| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 52.02 |
| Liaison | Christine Bruckner |
| Submission Date | Jan. 24, 2025 |
Illinois State University
PA-3: Institutional Governance
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.50 / 4.00 |
Christine
Bruckner Assistant Director Office of Sustainability |
3.1 Student participation in governance
Narrative and/or website URL outlining the ongoing bodies through which students can democratically participate in the governance of the institution:
Illinois State University has several governing bodies for students to democratically participate in the governance of the institution:
- Student Government Association is recognized as the official governing body of students at the University. The vision of the association is to be a recognizable and engaged governing body that enhances each student's daily Redbird experience by improving conditions that lead to personal success and preserving student rights. More information about the Student Government Association can be found on their website: https://sga.illinoisstate.edu/
- Association of Residence Halls serves as the voice of the students living in the residence halls at Illinois State University. ARH is the umbrella organization for the Residential Leadership Associations and the Diversity Coalition. These organizations are represented in all four residence halls/areas of campus. More information about this association can be found on their website: https://arh.illinoisstate.edu/
Are one or more student representatives included as members of the institution’s highest decision-making body?:
Narrative and/or website URL outlining student representation on the institution’s highest decision-making body:
The highest decision-making body of the institution is the Board of Trustees. It is the final authority in all matters affecting the institution, and it exercises jurisdiction over the institution's financial, educational, and other policies and its relation with the state and federal governments. The Board consists of seven members appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Illinois Senate for overlapping six-year terms. The eighth member of the Board is a student selected annually by the University. More information about the Board of Trustees can be found on their website: https://illinoisstate.edu/trustees/
Does at least one student representative have voting rights on the highest decision-making body?:
Description of other mechanisms used to consult students on institutional decisions, plans, or policies:
According to the governing document of the Board of Trustees, bylaws on meetings within section 6, "Each member of the Board, including the Student Trustee, shall cast one vote." All bylaws of the Board of Trustees can be found here: https://illinoisstate.edu/trustees/governing-documents/table-of-contents/
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
3.2 Academic staff participation in governance
Narrative and/or website URL outlining the ongoing bodies through which academic staff can democratically participate in the governance of the institution:
The Civil Service Council, Administrative Professional Council, Academic Senate, and Student Government Association all operate as part of the shared governance system at Illinois State University. Academic staff democratically participate in the governance of the institution through the Academic Senate which is responsible for recommending educational policies and advising the President of the University on their implementation. Over half of the membership of the Academic Senate is faculty members. More information about Academic Senate can be found here: https://academicsenate.illinoisstate.edu/about/
Are one or more academic staff representatives included as members of the institution’s highest decision-making body?:
Narrative and/or website URL outlining academic staff representation on the institution’s highest decision-making body:
The staff-representatives of the University's shared governance councils convene a Campus Communication Committee that reports to the Board of Trustees at every meeting about the current concerns of academic and non-academic staff that have come forward.
Does at least one academic staff representative have voting rights on the institution’s highest decision-making body?:
Description of other mechanisms used to consult academic staff on institutional decisions, plans, or policies:
Faculty are often surveyed or requested to participate in focus groups when the institution is looking at changing policies. For example, with the update of general education, faculty were first surveyed and then asked to participate in focus groups at town hall meetings to give their feedback on various versions of updates.
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
3.3 Non-academic staff participation in governance
Narrative and/or website URL outlining the ongoing bodies through which non-academic staff can democratically participate in the governance of the institution:
The Civil Service Council, Administrative Professional Council, Academic Senate, and Student Government Association all operate as part of the shared governance system at Illinois State University. Non-academic staff participate in the Civil Service and Administrative Professional Councils. While currently two distinct councils, work is underway to merge the two into one staff council. Both councils contain staff representatives and allow them to participate in the governance of the institution. They are called upon to address concerns of non-academic staff, serve as the representative body of non-academic staff, grant awards and scholarships to staff, provide a monthly newsletter for staff, and host social events.
More information about the Civil Service Council can be found here: https://cscouncil.illinoisstate.edu/
More information about Administrative Professional Council can be found here: https://apcouncil.illinoisstate.edu/
Are one or more staff members representing non-managerial workers included as members of the institution’s highest decision-making body?:
Narrative and/or website URL outlining non-academic staff representation on the institution’s highest decision-making body:
Does at least one staff member representing non-managerial workers have voting rights on the institution’s highest decision-making body?:
Description of other mechanisms used to consult non-academic staff on institutional decisions, plans, or policies:
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
3.4 Community participation in governance
Narrative and/or website URL outlining the ongoing bodies through which local community-based organizations can democratically participate in the governance of the institution:
Has the institution used one or more ad hoc mechanisms during the previous three years to consult local community members on institutional decisions, plans, or policies?:
Narrative and/or website URL outlining the ad hoc mechanisms used during the previous three years to consult local community members on institutional decisions, plans, or policies:
Community members have been invited to respond to surveys or participate in focus groups to gather their input on drafts of the University's new strategic plan. Community members were also asked to complete a town-gown survey in 2023 that helped the University identify areas of opportunity to further enhance the relationship between the community and the campus.
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
Optional documentation
Additional documentation for this credit:
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.