Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 63.61
Liaison Greg Kozak
Submission Date March 3, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Northwestern University
PA-3: Governance

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.00 / 3.00 Christina Cilento
STARS Program Intern
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Do all enrolled students, regardless of type or status, have an avenue to participate in one or more governance bodies (through direct participation or the election of representatives)?:
Yes

A brief description of the mechanisms through which students have an avenue to participate in one or more governance bodies:

Any student may apply to join the Associated Student Government (ASG) on one of 11 committees, which oversee all aspects of student life, including Accessibility & Inclusion, Academics, Student Life, and Sustainability. In addition, students may run for a senate position for either the Greek, Residential, or Student Group, caucuses. If students do not wish to join ASG, they may participate in the election of their senators and of the student body President and Executive Vice President. Graduate students also have the chance to participate in student senates at each of the schools.


Is there at least one student representative on the institution’s governing body who was elected by peers or appointed by a representative student body or organization?:
No

A brief description of student representation on the governing body, including how the representatives are selected:

The undergraduate ASG President may request to meet or present with the Board of Trustees, but the President does not have a formal seat on the body.


Do students have a formal role in decision-making in regard to the following?:
Yes or No
Establishing organizational mission, vision, and/or goals Yes
Establishing new policies, programs, or initiatives Yes
Strategic and long-term planning Yes
Existing or prospective physical resources Yes
Budgeting, staffing and financial planning Yes
Communications processes and transparency practices Yes
Prioritization of programs and projects Yes

A brief description of the formal student role in regard to each area indicated, including examples from the previous three years:

Students are frequently asked to serve as representatives to search committees, working groups, feedback groups, and strategic planning committees for the university. For instance, student feedback groups have been convened for input on the creation of a new student center and changes to dining services. Members of the undergraduate student government served on a Provost’s Task Force that will set the academic goals of NU for the next 25 years. In 2015, student leaders from across campus were also asked to interview and evaluate candidates for positions in the Student Conduct office and the Center for Student Involvement.


Do all staff, regardless of type or status, have an avenue to participate in one or more governance bodies (through direct participation or the election of representatives)?:
Yes

A brief description of the mechanisms through which all staff have an avenue to participate in one or more governance bodies:

Any staff may serve on the Northwestern University Staff Advisory Council, which “participates, assists, and advises in decision-making processes affecting the staff’s relationship with the larger University community.” Staff may serve on the council after applying and being offered a position by the President. The council hears and reviews staff concerns, suggests improvements in staff relations, recommends staff appointments to necessary university committees, and serves as the “sounding board” to the administration for issues that affect staff.


Is there at least one non-supervisory staff representative on the institution’s governing body who was elected by peers or appointed by a representative staff body or organization?:
No

A brief description of non-supervisory staff representation on the governing body, including how the representatives are selected:
---

Do non-supervisory staff have a formal role in decision-making in regard to the following? :
Yes or No
Establishing organizational mission, vision, and/or goals Yes
Establishing new policies, programs, or initiatives Yes
Strategic and long-term planning Yes
Existing or prospective physical resources Yes
Budgeting, staffing and financial planning Yes
Communications processes and transparency practices Yes
Prioritization of programs and projects Yes

A brief description of the formal staff role in regard to each area indicated, including examples from the previous three years:

Like students, staff are often sought out for participation in working groups across the university. They serve on diversity councils and working groups, which shape the future of inclusion and accessibility at Northwestern. They also are members of the Sustainability Working Groups, budgeting committees, and search groups for new faculty and staff positions.


Do all faculty, regardless of type or status, have an avenue to participate in one or more governance bodies (through direct participation or the election of representatives)?:
Yes

A brief description of the mechanisms through which all faculty (including adjunct faculty) have an avenue to participate in one or more governance bodies:

Any faculty member may be a representative on the Faculty Senate, which “consider[s], make[s] recommendations, and pass[es] resolutions concerning matters of general university interest including all educational and research endeavors, hiring policy, the tenure and promotion system, and campus life.” Faculty members may serve on the Senate either as the representative of their department, or as a non-tenure track representative of their school. Appointments are elected by department faculty.


Is there at least one teaching or research faculty representative on the institution’s governing body who was elected by peers or appointed by a representative faculty body or organization?:
No

A brief description of faculty representation on the governing body, including how the representatives are selected:

Although faculty do not have representation directly on the Board of Trustees, the Faculty Senate may make requests to present to the Board of Trustees, and also makes recommendations to the Trustees surrounding new hires, honorary degrees, etc.


Do faculty have a formal role in decision-making in regard to the following?:
Yes or No
Establishing organizational mission, vision, and/or goals Yes
Establishing new policies, programs, or initiatives Yes
Strategic and long-term planning Yes
Existing or prospective physical resources Yes
Budgeting, staffing and financial planning Yes
Communications processes and transparency practices Yes
Prioritization of programs and projects Yes

A brief description of the formal faculty role in regard to each area indicated, including examples from the previous three years:

Faculty are frequently involved in decision making at the University for academic affairs. This year, faculty served on a search committee for the new Dean of the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences. Faculty also serve on the Sustainability Council to prioritize sustainability goals for the University and were represented on the Provost’s Task Force, which will shape the development of academic curricula at NU for the next 25 years.


The website URL where information about the institution’s governance structure is available:
---

Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
---

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.