Final authority over the selection and retention of deans rests with the president, and final authority for the selection and retention of associate deans, assistant deans, and departmental chairs rests with the academic deans, with the concurrence of the provost. Prior to the appointment of deans and chairs, the advice of the faculty is systematically obtained and considered. Program direction, program quality, and the performance of deans, associate deans, assistant deans, and department chairs are evaluated periodically and an important consideration in these evaluations is the views of the faculty. Faculty review of administrative performance and program effectiveness is accomplished by conducting formal program reviews at least at five-year intervals, with the faculty also participating in the regular, ongoing evaluation of administrative leadership, program direction, and program quality. The authority of the Senate derives from the Office of the President of the university and exists as a feature of the bond of mutual trust that serves as the basis for the general system of governance for the faculty, student body, and administration.
Senators are the voice of the faculty.
Normally, issues of university governance affecting the faculty at large should go before the full Faculty Senate before implementation. The Graduate Council is an elected body representing the graduate faculty. The Council examines new policies, procedural requirements, new graduate programs, graduate faculty appointments, student petitions, and other matters dealing with graduate studies. The Graduate Council sets the agenda for the graduate faculty meetings, and at its discretion, the Council makes recommendations to the faculty. The graduate dean chairs the Council as an ex officio member and the registrar is a nonvoting member.