Overall Rating Reporter - expired
Overall Score
Liaison Megan Curtis-Murphy
Submission Date May 28, 2021
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Northeastern University
PA-3: Participatory Governance

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete Reporter Casey Shetterly
Special Projects - Sustainability
Facilities
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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:
The Student Government Association (SGA) serves as a representative of the undergraduate student body and seeks to enhance the Northeastern Experience. The Student Government Association is comprised of the Student Senate, six specialized committees, two boards that approve and fund student groups, a Sustainability Board and an Executive Cabinet. The SGA strives to promote student interests within the university and its surrounding communities in order to enrich the Northeastern educational experience and student life. As part of our mission, we allocate funds from the Student Activity Fee to many student organizations and events on campus.

Do the institution’s staff members have a representative body through which they can participate in governance (e.g. a staff council)?:
No

Do the institution’s non-supervisory staff members 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 staff are engaged in governance, including information to support each affirmative response above:
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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:
The goals of the Faculty Senate are: To act as a coordinating body to establish mutually satisfactory academic goals and standards among the various colleges and divisions. To be consulted as either a whole body or in appropriate committees on all policies, proposals, and problems of faculty concern, including such matters as the creation of new colleges, new campuses, and new departments. To initiate consideration and recommendation on any matter of faculty concern. To undertake such legislative and advisory functions in connection with the work of the University as may be referred to it by the President and Board of Trustees. To provide communication between the Administration and general University faculty.

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:
In an effort to engage in a more collaborative and open process regarding the University’s planning for physical development, the University, the City, the Boston Redevelopment Authority and the University’s neighbors from the Fenway, Roxbury, the South End and Mission Hill have joined in a Community Task Force public process mandated as part of the Institutional Master Planning process. These meetings are publicly posted and open to any member of the area. They continue to meet after the planning process to discuss issues related to the campus and hear concerns related to campus operations. Additionally, in an effort to keep dialogue open all the time, the University also developed a working Community Advisory Board that helps to address opportunities for educational access, workforce development, small business development and community capacity.

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):
Northeastern University strives to be a contributing institution to our vibrant Boston community. To that end, we are active members in numerous organizations and supporting networks in the metropolitan area in which we engage in regional planning. Initiatives range from transportation, fair housing, workforce development, and meeting the City of Boston's green commitments. The Boston Redevelopment Authority mandated the Community Task Force in order to address campus expansion. Similarly, the University has representatives on many neighborhood groups or associations like We are contributing members of the following organizations: Metropolitan Planning Council City of Boston's Green Ribbon Commission Higher Ed working Group Longwood Medical ?? Arts?? Mission Hill Neighborhood Fenway

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:
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