Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 62.59
Liaison Pamela Mischen
Submission Date March 2, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Binghamton University
PA-3: Participatory Governance

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.75 / 3.00 Pam Mischen
Pres Office
Pres Office
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Do the institution’s students have a representative body through which they can participate in governance (e.g. a student council)? :
Yes

Do the institution’s students have an elected representative on the institution’s highest governing body?:
Yes

A brief description of the bodies and mechanisms through which students are engaged in governance, including information to support each affirmative response above:

The Student Association at Binghamton University represents and advocates for the needs, desires and opinions of undergraduate students at Binghamton University, and provides these students with opportunities for personal, professional and academic growth through involvement in student-led organizations.

The Student Association is structured to function as the student government on campus. Similar to the United States government, there are three branches: an executive branch, a legislative branch and a judicial branch.

The Executive Board handles the day-to-day operations of the Student Association, pursues large scale projects, provides student services, and represents the student body to Binghamton’s campus community.

The Student Congress creates and debates legislation relating to the quality of life of Binghamton students.

The Judicial Board hears and makes rulings on cases relating to the constitution of the Student Association.

Additionally, an election is held annually to determine which student will serve on BU Council, the highest governing body.


Do the institution’s staff members have a representative body through which they can participate in governance (e.g. a staff council)?:
Yes

Do the institution’s non-supervisory staff members have an elected representative on the institution’s highest governing body?:
No

A brief description of the bodies and mechanisms through which staff are engaged in governance, including information to support each affirmative response above:

Non-supervisory staff members are represented by employee unions including: Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA), Security Services Unit (SSU), and United University Professions (UUP). These employee unions

The Professional Staff Senate (PSS) is the officially recognized governance organization of professional employees at Binghamton University. The Senate consists of twenty-seven elected members who represent the concerns and the needs of our constituents via a calendar of regular meetings. As stated in our Constitution, we "exist to contribute to the success of Binghamton University and to the growth and welfare of its professional employees. The Senate shall seek an active role in the policy decisions of the University. The Senate shall be a fact-finding, deliberative, and consultative body, with authority to make studies, reports, and recommendations on all governance matters which have a significant bearing on professional employees.” Working with the other members of the University community, professionals are an integral part of Binghamton University and contribute greatly to its excellence.


Do the institution’s teaching and research faculty have a representative body through which they can participate in governance (e.g. a faculty senate)?:
Yes

Do the institution’s teaching and research faculty have an elected representative on the institution’s highest governing body? :
No

A brief description of the bodies and mechanisms through which teaching and research faculty are engaged in governance, including information to support each affirmative response above:

The Faculty Senate is the primary campus-wide academic governance body. Its several standing committees provide advice and legislation in response to requests from senior administration and from its own Executive Committee. The Faculty Senate meets regularly and is a strong force for institutional policymaking.


Does the institution have written policies and procedures to identify and engage external stakeholders (i.e. local residents) in land use planning, capital investment projects, and other institutional decisions that affect the community?:
Yes

A copy of the written policies and procedures:
The policies and procedures:

The Town Gown Advisory Board (TGAB) was established to promote positive relations between Binghamton University and the residents of the related cities and neighborhoods that are impacted by the presence of our students. It is comprised of university administrators, undergraduate and graduate student leaders, representatives of neighborhood associations, city government administrative officials, community based organizations, city council members, community members, etc. See attached document for more information.


Does the institution have formal participatory or shared governance bodies through which community members representing the interests of the following stakeholder groups can regularly participate in institutional governance?:
Yes or No
Local government and/or educational organizations No
Private sector organizations No
Civil society (e.g. NGOs, NPOs) No

A brief description of the bodies and mechanisms through which external stakeholders are engaged in institutional governance (including information about each stakeholder group selected above):
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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