2.3.1 Student Involvement in Decision-Making

Responsible Position

Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs

RELATED ITEMS

Minnesota State Board Policy

Minnesota State System Procedure

PROCEDURES

Campus Meetings

To provide a mechanism for student discussion, consultation, and reviews, ATCC administrators meet regularly with student representatives appointed by the Student Senate. The chief campus administrator shall:

Meet with Student Senate at least twice per semester to discuss issues of mutual concern brought forward by Student Senate or the administration;

Inform Student Senate of the subject of scheduled consultations or reviews at least a week in advance under very unusual circumstances as reported to the President;

Structure the consultation process to provide adequate time for students to be able to discuss and consider an issue prior to any proposed recommendation.

 

Representation

Students are given the opportunity to serve as full members of appropriate college committees through the entire process of that work group. Examples include, but are not limited to, search committees for certain employees (e.g. senior administrators, student affairs/student development professionals), policy development committees, strategic planning committees, food service vendor selection committees, etc.

 

Consultation and Review

Consultation

Consultation occurs when the administration seeks an opinion from Student Senate and considers the information in the decision-making process. Consultation includes presentation of materials, discussion, and an opportunity for students to ask questions during a meeting.

Consultation process

The consultation process is used to gather student input and/or recommendations and can provide a forum for developing agreements between the administration and Student Senate. Prior to a consultation meeting, Student Senate is notified of the agenda items. Necessary background materials are provided in advance of the meeting except under very unusual circumstances as reported to the President. If Student Senate requests further information, a response must be provided within a reasonable time period. If a resolution or agreement is proposed, Student Senate must have a reasonable amount of time to discuss and consider the issue internally. Examples of issues requiring consultation include, but are not limited to, a change in tuition or fees; agreement to establish an athletic fee, presidential exemption of fees, student life/activity fees, health fees, facility fee, parking fee, student wage rates, technology fee, or non-curricular campus proposals that have significant impact on students.

Position letter from campus student association

When an ATCC proposal requires consultation and approval by the Board of Trustees, Student Senate shall submit a letter stating the level of consultation and any position taken by the association on the issue. The letter must be submitted to the system office by the ATCC President prior to initial consideration of the proposal, except under very unusual circumstances as reported to the Minnesota State Chancellor and Student Senate. Examples of issues requiring a letter to the Board from Student Senate include, but are not limited to, tuition changes, room and board rates, significant land purchases, student union facility fees, and food service contracts.

Review

A review is an information report by the administration and includes an opportunity for students to ask questions on the information presented. The review process requires a meeting to inform the student association of an issue of potential concern to the students. Prior to the meeting, Student Senate is notified of the agenda items. Examples include, but are not limited to, the review of a campus bonding request that is being formulated, statute changes, personal property/service charges with substantial student impact (e.g. laptops), campus budget information, late fees, drop fees, experiential learning assessment fees, special event charges, residential learning community fee, remodeling and construction projects, and substantial changes to academic programs.

Related ATCC Documents:

Approved by: Leadership Council

Effective Date: 7/20/2022

Next Review Date: July 2025

Archive: