Mission & Impact

Mission

The University Senate of the University of Maryland provides a gateway for all faculty, staff, students, and administrators to inclusively participate in our unique system of shared governance. The University Senate advises the University President on matters and concerns related to the University and University-wide policy. Operating within this purview allows stakeholders and representatives from around the campus community to provide voice and influence to key issues facing the institution.

Our mission is to uphold and progress, within the scope of policy, the University’’s institutional objectives, outcomes, and strategic plan as defined in the University’s mission statement.

Please visit our Shared Governance page to learn more about how we achieve our mission through our unique system of shared governance.

Impact

The University Senate began meeting as early as 1919. Since its inception, the University Senate has worked in tandem with administrative bodies and stakeholders around campus to formulate and advise on various policies and issues concerning the University. 

While the University Senate’s purview is not inclusive of any operational procedures and Unit or Departmental level policies, almost every matter regarding University-wide concerns or policy has been reviewed by either the University Senate or its various bodies. As such, the University Senate is one of the largest and most influential governing bodies at the University of Maryland. 

Within recent years, some of our work has included: advising on the University's Strategic Plan, introducing the Good Samaritan policy, the Campus-Wide Smoking Ban policy, the Open-Access to Scholarly Publications policy, the Climate Action Plan, the Arbitrary and Capricious Grading policy, the Non-Discrimination policy, and Disability and Accessibility policies.

Please visit our Legislation Archive to learn more about the University Senate’s past work.