Carleton’s Academic Governing Body
The Senate is the highest academic body in the university. It governs academic matters and makes decisions that are significant to students and faculty.
Work of the Senate
The Senate awards degrees, approves medalists, develops scholarships, approves new programs, revises curricula, and establishes regulations for students’ academic work. Senators also oversee and provide feedback on important university documents and strategies. To exercise its powers, the Senate has 10 standing committees and one appeals board. Additionally, two elected members of Senate serve on the Board of Governors.
Learn more about the work of Senate by reading the Senate Annual Report.
Membership
Senate comprises up to 82 members representing the Carleton community:
- 41 faculty members
- 2 contract instructors
- 10 elected undergraduate students
- 3 graduate students
- 21 ex-officio members
- 2 members of the Board of Governors
- 1 Academic Colleague
- 1 Alumni Representative
- 1 Clerk of Senate
An appointed faculty member serves as Clerk of Senate, managing the Senate’s affairs with the support of the University Secretariat. The university’s President and Vice-Chancellor chairs the Senate.