Staff Senate is an elected body created for staff members to have a united voice to university administration and an active role in shared governance.  Staff Senate represents the WCU’s permanent, non-faculty employees. The Senate acts on-behalf of and to the benefit of WCU employees by acting as a liaison between staff and decision-making bodies at the university and state-level.

Staff Senate advocates for staff based on feedback provided regarding relevant issues to staff. Some of the most recent issues include salary and compensation, paternal leave, paid maternal leave, flexible work schedules, and professional development funding for staff.  If you have a topic of concern, please share your thoughts with us via email.

Proceeds from fundraisers and donations go to The Staff Senate Scholarship which supports currently enrolled or accepted, incoming students who are children and relatives of SHRA and EHRA non-faculty employees. The scholarship is awarded to students each year through the university scholarship application process, opening on October 1 of each year. Award preference is given to the children and dependents of WCU employees, including those of the University’s contractual employees. Please note that the application deadline is February 1 of each year.

Shared governance refers to a process in which faculty, staff, and students participate in the issues and matters that affect the institution and have a hand in the decision-making processes.  At WCU, the Chancellor and university decision makers continue to demonstrate efforts to respect and further engage Staff Senate, Faculty Senate, Student Government Association (SGA) in shared governance.