Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 54.80
Liaison Daniel Dixon
Submission Date March 1, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of Maine
PA-3: Participatory Governance

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.25 / 3.00 Karina Graeter
Sustainability Coordinator
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

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:
Umaine has two student governments, the University of Maine Student Government (UMSG) and the Graduate Student Government (GSG). UMSG is a distinct entity from the University of Maine, but maintains a special cooperative relationship as a direct-funded organization. Money is allocated every week back to the over 200 clubs and organizations on campus recognized by UMSG. UMSG also manages professional legal and risk management assistance for students and clubs. Senators and Executives strive to represent every student on this campus to the university, the university system, and the wider community. Board of Trustees representatives are elected for a two year term. (Source: https://umaine.edu/umsg/) The Graduate Student Government exists to promote the interests of all graduate students at the University of Maine and is committed to fostering a culture of diversity and inclusivity within the graduate student body. As a point of contact between graduate students and the academic administration, Board of Trustees, and community partners, the GSG works directly on policies and services that affect graduate students. The GSG organizes professional development workshops, votes on our healthcare plan, supports graduate student research in the form of competitive grants, hosts socials, and performs many other services throughout the year. Board of Trustees representatives are elected for a two year term. (Source: https://umaine.edu/gsg/) From the Board of Trustees policy manual (http://www.maine.edu/about-the-system/board-of-trustees/policy-manual/section205/): “The faculty and student governing bodies at each university are charged to develop procedures through the institution’s formal committee selection processes for the election of one member each as representatives to the Board of Trustees. Normally, the representative is expected to complete a two year term; therefore, it is an expectation that the minimum term of service by both faculty and student representatives to the Board be two years. The nominations will be forwarded through the Presidents to the Chancellor for submission to the Board for Trustee approval.”

Do the institution’s staff members have a representative body through which they can participate in governance (e.g. a staff council)?:
Yes

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:
UMaine has two employee councils, the Classified Employees Advisory Council (CEAC) and the Professional Employees Advisory Council (PEAC). CEAC provides a representative voice for University of Maine classified employees to establish rapport and maintain communication among classified employees, the administration and the University community as a whole. (Source: https://umaine.edu/ceac/) PEAC exists to encourage, facilitate and contribute to collegiality among professional staff, administration, and the larger campus community at the University of Maine. The goals of PEAC are to promote professional development, to recognize professional employees and the contributions they make to the University, to increase awareness of campus-wide resources and opportunities for collaboration, and to provide networking opportunities across campus. (Source: https://umaine.edu/peac/)

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 UMaine faculty body is the Faculty Senate.The Senate acts on behalf of the faculty in establishing university-wide degree requirements. It recommends policies to the president of the university in areas such as academic freedom, student academic standards and performance, and curriculum matters. The Senate also participates in processes leading to the appointment of academic and administrative officers including the president and vice presidents. One Faculty Senate member is elected for a two year term to serve as a representative to the Board of Trustees (Source: https://umaine.edu/facultysenate/about-us/) From the Board of Trustees policy manual (http://www.maine.edu/about-the-system/board-of-trustees/policy-manual/section205/): “The faculty and student governing bodies at each university are charged to develop procedures through the institution’s formal committee selection processes for the election of one member each as representatives to the Board of Trustees. Normally, the representative is expected to complete a two year term; therefore, it is an expectation that the minimum term of service by both faculty and student representatives to the Board be two years. The nominations will be forwarded through the Presidents to the Chancellor for submission to the Board for Trustee approval.”

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?:
No

A copy of the written policies and procedures:
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The policies and procedures:
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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 No
Private sector organizations No
Civil society (e.g. NGOs, NPOs) No

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):
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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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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.