Washington University in St. Louis
PA-3: Inclusive and Participatory Governance

Danforth Staff Council -- The Danforth Staff Council mission is to serve and represent non-faculty and non-union Danforth staff members. We seek to collaborate with the senior administration (Associate Vice Chancellor/Provost level and above) and Human Resources to broaden and strengthen the lines of communication on matters that impact staff and to provide advice to the administration on policy decisions.

The Faculty Senate consists of voting members of all schools of the University. The Faculty Senate Council of Washington University is the elected governing body of the Faculty Senate. Fifteen representatives serve staggered, three-year terms.

Student Union -- The mission of Student Union is to create a vibrant campus community by: advocating for the needs and interests of undergraduate students; allocating the student activity fee to unique and engaging activities, programs, and initiatives; and developing and implementing both innovative and traditional programs.

It is the vision of Student Union to responsibly serve and empower every undergraduate student to be a force for change and improvement while fostering and preserving tradition at Washington University in St. Louis.

The Graduate Council -- The Graduate Council of the Faculty of Arts & Sciences acts as a discussion forum on all matters pertaining to the Graduate School and serves, subject to review by the Faculty of Arts & Sciences, as the legislative branch of the Graduate School. The Council is chaired by the Dean of the Graduate School and consists of one faculty and one graduate student representative named by each of the degree programs offered through the Graduate School.

Graduate Student Senate - The Graduate Student Senate (GSS) is the graduate student governing body composed of one representative from each degree-granting department or program in the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, as well as graduate students from Engineering, and the Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis. Their primary objective is to provide channels of communication among graduate students, the Dean of the Graduate School, and other members of the University community, and to provide a forum for graduate student concerns.

Graduate Professional Council - The Graduate Professional Council serves as the representative body for graduate and professional students; advocating for all 7,000+ graduate and professional students at WashU; encouraging interschool and interdisciplinary cooperation within the university.

Professional and Graduate Student Coordinating Committee -- The Professional and Graduate Student Coordinating Committee (ProGradS) is a standing committee of the University that considers issues affecting graduate and professional students in general (i.e. issues that are not specific to a given school, degree, or discipline).

The University maintains a Neighbors Council, an advisory body which enables a free flow of ideas and exchange between the University’s leaders and 18 members who are selected from the neighborhoods closest to campus.

University representatives serve on the boards of local neighborhood organizations, chambers of commerce, and special business districts. This allows for community issues and perceptions to be considered in University planning efforts. Further University leadership and representatives regularly meet with local elected and appointed officials to share issues and discuss ways to work collaboratively to address concerns.