Role and Responsibilities of Senators
The Senate is the foremost academic decision-making body of the University of Guelph and Senators have a vital role in fostering and supporting the mission and goals of the University. These include a commitment to: the highest standards of pedagogy; the education and well-being of the whole person; meeting the needs of all learners in a purposely diverse community; the pursuit of the University’s learning objectives; rigorous self-assessment, and a curriculum that fosters creativity, skill development, critical inquiry, and active learning1.
The following guidelines are intended to assist Senators in the execution of their role and responsibilities. Each Senator should:
a) Engage in the work of Senate, as outlined in the University of Guelph Act, which includes the formulation of educational policy, the conferring of degrees (including honorary degrees); the determination of recipients of fellowships, scholarships, bursaries, medals, and others prizes and awards; and the election of the Chancellor.
b) Understand and respect the distinction between the role and responsibility of the Board of Governors (which, broadly, is financial governance) and those of Senate (which, broadly, is the formulation of educational policy and related matters), as defined in the University of Guelph Act.
c) Participate constructively in the formulation of educational policy within Senate and its various bodies, including standing committees and their subcommittees and working groups.
d) Communicate with constituents about the issues before Senate.
e) Engage in frank, candid and respectful discussion of matters which are brought before Senate and its various bodies, including standing committees, subcommittees and working groups, while adhering to the rules of procedure of Senate.
f) Consider fully, as citizens of the University, the complex issues that Senate faces, taking into account that advancing the good of the University in all of its diversity inevitably will involve negotiation and compromise.
1. Adapted from the Mission Statement, University of Guelph (1995)