Santa Clara University
PA-3: Inclusive and Participatory Governance

The University Coordinating Committee (UCC) is the meta committee that makes governance more efficient, effective and responsive. It includes leadership from the following committees: https://www.scu.edu/governance/committees/university-coordinating-committee/

The Academic Affairs Committee works with the Provost to improve teaching and learning and the quality of academic programs. In that capacity, it serves as the final locus of dialogue in the formulation of University policies, procedures, and guidelines that relate to academic affairs. The Academic Affairs Committee makes its recommendations to the Provost. Chaired by a faculty member, the committee is made up of several faculty representatives and one student representative. https://www.scu.edu/governance/committees/academic-affairs-committee/

The Faculty Affairs Committee works with the Provost to promote the professional development of faculty. In this capacity it serves as the final locus of dialogue in the formulation of University programs, policies, and procedures pertaining to the responsibilities of the faculty. The Faculty Affairs Committee makes its recommendations to the Provost. Chaired by a faculty member, the committee is made up of several faculty representatives. https://www.scu.edu/governance/committees/faculty-affairs-committee/

The Faculty Senate gives voice to the views of the faculty on academic and professional matters, facilitates participation of the faculty in forming the policies of the University, and makes the collective experience and knowledge of the faculty available to the University administration and broader community. Chaired by a faculty member, the committee is made up of several faculty representatives. https://www.scu.edu/faculty-senate/

The Staff Affairs Committee promotes staff development and improves the quality of service and support provided. In this capacity, it serves as the final locus of dialogue in the formulation, review, and recommendation of policies and initiatives pertaining to the responsibilities, rights, and compensation of non-union staff members. The Staff Affairs Committee makes its recommendations to Human Resources. Chaired by a staff member, the committee is made up of several staff representatives. https://www.scu.edu/governance/committees/staff-affairs-committee/

The Staff Senate is the representative body for the staff assembly, which includes all Santa Clara University employees whose relationship to the University is primarily staff rather than faculty or student and who are not represented by a collective bargaining unit. Chaired by a staff member, the committee is made up of several staff representatives. https://www.scu.edu/staffsenate/

The Student Affairs Committee contributes to the improvement of student learning and the quality of the Santa Clara educational experience as related to co-curricular programs and student support services. The Committee serves as the final locus of dialogue in the formulation and recommendation of major policies and program initiatives that affect student life and that contribute to student satisfaction and success. The Student Affairs Committee makes its recommendations to the Provost. Chaired by a staff member, the committee is made up of several student representatives, few faculty representatives, and few staff representatives. https://www.scu.edu/governance/committees/student-affairs-committee/

The Associated Student Government of SCU, strives to better the Santa Clara Community through advocacy for and representation of the undergraduate student body’s diverse issues, concerns, and needs. Chaired by a student, the organization is made up of several student representatives. https://www.scu.edu/csi/asg/

The Planning Action Council promotes, coordinates, and oversees planning at the University level. It attempts to link the University's programs and services with its mission, markets, and resources. In meeting the challenges of external as well as the internal environment, it strives to display and foster strategic thinking, timely action, effective implementation, and adequate communication. Chaired by the President, the committee is made up of vice presidents, vice provosts, and academic deans. https://www.scu.edu/governance/committees/planning-action-council/

The University Budget Council develops the annual macro budget in the context of long-range financial planning. Chaired by the VP of Finance and Administration, the committee is made up of faculty and staff representatives. https://www.scu.edu/governance/committees/university-budget-council/

The Benefits Committee meets with representatives of and advises the Department of Human Resources and facilitates communication between the Department of Human Resources and the SCU community concerning benefit issues. The Benefits Committee makes its recommendations to Human Resources. Chaired by a staff member, the committee is made up of faculty and staff representatives. https://www.scu.edu/governance/committees/benefits-committee/

The Research Committee works with the Associate Vice Provost for Research to support faculty scholarship at the University. It makes recommendations to the Faculty Affairs Committee and sponsors programs to enhance scholarship. Chaired by a faculty member, the committee is made up of several faculty representatives. https://www.scu.edu/governance/committees/research-committee/

The Neighborhood-University Relations Committee (NURC) was established in 1990 and created a forum for on-going communication and problem solving among City officials, neighborhoods, property owners and Santa Clara University officials and students. NURC meetings are held three times annually on Monday evenings during the Santa Clara University academic year. Meetings are open to the public. https://www.santaclaraca.gov/our-city/government/city-committees/neighborhood-university-relations-committee-nurc

Academic programs and administrative divisions rely on advisory boards/councils to stay connected to industry partners, non-profit organizations with shared interests, as well as governmental organizations and educational institutions. Membership on these advisory boards/councils includes employees or leaders from each stakeholder group above. Examples include representation from our local Diocese, our city, our county, schools, local public and private businesses, and local non-profit organizations.

The following are a few of our advisory boards that have external stakeholders:
http://law.scu.edu/about/law-advisory-board/
https://www.scu.edu/business/about/leadership/advisoryboards/
https://www.scu.edu/cas/about-the-college/leadership-board/
https://www.scu.edu/ethics/about-the-center/people/advisory-board/