The University Senate exercises powers and responsibilities delegated to the faculty by the Board of Trustees. Faculty may attend meetings of the senate, except when that body is in executive session (Academic Procedure Manual, page C-8). The minutes of the senate are available regularly on the Web to all faculty at www.purdue.edu/usenate. Click on “Minutes and Annual Reports,” then click on “Current” or “Archived” as needed. The Web site also includes links to the meeting dates, current agenda, members, and committees.

Any faculty member who wishes to bring a proposal to the senate should submit it to the Steering Committee, via the secretary of faculties, Hovde Hall. The Steering Committee is obliged to place the proposal directly on the agenda of a regular or special meeting of the senate or refer it to an appropriate committee or council for study. In the latter case, the proposal in original or amended form will be returned to the Steering Committee with recommendations within 90 days. The Steering Committee will consult with the original proposer before placing the proposal and recommendations before the senate (Academic Procedure Manual, page C-12).

Each regular and special meeting of the senate has a 10-minute question period. During that time, senate members receive responses to questions regarding policies and actions of general interest previously submitted in writing to the senate chairperson or the secretary of faculties. Faculty members who are not senate members should have their questions sponsored by a current senator.