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Warren Wilson College has historically practiced a unique and collaborative approach to college governance. Open communication is key to building trust, inclusivity, and effectiveness in our governance system. Gathering all campus constituencies together—students, staff, and faculty—we seek to provide a balanced structure for addressing policy questions, undertaking program development, ensuring effective communications, and solving problems together. Our governance framework provides a platform for all points of view, creates an ideal learning milieu, fosters school unity and pride, and generates sound decisions and advice.
This information on the College’s governance is intended to be read as an abbreviated, illustrative description and does not include the exact language or detail of the documents and bylaws that guide our process.
The governance structure of Warren Wilson College consists of the Board of Trustees, the President, the Faculty Body, the Staff Body, the Student Government Association, and the President’s Council, in addition to the All College committees.
The Bylaws of the College state that it will be governed by a Board of Trustees that will be “responsible for establishing policy and overseeing the management of the institution.” Although it may delegate certain authority to the President, the Board of Trustees has the final responsibility for the determination of policy for the College, the purpose and basic mission of the College, the management of the assets of the College, and the development of the College’s land and assets.
The President is responsible to the Board of Trustees and serves as its executive officer in matters relating to the operation of the College. Specific duties include:
The Faculty Body serves as the primary advocacy body for concerns specific to the college faculty. The Faculty Body meets monthly to review and, where appropriate, develop academic policies and standards in conjunction with the Provost and Dean of the Faculty and the committees of the Office of the Provost. The Faculty Body may also independently review and make proposals regarding academic issues that affect the college faculty that have not been addressed by the Office of the Provost. This body also approves and implements policies and standards brought forth by members and committees of the Faculty Body, particularly in regard to scholastic standards and to sabbaticals.
Staff Body is an organization of all designated staff members at Warren Wilson. All full-time and part-time staff members are voting members and strongly encouraged to participate. Staff Body meets monthly to discuss matters relevant to the staff at the College. Issues may be brought to a designated all-College committee for further discussion or, if no such committee is designated, Staff Body officers can bring items to the President’s Council for consideration. The business of Staff Body, when necessary, will run by voting and motions from the floor, facilitated by the Staff Body Officers when necessary.
The Student Government Association (SGA) consists of members of the student body who are identified by the SGA procedures as voting members. In the past, students have been considered voting members after attending a set number of meetings.
In the spirit of transparency, meetings of the SGA will be open to the College community.
The SGA is responsible for:
The President’s Council (PC) serves as a central advising and consultative group on the non-curricular business of the College. PC is composed of the elected Faculty Body Officers, Staff Body Officers, Student Government leadership, and Cabinet designated representatives. The President’s Council functions as the advisory leadership council of the College working directly with the President. The Councilreceives recommendations and requests from all-College committees and passes along recommendations and consultations for decisions to Cabinet. PC also serves as a sounding board and feedback structure with the President on issues brought up in Faculty Body, Staff Body, and/or Student Government.
All College Committees are constituted of faculty, staff, and students. Committees include the Student Centered Committee, Employee Advocacy Committee, Inclusive Excellence Advisory Committee, Finance Operations & Land Committee, and Assessment Committee. Committee membership is determined by a nomination period and an election.
