About Us

The Senate Constitution describes the following areas of jurisdiction for the Senate:

1. The Senate has the authority to act on behalf of the faculty in establishing university-wide degree requirements.

2. The Senate recommends policies to the president of the university which become official university policy unless the president disapproves in writing within thirty days on the following matters: academic freedom, free speech and assembly, student academic standards and performance, definition of academic titles and criteria for ranks, standards for academic standing of students, and curriculum matters involving more than one college.

3. The Senate is authorized to review and make recommendations on any other academic matters or any matter affecting the academic environment, including institutional plans and priorities, the allocation of the university’s financial resources, academic organization, the library, honorary degrees, admissions policies and standards, establishment and elimination of academic programs, and assessment of academic outcomes.

4.  The Senate participates in processes leading to the appointment of academic and administrative officers including the president and vice presidents.

Additional responsibilities appear in the Bylaws.