Faculty Senate Meeting Summary, 12/4/25
Dear Colleagues,
I’m writing with a report on the Senate meeting held on December 4, 2025. As always, full text of remarks and reports can be found on the agenda. Of particular and timely note is Class A legislation on Elected Faculty Council Hierarchy for Promotion and Tenure, and a Class C resolution on any potential agreement between UW and the federal government (see below).
Senate Chair’s Remarks
Chair Bhat gave updates on many initiatives:
- Teaching time schedules are now behind UW NetID to maintain class information access to students who are enrolled in the class
- Faculty Senate leadership has conducted orientations and trainings with new and returning Senators, Elected Faculty Council chairs, and Faculty Council chairs
- Strategic planning for 2025-2030 has begun. Information and the process and timeline can be found here
UW President’s Remarks
President Jones emphasized the essential role of shared governance, particularly during critical and uncertain times for the university. He also reaffirmed the university’s strong commitment to protecting academic freedom.
President Jones provided an update on the strategic planning process. Extensive listening sessions are being held across campus with a focus on three pillars: access and affordability, research and innovation, and community engagement.
Reports
There was a report from Jason Campbell, Interim Senior Vice President for Finance, Planning and Budgeting and Chief Financial Officer. The report can be found in Exhibit E of the agenda.
New Business
Class A Legislation– Elected Faculty Council Hierarchy in Promotion and Tenure: In faculty-wide votes on promotion and tenure (P&T), the Faculty Code requires the use of hierarchy by rank and title. In Elected Faculty Council (EFC) votes on P&T, schools, colleges, campuses used to have the option to use non-hierarchical voting, but Senate legislation in 2021 resulted in an inadvertent change that removed that option. The current legislation reinstates the right of schools, colleges, and campuses to choose whether or not to use hierarchy at the EFC level. The largest units, including the School of Medicine and the College of Arts and Sciences in Seattle use hierarchy at the EFC level, but some smaller units may choose not to use hierarchy. The primary purpose of the legislation is to allow a choice at the local level. The legislation has three secondary purposes, described in Exhibit G of the agenda. Senators passed this legislation on first consideration and it will now go to the President and Code Advisors for review. After their review, it will go back to the Senate Executive Committee and Faculty Senate for second consideration.
Class C Resolution – Concerning Any Potential Agreement Between the University of Washington and the Federal Government. Senators passed this Class C resolution and it will be shared with faculty shortly. The resolution states that the Faculty Senate calls upon the University administration and the Board of Regents to support academic freedom and to join other institutions of higher education in their shared commitment to preserving academic autonomy.
The Faculty Senate will meet again in Winter Quarter. The meeting schedule can be found on our website.
Wishing you a meaningful and smooth remainder of the quarter.
With appreciation for all you do,
Rania Hussein, Vice Chair, Faculty Senate