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Senate

In March 1906, when the Alberta Legislature met under Premier Mr Alexander Cameron Rutherford, it passed an act to establish the University of Alberta in Edmonton. The act provided for ten appointed members and five elected members of the Senate. In the second session of the Legislature, in 1907, the University Act was amended to add to the Senate the President or Acting President.

Today, the Senate is an independent advisory board that brings together the University and the public. Through the Senate, concerns from members of those communities may be brought to the University. By maintaining and promoting the University’s traditions, and celebrating its achievements, the Senate strives to "successfully examine, foster and celebrate the achievements and excellence of the University of Alberta, resulting in enhanced linkages internally, provincially, nationally and internationally" (University of Alberta Senate Vision Statement).

There are six standing committees of the Senate: Executive, Honorary Degrees, Nominating, Internal Affairs, Provincial Affairs, and National and International Affairs. Through the work of these committees, the Senate applies its collective wisdom to act as an objective conscience of the University.

Meetings of the Senate, chaired by the Chancellor, are held four times per year for a half a day. Members of the public and of the University are welcome to attend as the meetings consider current issues in post-secondary education.

From time to time, issues arise into which the Senate desires an in-depth look. Task force committees consisting of members of the Senate and of stakeholders and/or experts in the field at issue are formed. Examples of past task forces include student engagement, wellness, degrees of opportunity, success by degrees, international dimensions, and technology in learning. Task force committees research their topic, write a report with recommendations, and present this report to the Board of Governors, General Faculties Council, and Alberta’s Minister of Advanced Education. A complete list of reports is available at the Senate’s website.

The Senate’s budget, provided by the Board of Governors, assists the Senate in meeting the costs of staff, supplies, and other expenses in incurs in fulfilling its duties. The Senate may seek funding for any project that furthers its work. In addition to the work already described, the Senate strives to promote awareness of student issues, guard University traditions, assist with recruiting top students, and assist with keeping excellent faculty.