About the Senate

The University of Rochester Faculty Senate serves the following functions:

  1. To consider the state of the University and to make recommendations for its academic development to the appropriate persons or bodies within the University.
  2. To inquire into any matter of an educational or administrative nature that has implications for the academic function and welfare of the University, and to make recommendations concerning such matters to the appropriate persons or bodies within the University.
  3. To be a channel of communication between and among the various faculties of the University and between the collective faculties and the President and the Provost of the University.

All proceedings or recommendations of the Senate are confidential within the University.

An architectural detail atop a building on the campus quad.

Serving Our Peers

Senate Members

The Senate consists of 45 members elected by and from the faculties of the University. The president, provost, and the University dean of graduate studies serve as members ex officio, without vote. Faculty representatives to Board of Trustees committees who are not elected members of the Senate also serve as members of the senate, ex officio, without vote.

Each college or school within the University are entitled to at least one representative in the membership of the senate. No college or school within the University composes a majority of the membership of the senate.

Becoming and Electing Senators

Senators have the opportunity to influence University policy, advocate for faculty interests, and contribute to shaping the academic environment.

Faculty must be elected to serve on the senate. Faculty eligible to serve and vote in elections are full-time assistant, associate, or full professors and all part-time associate professors, full professors, or an equivalent rank.

See the voting eligibility page for job codes that are eligible for voting and participation in the Senate.

Election procedures, voting and nomination eligibility, as well as terms of service are outlined in the Senate Charter and By-Laws.

Committees

The senate currently has eight standing committees, including the Senate Executive Committee. Each committee is comprised of senators and non-senators who are elected to each committee.

Page updated January 15, 2026.