Shared governance is valued through faculty and staff participation in planning and decision-making processes. At SDSU, shared governance is practiced by providing groups of employees or students a voice in key decision-making processes through elected or appointed representation. Certain groups are also asked to exercise primary responsibility for specific areas of decision making. Faculty and students participate in shared governance through the following structures:
Faculty Senate is an elected body of the faculty whose purpose is to advocate for the welfare of the university and the university community, develop and disseminate communications, have an advisory role in general university policy and perform those duties and functions allocated to or assumed by the faculty. The President and Provost meet with the executive committee on a regular basis. More information on the Faculty Senate
Professional Staff Advisory Council is composed of non-faculty exempt employees elected by their peers. The purpose for the Advisory Council is to offer a unified voice to NFE employees so they might advocate for the welfare of the university and the professional staff community. The Provost meets with the executive committee on a regular basis.
Civil Service Advisory Council (CSAC) is composed of employees elected by their peers. The CSAC acts in an advisory capacity and provides a communications link between civil service employees, the president and administration. In addition, the CSAC addresses issues pertaining to the CSAC's role at the university, discusses and makes recommendations on the conditions for employment and assists employees in finding solutions.
Students' Association (SA) is elected by their peers to represent the interests of students. Included in their charge is to oversee student organizations, student activities, allocate a portion of the general activity fund and to represent the student voice to other bodies such as the Board of Regents and the Brookings City Council.
University Committees are jointly appointed by the president and Faculty Senate. A committee charter guides the composition and purpose of each committee. Committees are chaired by faculty and include all classifications of employees and students. Committees provide guidance and input into important university decisions.