Overall Rating Bronze - expired
Overall Score 36.77
Liaison Ashley Woolman
Submission Date Feb. 16, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Western Colorado University
PA-3: Governance

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.90 / 3.00 Gary Pierson
VP of Student Affairs
Student Affairs
"---" 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)?:
No

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

Undergraduate students serve on the elected Student Government Association, and they are invited to serve on diverse committees, from hiring committees, to infrastructure, to curriculum development.

Our graduate programs are new and do not currently have formal ways for students to participate


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:

Students are elected to the Student Government Association, and the President of SGA is invited to Faculty Senate meetings and serves as a student Trustee.


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 No
Communications processes and transparency practices ---
Prioritization of programs and projects ---

A brief description of the formal student role in regard to each area indicated, including examples from the previous three years:

Students are involved with long-term planning and budgeting associated with the fees they pay (e.g., Sustainability Fund, Program Counsel, Student Government Association)m as well as tuition increases, additionally proposed fees, etc.

They are extended an invitation to Extended Cabinet meetings (e.g., all VPs, Associate VPs, Directors, and President).


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:

Anyone can attend non-executive session Faculty Senate and Board of Trustees meetings, as well as mid-managers liaison council. We can all also participate through various representatives.


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:

In January 2016, President Salisbury changed the composition of the Cabinet to include a middle manager, which is a staff position.


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 No
Establishing new policies, programs, or initiatives No
Strategic and long-term planning No
Existing or prospective physical resources No
Budgeting, staffing and financial planning No
Communications processes and transparency practices No
Prioritization of programs and projects No

A brief description of the formal staff role in regard to each area indicated, including examples from the previous three years:
---

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:

Voted Faculty Trustee and avenues mentioned above, including seats on Strategic Planning, Faculty Senate, Curriculum Committee, IT, Academic Policies, and so on.


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:

Faculty Trustee, Faculty Senate.


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:

As above, faculty are voted into numerous standing committees and positions, as well as temporary committees (e.g., infrastructure, capital improvements)


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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