Processes (P)

8P4 Coordinating and Aligning Planning Processes and Overall Institutional
Strategies and Action Plans

Western coordinates and aligns institutional strategies and action plans with perspective provided by the Department of Higher Education (DHE) and input received from within varying institutional levels (8P1, Figure 8.3). Functional planning occurs throughout leadership systems, with each unit communicating through regular meetings, minutes, and reports. Representatives provide two-way communication from units and leadership systems.

The Department of Higher Education (DHE) is governed by the Coordinating Board of Higher Education (CBHE) and consists of nine members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. CBHE approves new degree programs, establishes guidelines for appropriation requests, approves new university or residence centers, establishes admission guidelines, develops policies and procedures on resident status of students, establishes guidelines for transfer of students among Missouri state educational institutions, and collects comparable data for all institutions.

The Board of Governors (seven members appointed by Missouri’s Governor), President, vice presidents for the three divisions, deans, and directors provide the executive/administrative leadership for Western’s systems planning (O.4-O.5).

The President’s Cabinet, consisting of the President, Executive Assistant, vice presidents, Special Assistant to the President, and Director of External Relations meets weekly to plan and coordinate the general objectives of the institution and its budget planning.

The Governance Advisory Council (GAC) consists of the President, vice presidents, the deans, and the presidents and vice presidents of the three governance groups of the Faculty Senate, Staff Association, and the Student Government Association. GAC facilitates communications within the university, acting as a clearing-house for proposals originating within the university. It insures that existing policies and procedures have been discussed by all campus governance groups, compares new proposals with existing policies and procedures, and submits proposals with GAC-related discussion to the president for action. GAC meets regularly in an open forum.

The Deans’ Council, chaired by the Provost/Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, is comprised of deans and directors from academic and support units. The Dean’s Council evaluates and implements policy, plans budgets, generates new programs, and responds to the academic needs of the institution.

Deans of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the College of Professional Studies meet with the chairpersons’ councils on a regular basis to facilitate budgeting and planning and to respond to the needs of the Colleges. They also hold regular meetings for the membership of the two colleges.

An active Faculty Senate and Staff Association help to communicate with the administration and help to improve the overall operations of the institution.

Several institutional committees contribute to planning and submit their proposals or recommendations to GAC for communication and reaction campus wide: Calendar, Classification, University Hearing Panel, Cultural Events, Equal Opportunity, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Campus Environmental Impact, Registration Procedures, Safety Committee, Traffic Appeals Board, Institutional Legislative, Admission and Graduation Committee, and Technology Management Team (7P6).

The Student Government Association (SGA), composed of elected representatives from the student body, provides the primary means for student participation in institutional decision-making. SGA officers and members frequently serve as student members of committees. The SGA Constitution and Bylaws define the communication system within the student organization (Student Handbook 5). SGA consists of the executive branch followed by the legislative and presidential-appointed standing committees. The Campus Activities Board (CAB) and the Residence Council (RC) represent individual interest groups.