University of Maryland, Baltimore County
PA-3: Inclusive and Participatory Governance
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.12 / 3.00 |
Does the institution have formal participatory or shared governance bodies through which the following stakeholders can regularly participate in the governance of the institution?:
| Yes or No | |
| Students | Yes |
| Academic staff | Yes |
| Non-academic staff | Yes |
A brief description of the institution’s formal participatory or shared governance bodies:
University Steering Committee
The University Steering Committee leads UMBC’s shared governance process. Its members are: the president and vice presidents of the Faculty Senate, Graduate Student Association, Non-Exempt Staff Senate and Professional Staff Senate; the president and the speaker of the Student Government Association; and the President of UMBC, ex officio, or President’s designee. The committee establishes rules insuring the proper coordination of the five Senates, appoints ad hoc committees on shared issues and represents the interests of the five Senates to the UMBC Administration, the USM Administration, and the Board of Regents.
Faculty Senate
The Faculty Senate supports the success of faculty and students through its central role in the shared governance process. It speaks on behalf of the faculty in regards to faculty independence, promotion, tenure, and retention; requirements for awarding undergraduate and graduate degrees; and reviews of academic departments and programs. It also supports and makes recommendations regarding the establishment of policies for the research, scholarship, and creative activities that are the cornerstone of a strong university.
Graduate Student Association (GSA)
The Graduate Student Association represents the interests and concerns of all graduate students attending UMBC, by providing them with a forum for discussions of and recommendations on matters involving graduate students and their welfare at UMBC.
Non-Exempt Staff Senate (NESS)
The Non-exempt Staff Senate represents the interests and concerns of all levels of the non-exempt staff not otherwise represented by an exclusive bargaining agent; supports the administration and academic community with the knowledge, skills, and abilities of this constituency; provides a forum for discussion and recommendation on matters involving this constituency and the welfare of UMBC; participates, in an advisory capacity, in the review and implementation of University policies.
Professional Staff Senate (PSS)
The Professional Staff Senate represents the interests and concerns of the exempt staff at UMBC; certifies elections of members to committees as provided in the Plan of Organization; provides a forum for discussion and recommendations on matters involving exempt staff and the welfare of UMBC; reviews academic and administrative policy as it affects the exempt staff; develops committees and acts within these committees as a vehicle to serve the membership.
Student Government Association (SGA)
The Student Government Association promotes the recognition of students’ rights and responsibilities; individual and collective thought; student interests and needs; and school spirit and involvement. It empowers the student body to defend this mission.
Adjunct Faculty Advisory Committee
The UMBC Adjunct Faculty Advisory Committee (AFAC) is an elected body charged with communicating adjunct needs and concerns to the campus administration, making recommendations related to adjunct professional development and working conditions, and providing advice in the development and implementation of policies and procedures related to adjunct faculty.
Total number of individuals on the institution’s highest governing body:
Number of students representing their peers as official members of the institution’s highest governing body:
Number of academic staff representing their peers as official members of the institution’s highest governing body:
Number of non-academic staff representing their peers as official members of the institution’s highest governing body:
Number of women serving as official members of the institution’s highest governing body:
Percentage of official members of the highest governing body that are women:
Website URL where information about the institution’s highest governing body may be found:
Does the institution host or support one or more formal bodies through which external stakeholders have a regular voice in institutional decisions that affect them?:
A brief description of the campus-community council or equivalent body that gives external stakeholders a regular voice in institutional decisions that affect them:
UMBC established a unique community collaboration in the part of town, Arbutus, neighboring the campus - OCA Mocha. OCA-Mocha opened in late November 2019 as a shared, multi-purpose space that fosters ongoing engagement between the UMBC campus community and neighboring communities. OCA Mocha offers two pathways for engagement: the Office of Community Affairs (OCA) and a collaborative coffeehouse space, Mocha. The shared experiences at OCA Mocha will support the building of strong relationships and the growth of economic development for the Southwest Baltimore County community as a whole.
The OCA ’s function is to connect UMBC’s resources to neighboring communities, while Mocha - the coffee shop - promotes opportunity, collaboration, and innovation by attracting community and university members and driving revenue to support the efforts of OCA. Community members can stop by at the regular OCA events and discuss topics with representatives from UMBC. Additionally, UMBC's Executive Director of UMBC Transit & Community Connections (Joe Reiger) is often available at OCA Mocha outside of the regular OCA events and is always willing to discuss topics with local community members. https://umbc.edu/stories/umbc-celebrates-opening-of-student-venture-oca-mocha-where-coffee-meets-community. Joe also serves on the Board of the Greater Arbutus Business Association (GABA) which allows him to establish an open line of communication with local business members too.
UMBC is a partner and supporter with both the Greater Arbutus Business Association and the Catonsville Chamber of Commerce to promote local businesses to the campus community and provide opportunities for community members and university officials to engage on a regular basis.
The Greater Arbutus Business Association (GABA) was founded in 2017 to promote business development in the Greater Arbutus area. The GABA is a not-for-profit association of local businesses, schools, organizations, and professionals that work together to improve the quality of life in the Greater Arbutus area. The Greater Arbutus Business Association stimulates growth and networking among community businesses, provides an avenue to voice concerns to civic leaders and elected officials, facilitates the beautification of Arbutus and helps maintain a thriving business marketplace. UMBC currently has eight employees listed as GABA members in addition to two institutional memberships. To learn more about GABA visit: https://arbutus.org/
The Greater Catonsville Chamber of Commerce has been a powerful connector and impactful leader in the community since 1946 and are dedicated to the growth and success of the unique business community. UMBC is an active member of the Chamber and has one employee serving as the Chamber'sBoard of Directors Secretary. For additional information please visit: https://www.catonsville.org/
UMBC's Office of Institutional Advancement (OIA) is charged with hosting and supporting the UMBC Community Engagement Team. The team, comprised of UMBC employees, plans and executes strategies, communications, and events that build internal campus community and strengthen relationships with external stakeholders, including neighbors and public officials. (https://oia.umbc.edu/tell-your-story/)
Number of people from underrepresented groups serving as official members of the institution’s highest governing body.:
Website URL where information about the institution’s governance structure is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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.