University and State-level Leadership Involvements

The Staff Senate is an elected body that represents the university’s permanent, non-faculty employees. The Staff Senate serves in an advisory capacity to the Chancellor and other university decision-making bodies and meets monthly to discuss staff members’ ideas and concerns. The Senate is committed to representing and communicating the needs and priorities of staff. The Senate also works to ensure that staff contributions are recognized at WCU. The Staff Senate values and respects the worth and contributions of all individuals at Western Carolina University.

WCU's Board of Trustees

A body appointed by the NC General Assembly and the UNC Board of Governors, the body advises the Board of Governors and the Chancellor on the development, engagement, management, and strategy of the institution, and it’s role in the region, system and state.  The Staff Senate actively engages with the Board of Trustees by providing quarterly reports, as well as an annual Trustee & Senator meeting.

Learn more about the Board of Trustees

Budget Advisory Committee

Appointed group of faculty, staff, and students who participate in the annual budget process through attendance at unit, division and/or campus budget hearings and engagement with senior leadership on general budget spending/reduction priorities and strategies.

Learn more about the Budget Advisory Committee

UNC Staff Assembly

The UNC Staff Assembly is an advisory body of SHRA and EHRA Non-Faculty who represent the staff of the 17 schools that make up the University of North Carolina System.  Established in 2006 by President Erskine Bowles, the purpose of the group is to advocate for staff issues and represent staff perspective to the senior leadership of the System Office and the Board of Governors. The Staff Assembly serves in parallel function with the University Faculty Assembly and the Association of Student Governments to constructively address the concerns and interests of the respective campuses and the System.  The goal is to improve communications, understanding, and morale throughout the campus communities, and to increase efficiency and productivity in campus and System operations.

Learn more about the UNC Staff Assembly

Council on Inclusive Excellence

The Council, composed of faculty and staff from across the institution, is charged with advising senior university leadership on issues, policies, and practices that affect Western Carolina University’s commitment as a champion of Inclusive Excellence.  The group is also charged with managing and implementing campus climate surveys and assessments and offering recommendations for redressing all forms of racial and ethnicity-related inequities among student and employee populations.

Learn more about the Council on Inclusive Excellence

Strategic Planning Committee

This standing committee, representing all university divisions, provides ongoing guidance and direction regarding the Strategic Plan, including an annual assessment of the goals and initiatives.  The purpose of the committee is to keep constant, active engagement with the plan, and annually reassess the relevance and strategic focus of those goals and initiatives, determining which items have been accomplished, and what emerging priorities need to be included over time.

Learn more about the Strategic Planning Committee