Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 66.74
Liaison Jennifer Lamy
Submission Date March 30, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Emerson College
PA-3: Participatory Governance

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.75 / 3.00 Margaret Ann Ings
Vice President Government and Community Relations
Government and Community Relations
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Part 1

Do the institution’s students have a representative body through which they can participate in governance (e.g. a student council)? :
Yes

Do the institution’s students have an elected representative on the institution’s highest governing body?:
Yes

If yes to either of the above, provide:

A brief description of the bodies and mechanisms through which students are engaged in governance, including information to support each affirmative response above:
The Student Government Association at Emerson College is dedicated to the protection and promotion of student interests. We as an organization seek to facilitate the operation of and fund college-recognized organizations. We also strive to create and maintain robust dialogues between students, staff, administration and faculty in order to ensure students get the best Emerson experience possible during their time here. Joint Session, composed of elected and appointed representatives, meets every Tuesday from 2:00 PM to 3:45 PM in the Multipurpose Room at 150 Boylston Street. All Joint Session meetings are open to the entire Emerson community. There is an undergraduate and graduate representative elected to the highest governing body, the Board of Trustees,

Do the institution’s staff members have a representative body through which they can participate in governance (e.g. a staff council)?:
Yes

Do the institution’s non-supervisory staff members have an elected representative on the institution’s highest governing body?:
No

If yes to either of the above, provide:

A brief description of the bodies and mechanisms through which staff are engaged in governance, including information to support each affirmative response above:
Human Resources Advisory Council

Do the institution’s teaching and research faculty have a representative body through which they can participate in governance (e.g. a faculty senate)?:
Yes

Do the institution’s teaching and research faculty have an elected representative on the institution’s highest governing body? :
Yes

If yes to either of the above, provide:

A brief description of the bodies and mechanisms through which teaching and research faculty are engaged in governance, including information to support each affirmative response above:
Faculty Council - elected faculty Faculty Assembly - governing body Elected faculty on Board of Trustees

Part 2

Does the institution have written policies and procedures to identify and engage external stakeholders (i.e. local residents) in land use planning, capital investment projects, and other institutional decisions that affect the community?:
Yes

A copy of the written policies and procedures:
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The policies and procedures:
The Office of Government and Community Relations acts as a liaison between Emerson College and the Boston community. Working closely with neighborhood groups, city agencies, and other institutions, the Office is committed to improving the safety and quality of life for all residents and visitors who frequent the Midtown Cultural District, where Emerson is located. The Office also coordinates the College's relationships with city, state, and federal agencies and serves as a resource for student organizations and academic and administrative departments that interact with local communities and the Boston Public Schools. Emerson College has proudly called Boston its home for more than 125 years. The College is committed to the City and supports its neighborhoods and institutions through the work of its students, faculty, staff, and academic and administrative departments. Every two years, Emerson publishes a report detailing community service activities. The most recent report covers activities that occurred during 2015 through 2016. http://www.emerson.edu/sites/default/files/Files/AboutEmerson/about-emerson-government-community-relations-community-service-report.pdf Emerson College received the Community Engagement Classification from the Carnegie Foundation, being recognized for its high level of commitment to civic and community engagement. Emerson is one of 361 institutions nationwide that now hold the distinguished Community Engagement Classification. In a letter to the College, the Carnegie Foundation stated that Emerson “documented excellent alignment among campus mission, culture, leadership, resources, and practices that support dynamic and noteworthy community engagement. Community response for the remodel of Emerson's largest building: "Moreover, Emerson College once again will establish its civic and educational leadership by making significant additions to its housing capacity in partnership with Mayor Walsh’s mandate that Boston colleges seek to house significantly more of its students on their campuses. Emerson will be the first Boston institution of higher learning to announce its plans to fulfill the Mayor’s mandate. These projects represent Emerson’s unprecedented and determined efforts to revitalize a significant and historic Boston neighborhood through innovation and excellence." http://www.emerson.edu/about-emerson/administration/president/speeches-remarks/emersons-renovation-construction-projects

Does the institution have formal participatory or shared governance bodies through which community members representing the interests of the following stakeholder groups can regularly participate in institutional governance?:
Yes or No
Local government and/or educational organizations Yes
Private sector organizations Yes
Civil society (e.g. NGOs, NPOs) Yes

If yes to one or more of the above, provide:

A brief description of the bodies and mechanisms through which external stakeholders are engaged in institutional governance (including information about each stakeholder group selected above):
View of the Boston Common Purpose of the Board of Advisors The Emerson College Board of Advisors assists the President and the Board of Trustees in carrying out their duties to ensure that the College sustains and implements sound strategic plans to ensure Emerson’s long-term institutional health. Advisors offer advice and recommendations to the President and the Board of Trustees on plans and initiatives related to the schools, the student experience, industry outreach and engagement, diversity and inclusion, fundraising, and special projects identified by the President. ach Advisor serves to connect Emerson students and faculty to industry. Achieving this goal occurs both during the three annual meetings and through individual activities that occur throughout the year coordinated by the President's Liaisons to the Board of Advisors. These activities include: participation in Emerson task forces, serving as a guest lecturer, introducing industry leaders to the College, mentoring students, and creating pathways to internship opportunities for Emerson students.

Optional Fields 

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
http://www.emerson.edu/about-emerson/administration/board-advisors

Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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