| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 51.83 |
| Liaison | Leslie North |
| Submission Date | Jan. 9, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Western Kentucky University
PA-3: Governance
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.00 / 3.00 |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
None
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
None
A brief description of the mechanisms through which students have an avenue to participate in one or more governance bodies:
The Student Government Association of Western Kentucky University is an organization committed to the advocacy of every student that enters and subsequently exits WKU. SGA believes that each student has a vital opinion and voice, and the organization is fully committed to serving these students. The Student Government Association welcomes all students to give input and to get involved. Students can serve in the SGA in many ways, whether as a SGA officer or by working as the student representative on a university committee. Students can submit anonymous concern forms or attend open Student Senate meetings conducted each week.
None
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
None
A brief description of student representation on the governing body, including how the representatives are selected:
The WKU Board of Regents includes one Student Regent, the SGA President, who is elected by the student body.
None
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 |
None
A brief description of the formal student role in regard to each area indicated, including examples from the previous three years:
All of these areas fall under the purview of the WKU Board of Regents, which includes a Student Regent. In 2011 WKU updated its Strategic Plan. Students were' welcome to provide input and SGA played a role as well. New policies, programs, and initiatives as well as budget decisions are made by the Board of Regents, through discussion and vote.
None
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
None
A brief description of the mechanisms through which all staff have an avenue to participate in one or more governance bodies:
An elected Staff Council conducts regular meetings to assess and address staff needs and issues. Members of the Staff Council sit on other committees or advisory boards to ensure staff representation.
"As a representative body of all staff members at Western Kentucky University, the Staff Council does hereby pledge to determine responsibly and to administer faithfully the policies and objectives which best fulfill the needs, concerns and interests of the staff at Western Kentucky University. Furthermore, we shall strive to enhance the productivity and employment experience of every Western Kentucky University staff member and to exert to the utmost our efforts to help the University achieve its educational goals."
None
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
None
A brief description of non-supervisory staff representation on the governing body, including how the representatives are selected:
The governing body of Western Kentucky University is an 11 member Board of Regents. Eight of the members are appointed by the Governor from among nominees submitted by a nominating commission. These members serve up to two six-year terms.
Faculty and staff representatives are elected by their peers to three-year terms. The student representative is the President of the Student Government Association and is elected to a one-year term.
All members have voting privileges.
None
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 |
None
A brief description of the formal staff role in regard to each area indicated, including examples from the previous three years:
All of these areas fall under the purview of the WKU Board of Regents, which includes a Staff Regent. New policies, programs, and initiatives as well as budget decisions are made by the Board of Regents, through discussion and vote. Additionally, Staff Council is responsible for establishing some new programs and initiatives, planning, communications processes, existing physical resources, and other such things, either as a council or as representatives on various committees.
None
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
None
A brief description of the mechanisms through which all faculty (including adjunct faculty) have an avenue to participate in one or more governance bodies:
The Western Kentucky University Senate is devoted to furthering the university's mission by providing a forum for faculty deliberation and contribution to shared governance.
The University Senate is the agency for the articulation and presentation of the views of the faculty. While departments, colleges, schools, and programs are empowered to make decisions in many areas, the need remains for consultation and cooperation on academic and professional matters that pertain to the university as a whole. Hence, the University Senate shall function as the official representative voice of the faculty, advising and making recommendations to the President and Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs concerning academic requirements and policies, faculty responsibilities and welfare, and any other matters of importance to the faculty.
Additionally, the Board of Regents includes one elected Faculty Regent.
None
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
None
A brief description of faculty representation on the governing body, including how the representatives are selected:
see above
None
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 |
None
A brief description of the formal faculty role in regard to each area indicated, including examples from the previous three years:
see above.
None
The website URL where information about the institution’s governance structure is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
WKU Board of Regents: http://www.wku.edu/regents/
WKU Senate: https://www.wku.edu/senate/index.php
WKU Staff Council: http://www.wku.edu/staffcouncil/
WKU Student Government: http://www.wku.edu/sga/
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.