Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 66.58
Liaison Brad Spanbauer
Submission Date Sept. 12, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
PA-3: Governance

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.00 / 3.00 Brian Kermath
Sustainability Director
Sustainability Office
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

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)?:
Yes

A brief description of the mechanisms through which students have an avenue to participate in one or more governance bodies:

The Oshkosh Student Association is the student government that represents all students regarding issues and policies relating to academic and non-academic scores. Established in 1959, we are an advocate for the best interests of the students at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. The State of Wisconsin affords all students the opportunity to provide input in all operations of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.

OSA is instrumental in voicing the opinions of the student body to University faculty, University of Wisconsin System administration, and the state and federal governments. OSA currently supports and allocates budgets to approximately 150 student organizations at UW Oshkosh. Along with allocating funds, OSA also oversees approval of new student organizations.


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?:
Yes

A brief description of student representation on the governing body, including how the representatives are selected:

The Senate is one of the two houses of UW Oshkosh's unique student legislature. The membership of the Senate includes twenty-five Senators elected by the student body. These twenty-five Senators are allotted proportionately to the Colleges of Letters and Science, Education and Human Services, Nursing, and Business Administration based on enrollment within those specific collages.

Students interested in becoming a Senator not listed on the OSA election ballot may complete a Senator application on TitanLink, click here, the OSA Office Manager will contact applicants to schedule a meeting with the OSA President and OSA Vice President for an interview.

The Assembly is one of the two houses of UW Oshkosh's unique student legislature. While the Assembly is the "lower" house of the OSA legislature, in reality it has just as important and visible a role as the Senate does. Throughout its history, the Assembly has played an important part in student issues and student life.

Every recognized student organization has the right to sit on the Assembly. The Assembly considers and discusses all sorts of campus issues,and serves as a way to distribute information to student organizations across campus.


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:

The OSA President and Vice-President are invited to all planning forums to represent the voice of the students and to be a liaison for the Student Association.

OSA created Differential Tuition in 2004 to help supplement areas where budgets were severely cut by the state. Differential Tuition helped preserve quality student services such as the writing center, math lab, academic advising, career services, counseling center, reading center, and Oshkosh Scholar. In addition, OSA is also responsible for the distribution of $9 million in segregated fees that fully fund the Student Recreation and Wellness Center, Reeve Memorial Union, Children’s Learning and Care Center, and athletics. Other services and programs OSA has brought to the University include the Titan Readership Program, Titan Transit, Student Legal Services and Student Savings Club. They are now working on strategies to continue their commitment to quality student services with the current budget cuts.

An Oshkosh Student Association Initiative, the late night service and extension of current city services, serve to provide students with a safe, convenient, cheaper and greener mode of transportation. As the importance of safety on campuses nationwide increases, this program is one way that will assist students with their own safety, to and from campus. Routes are designed to focus on the campus and the needs of the students, whether their destination is entertainment, employment, necessity, or academics. As gas prices continue to rise; and insurance rates increase; and maintenance costs soar; this program will save the students money by offering a far cheaper alternative than using a personal vehicle. As a university that is committed to the highest of green standards, this initiative aligns with our campus sustainability plan.

https://www.uwosh.edu/osa/transparency-and-accountability


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)?:
Yes

A brief description of the mechanisms through which all staff have an avenue to participate in one or more governance bodies:

All units and employment categories have governance representation.


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?:
Yes

A brief description of non-supervisory staff representation on the governing body, including how the representatives are selected:

All units and employment categories have governance 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:

All units and employment categories have governance representation.


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)?:
Yes

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 units and personnel and employment categories have governance representation.


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?:
Yes

A brief description of faculty representation on the governing body, including how the representatives are selected:

All units and personnel and employment categories have governance representation.


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:

All units and personnel and employment categories have governance representation.


The website URL where information about the institution’s governance structure is available:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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