Iowa State University
PA-3: Participatory Governance

The Student Government is the sole student organization on the campus of Iowa State University that exists to serve and represent all students. The mission of the organization is as follows: "We serve students and improve the student experience through advocacy and empowerment." Elections are held in the spring semester. Constituency councils can appoint members throughout the year. There are over 50 different university committees that appoint student government representatives to voice student opinions to administrative issues.

In addition, through Iowa Code Chapter 262, one member of the Board of Regents must be a full-time graduate or undergraduate student at one of the universities at the time of her or his appointment. Each of the three regent institutions take turns in appointing a student representative to the Board. Interested and eligible students submit an application to the university's president, who then includes Student Government (as well as other relevant student organizations and associations) on the selection process. The president then provides a slate of candidates to the governor to be vetted through the governor's office with final appointment being determined by the Governor of Iowa. Iowa State University will have the opportunity to appoint an ISU student in the next board cycle.

The Iowa State University Professional and Scientific (P&S) Council serves as a resource and an advocate for P&S employees. The Professional and Scientific Council is a representative body elected by, and responsible to, P&S employees at Iowa State University. The council identifies the needs of its constituents, provides information and advice in response to those needs, and recommends policies and procedures to the administration that benefit P&S employees and assist in fulfilling the mission of Iowa State University.

The mission of the Supervisory & Confidential Council is to facilitate communication on behalf of all S/C employees with the ISU Administration and to represent those employees working in a non-organized merit employment status.
The Council shall discuss, formulate and recommend to University administration on policies and procedures of common interest. The Council is made up of seven voting members and two ex-officio members, one member from Human Resource Services and one member from the Provost Office. Council members are elected from the approximately 200 S/C employees and serve for a three year term. The Council is responsible to the President of the University through the Assistant Vice President of Human Resource Services.

The Council selects three members to represent Iowa State University on the Regents Interinstitutional Supervisory/Confidential Advisory Council (RISCAC). Representatives from each of the three state universities; Iowa State University, University of Iowa and University of Northern Iowa; along with the Personnel Directors and the Regents Merit System Director meet four times a year to consult on policies and issues pertinent to S/C employees.

The Faculty Senate represents the general faculty of Iowa State University and participates in shared governance of the University with the administration. It is made up of 82 representatives elected by the general faculty, and divided into caucuses representing each of the seven colleges. The Faculty Senate has legislative responsibility for general academic and educational policy, serving to facilitate communication among faculty, students, and administration. It also cooperates with the administration in conflict resolution, and advises the administration on budgetary and other policy matters.

The Faculty Senate conducts its business through a system of five councils (Academic Affairs, Faculty Development and Administrative Relations, Faculty Governance, Judiciary and Appeals, and Resource Policies and Allocations) and their committees. The Executive Board of the Faculty Senate consists of the chairs of the five councils, the chairs of the seven college caucuses, and the officers. The Faculty Senate was established in 1988. Prior to that time, the General Faculty was the only mechanism for faculty participation in university governance, and meetings were poorly attended. A Faculty Council existed, but it was advisory and had no authority or responsibility.

When the University applies for a construction permit under Iowa’s NPDES General Permit No. 2. (sites 1 acre or greater of disturbed soils), a Notice of intent is completed which includes submitting a Public Notice to the Iowa State Daily. A notarized copy of the Daily is submitted to IDNR and kept on file for public comment. The Daily is the University’s largest local circulated newspaper. At the end of the public notices there is a written statement: Comments may be submitted to the Storm Water Discharge Coordinator, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division, 502 E. 9th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319-0034. The public may review the Notice of Intent from 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday, at the above address after it has been received by the department.

When the University renews the MS4 (University blanket storm water permit) every five years, ISU has to deliver public notices to various locations around the City of Ames and offer to hold a public hearing if requested.