| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 56.90 |
| Liaison | Paul Mathisen |
| Submission Date | April 16, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
PA-3: Governance
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.70 / 3.00 |
John
Orr Professor Liberal Arts & Computer Engineering |
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)?:
A brief description of the mechanisms through which students have an avenue to participate in one or more governance bodies:
The Student Government Association (SGA) at WPI acts as the voice for the undergraduate student body and encourages open communication between students and the WPI community. The SGA's mission is to improve the quality of student life at the university, both academically and socially, by addressing student needs and concerns, providing financial structure for WPI's student clubs and organizations, and representing the student body in a professional manner. The Graduate Student Government (GSG) is the governing body of the graduate student population at WPI. Its slogan is "Promoting Graduate Life," and it fulfills this goal by being an effective graduate student voice, communicating with faculty and administration, and providing academic and social functions for new and existing graduate students. Membership in both student governments is determined through annual elections.
In addition, residential students can participate in their Hall Council, which organizes hall events and advocates on behalf of hall residents. Hall Council members are selected via an election process. Similarly, members of fraternities and sororities are represented through the Interfraternity Council (IFC) or PanHellenic Council.
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?:
A brief description of student representation on the governing body, including how the representatives are selected:
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 |
A brief description of the formal student role in regard to each area indicated, including examples from the previous three years:
The presidents of both the undergraduate and graduate student governments participate in the Board of Trustee meetings three times a year, and present formally to the Trustees during the Student Affairs Committee meeting. Students also serve as members of Faculty Governance committees including the Committee on Academic Policy, Committee on Academic Operations, Committee on Graduate Studies and Research, and Committee on Advising and Student Life. Students also serve on the strategic planning committee. In addition, graduate and undergraduate student representatives served as members of the President and Provost Search Committees. In one example of student influence on campus, the Student Government Association led the effort to make WPI a tobacco free campus.
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)?:
A brief description of the mechanisms through which all staff have an avenue to participate in one or more governance bodies:
Staff are appointed to serve on the Fringe Benefits Committee or the Human Resources Advisory Committee.
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?:
A brief description of non-supervisory staff representation on the governing body, including how the representatives are selected:
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 | Yes |
| 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 | Yes |
A brief description of the formal staff role in regard to each area indicated, including examples from the previous three years:
The HR Advisory Group, to which employees are appointed, was formed as a direct result of the most recent employee opinion survey. The survey identified a number of areas where the university could be doing a better job at making WPI a greater place to work. The HR Advisory Group initially worked on prioritizing areas of need, and then on initiating projects that would help to make improvements in these areas. Three examples that resulted from this initiative include the Woman's Leadership Network, WPI wiki, and support for supervising student workers. Employees are also appointed to serve on the Fringe Benefits Committee. Additionally, feedback sessions were held this year for all staff (supervisory & non-supervisory) so their perspectives could be considered in decision-making.
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)?:
A brief description of the mechanisms through which all faculty (including adjunct faculty) have an avenue to participate in one or more governance bodies:
All members of the faculty may participate in monthly faculty meetings and vote in faculty elections. Among other things, these elections select faculty representatives for a variety of standing and ad hoc committees and also to determine the Secretary of the Faculty.
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?:
A brief description of faculty representation on the governing body, including how the representatives are selected:
The Secretary of the Faculty, a position elected from among the faculty, is present during meetings of the Corporation and may participate fully in all discussions and deliberations. The secretary does not have a formal vote, as this is a responsibility unique to Trustees and cannot be delegated.
In addition, to strengthen shared governance and foster good communication, the Trustees appoint two tenured or tenure-track members of the Faculty to each of the five Board committees: Academic Planning, Student Affairs, Budget and Finance, Facilities and Campus Infrastructure, and Marketing. Faculty members of Board committees will have voting privileges, and are considered full, participating members of the committee, not simply observers. The Board of Trustees’ Committee on Nominations and Governance makes the appointments from slates of nominees prepared by the Faculty Committee on Governance (COG).
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:
Faculty are represented on virtually all committees. In addition to participating in Board committees on Academic Planning, Student Affairs, Budget and Finance, Facilities and Campus Infrastructure, and Marketing, faculty representatives participate in the following standing committees of the faculty: Committee on Governance, Committee on Academic Policy, Committee on Academic Operations, Committee on Graduate Studies and Research, Committee on Tenure and Academic Freedom, Committee on Appointments and Promotions, Committee on Advising and Student Life, Committee on Administrative and Financial Policy, and the Faculty Review Committee.
The website URL where information about the institution’s governance structure is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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.