Western Kentucky University
PA-3: Participatory Governance

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. The Student Government President serves on the University's Board of Regents. The Student Government President is elected by students, to represent students, through a campus-wide election process each year.

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, including the WKU Board of Regents (Staff Regent). All Staff Council members are elected by WKU faculty and staff, including the member that serves as the Staff Regent. "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."

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.

The Office of Government and Community Relations serves as WKU’s liaison to local, state and federal governments and maintains a presence in Frankfort, Ky., in Washington, DC, and in communities throughout the University’s service region. Government and Community Relations staff are responsible for advancing WKU’s strategic interests among national, state and local elected officials, their staff members and constituents, and with government agencies at all levels. The office coordinates and maintains University interaction with federal, state and local officials and is the University’s primary advocate for the public interests of WKU and higher education in Kentucky. Government and Community Relations staff also serve as a support team for WKU’s 27 county service region, working alongside local officials, chambers of commerce and other local not-for-profit groups to facilitate University engagement in each community. Community Bikeway Project: WKU partnered with the City of Bowling Green to secure a federal grant to develop a community bikeway. The purpose of the project is to develop a network of bicycle and pedestrian facilities that connects area schools, parks and shopping areas to low and medium density residential neighborhoods and dormitories. (Information provided by Jennifer Smith, Director, Government & Community Relations)

Community Partnerships: WKU supports the communities it serves. WKU has partnered with Commonwealth Health Corporation to build the WKU/Medical Center Health Sciences building, which houses WKU’s nursing programs and doctor of physical therapy program. Commonwealth Health Corporation built the building on The Medical Center campus and WKU’s leases the space for the programs. WKU also constructed a $4 million alumni center in the WKU – Gateway to Downtown Bowling Green Tax Increment Financing District. This project provided a new, state-of-the-art center for alumni, prospective students, and community members alike; while also generating revenue for the TIF district, supporting Bowling Green and Warren County. -Jennifer Smith, Director, Government & Community Relations

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/