University of Connecticut
PA-3: Inclusive and Participatory Governance

UConn's highest entity focusing on shared governance is the University Senate. It consists of students, faculty, and staff prioritizing positive change. This legislative body is responsible for establishing minimum rules and general regulations of the educational program and mission of the institution, excluding the University of Connecticut Health Center, that are not reserved to the Board of Trustees, to the administration, to the Graduate Faculty Council, or to the several faculties. There are currently 97 elected senate members as well as student members. There are committees which include the Curricula & Courses Committee, the Common Curriculum for Leadership and Global Citizenship Committee, the Enrollment Committee, the Faculty Standards Committee, the Justice, Equity, the Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Committee, the Nominating Committee, the Scholastic Standards Committee, the Student Welfare Committee, the University Budget Committee, and the University Planning Committee.

https://senate.uconn.edu/blank/
https://senate.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/3636/2022/08/2021-2022-Summary-of-Action.pdf
https://senate.uconn.edu/about-us/

Additionally, there is an Undergraduate Student Government (USG) that advocates for and supports students through initiatives, programming, and legislation. There is a university senate that is responsible for authoring legislation and carrying out initiatives aimed at addressing the concerns of the student body. The Senate is the legislative branch with 57 senators that serve a one year-term. The Residential and Commuter senators represent students by their geographic living areas on or off campus. The Academic senators represent academic colleges. Residential and Commuter seats are elected each fall, and academic seats are elected each Spring. Additionally, there are also Multicultural and Diversity Senators that are elected at large. Senate meets biweekly. Additionally, there is an elected executive branch with a president, vice president, and comptroller. There is also a judicial branch.
There are also committees that function as advocacy groups. They meet weekly and their meetings are open to students. They are run by student directors who are a part of the governing board.
The Academic Affairs Committee advocates on behalf of student academic life concerns, such as student's rights, University academic policy, and educational accessibility.
The External Affairs Committee advocates on behalf of students’ political engagement, sustainability, & community service.
The Student Development Committee advocates on behalf of students’ professional & self development.
The Student Services Committee advocates on behalf of student’s sexual health, mental health, & food insecurity.
The Diversity & Outreach Commission advocates on behalf of diversity, equity & inclusion.
https://usg.uconn.edu/
https://usg.uconn.edu/how-we-work/
https://usg.uconn.edu/committees/external-affairs/

The American Association of University Professors UConn Chapter (AAUP) supports teaching, research, and coaching professionals as the exclusive collective bargaining representative for the University of Connecticut. The UConn AAUP meets with the Board of Trustees at least once per month. In addition, the UConn Professional Employees Association (UCPEA) supports the non-teaching staff both on academic and non-academic units. It serves as the exclusive bargaining agent for more than 1,900 professional staff. The UCPEA Executive Board meets every Thursday, and these meetings are open to the public. Collective bargaining helps to create consensus on institutional policies and procedures that enable faculty and administrative participation in shared governance.

https://ucpea.ct.aft.org/about-us

https://uconnaaup.org/about-us/

The entity with the most formal participation with regard to UConn is the Board of Trustees (BoT). The BoT makes decisions on all matters concerning the University: focusing on budget, infrastructure, and long-term plans. It oversees several committees. The first portion of the meeting allows stakeholders to give three minute addresses, while the rest of the meeting consists of votes, presentations, and recognitions. The committees are where most of the decisions are made, with the formal votes occurring during the meeting.

Twelve members are appointed by the Governor; two elected by alumni; two elected by students; and five ex-officio, including the Governor, UConn Health Board of Directors Chair, and the Commissioners of Agriculture, Economic and Community Development, and Education. There are also nine appointed faculty representatives.
https://boardoftrustees.uconn.edu/

Mansfield, CT’s Town/University Relations Committee (Town/Gown) was established in 1992 with a mission to promote and sustain positive relations between the University of Connecticut and the larger Mansfield community. The committee is comprised of representatives from both the Town and the University, and is co-chaired by the Mayor and the Special Assistant to the University President. Members of the public are encouraged to attend the meetings, and the committee always provides an opportunity for public comment.

Committee members consist of:

Town Representatives
Toni Moran, Mayor & Co-Chair
Paul Aho, PZC Member
Ryan Aylesworth, Town Manager
Brian Q. Coleman, Town Council

Staff Representatives
Jennifer Kaufman, Director of Planning and Development
Margaret Chatey, Communications Specialist
Cynthia van Zelm, Executive Director, Mansfield Downtown Partnership

UCONN Representatives
Cara Workman, Senior Director of Operations (Co-Chair)
John Armstrong, Director of Off-Campus Student Services
Michael Gilbert, Vice President for Student Affairs
Sean Vasington, Asst. Director of Planning

Student Representatives:
Jonathan Heidman, USG External Affairs Chair

Mansfield Town Gown Information: https://www.mansfieldct.gov/1582/TownUniversity-Relations-TownGown

UConn is also a member of NACUBO (National Association of College and University Business Officers), SCUP (Society of College and University Planners), and U21 (which promotes global engagement and collaboration among college and universities world-wide).

There are also oftentimes specific stakeholder (both private sector and NGO) groups for specific projects, such as the Hazwaste Main Accumulation Area project (including stakeholders from Mansfield Fire Department, Naubesatuck Watershed Council, UConn ResLife, Mansfield Sustainability Committee, UConn Fire Department, Willimantic River Alliance, Town of Mansfield Planning, Mansfield Zoning, UConn Police Department, Fuss and O’Neill, and more), and also for the construction of the Compost Facility (including stakeholders and supporters from various NPOs).

Mansfield’s Town Gown advisory board includes the Mansfield Sustainability Committee, both of which meet monthly. UConn’s student group, EcoHusky, partners with local land trust called Joshua’s Trust annually to help clean and maintain trails.

Local government is involved in institutional governance through the process of the governor appointing twelve members to the Board of Trustees, as well as representatives on the board holding government positions such as the Commissioners of Agriculture, Economic and Community Development, and Education. Additionally, a member of the Board of Trustees is from the private sector, representing Oak Hill Capital Management, LLC. Finally, the board also includes the Chief of Staff of the Mohegan Tribe of Uncasville, CT.

Without voluntary disclosure of the Board of Trustees identities, we do not feel comfortable assuming if they are from an underrepresented background.