University Governance

Saint Joseph's University has several different governance structures which encourage faculty, staff and students  to actively engage in representative and inclusive shared governance processes

The University Council is the principal body for corporate participation of the various constituencies of the university in policy formulation. Proposals for new policies and academic programs are sent to the University Council in the form of mandates. The Council forwards mandates for study and recommendation by one or more governance bodies, including: the College Councils; Faculty Senate's Academic Policies and Procedures committee, Faculty Policies and Procedures committee, Staff and Administrative Support, and Student Senate.

After the appropriate governance body has concluded its review of a mandate, its report of recommendations is returned to the University Council for a vote. If approved, mandates are then forwarded for the President’s and, in some cases, Board of Trustees’, approval. Approved policies can be located in the University’s Policy Library.

Questions about University Council may be directed to Melissa McClory, Senior Director for Academic Administrative Operations and Faculty Affairs. 

The unique role of the faculty in the modern comprehensive University must always be recognized. The faculty, as the group primarily responsible for the university’s essential activity of education, shall exercise its corporate role through a Faculty Senate. The Faculty Senate is primarily responsible for recommendations concerning all matters of both faculty policies and procedures and university-wide academic policies and procedures, curricula, and their evaluation. The Faculty Senate consists of all full-time (tenure track and non-tenure track) faculty. 

The College Councils consist of the full-time faculty and associate deans within their respective College and Schools. The College Councils act on mandates received from the University Council and formulate internal college/school policy consistent with university-wide guidelines on academic and faculty matters, while providing a forum for discussion.

The Adjunct Faculty Association (AFA) is a group of part-time, non-tenure-track faculty (NTT) at Saint Joseph’s University who have come together in an association for the sake of enhancing their professional interests. NTT faculty are defined in the Faculty Handbook as a faculty member who is neither tenured nor employed under a tenure-track letter of appointment. An “adjunct” is a part-time, non-tenure-track faculty member.

SAS is a support council which advocates on behalf of staff and administration with regard to personnel compensation, benefits, and morale while also sponsoring philanthropic events and social gatherings. SAS comprises employees of Hawk Hill, University City, and Lancaster campuses.

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The purpose of the University Student Senate (USS) is to provide representation of the views and opinions of Saint Joseph's University students. USS acts as a conduit between the students, faculty, staff, and administration, and as an advocate for students’ perspectives and interests in both University and community affairs. The USS also represents the student voice in  policy and decision-making processes of the University.

View USS's Website