Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 75.40
Liaison Mary-Lee Townsend
Submission Date Jan. 16, 2025

STARS v3.0

Western University
PA-3: Institutional Governance

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.50 / 4.00
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

3.1 Student participation in governance

Does the institution have one or more ongoing bodies through which students can democratically participate in the governance of the institution?:
Yes

Narrative and/or website URL outlining the ongoing bodies through which students can democratically participate in the governance of the institution:

There are dedicated seat on Western's Board of Governors and Senate for students. There are also undergraduate and graduate student councils.

--

Role of the Board

    To provide stewardship and ensure that University actions support University objectives.
    To participate in setting the mission and strategic plan of the University, and to focus on the strategic plan, once formulated.
    To appoint and support the President; to monitor the President's performance.
    To protect and defend the University's autonomy.
    To ensure the University's future.
    To advocate on behalf of the University:  to understand the University, its mission, its strategic plan, and its culture, and to explain them to the external community.
    To identify risks and internal controls.
    To ensure adequate resources and financial solvency.
    To set policy.
    To ensure good management.
    To assess Board performance.

https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/board/officers.pdf

--

Senate

The University Senate consists of members from Administration, all Faculties and Schools, staff, undergraduate and graduate students, representatives of Affiliated Colleges and observers. It is responsible for the academic policy of the University.

https://uwo.ca/univsec//pdf/senate/members.pdf

--

The University Students’ Council (USC) is a student-led organization that first and foremost exists to advocate for and represent undergraduate students at Western University. Since 1965, we have grown beyond an advocacy organization, becoming one of the largest student governments in Canada and one of the largest not-for-profits in London, Ontario Canada. Each day, we work to support, improve and enhance your student experience, because we believe that students have the power to change the world.

https://westernusc.ca/ 

--

SOGS is a democratic student government that entrusts elected Executive Officers and Council members with running the Society’s day-to-day and long-term affairs. SOGS Council represents all faculties and departments at Western University. SOGS is accountable to its membership.

https://sogs.ca/

--

https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/about/university_act/unofficial_consolidation.pdf


Are one or more student representatives included as members of the institution’s highest decision-making body?:
Yes

Narrative and/or website URL outlining student representation on the institution’s highest decision-making body:

There are dedicated seat on Western's Board of Governors and Senate for students. There are also undergraduate and graduate student councils.

--

Role of the Board

    To provide stewardship and ensure that University actions support University objectives.
    To participate in setting the mission and strategic plan of the University, and to focus on the strategic plan, once formulated.
    To appoint and support the President; to monitor the President's performance.
    To protect and defend the University's autonomy.
    To ensure the University's future.
    To advocate on behalf of the University:  to understand the University, its mission, its strategic plan, and its culture, and to explain them to the external community.
    To identify risks and internal controls.
    To ensure adequate resources and financial solvency.
    To set policy.
    To ensure good management.
    To assess Board performance.

https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/board/officers.pdf

--

Senate

The University Senate consists of members from Administration, all Faculties and Schools, staff, undergraduate and graduate students, representatives of Affiliated Colleges and observers. It is responsible for the academic policy of the University.

https://uwo.ca/univsec//pdf/senate/members.pdf

--

 

https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/about/university_act/unofficial_consolidation.pdf

 

 

 


Does at least one student representative have voting rights on the highest decision-making body?:
Yes

Description of other mechanisms used to consult students on institutional decisions, plans, or policies:

https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/board/officers.pdf

 


The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:

Points earned for indicator PA 3.1:
1

3.2 Academic staff participation in governance

Does the institution have one or more ongoing bodies through which academic staff can democratically participate in the governance of the institution?:
Yes

Narrative and/or website URL outlining the ongoing bodies through which academic staff can democratically participate in the governance of the institution:

There are dedicated seat on Western's Board of Governors and Senate for academic staff.

--

Role of the Board

    To provide stewardship and ensure that University actions support University objectives.
    To participate in setting the mission and strategic plan of the University, and to focus on the strategic plan, once formulated.
    To appoint and support the President; to monitor the President's performance.
    To protect and defend the University's autonomy.
    To ensure the University's future.
    To advocate on behalf of the University:  to understand the University, its mission, its strategic plan, and its culture, and to explain them to the external community.
    To identify risks and internal controls.
    To ensure adequate resources and financial solvency.
    To set policy.
    To ensure good management.
    To assess Board performance.

https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/board/officers.pdf

--

Senate

The University Senate consists of members from Administration, all Faculties and Schools, staff, undergraduate and graduate students, representatives of Affiliated Colleges and observers. It is responsible for the academic policy of the University.

https://uwo.ca/univsec//pdf/senate/members.pdf

 


Are one or more academic staff representatives included as members of the institution’s highest decision-making body?:
Yes

Narrative and/or website URL outlining academic staff representation on the institution’s highest decision-making body:

There are dedicated seat on Western's Board of Governors and Senate for academic staff.

--

Role of the Board

    To provide stewardship and ensure that University actions support University objectives.
    To participate in setting the mission and strategic plan of the University, and to focus on the strategic plan, once formulated.
    To appoint and support the President; to monitor the President's performance.
    To protect and defend the University's autonomy.
    To ensure the University's future.
    To advocate on behalf of the University:  to understand the University, its mission, its strategic plan, and its culture, and to explain them to the external community.
    To identify risks and internal controls.
    To ensure adequate resources and financial solvency.
    To set policy.
    To ensure good management.
    To assess Board performance.

https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/board/officers.pdf

--

Senate

The University Senate consists of members from Administration, all Faculties and Schools, staff, undergraduate and graduate students, representatives of Affiliated Colleges and observers. It is responsible for the academic policy of the University.

https://uwo.ca/univsec//pdf/senate/members.pdf

 

 


Does at least one academic staff representative have voting rights on the institution’s highest decision-making body?:
Yes

Description of other mechanisms used to consult academic staff on institutional decisions, plans, or policies:

https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/board/officers.pdf 


The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:

Points earned for indicator PA 3.2:
1

3.3 Non-academic staff participation in governance

Does the institution have one or more ongoing bodies through which non-academic staff can democratically participate in the governance of the institution?:
Yes

Narrative and/or website URL outlining the ongoing bodies through which non-academic staff can democratically participate in the governance of the institution:

There are dedicated seat on Western's Board of Governors and Senate for non-academic staff.

--

Role of the Board

    To provide stewardship and ensure that University actions support University objectives.
    To participate in setting the mission and strategic plan of the University, and to focus on the strategic plan, once formulated.
    To appoint and support the President; to monitor the President's performance.
    To protect and defend the University's autonomy.
    To ensure the University's future.
    To advocate on behalf of the University:  to understand the University, its mission, its strategic plan, and its culture, and to explain them to the external community.
    To identify risks and internal controls.
    To ensure adequate resources and financial solvency.
    To set policy.
    To ensure good management.
    To assess Board performance.

https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/board/officers.pdf

--

Senate

The University Senate consists of members from Administration, all Faculties and Schools, staff, undergraduate and graduate students, representatives of Affiliated Colleges and observers. It is responsible for the academic policy of the University.

https://uwo.ca/univsec//pdf/senate/members.pdf

 


Are one or more staff members representing non-managerial workers included as members of the institution’s highest decision-making body?:
Yes

Narrative and/or website URL outlining non-academic staff representation on the institution’s highest decision-making body:

There are dedicated seat on Western's Board of Governors and Senate for non-academic staff.

--

Role of the Board

    To provide stewardship and ensure that University actions support University objectives.
    To participate in setting the mission and strategic plan of the University, and to focus on the strategic plan, once formulated.
    To appoint and support the President; to monitor the President's performance.
    To protect and defend the University's autonomy.
    To ensure the University's future.
    To advocate on behalf of the University:  to understand the University, its mission, its strategic plan, and its culture, and to explain them to the external community.
    To identify risks and internal controls.
    To ensure adequate resources and financial solvency.
    To set policy.
    To ensure good management.
    To assess Board performance.

https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/board/officers.pdf

--

Senate

The University Senate consists of members from Administration, all Faculties and Schools, staff, undergraduate and graduate students, representatives of Affiliated Colleges and observers. It is responsible for the academic policy of the University.

https://uwo.ca/univsec//pdf/senate/members.pdf

 

 


Does at least one staff member representing non-managerial workers have voting rights on the institution’s highest decision-making body?:
Yes

Description of other mechanisms used to consult non-academic staff on institutional decisions, plans, or policies:

https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/board/officers.pdf 


The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:

Points earned for indicator PA 3.3:
1

3.4 Community participation in governance

Does the institution have one or more ongoing bodies through which local community-based organizations not affiliated with the institution can democratically participate in its governance?:
No

Narrative and/or website URL outlining the ongoing bodies through which local community-based organizations can democratically participate in the governance of the institution:
Under the terms of the University of Western Ontario Act, 1982 (as amended, 1988), the Board of Governors of The University of Western Ontario is charged generally with "the government, conduct, management and control of the University and of its property and affairs," with the exception of those powers assigned to the Senate of the University. In non-academic matters the Board holds in trust the physical and financial assets of the institution, provides general policy direction to the President and officers of the University and oversees its operations.
The Act sets out the composition of the Board which includes members from inside and outside the University. Of the twenty-seven voting members, seventeen, or 63%, are external members, including members appointed by the Lieutenant-Governor-in-Council, the City of London, and the Alumni Association. Membership terms are four years, once renewable. External members may not be members of the governing body, faculty, staff or student body of any other degree-granting institution.
https://www.uwo.ca/univsec/pdf/board/guidelines_external.pdf
 

Has the institution used one or more ad hoc mechanisms during the previous three years to consult local community members on institutional decisions, plans, or policies?:
Yes

Narrative and/or website URL outlining the ad hoc mechanisms used during the previous three years to consult local community members on institutional decisions, plans, or policies:

Reimagining University Drive Bridge

The University Drive Bridge was built in the early 1920’s as one of the first structures constructed on campus. The bridge crosses the North Branch of the Thames River, carrying a mixed use of vehicular and active transportation. Given the age of the structure and growing campus population, Western, in partnership with its consultant, BTE-Entuitive, have initiated a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA) Study.

The Study will consider how to provide a structure that can address the active and vehicular transportation requirements of a growing campus, while respecting the 100-year old landmark character of the bridge framing the view to the Middlesex County Memorial Tower at University College.  

In 2022, Western held a public consultation process to consult local community members to provide feedback on the future of the bridge.

https://uwo.ca/fm/projects/capital_projects/ud_bridge.html 


The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:

Points earned for indicator PA 3.4:
0.50

Optional documentation

Notes about the information provided for this credit:
---

Additional documentation for this credit:
---

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.