WHAT IS THE FACULTY COUNCIL?
As The University of Texas at Austin’s Academic Senate, the Faculty Council is the guardian of the institution’s commitment to the academic principle of shared governance. It represents the 3,700 faculty members at UT, as well as students and staff. Its voting members are directly elected by the faculty and students. In open meetings, the Faculty Council discusses, evaluates, monitors, and recommends on all University undergraduate curricular changes and degree programs and on a wide array of policies and procedures, including those governing faculty evaluation, workload, compensation, academic freedom, and grievances; student services, activities, admissions, and employment; and libraries, research, information technology, among others. Recommendations often originate in faculty committees, with the Administration, or with the Faculty Council Executive Committee. The Faculty Council Executive Committee, which is elected by the Faculty Council, meets monthly on its own and also with the President, Provost, Graduate School Dean, CFO, VP of Legal Affairs, and other University Administrators to discuss pressing and long-term issues facing the University and its students, faculty, staff, and administration.
Governing Documents of the Faculty Council in the UT Austin Handbook of Operating Procedures
Faculty Council, HOP 2-1110
By-Laws of the Faculty Council, HOP 2-1120-PM
UT System Documents on Shared Governance
UT System's White Paper on Shared Governance
Executive Summary for the Chancellor
Chancellor's Statement