University of Houston
PA-3: Governance

The Student Government Association (SGA) is a duly elected body of student representatives through which the student body can influence and change policies, which all students can participate in. The Sustainability Task Force also accepts open nominations from all students. All nominations are reviewed by the Sustainability Program Manager and Assistant Vice President for University Services. The AVP for University of Services then appoints two students to the task force from the open nominations pool.

The student government association is entirely made up of elected representatives from the student body. Elections are held every year and the student body votes on them. More information at: uh.edu/sga

The Student Government Association can, and has, influenced and inspired decision making in all areas listed above. They have influenced the requirement of an annual campus carbon footprint calculation. They have also spearheaded projects such as a the development of a new football stadium and University Center. Further, there is a student on the Board of Regents who is an ex-officio member with all of the non-voting privileges of other Regents. There are university committees that students serve on that directly make decisions regarding school policies and marketing. Additionally, all meetings within the university that are of a nature of policy decision-making and discussion are by state law required to be open to members of the university; as such, students can attend and have a voice at these meetings.

The University of Houston Staff Council is an advisory body to the President of the University and the University administration. Staff Council consists of elected staff members from each division who represent the entire staff body; Only benefits eligible staff can run for office and vote in elections. Council representatives participate on a variety of standing university advisory committees including the Sustainability Task Force. More information at: uh.edu/sc

All Staff Council members are elected by UH staff annually for three-year terms. The staff of each Division shall elect one representative per 100 benefits-eligible staff members in their division. The number of benefits-eligible staff within a division shall be rounded down if the total is 49 or fewer and rounded up if 50 or more. There is a minimum of one representative per division.

A strategic plan was implemented during the 2013-2014 year. The initiatives, goals and strategies are combined and overlapping in the work of the council, represented in each area indicated above, not only in the last three years but throughout the body’s history. The council is budgeted through the president’s office and in-kind donations. There is a full-time program manager that assists the administrative responsibilities of the group. The committees, executive committee and program manager comprise the following team, which implements each area indicated for effective planning and execution of business and activities that are documented in monthly and annual reports: Appointments – Staff UH standing committees with appropriate representation. Communications - Coordinates all communications to UH staff according to UH branding: Website, emails, flyers, campus display screens, etc. Cougar First Impressions - During the first two days of the fall and spring semesters, this group of 450 and more UH staff man 20 stations to greet, direct, answer questions of students and parents. Events – Plans and executes various events that provide hours/opportunities for the staff to serve people inside and outside of the UH community: Sock and Blanket Drive, Spring Egg Hunt, UH Benefits Fair, Conversations with Staff Council (Issues are shared, discussed that effect staff), Focus on Staff (UH administration is invited to speak to staff), Leadership program/luncheon, as well as others. These responsibilities overlap with the Staff Affairs committee work. Staff Affairs - The Staff Affairs Committee is responsible for identifying and analyzing all issues affecting the University of Houston’s staff at all levels. The committee formulates and presents recommendations to Staff Council to represent the staff perspective and advocate for staff interests with UH executive leadership.

The Faculty Senate is the governing body for UH faculty. A statement from the Faculty Senate Constitution: "Shared governance is the collective commitment of the faculty and administration at the University of Houston to work cooperatively, together with other University constituencies, to achieve a common vision of excellence for the University. Faculty Senate sends weekly informational mailings to all faculty. It operates its own website which provides contact information for all the Senate officers and committees. Faculty Senate meetings are open to all and notice of meetings is sent to all faculty. More information at: fs.uh.edu

Senators are elected from their respective colleges via online call for nominations and balloting. There are four types of Senate seats: at-large, graduate & professional studies, research & scholarship, and undergraduate.

The Senate Committees work on all major issues at the University. The Faculty Senate via its Executive Committee provides input to the Administration on all of the above items.

http://www.uh.edu/staff-council/ http://www.uh.edu/sga/