University of Southern California
PA-3: Inclusive and Participatory Governance

1) STUDENT SHARED GOVERNANCE BODIES
• The USC Undergraduate Student Government is the official undergraduate student representative government of the University with power to make studies, reports, and recommendations to the President of the University in any and all matters pertaining to the well-being of the undergraduate student body.
• The Graduate and Professional Student Senate is the official graduate student representative government of the University with power to make studies, reports, and recommendations to the President of the University in any and all matters pertaining to the well-being of the graduate student body.

More information: https://boardoftrustees.usc.edu/files/2021/06/1-Bylaws-of-USC-as-amended-June-9-2021.pdf

2) ACADEMIC STAFF SHARED GOVERNANCE BODIES
• According to its Constitution, the Academic Senate "is the representative body of the faculty at large for university-wide issues." The Senate is described in the University Bylaws as follows: "The Academic Senate, as from time to time elected or designated by the faculty, shall be a deliberative and consultative body, with power to make studies, reports, and recommendations to the President of the University in any and all matters pertinent to the well-being of the faculty."
• The faculty of each school have established an elected council to participate in the governance of the unit and the University. The elected faculty President of each school's Faculty Council represents it as a member of the Academic Senate, as do additional delegates as designated by the Senate Bylaws with regard to the size of the academic unit.
• Academic Senate Committees are established by the Senate, with members and chairs selected by the Executive Board from the membership of the Faculty Assembly or others. Committees report semi-annually to the Executive Board with reports forwarded to the Senate for action or publication. For example, the Academic Senate Committee on Sustainability will research and advocate ways that USC can make all of its policies and operations more consistent with environmental sustainability on a university-wide and school-by-school level. The committee will discuss and make recommendations as to how our faculty can use our teaching and research to increase awareness of and take actions consistent with environmental sustainability. It will make suggestions to the administration through the Senate as to actions and policies that could be developed to promote and increase sustainability on all of our campuses. The committee’s areas of examination will include teaching, research, and the operations of the University and each School in adopting the most pragmatic and advanced behaviors relating to our handling and use of energy, water, food, transportation and waste. Website link: https://academicsenate.usc.edu/committees/sustainability/

For more information, see the Faculty Handbook: https://policy.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Faculty-Handbook.pdf

3) NON-ACADEMIC STAFF SHARED GOVERNANCE BODIES
• USC Staff Assembly is an officially-recognized branch of the university governance system and exists to promote the growth and welfare of staff employees. Staff Assembly Members are elected by university staff during a campus-wide election process. Assembly Members, through assigned committee work, research and provide recommendations on all matters related to staff work environment, benefits, and policies. The organization includes staff from University Park Campus, Health Sciences Campus, exempt employees, and non-exempt (non-union) employees.
• According to its Constitution, the Staff Assembly "shall exist to contribute to the success of the University of Southern California and to the growth and welfare of its staff employees. The Assembly shall be a fact-finding, deliberative, and consultative body, with authority to make studies, reports, and recommendations on all matters which have a significant bearing on the work and environment of the staff. The Staff Assembly shall operate as a recognized part of the University governance system and shall, as appropriate, work jointly, with all other component parts of this system.

More information: https://staffassembly.usc.edu/resources/constitution/#Article_IV_Powers_and_Areas_of_Influence

The USC Department of Public Safety has a Community Advisory Board (CAB) that is composed of academic representatives, staff, representatives, student representatives, and neighborhood representatives. The CAB enables external stakeholders from around Los Angeles to provide recommendations on how USC might alter its Department of Public Safety to better meet the needs of on-campus stakeholders (students, staff, faculty, etc.) as well as the needs of local community members in surrounding neighborhoods.

The CAB was envisioned as a crucial factor in ensuring an environment where everyone feels safe and respected, and in strengthening the trust between the university, Department of Public Safety and the broader community.

The CAB's initial focus areas are to review, advise, and provide recommendations on:
- Race and identity profiling issues, including investigatory processes
- Department of Public Safety public safety procedures
- Best practices for campus public safety operations
- Processes for officer hiring, training, and disciplinary matters
- Neighborhood community engagement practices and programs
- Relationship with the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

More information on the Department of Public Safety CAB: https://dpscab.usc.edu/
Department of Public Safety CAB roster of members: https://dpscab.usc.edu/board-members/

See here for more ways USC works with neighbors to build a strong community: https://communities.usc.edu/about/

The attached Collaborative Working Agreement (CWA) establishes an understanding between student government and their relation to the university via Student Affairs. The CWA is reviewed and signed annually at the 1st senate meeting of the fall semester.