Faculty and Shared Governance: How To Participate

Shared Governance at WWU

Faculty members who participate in governance provide critical leadership in shaping the direction of Western, represent their colleagues on a wide range of issues, and collaborate across the university to build a strong campus community.

The AAUP defines shared governance as "the joint responsibility of faculty, administrations, and governing boards to govern colleges and universities." Here at Western, the Faculty Senate represents the faculty in matters concerning university academics, budget, planning, and policy as part of shared governance. 

There are a number of ways you can participate in shared governance and make an impact. You might attend Faculty Senate meetings or decide to serve as a member of the Faculty Senate or its Executive Council. Or maybe you would like to represent your college on a Senate committee like the Academic Coordinating Commission or the Senate Library Committee or be appointed by the Senate to be a faculty representative on a university committee. In addition to the university-wide positions featured on this page, there are many other service opportunities available through individual departments and colleges.

Spring 2025 Faculty Senate Elections

Section 12 of the Faculty Senate Bylaws creates an annual process by which elections are conducted. Under this process, the Appointments and Elections Officer must submit a proposed election schedule and distribution list for approval by the Faculty Senate during the Winter Quarter. Elections are conducted by college governance bodies and certified by the Faculty Senate during the Spring Quarter.

 

On February 10, 2025, the Faculty Senate unanimously approved the following schedule for the election of Faculty Senators for the 2025-2027 term:

February 10                                                       Faculty Senate review and approval of election schedule and distribution list
March 3Schedule and distribution list sent to college governance bodies, election announcement to Western Today and faculty
April 18Deadline for constituencies to submit nominations to college governance bodies
May 5College governance bodies certify and submit nominations to Faculty Senate
May 19Faculty Senate certifies election results
May 20Election results posted to Faculty Senate website
June 2New Senators seated and officers elected at Faculty Senate meeting

Faculty members with a .5 FTEF (annual average) or greater appointment are eligible to be nominated to fill representative seats. Each college faculty and/or constituency is entitled to determine the procedure that will be used to nominate and elect area representatives, provided that all voting-eligible faculty (.5 FTEF annual average) are afforded the opportunity to vote in the election of their respective representative(s). 

 

The distribution of Senate seats by college and area are determined annually using a formula set forth in the Senate bylaws. Changes to number of seats and seats that up for election or reappointment are listed. Current Senators whose terms conclude have been contacted by the Senate Appointments and Elections Officer about whether they wish to seek reappointment and also should confirm with their college governance body. The following distribution was unanimously approved by the Senate on February 10, 2025.

Area A – College of Science and Engineering Current Seats: 7
2025 Seats: 7
2025 Open Seats: 5
Area B – College of Humanities and Social Sciences – Social SciencesTotal Seats: 4 
2025 Seats: 5
2025 Open Seats: 5
Area C – College of Humanities and Social Sciences – Humanities Total Seats: 5 
2025 Seats: 6
Open Seats: 1
Area D – College of Fine and Performing ArtsTotal Seats: 2 
2025 Seats: 2
Open Seats: 0 
Area E – College of Business and EconomicsTotal Seats: 3 
2025 Seats: 2
Open Seats: 0 
Area F – Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies Total Seats: 1 
2025 Seats: 1
Open Seats: 0 
Area G – College of the EnvironmentTotal Seats: 2 
2025 Seats: 1
Open Seats: 1
Area H – Woodring College of EducationTotal Seats: 3 
2025 Seats: 3
2025 Open Seats: 1
Area I – The Libraries Total Seats: 1 
2025 Seats: 1
2025 Open Seats: 1
Graduate School Total Seats: 1 
2025 Seats: 1
2025 Open Seats: 1