Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 75.64
Liaison Yolanda Cieters
Submission Date March 2, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Seattle University
PA-3: Participatory Governance

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.50 / 3.00 Phillip Thompson
Director
CEJS
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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:
As the elected representation of the Seattle University undergraduate student body, the Student Government of Seattle University (SGSU), formed in harmony with the University's mission, is the official voice and advocate for students. SGSU communicates with students regarding their collective and constituent interests, promotes opportunities for student leadership and involvement, assists in the development of a cohesive undergraduate community, and provides the undergraduate community with political and financial support. The Student Government of Seattle University (SGSU) is open to all to apply and participate in. SGSU works to serve the student body and act as a bridge between students and administration. See more here: https://www.seattleu.edu/sgsu/ Student Government of Seattle University (SGSU) and Graduate Student Council (GSC) have a representative on SU's Board of Trustees. SGSU also recommends students for each committee of the Board of Trustees.

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:
The University is in the process of creating a staff advisory council. No decisions about the structure and purpose of a Seattle University SAC have been made yet.

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? :
Yes

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 Academic Assembly is the elected body through which the faculty participates in decisions involving academic, university-wide matters, as well as areas that influence student learning. Such matters include among other things: academic quality, terms of faculty service, curricula that require coordination across programs, strategic planning, budgets, and physical facilities. Read more here: https://www.seattleu.edu/academicaffairs/standing-committees/academic-assembly/ The Academic Assembly also has a representative on SU's Board of Trustees and recommends a faculty representative to each committee of the Board of Trustees.

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:
The policies and procedures:
Yes, there are 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: The University’s Standing Advisory Committee (SAC) is supported by the City of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods and the University’s Director of Facilities Planning and Real Estate. The purpose of the SAC comprised of a representative group of adjacent community members, is to advise the University and the City of Seattle on matters related to monitoring compliance with the adopted master plan for the University. All University major projects are presented to the SAC for the members to comment on the concept plans and potential impacts on the surrounding community. The University also provides and presents annual summary reports to the Committee on any changes or progress meeting the requirements in the MIMP. Attached are the by-laws for the SAC. Below is the website that is available to the public. http://www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/programs-and-services/major-institutions-and-schools/major-institution-advisory-committees/seattle-university

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):
As a 501(c)(3) institution of higher education and Washington state not for profit corporation, the university is governed by an independent board of trustees. SU's Board of Trustees includes representatives from local government/educational organizations, the private sector, and the civil society. See more here: https://www.seattleu.edu/administration/board-of-trustees/

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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