Faculty Governance || Organizational Structure || Office of the President
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ORGANIZATION AND DEPLOYMENT OF RESOURCES

Faculty Governance (http://www.umich.edu/~sacua/)

Faculty participation in governance is found at all levels of the University. Faculty members provide advice and consultation in shaping policy and programs in their departments, schools, colleges, or divisions. The University Senate, the Senate Assembly, the Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs (SACUA), and numerous Assembly committees are mechanisms through which central faculty governance is exercised. The central faculty governance system is the formal mechanism whereby faculty opinion and advice are communicated to the Executive Officers. This faculty involvement is important in the discussion and formulation of University policies. Specific faculty recommendations often lead to new University policies and procedures; and consultation with the faculty often influences administrative decisions.

The University Senate consists of all members of the professorial staff, the executive officers of the University, the deans of the schools and colleges, and those members of the research and library staff designated in accordance with standards and procedures approved by the Senate Assembly. The Senate is authorized to consider any subject pertaining to the interests of the University and to make recommendations to the Executive Officers and to the Board of Regents. Decisions of the Senate with respect to matters within its jurisdiction constitute the binding action of the University faculties. Generally, jurisdiction over academic policies resides in the faculties of the various schools and colleges. However, when actions by the several faculties affect University policy as a whole, or schools and colleges other than the one in which they originate, the University Senate has jurisdiction. The Senate meets at least once a year.

The Senate Assembly is a central forum for representatives from all schools and colleges. It consists of 72 members elected by the various schools and colleges on the Ann Arbor Campus, the Division of Kinesiology, and the Dearborn and Flint campuses, apportioned according to the number of Senate members in each unit.

The Senate Assembly serves as the legislative arm of the Senate. It considers important, central, and controversial issues of general interest to the University community. The Assembly has power to consider and advise regarding all matters within the jurisdiction of the Senate that affect the functioning of the University as an institution of higher education, that concern its obligations to the community at large, and that relate to its internal organization and involve general questions of educational policy. The Assembly meets ten times a year on a monthly basis (except July and August) and its meetings are open to all faculty members.

The Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs (SACUA) is the executive arm of the Senate and of the Assembly. SACUA meets on a weekly basis and consists of nine members elected by the Senate Assembly for staggered three-year terms. On behalf of the Assembly, SACUA advises and consults with the President, the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the other Executive Officers of the University on matters of University policy. SACUA also coordinates and initiates governance activities and serves as an instrument for implementing the actions of the Senate and the Assembly.

The Chair of SACUA is also the Chair of the Senate and of the Assembly. In addition to responsibility as leader of the faculty, the Chair of SACUA meets regularly with the Executive Officers and serves as the faculty representative in their deliberations. Other SACUA members provide additional leadership for faculty governance activities and serve as liaisons with the various Assembly committees.

Under the provisions of Bylaw 5.09, SACUA, together with the Tenure Committee, exercises certain designated responsibilities in cases of dismissal, demotion, or terminal appointment of tenured members of the faculty.

The Senate Assembly has established several categories of standing committees to carry out its responsibilities for oversight and advice on areas of University policies and operations. These committees report to the Senate Assembly on a regular basis and, as needed, propose actions to the Assembly. One category of Senate Assembly committee advises and consults with the Vice Presidents, Vice Provosts, and Executive Officers of the Ann Arbor Campus on matters within the areas of their respective responsibilities; these committees also advise SACUA and the Assembly in these areas. Other Senate Assembly committees advise other University officials and/or assist SACUA and the Assembly in carrying out their responsibilities. From time to time, special Senate Assembly committees are created to assist the Assembly with its work. Some of the key issues committees include: Budget Study Committee, Civil Liberties Board, Committee on the Economic Status of the Faculty (CESF), Faculty Perspectives Editorial Board, Rules Committee, and the Tenure Committee. The members of all Senate Assembly committees are nominated by SACUA and approved by the Senate Assembly. Some of these committees also have student members, appointed by appropriate units of student governments.

SACUA also appoints or nominates faculty members to a number of other University advisory committees including: Advisory Committee on University Budgets, Alumni Council, Board in Control of Intercollegiate Athletics, Graduate Employees Organization Advisory Committee, Information Technology Policy Committee, Library Council, Michigan League Board of Governors, Michigan Union Board of Representatives, Military Officer Education Program, Rackham Academic Appeals Panel, Recreational Sports, Research Computing Advisory Committee, Residency Appeals Panel, Student Rights and Responsibilities Appeal Panel, University Press Executive Committee, and others.

The Assembly committees consider matters within the areas of their respective responsibilities that are referred to them by the Assembly, SACUA, and in the case of the executive officer advisory committees, matters referred by the appropriate vice president. Each committee is free to initiate consideration of matters within the scope of its responsibilities without reference from the vice president, the Assembly, or SACUA. Committees are free to establish their own procedures, including the appointment of subcommittees. While many committees meet once a month, others are considerably more active. All faculty are given an opportunity and are encouraged to volunteer and to nominate colleagues for service on the various committees.