Purpose/Mission

Unless otherwise noted, quotes are from the Texas A&M University Faculty Senate Constitution.  (Revised May 2003)

• to foster a community of mutual respect and cooperation within the university
• to facilitate effective faculty participation in academic governance
• to broaden communication in matters of concern to the university
• to engage the faculty's skills in the guidance of the university's programs
  

Functions

"The Faculty Senate shall report directly to the president of Texas A&M University . . .. All university policies and regulations . . . shall be reviewed by the Faculty Senate before being submitted to the president." In addition to policy review, the Senate serves both advisory and rhetorical roles (it "shall be a forum for discussion and debate of any issue vital to Texas A&M University").

Membership

The Liberal Arts Caucus serves as a single electoral unit with variable representation specified in the Constitution, but not to drop below two senators. "Individuals eligible for election shall be . . . [an employee who is] (a) tenured or on the tenure-track, (b) holds the rank of Professor, Associate Professor, or Assistant Professor, or (c) holds the title of Distinguished Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Lecturer  . . . and teaches on the College Station campus."

Meetings

"The Faculty Senate shall meet on the second Monday of each month . . . promptly at 3:15 p.m. and shall adjourn by 6:00 p.m." "Senators or committees may submit [written] items for inclusion on the agenda to the Executive Committee at least ten working days prior to the meeting."