About the UB Faculty Senate

The Faculty Senate is UB’s faculty governance body. Every academic unit on campus is represented on the Senate and its Executive Committee. UB’s governance documents give it a substantial role in key university business, including the formation and dissolution of academic departments and programs, the nature of the curriculum, tenure and promotion standards, and many matters relating to research and teaching. The Executive Committee and other Senate committees meet regularly. The president and provost and their staffs attend meetings to provide university updates and hear from the faculty.

The Faculty Senate advises the president and the provost and works collaboratively with senior administration and with other stakeholders, such as the Professional Staff Senate and student associations, on academic policy development and budget priorities. Through its standing committees, the Faculty Senate explores a full range of issues relating to academics, academic support, and campus life. The Faculty Senate adopts resolutions on university issues under its purview and transmits these to the president for consideration, approval, and promulgation.

Senators are elected by each academic unit, with proportional representation. Each unit’s senate delegation elects a representative or representatives to serve on the Executive Committee. A Senate chair and a Senate secretary are elected to two-year, staggered terms. A parliamentarian is appointed by the Executive Committee. Full details on representation and election procedures may be found in the Senate’s governance documents.

Recent Senate actions include a approving a change in the academic calendar to shorten winter break, approving the creation of the Department of AI and Society, and providing input on UB policies related to assemblies and policing on campus. The Senate regularly reviews and endorses SUNY University Faculty actions and resolutions.