On May 18, 1938, as the first order of business at the first meeting of the Faculty Senate – then called the University Senate – President Sieg appointed an executive committee and charged them to appoint standing committees for the University.

Nearly seventy two years later, the wisdom of drawing on the intelligence, expertise, and commitment of the faculty to govern the institution they serve continues to be apparent.

The sheer number of Faculty Code revisions to Standing Committees bears witness to the dynamic nature of this governance model. Over the years, councils on technology, women, multicultural affairs, distance learning, research, and multi-campus policies have been added to ensure effective governance of a growing and changing University.