The Western Michigan University Faculty Senate was established in 1958. Its predecessor, the Faculty Council, was initiated in 1928 by then President Dwight B. Waldo. It acted as an advisory board to the president on various issues of institutional governance. Today, the Faculty Senate continues to share in the governance of the University by formulating, reviewing, and giving advice on policies and other matters of concern to the University. Academic governance is central to the mission of promoting standards of excellence in teaching and research. As a community of scholars, each faculty member needs to think about their respective roles in promoting those standards of quality for WMU students. Participation in academic governance is one way faculty can contribute to keeping the profession active and strengthen higher education.
As you review the WMU Faculty Senate website, please take note of the many individuals who have met this responsibility through their service to the Faculty Senate, its councils and its committees. Together, faculty articulate the University's common concerns and propose solutions for constant challenges.
The Faculty Senate uses the American Institute of Parliamentarians Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedures as its authority on meeting procedures.
Get involved
There are several ways for faculty to participate in the various activities of the Senate:
- Attend Senate meetings
- Attend council meetings
- Nominate yourself for election as your departmental senator
- Nominate yourself for election to a Senate council
- Nominate yourself for appointment to a Senate committee
- View this Guide to the Faculty Senate presentation
- View the Faculty Senate organizational chart