Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 65.76
Liaison Allison Jenks
Submission Date Jan. 26, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

New Mexico State University
PA-3: Participatory Governance

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.75 / 3.00 joni newcomer
Mgr. Env. Policy and Sustainability
Facilities and Services
"---" 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?:
Yes

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:
http://asnmsu.nmsu.edu/ As the elected government of the student body of New Mexico State University Associated Students of NMSU (ASNMSU) represents the students on city, university, state and federal levels. The president of ASNMSU serves on the University Board of Regents. All students are encouraged to participate in ASNMSU sponsored events, as well as to get involved with the inner workings of student government as an elected or appointed official. Associated Students of New Mexico State University is committed to serving the student body of NMSU. They endeavor to enhance the college experience by providing valuable programs, events, and services to the students of NMSU. As a governing body, it is our duty to use decorum in all situations involving our constituents and the image of the university community. In future years, ASNMSU seeks to continually grow with the university. This is attainable through ever progressive technology, resources and leadership. They are committed to serving current students, as well as positioning themselves to sustain future administrations. Above all they represent the interests of the student body at all times.

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?:
Yes

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 NMSU Employee Council’s function is to perform the following: a) review and develop proposals on matters involving the policies and procedures of the administration of the university, b) make recommendations to the University President and/or units based on such reviews, and c) provide communication between the staff and the administration of the university including community colleges. This is an elected position and this position serves on the Board of Regents. https://empcouncil.nmsu.edu/

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:
TEACHING: The Faculty Senate is the voice of the NMSU Faculty and plays a critical role in the shared governance of the institution. As established in NMSU Policy, the Faculty Senate has legislative jurisdiction over policies affecting the university’s academic mission. All senators participate in one of four standing committees. These are charged with reviewing, modifying, and recommending legislation for action by the full senate. The senate meets a minimum of once a month to fulfill its obligations in a timely manner. The Faculty Senate has a seat on the Board of Regents. https://facultysenate.nmsu.edu/ RESEARCH: The University Research Council (URC) is a "stand-alone" council established to foster research at New Mexico State University. Its role is to offer advice to the Vice President for Research and the Executive Vice President and Provost regarding research affairs at the University. The council defines needs of the faculty and other researchers; analyzes services, policies, and procedures that affect research; and makes recommendations which, in its view, will facilitate the research process and research productivity at the University. The URC is not a policy making body, but rather a council established to develop policy recommendations to be passed on, through the Vice President for Research to the Executive Vice President and Provost, the Academic Deans' Council, and the Faculty Senate. http://ovpr.research.nmsu.edu/URC

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:
The university president and others meet with community members. Our community outreach occurs on a regular basis with City of Las Cruces stakeholders such as the Public Schools Superintendent, City Manager, and Mayor. We hold public meetings for projects such as our Master Plan. Our “Town and Gown” committee was formed in 2012 to have an informal safe place to talk about community events and occurrences. Every quarter the president, provost, and real estate director meet with the Bureau of Land Management. Our University Architect sits on the "University Avenue Corridor" committee, the main thoroughfare NMSU shares with the City of Las Cruces. NGO’s, such as Mesilla Valley Economic Development Association meets with the Chancellor and other stakeholders with the university.

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 Yes
Private sector organizations Yes
Civil society (e.g. NGOs, NPOs) Yes

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):
NMSU Board of Regents, State Higher Education Department, and the State Board of Finance are all non-state employees (community members) that serve on boards as the University governing bodies.

Optional Fields 

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Higher Education Department: http://www.hed.state.nm.us/ State Board of Finance: http://nmdfa.state.nm.us/Board_Of_Finance.aspx NMSU Board of Regents: https://regents.nmsu.edu/

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.