Elon University
PA-3: Governance

The purpose of the Student Government Association, authorized by the Elon University Administration, shall be to represent the rights and opinions of the student body in a manner consistent with the mission of Elon University, to provide for appropriate student activities, and to join with the faculty and administrators of the University in building a stronger, more effective educational community. Members of SGA are elected by the undergraduate student body. There is also a Graduate Student Council, made up of elected graduate students, that represents the graduate student body.

Establishing new policies, programs or initiatives: Through SGA and/or special committees, students often have a voice in new policies, programs or initiatives. Strategic and long-term planning: There are student representatives on the long-range planning and strategic planning committees, as well as many other committees that do substantive work on campus.

The mission of the Staff Advisory Council is to facilitate active and direct communication between staff employees and the President and to provide a forum for input and discussion of issues important to the staff and the University. To achieve this mission, the Staff Advisory Council will: Participate in the shared governance of the university Serve as an advocate for staff and provide input in university initiatives and decisions Review and make recommendations on appropriate issues, policies and procedures Promote a positive and collaborative campus environment by strengthening communication between staff, faculty, students and administration Contribute to the university’s culture of community and recognition The Staff Advisory Council (SAC) represents all non-faculty employees of Elon University. Collectively, the university describes this group as staff. The Staff Advisory Council consists of fifteen representative seats and 2 non-voting members of Senior Staff. Each of the staff classifications control a predetermined number of representative seats as described below. • Administrative Staff (6 seats) • Office/Support Personnel (5 seats) • Physical Plant (4 seats) The President annually appoints the two non-voting members from the Senior Staff.

Establishing new policies, programs or initiatives: Through the Staff Advisory Council and/or special committees, non-supervisory staff often have a voice in new policies, programs or initiatives. Strategic and long-term planning: There are non-supervisory staff representatives on the long-range planning and strategic planning committees, as well as many other committees that do substantive work on campus. Regarding budgeting, staffing and financial planning, there is supervisory staff representation on the budget committee.

The Academic Council is the coordinating committee of the faculty and deliberates on any matter within the province of the faculty for the purpose of formulating general policy for approval or disapproval of the faculty. Those matters which are the responsibility of standing committees are referred to the appropriate committee. The Academic Council shall consist of 18 members elected for terms of 3 years, the chair of the University Curriculum Committee, without vote, an adjunct faculty representative, the president, without vote, and/or the provost/vice president for academic affairs, without vote. Eligibility to Serve. To serve as a voting member of the Academic Council, a faculty member must be a voting member under the terms of the faculty bylaws, and must have 2 years of service on the faculty. Divisional and school representatives must hold the rank of senior lecturer, associate professor, or above; at-large members must hold the rank of lecturer, assistant professor, or above. No more than two members of the faculty whose principal duties are administrative may serve on Academic Council at any one time. Eligibility to Vote for Members. All faculty members who have voting privileges under the terms of the faculty bylaws shall be eligible to vote for members of Academic Council. The only exception to this will be for the adjunct representative who will be elected by adjunct faculty.

Establishing organizational mission, vision, and/or goals: Through a special committee in conjunction with a SACS review there is faculty involvement in this area. Establishing new policies, programs or initiatives: Through Academic Council and/or special committees, faculty often have a voice in establishing new policies, programs or initiatives. Strategic and long-term planning: There are faculty representatives on the long-range planning and strategic planning committees, as well as many other committees that do substantive work on campus. Budgeting, staffing and financial planning: There are faculty representatives on the budget committee.