Montana State University
PA-3: Inclusive and Participatory Governance

Associated Students of Montana State University: ASMSU is the voice of the students, dedicated to enhancing the college experience at Montana State University with leadership and employment opportunities, diverse student-oriented programs and services, and responsible fiscal management of student activity fees.

Faculty Senate: The Faculty Senate is composed of representatives from each academic department, the Library, the Agricultural Research Centers, and the Agricultural Extension Service. Faculty Senate is the chief governance body of the faculty at Montana State University-Bozeman. Under the governance authority of the Montana University System, the Faculty Senate frames policies, procedures and standards of the Faculty Handbook, oversees the curricula, evaluates new academic programs, and serves to enhance communication between MSU faculty, administration, and students.

MSU recognizes the importance of shared governance at MSU and are committed to further developing a dynamic participative governance process that actively solicits input, advice and perspectives from university stakeholders and to work together in a collaborative environment with the institution’s administrative leadership regarding campus issues, policies, and procedures that impact the direction of the university.

All Staff Council: The primary mission of MSUASC shall be to serve as the voice of MSU staff; promote a positive and collaborative campus work environment; advise the President and senior administrators on employee engagement and working climate; and to support the land-grant mission through a commitment to excellence in education, research, creativity, and civic responsibility.

University Council: The mission of the University Council shall be to ensure that the institutional policies and procedures support the university's strategic plan and land grant mission.

Areas of Responsibility
-To establish and maintain reciprocal communication with representatives from the constituent groups on the Council regarding programs, policies and procedures that have campus wide impact.
-To study, advise and recommend to the President and, through the President, to the Board of Regents on matters of policy and procedure that have campus wide impact.
-To assume such other responsibilities as assigned by the President.

All governance council and committee meetings are publicly noticed and open to the public. Additionally, many advisory boards and committees exist and use various means to engage external stakeholders. Every college, university institute, and center has an external advisory board that helps guide and shape the direction of the university. The Deans and Directors of these programs have seats on governance councils and bring external voices and perspectives into decision-making conversations.

A few of the Montana State University programs that go above and beyond to include external stakeholders' voices in the institutional decisions that affect them are as follows:
The President's Annual Bus Tour: Established by President Cruzado in 2012, the annual summer bus tour aims to put the president and other MSU leaders face-to-face with the Montana communities served by the university’s land-grant mission with the aim of establishing a deeper understanding of the state and its people. During each 3 day tour, MSU leadership and student leaders meet with elected officials, Regents, and community members to discuss matters of the state and Montana State University

Academic Technology and Outreach (ATO) is a division of the Office of academic affairs and the Provost's Office at MSU. ATO is an academic outreach arm of Montana State University, dedicated to sharing MSU's vast resources with the citizens of our communities at the local, state, regional, national and international level. Academic Technology & Outreach works with numerous MSU partners as well as community organizations and private individuals. ATO sponsors the OSHER Life Long Learning Institute (OLLI) which sponsors public events and programs on issues of interest to the greater Gallatin Valley community. OLLI frequently hosts community events with elected officials. The ATO invites community feedback and insights so that the university's outreach and engagement efforts can further improve the lives of Montana citizens

The Alumni Engagement Advisory Board (AEAB) supports the engagement arm of the MSU Alumni Foundation (MSUAF) and woks with, supports and counsels the MSUAF Board of Governors in matters leading to higher levels of constituent engagement with the university. AEAB volunteers are dedicated to building and sustaining relationships with MSU alumni and friends, in order to help advance Montana State University. The board and supported team, work on strategic engagement opportunities; offer direction in the planning and evaluation of events and outreach; provide input on the development and implementation of new and existing programs that benefit affiliates of MSU; advise on special projects, events, chapters and target regions, reunions and audiences, as well as partnerships with campus entities.

MSU Extension works in collaboration with local partners to identify emerging needs, plans and prioritize work to support those needs. There are 94 MSU Extension agents and 26 subject matter experts serving local needs in all 56 counties and 7 reservations with one mission: to improve the lives of Montana citizens by providing unbiased, research-based education and information that integrates learning, discovery and engagement to strengthen the social, economic and environmental well-being of individuals, families and communities. MSU Extension creates and extends resources to serve the interests of individuals, families and communities.