Shared governance ensures representation for academic staff, university staff, faculty and students at UW–Madison. It is particularly important to academic staff who are responsible for a wide variety of roles on campus. By participating in shared decision making, our diverse perspectives, expertise and input can help shape the university’s policies and practices, ensuring we continue to fulfill UW’s mission.
The Academic Staff Assembly (ASA) is an elected body and plays a vital role in representing our interests as academic staff on campus. The ASA is made up of 132 districts, each of which has an elected representative or alternate (unless vacant). ASA districts are maintained by the Academic Staff Districting and Representation Committee to make sure each district meets the requirements of the Academic Staff Policies and Procedures.
Carol Van Hulle, an Associate Scientist at the School of Medicine and Public Health in the Department of Medicine, describes the importance of involvement of academic staff in shared governance.
“It’s really important that we have some say in the policies being implemented on campus, especially as academic staff who are often overlooked. We are the largest group on campus, and decisions affect us greatly. Being a visible voice in these processes is crucial.”
What Are Academic Staff Assembly Districts?
Districts within the ASA are designed to ensure broad and equitable representation of academic staff across the university. Each member of the academic staff is assigned to a district based primarily on their job title and secondarily on their department, so districts are composed of staff with common affinities. This enables more effective representation by ensuring that staff with similar professional experiences and concerns are heard.
District 418 Representative Justin Sena, Undergraduate Medical Education Program Manager at the School of Medicine and Public Health in the Department of Pediatrics, highlights the importance of his role as a representative:
“Representing people with similar titles means voicing their concerns and helping them understand what changes mean for their work. No one person has a complete view of everything happening on this campus, but as a representative, you become the bridge between the university’s strategic priorities and how they impact your colleagues.”
What is the role of a district representative?
Each district has an elected representative or alternate who acts as a liaison between the ASA and the academic staff they represent. Representatives gather input and information from their district members and advocate for their member’s interests. They also ensure relevant information from the ASA is shared with the academic staff they represent.
In addition to her role as associate scientist, Carol serves as representative of ASA District 112 which includes mostly research scientists. She shares how much she has valued her experience as a district representative.
“Shared governance has given me a broader understanding of how the university works and how decisions are made. I’m no longer mystified when changes are announced because I now understand the background and process behind them … stepping into this role was easy and incredibly rewarding.”
Why Is Knowing Your District Important?
Your district representative plays a critical role as your voice in the ASA, advocating for your needs and ensuring your concerns are communicated to university leadership. Use the Find Your District tool to search for and learn more about your assigned district.
Knowing your assigned district is also about connecting with colleagues who share your interests and challenges. By engaging with your district, you can address issues that matter to you with the support of others who understand your perspective.
Though the Districting and Representation Committee does its best to assign academic staff to the appropriate district based on a person’s role and unit, there are circumstances where a district assignment might not be the right fit. You can request a district change if you feel another district better represents you by contacting the Secretary of the Academic Staff soas@soas.wisc.edu .
Getting Involved: Why Your Participation Matters
Representation is vital to the success of shared governance, and your participation can make a difference. Many districts have vacant representative or alternate positions. If your district does not currently have a representative, consider stepping into this vital role. You’ll not only contribute to the ASA but also gain valuable experience in leadership and advocacy.
Carol highlights the reasons you should consider becoming a district representative.
“Shared governance offers a front seat to the decision-making process. You learn so much about the inner workings of the university, meet leadership, and build connections with representatives across campus. It’s an opportunity that I wouldn’t have had otherwise, and it’s exciting to see familiar faces from other districts when I run into them on campus.”
To learn more about your district, find your representative, or express interest in becoming a representative, visit the Shared Governance Districts website. If your district’s representative or alternate seat is vacant, please consider becoming a representative by contacting the Secretary of the Academic Staff at soas@soas.wisc.edu .
Representative Spotlight: Justin Sena
Hear more from District 418 Representative Justin Sena about why he became a district representative and why he encourages you to do the same if your district does not have a representative.
https://mediaspace.wisc.edu/media/DRC+Spotlight_Justin+Sena_v2/1_7tew7opf