| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 48.19 |
| Liaison | Veronica Johnson |
| Submission Date | May 28, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Southwestern University
PA-3: Governance
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.00 / 3.00 |
Joshua
Long Assistant Professor Environmental Studies |
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)?:
A brief description of the mechanisms through which students have an avenue to participate in one or more governance bodies:
Students can voluntarily elect to place themselves on one of the ballots for representative seats on Student Congress. Campus-wide elections are held to determine results. Those elected to fill seats are required to sit on University governing committees (which consist of representatives from all governing bodies). Students can also sit on the Honor Code Council through a separate, more elaborate process (the only other student group designated as a governing body).
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?:
A brief description of student representation on the governing body, including how the representatives are selected:
Students have representation on almost every University governing committee (except for those pertaining to faculty affairs in which student representation is not necessary or appropriate i.e. tenure-track status review). 1-2 student representatives sit on each University committee; All seats are appointed by Student Congress, with a few exceptions. Some committees reserve one of the student seats for members of a particular department or student organization that has a unique perspective on the committee’s focus (ex: Diversity Enrichment holds a seat for a student member of the organization, the Coalition for Diversity and Social Justice).
There are also two recent graduates on the Board of Trustees who serve as voting members and were elected by the student 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:
Student representatives sit on University governing committees that involve strategic planning, financial planning, review and assessment of new programs and initiatives, staff affairs, and various aspects of academics and student life. Additionally, Student Congress is asked to provide feedback and insight on policy, new initiatives and future planning.
Unable to provide examples from past 3 years due to institution adopting new governing structure last fall, which has led to a huge increase in the role of Student Congress in the overall governing structure.
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)?:
A brief description of the mechanisms through which all staff have an avenue to participate in one or more governance bodies:
"The Staff Steering Committee is a body of elected staff representatives
gives staff a mechanism to have a voice and engagement in the governance of the Southwestern community.
Staff also have the opportunity to elect representatives on other committees at the University, most notably the Strategic Planning and Budget Committee. Additional staff members are appointed by the Staff Steering Committee to serve in various other governance bodies."
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?:
A brief description of non-supervisory staff representation on the governing body, including how the representatives are selected:
Non-supervisory staff are eligible for nomination, election and appointment to all governing bodies with staff representation.
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:
Throughout the Southwestern committee structure, there exists positions reserved for senior and non-supervisory staff to contribute to the decision making process on governance issues including planning & budget, strategic planning, communications, diversity enrichment, and numerous other aspects.
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)?:
A brief description of the mechanisms through which all faculty (including adjunct faculty) have an avenue to participate in one or more governance bodies:
All members of the faculty except for adjunct serve on governance bodies. There is the understanding that visiting and adjunct faculty are not required to participate, and this is a university policy intended to protect the time of these members of the community.
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?:
A brief description of faculty representation on the governing body, including how the representatives are selected:
Yes, all aspects of the governance system, including the most authoritative committees, have faculty representation. Faculty also have a representative on the Board of Trustees.
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:
Because the committee and governance structure of Southwestern includes opportunities for faculty, staff and students to participate at multiple levels, there is a role for all members of the community to participate in some capacity in all of the above mentioned categories.
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.