Please visit the new Faculty Senate Intranet Hub for latest resources, news items, and information.

 

The Faculty Senate is a representational body of faculty leaders who advocate for the faculty at UT. Members are elected by their caucuses and serve 3-year terms on the Senate.

We work as a unit and through committees to consider, advise, recommend, and develop policies and procedures in matters which concern all aspects of the welfare of the faculty:

• criteria for faculty appointment, dismissal, promotions, tenure, and retirement;
• criteria for the selection of the chief academic officer and other campus administrative officers;
• consideration and approval of new curricula;
• priorities for the University budget;
• priorities for University strategic and physical space planning.

We also consider, advise, and recommend proposed policies regarding student life, rights, and responsibilities.

Many of our recent activities and achievements are detailed in this FS Information and Achievements page.

The Faculty Senate President serves on the University Faculty Council, and elected representatives of the Faculty Senate represent the faculty on the UTK Advisory Board and some Board of Trustees committees. The Senate is also represented in the Tennessee University Faculty Senates (TUFS), a statewide body representing faculty across the state, as well as the National Council of Faculty Senates.

In these times, shared governance and academic freedom are more important than ever for all faculty members, and Faculty Senate acts to enhance and defend this academic principles.

Besides the Faculty Senate, two other bodies work with employees at UT to advocate for their work: AAUP and the UCW. If you are not already a member of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), consider joining and selecting our local chapter at UTK. The United Campus Workers (UCW) focuses on the rights and best interests of all campus workers and has a robust local chapter.

If you have questions about the Faculty Senate, please contact facultysenate@utk.edu.