University of Pennsylvania
PA-3: Inclusive and Participatory Governance

The University Council of the University of Pennsylvania is a deliberative and broadly representative forum which exists to consider the activities of the University in all its phases, with particular attention to the educational objectives of the University and those matters that affect the common interests of faculty, staff and students. It may recommend general policies and otherwise advise the president, the provost, and other officers of the University. It is authorized to initiate policy proposals as well as to express its judgment on those submitted to it by the administrative officers of the University and its various academic divisions. It is also empowered to request information through appropriate channels from any member of the University administration.

 

The University Council is composed of administrative officers and elected representatives of the faculty, students, and staff, including 45 members of Faculty senate, lecturers, administrative officers including the president and provost, 15 graduate students and 15 undergraduate students that represent all schools and selected by the Graduate and Undergraduate student assemblies respectively. There are also two staff representatives from Penn’s Professional Staff assembly, and representation from the Librarians Assembly, Weekly-Paid Professional Staff and the United Minorities Council.

 

Students: Student governance consists of several organizations at Penn, including: Class Boards, Nominations and Elections Committee (NEC), Social Planning and Events Committee (SPEC), Student Activities Council (SAC), Student Committee on Undergraduate Education (SCUE), Undergraduate Assembly (UA), and the Graduate and Professional Student Association (GAPSA). Students elect members of the Class Boards, the Undergraduate Assembly, and GAPSA; members of the other branches are appointed or apply to positions. University Council, the primary governance body at Penn, includes seats for GAPSA and the UA.

 

Staff: Staff governance consists of the Penn Professional Staff Assembly (PPSA) and Weekly-Paid Professional Staff Assembly (WPPSA). The PPSA serves monthly paid staff members of the University of Pennsylvania and provides a forum through which staff can engage in dialogue about issues facing the University and higher education. The WPPSA represents all full-time weekly-paid (non-union) professional employees on one of the university’s main decision-making bodies: University Council and its committees.

 

Faculty: The Faculty Senate was established in 1952 as the representative voice for full-time teaching faculty at the University of Pennsylvania. The University of Pennsylvania embraces a vision of shared governance in which the faculty is regularly consulted on academic issues and faculty decisions heavily influence policies that are under the purview of faculty responsibility.

 

University City District (UCD) is a partnership of several anchor institutions, including Penn, that supports small businesses and residents in the University City area of West Philadelphia. UCD was created largely by the University of Pennsylvania, which maintains a strong role in maintaining the organization. The primary mission of the UCD is community revitalization, and the organization manages several programs that create opportunity, and improves economic vitality and quality of life. They work within a place-based, data-driven framework to invest in world-class public spaces, address crime and public safety, bring life to commercial corridors, connect low-income residents to careers, and promote job growth and innovation.

 

The Office of Government and Community Affairs (OGCA) advances Penn's mission by managing relationships with government and community leaders, advocating for policies and legislation consistent with the University's goals, and shaping local engagement initiatives. This office hosts monthly "First Thursdays" meetings on the first Thursday of every month with the aim of providing a regular opportunity for University and community leaders to exchange information, allow for early and informal issue identification, problem solving, and to look for new shared opportunities. Any member of the community is welcome. Meetings are published in the Almanac and on the Penn Calendar: https://almanac.upenn.edu/at-penn-calendar.