Standard 6.E - Student Role in Governance
Students are part of the University governance structure represented by the Associated Students of Montana State University Billings (ASMSU Billings). In addition, student representatives serve on the Academic Senate and its subcommittees, the Provost Council, faculty search committees and faculty review committees.
Evidence: 4.7 and 6.10 University Committee Membership Lists (ASMSU Billings, student senate, student representation on campus committees)
Policy 6.1 - Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination
This policy is met as follows:
- MSU Billings has a written affirmative action plan that is reviewed and
updated annually. - Human Resources review position announcements to ensure that they comply with the policies of nondiscrimination
- Human Resources monitors hiring and promotions to assess nondiscrimination and equal treatment of all applicants and employees.
- All position vacancy announcements, position advertising and the job application form include the following statement: “MSU Billings is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.”
- The nondiscrimination policies are published in several different venues (i.e. webpage, catalogs, student handbooks).
- OFCCP compliance review of the Affirmative Action plan cited the plan was in compliance.
Evidence: 9.1 Offices of Human Resources Policies and Procedures/ Affirmative Action Plan
Policy 6.2 - Collective Bargaining
The points of this policy are met as follows:
- The University community has been involved for the past three years in the self-study. A representative Steering Committee has led the accreditation efforts. The campus has been regularly informed of progress through the newsletter CQI-FYI. Representatives of various constituencies have participated in NWCCU accreditation preparation.
- Collective bargaining/collaborative negotiations serve both faculty and administration. The collaborative process for refining working conditions and contractual interpretations insure that all parties share a framework for working together that is under continual scrutiny.
- Previous recommendations by NWCCU evaluation committees and feedback through a mock visit conducted fall 2007 have been helpful for MSU Billings. Accreditation reports and mock visit feedback allow the institution to set benchmarks for continuing growth. Neither side — accreditors nor the institution — has attempted to use information gained through the accreditation processes for inappropriate ends.
- MSU Billings faculty and administration continually define the role of Academic Senate and its subcommittees and the role of the various campus unions. Issues in the real world are often in shades of gray, rather than clearly black or white. Both faculty and administration attempt to assign issues to the appropriate venue for solution.
- All contracts are part of the MSU Billings exhibits for any accreditation agency.
Evidence: 4.4 CBA/VTEM; 6.7 Staff Contract
