Wartburg College
PA-3: Governance

All students are represented through Student Senate. This is the method of student participation in governance. The mission of the Wartburg College Student Senate is to make a positive difference at Wartburg College by acting as a voice for the student body; fostering communication between students, faculty, staff and administration; developing legislation relevant to the needs of our constituency; and representing our institution through leadership and service to the community. Senate operates under the power of recommendation, which means that on nearly every issue, Senate is making a well-researched, heavily debated suggestion. However, because of the hard work of student senators and a continued strong relationship with administrators and faculty, Senate resolutions can be influential in the college governance process.

During the writing of the strategic plan, as well as development of the campus master plan, students were formally asked to participate through on-site meetings, and surveys. These plans are the backbone of the organizational mission, vision, goals, and initiatives. It also lays out the strategic and long term planning, and prioritization of budget allocations. There is a member of the Student Senate, serving as a student representative on the President's Budget Advisory Committee (PBAC). The PBAC sets the recommendations to the President and Board for the financial planning, and allocation prioritization. Student Senate also provides funding for campus initiatives, and student organizations. Senate members were also involved in the development of the Student Development Plan. During 2014-15 it is a main initiative for student senate to improve their communication with constituents, and always their focus to facilitate clear communication between students and administration.

Staff are represented in the Personnel Advisory Committee (PAC). The PAC was established to facilitate communication and review and recommend policies and benefits for all support and administrative staff members.

During the writing of the strategic plan, as well as development of the campus master plan, staff were formally asked to participate through on-site meetings, and surveys. These plans are the backbone of the organizational mission, vision, goals, and initiatives. It also lays out the strategic and long term planning, and prioritization of budget allocations. There is staff representation on the President's Budget Advisory Committee (PBAC). The PBAC sets the recommendations to the President and Board for the financial planning, and allocation prioritization. Staff also participates in many campus committees, including, but not limited to, Mission Effectiveness Committee, Admissions & Scholarship, and Institutional Review Board. Community involvement is in our culture, and we value consideration of beliefs of our community in decision making. During a recent campus pulse survey, communication was an issue risen by our community. As a result, it is a priority of all committees on campus to improve their communication and transparency.

Faculty has a shared governance with administration in regards to academic issues. The Faculty Handbook states "While recommendations from the faculty are advisory in nature and not binding upon the administration, in appreciation of the principles of participatory governance and in the interest of the general well-being of the College, the faculty assumes that the Board and President will accept faculty recommendations in matters where the faculty has primary responsibility." Faculty Council is the primary means Faculty participate in Governance. The Faculty Council coordinates the flow of information between standing committees and the faculty, and functions as the strategic planning body for Academic Affairs. As such, the Council advises the Dean of the Faculty regarding administrative decisions affecting the academic programs of the College.

As mentioned above, the entire campus was formally asked to participate through on-site meetings, and surveys during the writing of the strategic plan and development of the campus master plan. These plans are the backbone of the organizational mission, vision, goals, and initiatives. It also lays out the strategic and long term planning, and prioritization of budget allocations. Although this process was more than three years ago, they are still our guiding documents, and influence the decisions being made today. In relation to establishment of new programs, prioritization of programs, and physical resources, faculty is the leading force in the academic area. Faculty are usually the generators of new academic programs. The Faculty Council sets the priorities if there is a conflict of available resources between academic programs. They also recommend priorities for academic related physical resources. As with other committees, the Faculty Council is working to improve communication. There also members of the faculty on the PBAC, previously mentions.

For the purposes of "non-supervisory" employees we considered all employees who are not members of the Cabinet or classified as Department Heads. The following people were consulted for the answering of these questions: Students: Teri Meier, Student Body President Faculty: David McCullough, Biology Faculty and member of Faculty Council Staff and Overall: Cindy Carlson and Janeen Stewart of the President's office