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.
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.
Legislation
Legislation amending the Faculty Code and Scholastic Regulations is passed by the Faculty Senate and approved by voting faculty.
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.
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.
Schools, colleges & campuses
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.
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.
News
Faculty Council Weekly Report, 9/28-10/2
October 7, 2026
Faculty Council on Campus Planning and Stewardship - They introduced themselves and discussed any questions new members had about the orientation materials. They also rewrote the charge letter to better assess the scope of possible work over the academic year. There was a request for a member to serve on the University Transportation Committee (UTC).…
Welcome Message from the Senate Chair - Rania Hussein
October 5, 2026
Rania Hussein, Faculty Senate Chair Dear Colleagues, Welcome to the 2026–27 academic year. It is my pleasure to serve as Chair of the Faculty Senate and represent colleagues across the University of Washington. I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside you. One of my goals this year is to bring the Senate into…
Senate Chair End of Year Report, 25-26
June 15, 2026
Dear Colleagues, As we close out an eventful year for the Faculty Senate and shared governance, I would like to convey the salient accomplishments of this year. We have maintained a strong and steady presence for faculty representation in the multiple spaces occupied by shared governance in our university. This work was made possible by…