Dalhousie University. Senate

Corporate body (Dalhousie University)

Dalhousie University. Senate

CAN-NSHD/2000

1863-

The Senate is Dalhousie University’s senior academic governing body. In the Dalhousie College Act of 1863 it was set out that internal governance was the responsibility of the Senatus Academicus, created by the college’s professors, whose rules were subject to board approval.

The Senate is the university’s senior academic governing body responsible for the approval of new programs, approving the granting of degrees and diplomas, and managing the review of university faculties, centres and institutes. The Senate is also responsible for setting academic regulations (including regulations governing student conduct and discipline), which affect the university as a whole, and it establishes the academic calendar.

The Senate has standing committees that meet regularly and produce reports, including: Planning and Governance; Academic Programs and Research; Learning and Teaching; Nominating; Honorary Degrees; Appeals; and Discipline.

The Senate Constitution sets out the operating procedures for Senate, including membership, meeting procedures and committees. The Constitution is interpreted in accordance with the Statutes of Nova Scotia relating to Dalhousie University, which specify the jurisdiction and authority of Senate.

The basic statute relating to Dalhousie University is Chapter 24 of the Acts of 1863. This statute replaced earlier statutes, and the 1863 statute itself has been amended and supplemented several times over the years. The provisions of these various statutes provide for the establishment and regulation of the university, the membership of the Board of Governors and its rights and powers, the authority of senate for the internal regulation of the university (subject to the approval of the board), and various other matters.

Senate membership consists of elected members from the faculties and the libraries; one representative from the Black Faculty and Staff Caucus; one representative from the Indigenous Advisory Council; two elected Senators-at-large; two elected student representatives; one representative from the University of King's College; and senior administrators.

Senate has three executive officers: Chair of Senate, who oversees the business of Senate and chairs meetings of Senate; Vice-Chair, Academic Programs, who provides oversight of matters relating to Academic Programs; and Vice-Chair, Student Affairs, who provides oversight of all aspects of student academic integrity and student academic appeals.

Dalhousie University. College of Arts and Science (1988-)