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.
2026 Faculty Senate Elections
The Faculty Senate Bylaws create 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.
The Spring 2026 election calendar and distribution list will be posted here in Winter 2025.