Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 53.85
Liaison Ruairi O'Mahony
Submission Date May 1, 2015
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

University of Massachusetts Lowell
PA-3: Governance

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.00 / 3.00 Richard Lemoine
Director of Environmental & Emergency Management
Environmental & Emergency Management
"---" 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)?:
Yes

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

Student Government Association (SGA) is comprised of elected representatives from the undergraduate student body representing each of the academic colleges. Their purpose is to represent the opinions, rights and interests of the students of UMass Lowell. In addition, the members of student government serve as a vehicle of expression for students through structured communication with faculty, staff, administration and the Board of Trustees.


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:

The President of the Student Government Association also serves on the UMass System Board of Trustees.


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 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:

• Development of Sustainability mission, vision and goals
• Food recycling initiative
• Establishment of the Office of Sustainability
• University Suites energy conservation program campaign
• Development of the sustainability web site
• Through the STARS assessment, setting priorities for the Office of Sustainability.


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:

There are numerous governance bodies that staff can participate in. One specific example is the Parking & Transportation Committee that is deeply routed in sustainable transportation. Any staff member can volunteer for this committee. There are also elected Union representatives on this 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?:
No

A brief description of non-supervisory staff representation on the governing body, including how the representatives are selected:

NA


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:

The above were answered in the context of the Climate Action Plan Steering Committee and Sustainability and Energy and Project Identification Subcommittees and Parking and Transportation Committee. These committees have accomplished the following items:

• Development of Sustainability mission, vision and goals
• Food recycling initiative
• Establishment of the Office of Sustainability
• University Suites energy conservation program campaign
• Development of the sustainability web site
• Through the STARS assessment, setting priorities for the Office of Sustainability.


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:

The purpose of the Faculty Senate is to ensure the active representation of the faculty and librarians in the governance of the University. The faculty exercise primary responsibility in such academic matters as curriculum, subject matter and methods of instruction, research, admissions, libraries and other aspects of the university life which are directly related to the educational process.

The Faculty Senate shall be nominated from and elected by the full-time academic faculty and librarians by department or academic unit with a personnel committee, at a ratio of 1:5. Senators shall be elected for two years by the full-time faculty and librarians in their departments or academic units. In departments or academic units with two or more senators the term of office shall be staggered. The normal term of office for faculty senators shall be from 1 May of one calendar year through 30 April of the second following calendar year.
http://www.uml.edu/docs/by-laws-4-6-2010cm_tcm18-54064.pdf


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:

The President of the Faculty Senate attends meetings of the Provost's Council in an ex-officio capacity.

The Faculty Representative to the Board of Trustees and one Associate Faculty Representative to the Board of Trustees shall be Senators nominated by the Faculty Senate and elected annually by the entire faculty and librarians using a secret ballot.
http://www.uml.edu/docs/by-laws-4-6-2010cm_tcm18-54064.pdf


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 No
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:
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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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.