Overall Rating Silver
Overall Score 47.06
Liaison Daniela Shebitz
Submission Date Dec. 11, 2023

STARS v2.2

Kean University
PA-3: Inclusive and Participatory Governance

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.38 / 3.00 Orley Wainberg
VP for Finance
Finance
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have formal participatory or shared governance bodies through which the following stakeholders can regularly participate in the governance of the institution?:
Yes or No
Students Yes
Academic staff Yes
Non-academic staff Yes

A brief description of the institution’s formal participatory or shared governance bodies:

The University’s governance structure engages several internal comprehensive committees, including the University Senate, a 30-member elected body of faculty, staff, librarians and administrators. The Senate is the principal agent for the formulation of Kean University policy. The Senate and its elected and appointed committees communicate recommendations to the President on such matters as faculty affairs, curriculum, instruction, student affairs, finances and other matters relevant to the welfare of Kean University. In addition, the University Planning Council (UPC) is responsible for writing, implementing and assessing the University’s strategic plan by establishing measurable goals, objectives and indicators of institutional effectiveness. The UPC is a broad-based governing body that draws its membership from appointed and elected constituencies throughout the campus. The UPC ensures that all major plans, decisions and initiatives are consistent with the mission of the institution and the current Strategic Plan, Student governance bodies include the Student Organization Executive Board as well as the Graduate and Part-time Student Council. Student Leadership Council (℅ VP for Student Affairs); President’s Advisory Council (℅ President’s Office); and Student representation on university committees. Kean University also adheres to collective bargaining agreements with unionized labor constituents represented by the Kean Federation of Teachers (KFT), Kean University Adjunct Faculty Federation (KUAFF), Communication Workers of America (CWA), and the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), the New Jersey State Policeman's Benevolent Association (NJSPBA) , the New Jersey Law Enforcement Supervisors Association (NJLESA), and the New Jersey Superior Officers Law Enforcement Association (NJSOLEA). In the spirit of shared governance, the members of the various committees of the University Senate, agencies and administration work together as active participants in the development of University policies and programs. The University’s Strategic Plan is one example of broad campus input and shared decision making leading to consensus on future direction and new initiatives, with emphasis on supporting and amplifying diversity in the workforce. Campus constituents embrace the shared benefits and responsibilities guiding the University on its path to excellence.


Total number of individuals on the institution’s highest governing body:
16

Number of students representing their peers as official members of the institution’s highest governing body:
1

Number of academic staff representing their peers as official members of the institution’s highest governing body:
0

Number of non-academic staff representing their peers as official members of the institution’s highest governing body:
0

Number of women serving as official members of the institution’s highest governing body:
4

Percentage of official members of the highest governing body that are women:
25

Website URL where information about the institution’s highest governing body may be found:
Does the institution host or support one or more formal bodies through which external stakeholders have a regular voice in institutional decisions that affect them?:
No

A brief description of the campus-community council or equivalent body that gives external stakeholders a regular voice in institutional decisions that affect them:
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Number of people from underrepresented groups serving as official members of the institution’s highest governing body.:
4

Website URL where information about the institution’s governance structure is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.