Pennsylvania State University
PA-3: Inclusive and Participatory Governance

The University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA) was formed in 2006 to work to improve all facets of student life for all undergraduate students at Penn State University Park. The UPUA works to provide students with representation at the highest levels of administration and build programs to benefit undergraduates at University Park. http://upua.org/

The Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA) is officially recognized by the University as the collective voice of the graduate and professional student body. The GPSA provides a unified and informed voice to the University’s administration, Board of Trustees, academic units, and other external organizations that make decisions on behalf of students. https://gpsa.psu.edu/

The University Faculty Senate is the representative body of Penn State’s faculty with legislative authority on all matters pertaining to the educational interests of the University and all educational matters that concern the faculties of more than one college. The Senate is recognized by the University as an advisory and consultative body to the President on all matters that may affect the attainment of the University’s educational objectives. https://senate.psu.edu/

The University Staff Advisory Council (USAC) is an advisory and consultative body to the Administration, through the Vice President for Human Resources, on issues, policies, and practices that relate to staff employees. It serves as a forum for the exchange of ideas among members of the University staff, suggest revisions and initiatives to improve staff policies, and advocates for staff welfare and development.
https://hr.psu.edu/university-staff-advisory-council

Penn State has an office of Local Government and Community Relations, which helps in the University’s efforts to bolster county and local economies, both with research and entrepreneurial ventures, and acts as a liaison between the University and surrounding State College community.
In addition to this office, ad hoc committees have formed to address specific issues of mutual concern to Penn State and the local community. For example, a committee made up of officials from Penn State, local government, Mount Nittany Health, and members of the Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County formed in 2020 to address concerns related to students' return to campus during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a prior year, the Campus Community Partnership United Against Dangerous Drinking was formed to address concerns related to students' consumption of alcohol and related behaviors.
As another indicator of Penn State's attention to campus-community relationships, in 2019 the University hosted the annual International Town & Gown Association’s City and University Relations Conference, which invited stakeholders from colleges and universities, government entities, and community partners to share promising town-gown practices.

Total number of individuals on the institution’s highest governing body includes only members eligible to vote.