University of Michigan
PA-3: Governance

All students have the opportunity to participate in Central Student Government (CSG). The CSG has a very similar structure to the United States federal government. There are three distinct branches, each serving a unique purpose. The Executive Branch is made up of the Executive Committee and approximately 20 Executive Commissions, which each advocate and work on behalf of specific issue and identity-based causes. The Legislative Branch is composed of two houses: the Student Assembly and the University Council. The Student Assembly is made up of representatives who are elected at-large to represent their specific schools and colleges within the University. The University Council is a group of delegates from the various school and college-level governments, e.g. LSA Student Government and the University of Michigan Engineering Council. Finally, the Judicial Branch is composed of the Central Student Judiciary, which is a judiciary of nine justices.

Establishing organization mission, vision, and/or goals: Within the Central Student Government, there are a variety of commissions and committees. Members of these group can set goals/have a mission to work towards. For example, the University Sustainability committee will work with Michigan Dining to promote its eco-friendly efforts and advocate for a student rate with Ann Arbor Bike Share. A store in the Student Union now carries fresh produce. https://csg.umich.edu/u-gos-union-now-carry-fresh-produce. Establishing new policies, programs, or initiatives: CSG can work with the University to establish new programs or initiatives. For example, the Central Student Government and Interfraternity Council partnered to propose and fund a new late night bus route to improve safety for students. The Dean of Students and Executive Director of Public Safety and Security initially supported the initiative, which did turn into a reality. https://csg.umich.edu/csg-announces-continuation-night-owl-bus-service. Strategic and long-term planning: CSG was directly involved in creating a new Football Student Ticket Plan for 2015. https://csg.umich.edu/2015-csg-athletics-football-ticket-plan. Existing or prospective physical resources: CSG has a "What to Fix" commission, that allows anyone to submit suggestions for improvements to the University of Michigan campus. Recently, the Central Student Government worked with University Unions food services to open Mujo Café 24 hours Sunday through Wednesday nights. https://csg.umich.edu/executive-branch/executive-committee/press-releases/mujo-cafe-dude-join-berts-ugli-24-hr-cafe Budgeting, staffing and financial planning: Regarding finances, each year the Central Student Government allocates hundreds of thousands of dollars to student organizations through its Student Organization Funding Commission (SOFC). The Finance Committee writes and reviews legislation that requires the expenditure of CSG funds. The Finance Committee also works closely with the CSG Treasurer in putting together the semester budget. Communications processes and transparency practices: The Communications Committee writes and reviews legislation that requires communication either within CSG or from CSG to the student body. The Communications Committee fosters communication between the different branches of CSG, and works closely with the Communications Commission to promote CSG sponsored events to the student body. Prioritization of programs and projects: In 2013, CSG submitted a report to the Presidential Search Advisory Committee to highlight key priorities they would like the next University President to address. https://csg.umich.edu/executive-branch/executive-committee/presidents-posts/student-advisory-report-search-14th-president. There is also a University Council, which is composed of a representative from each degree granting institution's student government at the University of Michigan. The University Council meets to discuss and debate campus issues, propose and vote on legislation for the betterment of the University community, hear the concerns of constituents, and collaborate on initiatives.

Staff are able to participate in a governing body through Voices of the staff. VOICES of the Staff is a volunteer-based program offering University of Michigan staff members an opportunity to share ideas and define the campus community issues that matter most to you. The members of the VOICES network groups are chosen from the overall pool of applicants to represent a microcosm of the U-M staff community (demographics including work areas, gender, ethnicity and union representation). Staff members can apply to serve on the Core Team.

Establishing organizational mission, vision, and/or goals: Supplied Input to Leadership on Significant Issues: VOICES Core Team meets several times each year with senior leadership, including President Coleman, Executive Vice Presidents, and other senior leaders to discuss issues and opportunities of concern to the staff community. Establishing new policies, programs, or initiatives: Parking & Transportation Enhancements: VOICES worked closely with Parking & Transportation Services to provide additional and more affordable parking options, improved bus shelters, and expanded commuter bus service. Strategic and long-term planning: Benefit Plan Improvements: VOICES partnered with the Benefits Office to design and develop an enhanced dental care plan and offered early input on health care and retirement plan changes. Existing or prospective physical resources: The VOICES Parking and Transportation Team has realized its vision of improved access to parking services with the opening of a branch parking customer service office in UH South (the previous Mott building). Budgeting, staffing and financial planning: Tom Herbert, assistant vice president of the Development Major Gifts Program, discussed the Michigan Difference Campaign and the importance of staff members’ participation in contributing funds. The Core Team offered campaign strategy suggestions for ways in reaching staff members throughout the University. Communications processes and transparency practices: Improved Communication: VOICES has been instrumental in developing videos, educational opportunities, training materials and other tools to help build strong faculty/staff and supervisor/staff relationships.

The University Senate, Senate Assembly, and Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs (SACUA). The University of Michigan Senate Assembly consists of 74 elected faculty members from the Ann Arbor, Dearborn and Flint campuses, each serving a three-year term. The Senate Assembly meets monthly during the academic year and is charged by Section 4 of the Regents' Bylaws to represent the interests and concerns of faculty throughout the University of Michigan system. Membership of the Faculty Senate consists of all members of the professorial staff, the executive officers of the university, the dean of each school or college, such members of the research and library staff as may be designated in accordance with standards and procedures approved by the Senate Assembly, and such other major officers as may be designated by the Board of Regents from time to time. There are also many committees faculty can serve on.

Establishing organizational mission, vision, and/or goals: The Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs (SACUA) is the executive arm of the University Senate and of the Senate Assembly. SACUA meets weekly and consists of nine members of the Senate Assembly elected by the Assembly for three-year terms. On behalf of the Assembly, SACUA advises and consults with the President, Provost, and the Executive Officers of the University on matters of University policy. SACUA also coordinates and initiates governance activities and serves as an instrument for implementing the actions of the University Senate and the Senate Assembly. Establishing new policies, programs, or initiatives: Committee on University Values: As the voice of faculty, the committee shall advise and consult on a variety of special topics of broad interest to the university as a whole with an emphasis on core university values.The committee’s advice shall be sought and given in a timely manner so that the advice could affect the decision-making outcome. Strategic and long-term planning: The Committee on the Economic Status of the Faculty (CESF) was formed by the President in 1944 in order to report to the Board of Regents, the Senate Assembly, and the President on all matters concerning the economic status of the faculty. CESF investigates, analyzes, and monitors faculty salary, fringe benefits, extra payments and competitiveness with other universities. CESF strives to facilitate a more transparent compensation system throughout the university in order to assist in the recruitment and retention of faculty. Existing or prospective physical resources: The Development Advisory Committee (DAC) is advisory to the Vice President for Development. The committee identifies, advises, and consults on development issues of importance to the entire University in conjunction with SACUA and Senate Assembly. Budgeting, staffing and financial planning: The Budget Study Committee advises SACUA and Senate Assembly about fiscal issues of importance to members of the University community, as identified through an analysis of the University Budget. There is also a Provost's Advisory Committee on Budgetary Affairs. As the voice of faculty, the committee shall advise and consult with the Provost on policy and procedure issues related to the Provost's annual budget. The committee's advice shall be sought and given in a timely manner so that the advice could affect the decision-making outcome. Communications processes and transparency practices: The Communications Advisory Committee (CAC) advises and consults with the Vice President for Communications regarding public relations, internal and external communications, and long-range planning.