University of Pittsburgh
PA-3: Inclusive and Participatory Governance

The University of Pittsburgh’s shared governance enables discussions to take place among key campus groups prior to decisions being made. Members of upper administration, faculty, and students all participate in these discussions. The three primary bodies contributing to Pitt’s shared governance are the Student Government Board (SGB), University Senate, and Staff Council. More about each of these bodies is described below. The Senate Council (a subgroup of the University Senate) is an official University body for shared governance that makes recommendations concerning educational policies and other matters of University‑wide concern.

STUDENT GOVERNMENT BOARD

The University of Pittsburgh’s Student Government Board (SGB) exists to promote the concerns, interests, needs, and welfare of the student body by:
1) Initiating, developing, and maintaining programs and services that meet the academic, socioeconomic, and personal needs and interests of the student body;
2) Stimulating and facilitating communication and interaction between the members of the student body and University Community; and
3) Allocating the Student Activities Fee in a fair and equitable manner and utilizing these funds in order to fulfil the above functions.

Pitt’s SGB has 9 elected positions, 30 appointed positions, open committee membership, task forces, ad hoc committees, and more.

More about SGB: http://sgb.pitt.edu/about/

UNIVERSITY SENATE

The Senate of the University of Pittsburgh (“University Senate”) is an official University body for shared governance. Through its various organs, it considers and makes recommendations concerning educational policies and other matters of University-wide concern.

The Senate shall foster discussion and maintain adequate communication channels among students, staff, faculty, administrative officers, and the Board of Trustees on all matters affecting the welfare of the University or its constituent members. Senate recommendations are usually expressed through two deliberative bodies, the Faculty Assembly and the Senate Council. Recommendations from Senate bodies are made to the Chancellor or other appropriate University officers on policy matters.

The purpose of the Senate is to create and maintain adequate communication channels among students, staff, faculty, administrative officers, and the Board of Trustees for discussion and consultation on all matters affecting the welfare of the University. At least one general meeting of the Senate is held during the academic year to discuss matters of central concern to the University community and the work of the Senate bodies. No other University forum exists for implementing similar goals.

The membership of the Senate consists of: 1) all persons who hold full-time academic appointments in the University of Pittsburgh with the titles of lecturer, senior lecturer, instructor, assistant professor, associate professor or professor; 2) all part-time tenured faculty; 3) all persons who hold full-time appointments at the University of Pittsburgh as faculty librarians; 4) student and staff members of Senate Council and of Senate Standing Committees; 5) the Chancellor of the University; 6) eight other administrators who are members of Senate Council; 7) four additional administrators designated by the Chancellor; 8) the Deans; 9) those part-time untenured faculty who annually indicate to the Office of the University Senate their desire for membership and who, during each of the two academic years previous to the desired year of membership, have taught a minimum of 6 credits per year for remuneration; and (10) those emeriti and retired faculty and librarians who were Senate members at the time of their retirement and who indicate to the Office of the University Senate their desire to remain members.

- More about University Senate: https://www.univsenate.pitt.edu/about
- More about University Senate's Faculty Assembly: https://www.univsenate.pitt.edu/faculty-assembly
- More about University Senate's Senate Council: https://www.univsenate.pitt.edu/senate-council

STAFF COUNCIL

Staff Council serves as a center for input and dissemination of information and provides a means of communication between staff and other members of the Pitt community. Membership is comprised of representatives of the University staff and officers that are elected by the Council membership. Committee chairs and vice chairs lead the efforts of 4 standing committees. All regular, classified University of Pittsburgh staff members in good standing are invited to become members of Staff Council. Staff Council members are appointed to committees throughout campus to represent staff interests. General Staff Council meetings are open to all faculty and staff, regardless of membership in Staff Council.

More about Staff Council: https://www.staffcouncil.pitt.edu

The University of Pittsburgh's Office of Community and Governmental Relations (CGR) maintains relationships with all levels of government, including Federal, Commonwealth, County, and City, while also leading Pitt’s community-facing work through collaboration, communication, and facilitation of University engagement with its broader communities. CGR is responsive, bringing neighborhood voices, policy awareness, and issue-based activity together by bridging internal and external stakeholders to forge new collaborations.

As part of this effort, CGR leads Pitt’s Neighborhood Commitments, which are long-term commitments of investment, infrastructure, programming, and dedicated staff in the neighborhoods of Oakland as well as the Hill District and Homewood, in which Pitt’s Community Engagement Centers (CEC) are located. These commitments are grounded in mutually beneficial relationships that support the neighborhood’s agenda while strengthening the University’s mission of teaching, research, and service. Each CEC has a neighborhood Advisory Council of community leaders and residents who guide each CEC in benefiting local partners and community members.

Homewood CEC's Advisory Council (at bottom of page): https://cec.pitt.edu/homewood/about

Hill District CEC's Advisory Council (at bottom of page): https://cec.pitt.edu/hilldistrict/about

Community Engagement

Pitt aspires to be a university that strengthens our communities—from the Pitt community, to our region and the world around us—by expanding engagements, supporting collaborations, and embracing a global perspective. CGR acts as a central point of contact by providing resources to Pitt students, faculty, staff, and community organizations and residents in order to improve access to the University and support relationships between the campus and community.

Board of Trustees' demographic information provided by Office of the Secretary, 11-14-23.

NOTE: Though they are not Board Trustees, students, faculty, and staff are all assigned as representatives to Board Committees.

University of Pittsburgh's Board of Trustees: https://www.trustees.pitt.edu/board-trustees

SHARED GOVERNANCE
University Senate: https://www.univsenate.pitt.edu/senate-council
Staff Council: http://staffcouncil.pitt.edu/about
Student Governance Board: http://sgb.pitt.edu/about/

Pitt's Office of Community & Governmental Relations: https://www.government.pitt.edu/about-us