The Academic Senate is the representative body of the entire faculty at USC, consisting primarily of representatives elected by Faculty Councils at the various schools. As a voice for faculty working with the university administration, it strives to further the academic mission and integrity of the university as a community of scholars, artists and professionals dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge.
The Senate acts as a whole, or in committees and task forces, to address a wide range of academic and administrative issues. These include the primary concerns of advancing faculty rights, interests and responsibilities, and seeking to preserve and enrich USC as a thriving academic institution.
Monthly meetings of the Senate, open to all faculty members, are held from September through May in a hybrid format. The Senate’s Executive Board meets weekly throughout the year.
Areas of significance to the Academic Senate include:
- Working with Faculty Councils and administrative officers to enhance the intellectual vitality of the university
- Encouraging and rewarding excellence in teaching and scholarship
- Safeguarding academic freedom, critical thinking, and the tenure system
- Promoting the development of a first-class research library and outstanding information infrastructure at USC
- Fostering quality in distance education and innovations in distributed learning
- Promoting a diverse faculty and student body
- Improving conditions for current and retired faculty in ways that help attract and retain high quality teachers and scholars