University Council

University Council serves as Whitworth's chief strategic planning committee. Composed of senior administrators (including the president's cabinet) and faculty, staff, and student leaders, the council is equipped to provide definition and strategic leadership to the university's highest priorities. Through its stewardship of the university's strategic plan, University Council provides creativity, accountability, direction and leadership as the university articulates its vision for the future. The council is chaired and administered through the office of the president by the president's chief of staff. 

The primary responsibilities of University Council include:

• crafting Whitworth's strategic plan
• monitoring the plan's progress through key performance indicators, as defined by the plan, to provide accountability and assessment
• serving as champions of the strategic plan to internal and external constituencies, including to the board of trustees
• serving as a committee of senior advisors to the president and his cabinet

Membership on University Council will primarily be ex officio, i.e., as a function of the member's leadership position. Four members will be appointed to at-large positions from the ranks of faculty and students, each serving two-year staggered terms.

Ex officio members of the University Council are:

• Beck Taylor, President
• President's Cabinet
• Michael Le Roy, Provost & Executive Vice President
• Brian Benzel, Vice President for Finance and Administration
• Scott McQuilkin, Vice President for Institutional Advancement
• Greg Orwig, Acting Vice President for Admissions and Financial Aid
• Kathy Storm, Vice President for Student Life
• Rhosetta Rhodes, President's Chief of Staff (Chairperson)
• Larry Burnley, Assistant Vice President for Intercultural Relations
• Dolores Humiston, Director of Human Resource Services
• Terry McGonigal, Dean of Spiritual Life
• Luz Merkel, Associate Vice President for Finance and Administrationt
• Terry Ratcliff, Dean, Continuing Studies
• Dennis Sterner, Dean, School of Education
• Donna Pierce, Faculty President
• Leslie Watkins, Chair, Staff Development Committee
• Alan Jacob, Staff Salary and Benefits Committee
• Eric Fullerton, President, Associated Students of Whitworth University
• Warren Friedrichs, Director of Athletics
• Gary Whisenand, Director of Institutional Research
• Ken Brown, Director of Information Systems
• Nancy Hines, Director of University Communications

In addition to faculty, staff, and student representation among the ex officio members, at-large members of University Council are:

• Three faculty members (as recommended by Faculty Executive)
• Pamela Corpron Parker
• Richard Strauch
• Noelle Wiersma
• One student member (as recommended by ASWU)
• Melinda Leavitt (initially to serve a two-year term)

The following list of committees and leadership groups will also be engaged, as needed, by the Council. This list is not meant to be exhaustive, but it is representative of the broad-based support the Council will seek in its efforts.

• Academic Advisory Group
• Administrators Interface Group
• Dean's Cabinet
• Dean's Council
• Department Chairs' Group
• Facilities Planning Committee
• Institutional Research Committee
• Intercultural Relations Strategic Planning Committee
• Service-learning and Community Engagement Committee
• Staff Development Committee
• Staff Salary and Benefits Committee
• Sustainability Committee
• Technology Strategy Group
• University Marketing and Communications Committee

Major standing committees of the faculty will also participate in planning and monitoring on an ad hoc basis when appropriate.