Overall Rating Bronze - expired
Overall Score 39.47
Liaison Kirk Hemphill
Submission Date March 1, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Florida Institute of Technology
PA-3: Participatory Governance

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.75 / 3.00
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Part 1

Do the institution’s students have a representative body through which they can participate in governance (e.g. a student council)? :
Yes

Do the institution’s students have an elected representative on the institution’s highest governing body?:
No

If yes to either of the above, provide:

A brief description of the bodies and mechanisms through which students are engaged in governance, including information to support each affirmative response above:
The Student government Association (SGA) is a student run organization for the students. It consists of peer elected and peer appointed student representatives that act as liaisons between the students and the faculty, staff and administration. SGA is the medium through which students can comment and discuss issues affecting the student body, make recommendations for improving student life and contribute to the greatness of our university. SGA primarily exists to address student concerns and needs while providing services that enhance overall student life and development. The SGA president also attends the Board of Trustees, Academic Affairs Committee each quarter to discuss issues and present the status of the student body.

Do the institution’s staff members have a representative body through which they can participate in governance (e.g. a staff council)?:
Yes

Do the institution’s non-supervisory staff members have an elected representative on the institution’s highest governing body?:
No

If yes to either of the above, provide:

A brief description of the bodies and mechanisms through which staff are engaged in governance, including information to support each affirmative response above:
The purpose of the Staff Advisory Committee is to enhance employee morale, improve the work environment by identifying current work issues and challenges, and offer suggestions to the President for positive changes in this regard.

Do the institution’s teaching and research faculty have a representative body through which they can participate in governance (e.g. a faculty senate)?:
Yes

Do the institution’s teaching and research faculty have an elected representative on the institution’s highest governing body? :
No

If yes to either of the above, provide:

A brief description of the bodies and mechanisms through which teaching and research faculty are engaged in governance, including information to support each affirmative response above:
The functions of the Faculty Senate shall be to consider policies affecting the academic activities of the university, faculty, welfare, administration, scholarship, awarding of degrees and such other matters as may maintain and promote the best interests of the university. The Faculty Senate shall recommend to the Vice President for Academic Affairs the establishment of new policies or changes to existing policies and report its actions to the academic faculty.

Part 2

Does the institution have written policies and procedures to identify and engage external stakeholders (i.e. local residents) in land use planning, capital investment projects, and other institutional decisions that affect the community?:
Yes

A copy of the written policies and procedures:
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The policies and procedures:
Mission _Facilitating Relationships: University, Government, Community Outreach _Opportunity _Collaboration _Connecting Business, Community and Florida Tech Values and Integration Old definition of Economic Development: _Create industrial parks … _Upgrade utilities and transportation infrastructure … _Relocate companies using incentives supported by taxpayers and public policy Economic Development in the 21st century Global Knowledge Economy: Expansion of Capacities … _that contribute to the advancement of society … _through the realization of individuals’, firms’, and communities’ potential. Economic Development with a Higher Education bent to it: Proactive institutional engagement … _With partners and stakeholders … _In sustainable growth of competitive capacities, whether research or entrepreneurship _That contribute to the advancement and quality of life of society … _Through the realization of individual, firm, community, and regional economic and social potential. Put into terms that all of us know and love: _Human capital / talent development; _Research and innovation (in science, technology, public policy, humanities and social realms); and _Stewardship of place. In other words: _Teaching and Preparing the Workforce _Research and Technology Commercialization; _Service to the Community and Enhancement of Quality of Life http://www.fit.edu/external-relations/mission.php#.WLSIyG8rJhE

Does the institution have formal participatory or shared governance bodies through which community members representing the interests of the following stakeholder groups can regularly participate in institutional governance?:
Yes or No
Local government and/or educational organizations No
Private sector organizations Yes
Civil society (e.g. NGOs, NPOs) No

If yes to one or more of the above, provide:

A brief description of the bodies and mechanisms through which external stakeholders are engaged in institutional governance (including information about each stakeholder group selected above):
External stakeholders play a key role at Florida Tech as they represent a majority of the Board of Trustees (BOT) that assist in managing the institution. The majority of the BOT's represent executives from private sector organizations. Members meet every fiscal quarter in various committees that focus on academic affairs, finance, and planning.

Optional Fields 

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
http://www.fit.edu/

Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Data sourced from the University's Strategic Plan, Board of Trustees, The Office of External Relations & Economic Development (ERED), The Office of Development, and the Office of the President.

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.