Eastern's governance involves both the president and the university senate. The senate consists of membership from instructional faculty, administrative faculty, the student government association and the administration. The senate accomplishes its work through a number of standing committees each of which studies issues and problems and proposes policies, guidelines, and recommendations. The senate presents its decisions in the form of bills and resolutions. While both bills and resolutions are reported to the president, resolutions reflect the sentiment of the senate and are not binding on the institution.
Bills require the approval of the president to become official university policy.
Basic control over the curriculum at Eastern and throughout the CSU System is lodged with the faculty subject to approval for new degree programs by the president, trustees, and board of governors. Its duties consist of providing for student participation in university affairs affecting students, providing a forum for student complaints and problems, providing an official voice of student opinion, fostering an awareness of student rights and responsibilities, and enacting legislation concerning the finances of student organizations. The SGA draws its elected representatives from residence hall students, non-resident students, the Schools of Arts and Sciences and Education and Professional Studies, special student interest groups, and newly enrolled students. In addition, the SGA names delegates to various system and university advisory bodies in addition to its three voting members of the university senate. 3 Appraisal Eastern Connecticut State University, guided by its existing organizational structure has functioned well over the last ten years.