The principles of governance at the University of Michigan have changed very little since the original Organic Act of 18 March 1837. The University of Michigan is governed by a Board of Regents. The faculty are bound to operate in accordance with the rules (called Bylaws) of the University established by the Regents and given authority for the "immediate government" of the units and subunits into which the University is divided.
The importance attached to the independent self-government of the faculty is made clear in the University's earliest records. The Committee on the Organization and Government of the University emphasized in 1838 that "whatever the number [of professors] be, their respective duties should be independently performed. This is believed to be the principle of excellence in literary labors. It appeals at once to the highest motives, to intellectual exertion, and secures to its fullest extent individual accountability."
Two principles emerge from these early documents that still inform faculty governance at the University: advice and self government. As the ultimate governing body of the University, the Regents understood in the 1840's and accept today that they should undertake decision making with advice, guidance, and sometimes, consent of the faculty. They also understand and accept today that the authority to make some decisions rests properly with the faculty. The importance of these two principles are the foundation of faculty governance at the University.
Senate - consists of all members of the faculty, University Librarians and Research Scientists. The Senate meets once a year in March.
Senate Assembly - consists of 72 elected members of the Senate, each serving a three year term, apportioned among the schools and colleges according to the number of senate members. The Senate Assembly meets monthly during the Academic Year. 1995 -96 Senate Assembly Membership
Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs (SACUA) - consists of 9 members each serving a three year term. Acts as the Executive Body carrying out the activities of the Senate Assembly. SACUA meets weekly throughout the year. 1995-96 SACUA Membership.
Senate Assembly Committees - The Assembly's standing committees fall into three major categories: advisory to the Executive Officers, advisory on special issues, and advisory to university programs. Click here for a link to information on the committees.
1840-52 . Faculty governance was effected principally through personal communications and meetings between the faculty and the Regents.
1852 . The Regents hired a President to reorganize the University. The addition of a president began the growth of the administration. Throughout the nineteenth century, the number of administrators grew very slowly. New administrative and governance tasks were most commonly taken on by the teaching faculty. When these tasks became routine or important enough, they were assigned to ad hoc, or standing committees. With the addition of new units (Medicine in 1850, Law in 1859, etc.), additional deans were appointed, but even they at first were primarily teaching faculty who rotated the task of running departments, schools, and colleges among their ranks. Throughout the nineteenth century faculty governance took place principally through the individual faculties or assembled faculty, the latter called the "university Senate," (hereafter called simply the "Senate"). During the first decade of the twentieth century, important administrative duties began to be transferred to a growing number of full and part time administrators.
1906 . The Senate established a new, permanent executive body "to consider mattress appertaining to the general welfare of the University." The new body, called the Senate Council, was chaired by the President and composed of the deans and one elected representative from each of the "several constituent faculties." It reported to both the Senate and the Regents. The formation of the Senate Council identifies two separate organizational groups - administrators and faculty. The deans and President were still faculty members.
1910-1927 . As the University continued to increase in size more administrators were added, including some who were not actively involved in teaching. A system of faculty governance consisting of a Senate, Senate Council and Senate Commit tees continued through World War I.
1928 . A new "Committee of the Senate on University Affairs (CSUA) was approved by the Regents. It marks the first time the faculty constituted their own separate governance committee.
1929? The president began to delegate authority to newly created "vice presidents" and other administrators. CSUA and the Senate Council were replaced with the University Council made up of the President, acting as Chair, the deans, and t he executive heads of: the University Hospital, the University Extension Service, the Museums, the Decision of Hygiene and Public Health, and the Library, the Dean of students, the Vice President and Secretary of the University, the Vice President in Charge of Educational Investigations, the Assistant to the President, and the Registrar as well as representatives from the faculty representing each school.
1930 . The full University Senate had become too large for routine decision making. From the 1930's on decision making became concentrated in representative bodies and executive bodies.
1937 . The University Council became too large. A new executive body was formed called the Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs (SACUA). Membership was comprised of eight faculty elected by the Senate and four members from the Deans Council.
1940 . The Advisory Board on University Policies was appointed by Regents. This body reported to President and functioned as his cabinet. It did not report to the Senate.
1948 . A new streamlined SACUA was established with 17 members elected by Senate, and 3 subcommittees; the Committee on Educational Policies, The Committee on Plant and Equipment, and The Committee on Public Relations. SACUA reported to t he Senate.
1965 The Senate Assembly was created. The membership consisted of 65 elected faculty members apportioned among the various schools according to the number of senate members. SACUA membership was reduced to nine elected members.
1984 . The membership of the Senate Assembly was changed to 72 elected faculty members apportioned among the various schools according to the number of senate members with at least two members from each school.
1985 . The membership of the Senate Assembly was changed to 72 elected faculty members apportioned among the various schools according to the number of senate members with at least two members from each school plus one member from the Division of Kinesiology.
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