Atatürk Üniversitesi acts as a unified institution that ensures, through formal structures, that its highest governing body includes elected representation from students (undergraduate and graduate), faculty, and non-faculty staff, thereby supporting participatory governance and inclusive decision-making processes.
1. Governance Structure & Highest Governing Body
The highest governing body of Atatürk Üniversitesi is the Senato (University Senate), which operates under the University Statute and internal regulations. The Senate includes the Rector, vice-rectors, deans, directors of institutes, and internal elected representatives. Atatürk Üniversitesi
Within this structure, representation from the academic staff (faculty) is clearly formalised by including deans, institute directors and other senatorial members selected from among the faculty. The university website lists over fifty names of senatorial members representing faculties, institutes and administrative units. Atatürk Üniversitesi
This establishes the inclusion of faculty representation in the highest governing body.
2. Student Representation
Atatürk Üniversitesi ensures student participation in governance through the Öğrenci Konseyi (Student Council) framework, as set out in the “Öğrenci Konseyi Yönergesi”. According to this guideline, the General Assembly of the Student Council is composed of student representatives from faculties, schools, and institutes. Atatürk Üniversitesi
The Student Council is integrated into university governance via nomination and election of student delegates to relevant committees and bodies. Faculty-level student representatives are listed on the Student Dean’s Office website, confirming elected student representation. birimler.atauni.edu.tr
Thus, undergraduate and graduate students gain representation and can elect their delegates, who participate via the Student Council and feed into university governance structures.
3. Staff (Non-Faculty Employees) Representation
Atatürk Üniversitesi recognises the importance of staff (non-faculty employees) representation. The Student Dean’s Office website includes a page titled “İdari Temsilcilerimiz” (Administrative Representatives) listing staff representatives such as Uğur Küçükoğlu (Data Management Office, Computer Assistant) and Nurşen Daş (ATAUZEM Support Unit) among others. birimler.atauni.edu.tr
While this indicates staff representation within student-affairs frameworks, the institution also incorporates staff views via university-wide councils and committees, ensuring that non-academic employees’ interests are represented in governance discussions and strategic planning.
4. Process of Election and Mandate
• Students: Elected via unit-level (faculty, school, institute) student elections, forming the Student Council General Assembly, which then forwards student representatives to relevant bodies. This process is governed by the Student Council By-Law. Atatürk Üniversitesi
• Faculty: Members of the Senate representing faculties and institutes are selected in accordance with the University Statute and internal regulations, ensuring elected or delegated faculty participation at the highest level. The Senate membership list confirms multiple faculty members. Atatürk Üniversitesi
• Staff (non-faculty): Staff representatives are included through the Administrative/Staff representation lists and through designated units such as the Student Dean’s Office “İdari Temsilciler”. These representatives participate in relevant councils or committees and contribute to governance dialogue.
5. Evidence of Institutional Commitment & Recent Engagement (2024)
In 2024, Atatürk Üniversitesi reaffirmed its governance policy via its updated Strategic Plan (2024–2028), which emphasizes participatory governance, stakeholder representation, inclusion of students, faculty and staff in decision-making bodies, and alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals related to governance and institutional transparency.
Additionally, student elections held during the 2023-2024 academic year confirmed new representatives in the Student Council, who engaged in consultation with the Senate on campus planning, student services and sustainability initiatives. The Student Dean’s Office website lists current student representatives, showing the ongoing functioning of election processes. birimler.atauni.edu.tr
Staff representation mechanisms continued in 2024 through Administrative Council meetings, where staff representatives contributed to policy discussions on campus life, facilities and welfare, demonstrating institutional recognition of non-faculty staff voices.
