Faculty Senate Homepage

What is the Senate?

The Faculty Senate (hereinafter referred to as the Senate) is the governing body of the faculty. The Senate provides the faculty with a forum for debating issues and a process for democratic decision-making. Recommendations made by the Senate are forwarded to the vice president for academic affairs and/or the University Cabinet. The Senate is committed to making the university a competent, progressive, and vital force toward achieving higher education in the lives of its students, faculty, administration and alumni.

What is the purpose of the Senate?

The purpose of the Senate is to represent the interests of the faculty in shared responsibility and cooperative action within the university community. Further, the purpose of the Senate is to bring into closer relationships the various schools, programs and offices of the campus in order to unify work and increase efficiency; to promote and encourage an understanding of the problems that are common to the schools and programs of the university; and to foster a spirit of mutual esteem and respect among members of the faculty.

Who sits on the Senate?

All full-time faculty, including deans/directors and librarians with faculty status, are eligible to be elected as senators. Currently, three senators represent each of the major academic units and one senator represents the university libraries for a total of 16 senators. Senators are elected by their constituencies for a three-year term. Senate officers (president, vice president and secretary) are elected annually by the senators.

When does the Senate meet?

The Senate meets once a month during the academic year and holds a retreat annually in May. 

All Senate meetings are open for all faculty to attend. 

Information regarding the meeting schedule and the minutes are located on the Blackboard Community Portal

What committees report to the Senate?

All university and senate standing committees report to the Senate.  These committees also meet regularly throughout the academic year.  For details regarding committee membership, committee charge, meeting schedules and meeting minutes, click on the link for the appropriate committee below. 

 

 

Refer to the Shenandoah University Faculty Handbook Section 3: Faculty Governance for complete details regarding the Senate and its operations.