NWS Student Government Officer 26-27

This application is only for current Pacific University students who have already been elected & hired to serve a role in student government, which are designated to receive a stipend or compensation for actively performing the volunteer, at-will role and participating in the governance process. This application is not a job application, but is necessary to effect payment and proper taxation for the stipend through the university's HR system.

Title of Position: NWS Student Government Officer

Department Name, location of department: Student Engagement & Inclusion, University Center (Washburne Hall), lower level

Purpose of Role:

Many student leaders play an essential role in the functioning of student government at Pacific University. Recognizing the importance of some of these volunteer, at-will roles, and the time and effort required to participate in the leadership process, some student organizations have provided for stipends or other considerations for students in these leadership roles. The establishment of student government and its component organizations are provided for in the University Faculty and Governance Handbook in Chapter 2.7. Some student leadership roles are established there. All student leadership roles are further provided and described in the constitutions, bylaws, policies, and other governing documents of those constituent student organizations, which are approved within the university's governance processes. These include:

Undergraduate Student Senate Constitution & Bylaws: https://pacificu.app.box.com/v/USS-governance-documents

Professional Student Senate Bylaws: https://pacificu.box.com/s/a02a4us1yliyhbljoc9nsl0grwfvntiy

Greek Senate Bylaws: Google Drive link

Activities, Culture, & Entertainment (ACE) Board Board Role Descriptions: Google Drive link

Generalized Role Responsibilities:

Student government leaders have role-specific responsibilities that are maintained in the organizational governing documents referenced above. These role-specific responsibilities, related documentation and training are made available during the election process and throughout the term of the position. The following generalized responsibilities apply broadly to most student leadership positions and are summarized here for process reference:

• Regularly attend and participate in weekly or bi-weekly meetings to represent the interests of other students in the development of programs, services, or events for other students, or in providing feedback to the university. This may include reporting back to constituent groups or committees on the outcome of relevant decisions and planning processes, and seeking further input from other students.
• Regularly attend and participate in meetings with adviser and any trainings required for the position.
• Lead other students in decision-making, planning, agenda-setting, budgeting, group activities, training, or program or event design.
• Promote programs, events, meetings, and relevant services to other students using organizational channels and resources, or through personal interaction.
• Check and respond to role-related workflows, e.g., email or Google form responses. Schedule and hold office hours as needed. Communicate regularly with student constituents to answer questions or address concerns.
• Learn and follow university guidelines and procedures relevant to the position, e.g., financial policies, facility regulations, event guidelines, travel policies, FERPA, etc. This includes reporting problems and concerns to adviser.
• Exercise appropriate use and security of shared resources, e.g., information systems, shared documents or data, office keys, equipment, and supplies.

Pacific University Competencies to practice:

Active Citizenship & Community Engagement: Student leaders coalesce feedback from other students and understanding of institutional systems into effective advocacy for their constituents.

Analytical & Critical Thinking: Student leaders evaluate multiple perspectives and sources of information to develop a course of action.

Applied Problem Solving: Development of programs, events, or services requires attention to logistics and organizational limitations under time constraints.

Digital Literacy: All aspects of student government happen in the digital sphere as much as in-person meetings, specifically, the ongoing transition of traditional student government processes into digitized ones.

Engaging Diversity: Student leaders must serve the entire student population and encounter the application of federal and state non-discrimination and civil rights laws in university policy discussions.

Ethical Reasoning & Decision Making: Student leaders apply ethical principles to sharing information and resources across the student body.

Oral & Written Communication: Student leaders speak in public meetings, write and respond to emails from students and administrators, and draft policy that must apply in broad context in concurrence with other university policies and federal and state law.

Teamwork and Leadership: Student leaders must work as both a team and exercise individual initiative in order to advance their goals.