To recommend broad academic policies for the University and to make regulations to implement the academic policies established by the Board of Regents.

To approve all academic courses, except in those instances where accrediting agencies require approval of an autonomous curriculum committee.

To recommend all new graduate, baccalaureate, and associate degree programs and the abolition or suspension of such programs.

To establish policies for the academic calendar and to approve the annual academic calendar.

To advise the President on criteria and procedures for faculty appointments,

reappointments, promotions, and the granting of tenure.

To make recommendations to the President on the establishment, alteration, composition, and abolition of educational units.

To advise the President on the planning for physical facilities and staff when these may affect the attainment of educational objectives.

To recommend to the President conditions for admission to the University and to specific academic programs.

To recommend to the President the requirements for specific graduate, baccalaureate, and associate degrees.

To provide a forum for the expression of opinion on matters relating to the well-being of the University, to provide a means for dissemination of information of interest to the faculty, and to provide structure for study, planning, and the evaluation of academic programs and practices.

Any school or college without divisions, each academic division, and the library shall elect one (1) senator, any division or other unit with more than seven (7) funded faculty lines shall elect a senator for each additional seven (7) funded faculty lines or fraction thereof. Ex officio members are not eligible and are not included in the above count.

Also, five (5) senators shall be elected at large from the entire University faculty; no more than two (2) may be from the same college, school or the library. Nominations for the five University-wide members shall be held at a regularly called meeting of the University faculty during the Spring Semester.

Eligibility Criteria: All persons holding a faculty appointment in an educational unit, excluding visiting and adjunct faculty, are eligible to vote in faculty elections. All faculty members who are eligible to vote in faculty elections are eligible to serve in an elected faculty position, excluding academic administrators.