| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 45.32 |
| Liaison | Jon Bartlow |
| Submission Date | March 4, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Pittsburg State University
PA-3: Governance
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.00 / 3.00 |
Jon
Bartlow Director of Alumni Relations Alumni Relations |
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:
Students can participate in Student Government Association general elections during the Spring semester each year. They are also able to apply for senate vacancies via an application and interview process at the beginning of each semester.
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:
The Legislative Affairs Director is elected solely by peers during the 1st senate meeting each year. All other elected Directors are selected by the incoming President and Vice-President and then confirmed by the new Senate. It is not an automatic process, as senate sometimes does not agree with the President and Vice-President's selections. All participants (President, Vice-President, Senators representing each college, Graduate Senators, as well as At-Large Senators) in the general elections are voted upon by the student body of the university.
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:
Senate Retreat occurs at the beginning of each semester, where the Senate as a whole, establishes their goals for the upcoming term. Each senator is taught how to write legislation that is then presented to the Senate, requesting additional funding, addition of programs and/or events, and new policies and procedures. The Directors of the Senate work amongst each other to establish long term goals regarding the organization that may take months or even years. Our USA Today Readership Program (providing free newspapers to the student body) is an example of a multi-year goal that we have been fulfilling for over 10 years. Every year, the Senate must re-evaluate it's effectiveness. We have also just acquired a Pepsico Dream Machine (a recycling kiosk befitting disabled veterans) that took about 5 years to bring to campus. Various Senators sit on several fee councils (Athletics, Activities, and Student Health), aiding in establishing student fees for the upcoming year. We have student representatives that sit on the tuition committee, that meet with the President of the University, the Provost, and Advisors on routine basis. The Senate was key in the design and execution of their newly renovated office space as well as their designated meeting space within the Overman Student Center over the past 4-5 years. They selected everything from the furniture to the color of paint on the walls. The President and Vice-President, along with assistance and input from the Treasurer and the Senior Administrative Assistant, plan the budget at the beginning of each term. They then present it to the Senate for adoption and final approval. All financial requests must be reviewed by the Treasurer first. The Treasurer is also charged with distributed funding to registered student organizations via an Allocations process. The Senate communicates with one another face to face in the office, via email servers, at meetings, and through social media. The Senate communicates with the student body via bulk e-mails, a website, social media, digital display boards on campus, posters, table tents, and the university newspaper, The Collegio. All pieces of legislation are required to be reviewed over two successive readings, thus allowing for student input as well as senators addressing constituents on a personal level. The Senate provides test score sheets required across campus to students free of charge. This portal allows for further personal connection with the student body. Senate must continually gauge legislation for its relevancy to determine if it pertinent to the student body and processed in a timely manner.
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:
University Support Staff are represented by the University Support Staff Senate. This group is voted upon. The group meets once a month and all USS are invited to attend and voice their thoughts, frustrations, etc. http://pittstate.edu/audiences/faculty-staff/university-support-staff-senate/
Unclassified staff are represented by the Unclassified Senate. The members of this group are voted upon. The group meets once a month and all Unclassified staff are invited to attend and voice their thoughts, frustrations, etc.
http://www.pittstate.edu/audiences/faculty-staff/unclassified-senate/
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:
PSU has a shared governance structure so although there is not a representative on the President's council, any of their concerns can be shared with the USS/Unclassified Staff Liaison who sits on that governing body. Acting on their behalf is written into his job description.
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 |
A brief description of the formal staff role in regard to each area indicated, including examples from the previous three years:
USS and Unclassified staff are represented on nearly every committee within the university structure. Task forces, strategic planning and all of the areas above are included. USS and Unclassified staff are committee members within these groups just as are administrators and faculty.
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 teaching faculty are represented by the faculty senate.
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:
PSU is a unionized faculty campus. The union elects a representative who represents faculty to the governing body.
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:
In 2015 PSU established a new mission statement. Faculty were included on the committee that facilitated the process that sought feedback from faculty, staff, students and the community.
Policies, programs and initiatives flow through one or more of the 28 university committees which have faculty representation as well as the faculty senate.
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.