Get Involved

Senators are elected within their units and represent their peers. As a senator, you would have an opportunity to bring your colleagues’ perspectives to issues discussed at Senate meetings, and your contributions can help shape university policy. Elections for senators usually occur in the spring. Those elected serve two-year terms, and can run for reelection after their first term. Each unit’s senate delegation elects one or more of their number to serve on the Senate’s Executive Committee. 

Committees review proposals and develop the recommendations that the Senate will vote on. Committee members have the opportunity to shape proposals that will be considered by the full Senate on a wide range of issues. Volunteer now to be a member on one of our Standing Committees or consider applying to join one of the SUNY University Senate committees, with which our UB Senate committees coordinate.

Senate officers include the Chair and Secretary, who each serve two-year terms but are elected by the Voting Faculty in alternate years. Chairs and Secretaries also continue to serve on the Executive Committee for a year after the end of their terms. A Parliamentarian is nominated by the Chair and appointed by the Executive Committee. If you are interested in learning more about the duties of the officers, you are welcome to contact the current incumbents.

The SUNY University Faculty Senate serves as a resource on governance for the University. It serves as a deliberative body on educational policies for the SUNY System. In this capacity it issues publications such as handbooks, directories and reports on matters such as budget, program revision and presidential searches. UB faculty and professional staff members are elected to 3-year terms as SUNY Senators. UB is currently allotted four senator positions, one of which is designated for a member of the health sciences faculty or staff. 

Do you have ideas for ways to make UB better? Are there policies or procedures that are preventing you from doing your best work? If so, you should consider submitting a proposal. Proposals are written descriptions of problems or concerns that are submitted to Senate officers and committees for review. Any member of the campus community can submit a proposal and ask the Senate to find a solution. Please use this form to submit a proposal.

During the academic year, the Senate is constantly working on issues that matter to you. The Senate Chair issues a “Faculty Senate Update” regularly, which are posted here. If you would like to be subscribed to the Faculty Senate listserv, please contact us at faculty-senate@buffalo.edu. We invite you to participate in Senate activities throughout the year and attend the monthly Faculty Senate meetings.