Common questions asked of Academic Senate presidents at the University of Utah include why the University has an Academic Senate, how it works, and who gets to have a say. Several events contributed to its creation, but the firing of four male professors in 1915 and the pushback from both the local and campus communities solidified its existence. What is now the Academic Senate started as the Administrative Council on April 12, 1915 with five elected professors. Its initial role was to represent the faculty and establish formal communication with the University’s Regents about tenure, academic programs, and funding.

Over the last century, the Academic Senate has grown from five professors to 118 voting members representing students, professors, instructors, researchers, clinicians, librarians, and deans. Despite its growth, the Senate still serves its original function of establishing and maintaining lines of communication between faculty, students, and administrators.

Beginning with just five elected faculty, the Senate has matured into a broad representation of the University community—with 118 voting members today, including faculty, students, librarians, clinicians, and deans—and continues to shape educational policy, faculty appointments, and academic freedom.

The Academic Senate is the University’s primary shared-governance body—bringing together faculty, students, and administrators—to govern academic policy and the institution’s educational mission.

The Senate’s role is typically defined as a decision-making body with respect to academic issues and educational policy. However the Senate has played a role in administrative operations, financial matters, and campus life. Curriculum, tenure, salaries, free speech, policy making, governmental relations, academic freedom, grievances, and research practices are a sampling of topics covered. The Senate often plays a role in steering campus life, academics, and educational policy and operates through both Standing and Ad Hoc Committees.

• 105 faculty Senators, elected proportionally from the 17 colleges,  UAC, the Libraries, and Deans
• 19 students, including the ASUU President
• Ex-officio members: University President, and senior VP’s
• Staff representative from Staff Council and Academic Advisors

Learn more about Senate Membership and Senate Committees.

Mower, A., & Mogren, P. (2014). When rights clash: Origins of the University of Utah Academic Senate. J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah. Retrieved July 23, 2025, from https://whenrightsclash.lib.utah.edu/