominated by their peers and/or supervisors to participate.


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 No
Budgeting, staffing and financial planning No
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:

Members of the Environmental Stewardship office contribute to the areas above.


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 Sustainability Advisory Committee will review this in 2014-2015.


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?:
Yes

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

The Director of Programs, Earth Institute was selected by administration of the Earth Institute.


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 No
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:

The Sustainability Advisory Committee will review this in 2014-2015.


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