University Senate Representatives

What is University Senate?

As part of KU's University Governance structure, University Senate brings together the voices of KU's Faculty, Staff, and Student Senates. The body recommends rules, regulations, and policies on behalf of the University’s faculty, staff, and students.

The University Senate is composed of fifty-four voting members elected from the Faculty, Staff, and Student Senates (eighteen from each Senate), who meet once per month to discuss and vote on pending university policies, resolutions, and other issues.
 

Who is eligible to serve as a University Senate representative? How can I be considered?

In addition to the President-Elect, seventeen University Senate Representatives are appointed from the Staff Senate to serve a term of one year on the University Senate (the President serves as an ex-officio non-voting member). These shall be nominated and elected by the incoming Senate at the transition meeting in April.

Nominations must be made and seconded by members of the Senate; self-nominations are acceptable and there is no waiting period for newly elected Staff Senators to become University Senate representatives.
 

What are the expectations of the role?

University Senate representatives will participate in full University Senate meetings via Zoom from 3:30-5:00pm the last Thursday of the month during the fall and spring semesters.

Representatives may be appointed by the Staff Senate President to serve on University Senate standing committees, which will necessitate participation in additional associated meetings and activities.

The Staff Senate President may also nominate University Senate representatives to vacancies on University-wide committees, commissions, and boards, which will necessitate participation in associated meetings and other activities if nominees are subsequently appointed by the Provost.