The Development of and Trends in Student Governance at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, 1909-1973

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to historically trace the development of student governance at the University of Wisconsin--La Crosse, the determination of several trends that resulted from this development, and the comparison and contrasting of these trends to those that occurred on a national level. A historical presentation of the formation of the first universities, the development of higher education, and the evolution of student government in the United States served as a foundation for this study. A 1969 Academy of Arts and Sciences survey conducted by McGrath was used as a primary basis for determining the national trends in student participation in policy formation and governance. The formation and evolution of student government and student participation on boards and committees at the University of Wisconsin--La Crosse was presented. The trends in the development of student governance at the University of Wisconsin--La Crosse were delineated from an analysis of the student-faculty boards and committees that existed during the history of the university, and from data and opinions drawn from a questionnaire mailed to all persons that were president of the student government. These trends were compared to those found nationally, and a generally favorable comparison was found to exist. The conclusion drawn from this study included that student participation on boards and committees existed during most of the history of the university, student participation in university governance has occurred primarily during the last decade, and that the student government that existed during any given time, as well as the present form of participation, was perceived as being generally effective.