TWU Senate
(Adapted from the April 2008 Report of the Educational Assembly/Senate Task Force. Reviewed by TWU Senate, September 16, 2008.)
The Trinity Western University Senate is an elected body of faculty, academic professional staff and students that partners with administrative offices in the oversight of the academic enterprise.[1] Established in 2008 by directive of the Provost, the Senate is part of a movement to improve effectiveness in governance and decision making through the transition of the University to a Carver Policy Governance® model. The purpose of the University Senate is to develop and monitor policies, procedures, and quality standards pertaining to the academic enterprise with an overall aim of promoting educational vitality, and to do so in a manner that shows respect for all individuals; demonstrates transparent decision making; employs efficient processes; promotes structures that ensure quality, accountability, and innovation; and encourages open and honest debate, following which Senate speaks with one voice.
Within the University's organizational structure, the Senate reports to the Provost from whom the Senate receives its mandate, delegated accountability and responsibility. Policy implementation flows from the President through the Provost to deans, directors and other managers within the University. The Senate plays a key role in developing policy and ensuring clear lines of communication among key groups in the academic enterprise. At times, the Senate must also address and influence decisions that may be made by other organizational bodies, internal and external to the university, regarding academic matters. 
The Senate consists of the President and the Provost (or their designates), both as ex-officio non-voting members; the University Registrar and Librarian as ex-officio voting members; one person appointed by the Provost from among any associate academic vice presidents, deans, or associate/assistant deans/provosts, or persons of equivalent rank; at most one additional member-at-large appointed by the Senate chair; eleven elected members (one by the deans; two full-time students[2]; five full-time faculty[3]; two full-time academic professional staff[4] members; and the Senate Chair elected by faculty and professional staff as per elections policy).
The Senate normally meets twice a semester, with meetings open to the entire University community.
The University Senate achieves its purpose by working under the general direction of and in cooperation with the Provost to
- Establish the general academic policy framework in accordance with the overall University policy framework
- Establish specific policies, procedures, standards, and quality controls and monitor academic affairs in relation to
a. Academic Freedom
b. Academic support (Library & Academic Technology)
c. Admission to the academy and maintenance of good standing
d. Curriculum
e. Relations to external academic bodies
f. Research and scholarship
g. Scholarships and awards
h. Selection, development, and promotion of faculty and academic professional staff - Establish committees to assist in the development and monitoring of the policies noted in section 2
- Assist in the integrated planning of the University in relation to
a. Academic organizational structure
b. Setting short and long range academic priorities
[1] At Trinity Western University, the “academic enterprise” represents the breadth of activities engaged by the faculty, academic professional staff and students, as well as key administrative personnel, with each playing an important, albeit distinctive, role.
[2] For purposes of this document, “students” means both undergraduate and graduate students.
[3] For purposes of this document, “faculty” means professors of various rank: Instructor, Assistant, Associate and Full Professor; sessional, definite term, tenure-track, or tenured; full- or part-time.
[4] For purposes of this document, “academic professional staff” means staff that, by virtue of either their credentials or role, fill a position that is directly engaged in the educational experience of students. A current list of professional staff positions shall be maintained by the Nominations Committee.