The first Bylaws to contain a description of the University Senate and an outline of its powers and duties appeared in 1899. Since that time the importance and the influence of the Senate have grown steadily. The functions of the University Senate include:

1. discussion of University-wide policies and proposed changes in University practices and structure, and making recommendations to the President and, through the President, to the Board of Trustees;

2. determining the University calendar and fixing the length and terms of vacations;

3. receiving and reviewing reports and recommendations of University-wide committees; and

4. acting upon educational matters and regulations of the academic community that affect more than one school.

See Section 60 of the University’s Bylaws for additional information.

The University Senate consists of 142 voting members as follows:

  • 21 deans and campus vice chancellors (Deans Council)
  • 39 members of the Tenured/Tenure Track Faculty Senators Council (T-FSC)
  • 30 members of the Full-Time Continuing Contract Faculty Senators Council (C-FSC)
  • 40 members of the Student Senators Council (SSC)
  • 7 representatives from the Administrative Management Council (AMC)
  • 5 senior members of the administration of the University: the President, the Provost, the Executive Vice President, the Secretary and General Counsel, and the Senior Vice President for Global Inclusion, Diversity, and Strategic Innovation

The Senate normally meets during the months of October, November, December, February, March, and April in accordance with a schedule adopted by the Senate. A special meeting may be called on 24 hours’ notice by the President or when requested in writing by at least six members of the Senate, including at least one representative of each of the Councils listed above and one of the senior members of the administration of the University who are voting members of the Senate. A majority of the members entitled to vote constitutes a quorum at meetings of the Senate. Each of the five Councils also meet regularly, apart from the full Senate, to discuss matters of concern to their respective areas of interest, and their reports and recommendations are regularly brought to the attention of the full body. 

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