The Academic Senate

The Academic Senate helps shape key University policies on academics, faculty, students and campus life to support SFSU’s mission and overall excellence.

What Is the Academic Senate?

SFSU believes in shared governance: professors, staff, administrators and students working together to make the big decisions about how the University runs. 

An important part of that is the Academic Senate. Made up of elected members from across campus, it develops policies and procedures regarding faculty and administrative appointments, curriculum, business and fiscal matters, campus development, academic standards and University goals. Other Academic Senate responsibilities and priorities include:

  • faculty retention, tenure, promotion, leave and dismissal
  • the Library and research
  • student affairs, admissions, retention, the awarding of grades and graduation
  • annual staff and faculty achievement awards
  • other matters affecting the welfare and excellence of the University

How You Can You Get Involved

As an SFSU community member, your contribution to the shared governance of the University is always appreciated. If you’re a faculty or staff member interested in serving on the Academic Senate, you can run for office: Elections are held each spring. Students or unelected staff and faculty members can also get involved. To find out more, email the Senate office at senate@sfsu.edu.

Want to Learn More?

Looking for more information about the Academic Senate, such as bylaws, committee rosters, staff/faculty award lists and meeting schedules?