Processes (P)

5P3 Making Decisions

Western uses a consensus decision-making process with representation from a cross section of campus constituents involved in committees and projects. Groups may forward policy recommendations to the Governance Advisory Council (GAC). The President forwards policy, budget and personnel matters to the Board of Governors (8P1).

The three governance groups (Staff Association, Faculty Senate, and Student Government Association ) assign charges to their respective standing and ad hoc committees. After addressing these charges, the groups submit reports and recommendations to their respective governance body. Each of the governance groups then forwards recommendations to the GAC.

Institutional Committees (committees appointed by the President) make recommendations directly to the GAC (5C1). GAC acts as a clearinghouse for proposals originating within the University and forwards proposals, with comments, to the President for action. Some examples of institutional committees and their purposes are the Honors Committee, which awards scholarships and shapes all aspects of the Honors Program, and the Calendar Committee, which sets the university calendar several years in advance.