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Faculty Senate & Governance

The University of Washington system of shared governance makes it a responsibility of faculty to share with the administration the day-to-day governance of the university. There are four institutions of faculty governance with different sets of responsibilities: Faculty Senate, Secretary of the Faculty, university faculty councils, and schools, colleges & campuses.

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Meetings

The Faculty Senate and Senate Executive Committee meet eight times during the academic year. The agenda for each meeting is sent the week before and the minutes are approved at the following meeting.

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Legislation

Legislation amending the Faculty Code and Scholastic Regulations is passed by the Faculty Senate and approved by voting faculty.

Legislation

Pending legislation

Faculty Code

The Faculty Code outlines the rights and responsibilities of faculty and administrators.

The Faculty Code can be amended by the faculty through Class A legislation.

Review the Faculty Code

 

Faculty Councils & Committees

There are 12 standing Faculty Councils that meet during the academic year and are an integral part of shared governance.

The Faculty Senate also creates ad hoc committees to address specific issues. These committees complete their charge and then report to the Senate.

Faculty councils

Committees

 

 

Schools, colleges & campuses

bronze W paperweight on library table

The governing body of a campus, college, or school is its elected faculty council. These elected bodies shall advise their respective deans or chancellors on matters of faculty promotion and tenure. The faculty determine the organization and structure of its council and the procedure by which members are elected by establishing bylaws.

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Dispute resolution information

All university faculty have rights and responsibilities that are protected under University rules, regulations, and policies. When disputes arise relating to those rights and responsibilities, the Faculty Code provides various processes and options for addressing them.

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News


  • Faculty Senate Meeting Summary 3/7/24; Other Updates

    March 12, 2024

    Dear Colleagues, I’m writing with a summary of our most recent Faculty Senate meeting, and some general updates including upcoming panels and webinars. The fifth full meeting of this year’s Faculty Senate was on 3/7/2024. Full text of remarks and reports can be found on the agenda. In particular, the reports from our Planning and…

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  • Pen America Update

    February 27, 2024

    In August, the Senate Leadership and the Provost jointly identified academic freedom and free speech as issues of importance at our University and began a conversation with Pen America about providing training opportunities for faculty on these topics. Provost Serio had previously participated in such trainings. After circulating an invitation to the faculty to attend…

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  • Faculty Senate Meeting Summary 2/8/24; Recruitment Updates

    February 12, 2024

    Faculty Senate Meeting Summary 2/8/24; Recruitment Updates Dear Colleagues, I’m writing with a summary of the first Faculty Senate meeting of Winter quarter, and some general updates on our recruitment efforts into shared governance. The fourth full meeting of this year’s Faculty Senate was on 2/9/2024. Full text of remarks and reports can be found…

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Faculty Senate news