Northwestern University
PA-3: Inclusive and Participatory Governance

ASG
The Associated Student Government (ASG) at Northwestern is dedicated to serving the undergraduate student body. The student representatives are elected by their peers and serve on one of 11 committees, which oversee all aspects of student life, including Accessibility & Inclusion, Academics, Student Life, and Sustainability.

Greek, Residential, or Student Group caucuses
Student affairs organizes a variety of councils and committees for shared governance within the Residential Colleges, Houses, and Fraternities and Sororities. These include and are not limited to the Council Executive Boards for the Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Association, National Pan-Hellenic Council and Multicultural Greek Council. All students living in onsite housing can run to be part of the Residential Hall Association, their Residential Hall/College Government, and/or the Residential College Board.

School and Special Student Senates/Advisory Boards
The Majority of Northwestern’s schools and colleges have student advisory boards. A few examples include the Student Advisory Board for the Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences, the Student Senate of Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, etc. Also, special Advisory Boards are convened by the university involving student representation and feedback for institutional decision-making on themes or key priority areas. Examples of this type of representation include the Office of Equity Student Advisory Board, the Campus Tree Advisory Committee (with student representatives), Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), etc.

NUSAC
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.

LSSAC
Any staff within the Pritzker School of Law may serve on the Northwestern Law School Staff Advisory Council, which “assists, participates, and advises in the decision-making process affecting staff within the Law School community.” This staff council is meant to promote a more connected and supportive community. As such, the council advocates for communication of policies and procedures to the campus community, encourages staff development, and sponsors staff activities.

Faculty Senate
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. 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.

Other Faculty and Staff Representation
Faculty and staff and frequently involved in decision making at the University for academic affairs, working groups, diversity councils, etc for a variety of ongoing and special projects. Examples include the Diversity Council, Sustainability Working Groups, Provost’s Task Forces, search committees for new Deans or other prominent roles.

Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees of Northwestern University establishes policies for the governance of the University and is responsible for general oversight of the management of the institution. The major responsibilities of the Board include: 1) advancement of the University; 2) protection and enhancement of assets; 3) preservation of institutional integrity; 4) Board/President relations; and
functioning of the Board.

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. 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.

Northwestern University has a City Committee in Evanston:

The University and the City have agreed to establish a special committee, comprised of: (i) two representatives from the University, one of whom shall be the Vice President with responsibility for development and land use issues, or other Vice President with responsibility for the issues to be discussed by the committee; (ii) two representatives of the community, who shall be chosen by and serve at the pleasure of the City Council; and (iii) the Alderman of the First Ward.

The Committee shall meet on a regular basis, or as needed, in meetings open to the public, to discuss and make good faith efforts to resolve issues relating to: (i) the University's proposed demolition of existing structures on, and/or new construction plans for, the University's current Tl and T2 District properties and the University's current Ul District properties; and (ii) other issues relating to planning, land use, building and zoning pertaining to the University's current Tl and T2 District properties and the University's current Ul District properties. Such issues shall include, but not be limited to, zoning, congestion, parking, noise, siting and appearance. This Committee shall also meet, as necessary, and as early as practicable, as part of a good faith effort to resolve issues between the Parties that may arise from time to time which relate to matters the City may be contemplating that would impact the University's current Tl and T2 District properties and the University's current Ul District properties, such as binding appearance review and parking issues. Nothing in this paragraph shall require the Committee to reach an agreement on the issues discussed.
https://www.cityofevanston.org/government/agendas-minutes/special-council-committees/northwestern-university-city-committee