Senates deal broadly with many types of matters that affect the University community. Members of senates are elected by their peers in their college or unit. There are five senates in the University Senate governance system: the Faculty Senate, the Student Senate, the Civil Service Senate, the P&A Senate, and the University Senate, which comprises representatives from the four other senates. 

Each committee has a specific charge, outlining the particular issues that fall under its purview, such as research, educational policy, disabilities issues, and student affairs. Committee members are appointed. There are 23 standing committees, some of which have subcommittees. Each committee reports to one of the five senates.

With a few exceptions, members of committees generally do not need to be senators, and senators are usually not required to serve on a committee. 

Click on your group below to learn more about eligibility and how to get involved.

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Faculty

Serve on a Senate Committee

Where to Apply

Interested faculty can APPLY HERE

Appointments are made by the Senate Committee on Committees.

Timeline

Most appointments are made spring semester or the following academic year.

Applications will be reviewed during fall semester if there are any openings to be filled.

Eligibility

The following individuals are eligible committee service (must be 67% time or more):

  • Faculty holding regular (tenure/tenure-track) appointments
  • Faculty holding multi-year or annually renewable term appointments who have completed three years of service at the University 

Serve on the Faculty Senate

Where to Apply

Faculty senators are elected by each college, campus, or unit defined in Article III, Section 1(a) of the Faculty Senate Bylaws.

Interested individuals should contact their dean's, chancellor's, or unit office.

Timeline

Elections are held each spring to determine representation for the following academic year.

Terms are generally three years.

Eligibility

The following individuals are eligible for the Faculty Senate (must be 67% time or more):

  • Faculty holding regular appointments
  • Faculty holding multi-year or annually renewable term appointments who have completed three years of service at the University 
  • Faculty-like academic professionals (P&A) who have responsibilities with a primary focus on teaching or research and who have probationary/continuous appointments or have completed five years of service at the University.

Note: Members of the Faculty Senate are automatically members of the University Senate, as well.

Please contact Amber Bathke ([email protected]) with any questions.

P&A Staff

Serve on a Senate Committee

Where to ApplyInterested P&A can APPLY HERE.
Timeline

Most appointments are made during spring semester. Appointments are made by the Senate Committee on Committees.

Applications will be reviewed during fall semester if there are openings to be filled.

Eligibility

P&A staff members who have completed 6 months of service at the University and hold 50% time or greater appointments are eligible for election to the P&A Senate. 

P&A are only eligible to serve on the Educational Policy Committee or the Research Committee if they are also eligible to serve in the Faculty Senate.

P&A are are NOT eligible to serve on the Faculty Academic Oversight for Intercollegiate Athletics Committee or the Judicial Committee, even if they are eligible for the Faculty Senate.

Serve in the P&A Senate

Where to Apply

P&A senate members are elected by each college, campus, or unit.

Interested individuals should contact Geanette Poole.

Timeline

Elections are held each spring to determine representation for the following academic year.

Terms are generally three years.

EligibilityP&A staff members who have completed 6 months of service at the University and hold 50% time or greater appointments are eligible for election to the P&A Senate.

Serve on a P&A Senate Subcommittee

Where to Apply

Interested P&A should contact the subcommittee chair(s).

TimelineSubcommittee members can join at any time during the academic year.
EligibilityAny P&A is eligible to serve on a P&A Senate subcommittee.

Opportunities for Current P&A Senate Members Only

Serve on the University Senate
Where to ApplyAn application is sent to eligible P&A prior to the election.
TimelineElections are held at the April P&A Senate meeting.
EligibilityTo be eligible for election to the University Senate, P&A must be a current P&A Senate senator, P&A Senate alternate, or P&A Consultative Committee member at the time of election.

 

Serve on the P&A Consultative Committee
Where to ApplyA nomination form is sent to P&A Senate members prior to the election.
TimelineElections are held at the April P&A Senate meeting.
EligibilityTo be eligible for election to the PACC, P&A must be a current P&A Senate senator, P&A Senate alternate, or P&A Consultative Committee member at the time of election.

Please contact Geanette Poole for any questions.

Civil Service Staff

Serve on a Senate Committee

Where to ApplyInterested Civil Service staff can APPLY HERE.
Timeline

Most appointments are made spring semester. Appointments are made by the Senate Committee on Committees.

Applications will be reviewed during fall semester if there are openings to be filled.

EligibilityAll Civil Service staff covered by the Civil Service Rules who have completed six months of service at the University and hold 50% time or greater appointments are eligible for election to the Civil Service Senate.

Serve on the Civil Service Senate

Where to Apply

Civil Service staff are elected within units as defined in Article IX, Section 1(a) of the Senate Bylaws

Interested individuals should contact their dean's, chancellor's, or unit's office.

Timeline

Eligible Civil Service staff are sent an email each spring to apply for the following academic year.

Terms are generally three years.

EligibilityAll Civil Service staff covered by the Civil Service Rules who have completed six months of service at the University and hold 50% time or greater appointments are eligible for election to the Civil Service Senate.

Serve on a Civil Service Senate Subcommittee

Where to Apply

Interested Civil Service staff should contact the subcommittee chair(s).

TimelineSubcommittee members can be appointed at any time during the academic year.
EligibilityAny Civil Service staff member is eligible to serve on a Civil Service Senate subcommittee.

Opportunities for Current Civil Service Senate Members Only

Serve on the University Senate
Where to ApplyApplication is sent to eligible Civil Service staff prior to the election.
TimelineElections are held at the spring Civil Service Senate meeting.
EligibilityMust be a current Civil Service senator or Civil Service Consultative Committee member.

 

Serve on the Civil Service Consultative Committee (CSCC)
Where to ApplyApplication is sent to eligible Civil Service staff prior to the election.
TimelineElections are held at the spring Civil Service Senate meeting.
EligibilityCivil Service staff must be a current Civil Service Senate senator or Civil Service Consultative Committee member.

Please contact Deena Barker ([email protected]) for any questions.

Students

Serve on a Senate Committee

Where to Apply

Interested individuals can APPLY HERE.

Applications are reviewed by the Student Committee on Committees in May and September. If you apply outside of those regular application periods, your application will be considered only if openings become available.

Timeline

Appointments are made spring semester (May), for the following academic year and fall semester (September) for the current academic year.

If there are additional openings, the Student Committee on Committees may review applications outside of the standard application cycles.

EligibilityAll degree-seeking students are eligible to serve on senate committees, regardless of whether or not they serve on the Student Senate or Student Senate Consultative Committee (SSCC).

Serve on the Student Senate

 

Where to Apply

Twin Cities campus seats are elected through the All Campus Elections Commission process in March or April of each academic year. Interested students should apply for open seats within their college. (Note: any vacancies that exist after August 15 are filled by the Student Senate Nominating Subcommittee. Students enrolled in a college with open seats are sent an email with a link to apply. The Student Senate Nominating Subcommittee reviews applications and determines which students will be selected. Selected students are approved by the Student Senate at their next meeting.)

System campus seats are elected by each student association. For more information about applying, please contact:

Timeline

Elections are held in March and April. 

Applications will be reviewed during fall semester if there are openings to be filled. Interested individuals can APPLY HERE.

EligibilityAll degree-seeking students are eligible to serve on the Student and University Senates.

Note: All members of the Student Senate are automatically members of the University Senate, as well.

Opportunities for Current Student Senate Members Only

Serve on the Student Senate Consultative Committee (SSCC)
Where to Apply

The chair, vice chair, and ranking senator are elected by incoming student senators at their May senate meeting; only incoming student senators or SSCC members are eligible to run for these positions. Information is sent to eligible students prior to the election.

Other members of the SSCC are elected/appointed by their student association. For more information about applying for those seats, please contact:

Timeline

The chair, vice chair, and ranking senator are elected at the final Student Senate meeting of the academic year.

Other members are elected/appointed by their student association spring semester.

EligibilityAll degree-seeking students are eligible to serve on the Student Senate Consultative Committee (SSCC). Members of the SSCC are also members of the Student and University Senates.

 

Serve on a Student Senate Committee or Subcommittee
Where to ApplyCommittee and subcommittee members are elected at the final Student Senate meeting of the academic year in May. Information is sent to eligible senators prior to the election.
TimelineElections are held at the final Student Senate meeting of the academic year in May to fill positions for the next academic year. Mid-year vacancies are filled via email.
Eligibility

Senators and Student Senate Consultative Committee members are eligible to serve on the Student Committee on Committees and the Student Senate Nominating Subcommittee

The Student Committee on Committees collects and evaluates student applications for Student and University Senate committees, and appoints students to those committees.

The Student Senate Nominating Subcommittee collects and evaluates applications for Student Senate seats when there is a vacancy during the academic year, and recommends the appointment of senators to the Student Senate for approval.

Please contact John Lof ([email protected]) with any questions.

Alumni

Serve on a Senate Committee

Where to ApplyInterested individuals can apply via the University of Minnesota Alumni Association or by contacting Cristy Leaf, director of board relations & executive assistant at [email protected].
Timeline

Most appointments are made spring semester.

Other appointments will be made during fall semester if there are openings to be filled.

EligibilityAny alumni of the University of Minnesota.

Retirees

Serve on a Senate Committee

Where to ApplyInterested individuals can apply through the University of Minnesota Retirees Association. Contact [email protected].
Timeline

Most appointments are made spring semester.

Other appointments will be made during fall semester if there are openings to be filled.

EligibilityAny retiree of the University of Minnesota.