What we do

The Academic Senate is the representative body of the entire faculty at USC, consisting primarily of representatives elected by Faculty Councils. 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, are held from September through May. The current schedule of Academic Senate meetings is found here. 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

• Looking for ways to improve conditions for current and retired faculty in ways that help attract and retain high quality teachers and scholars

For a list of current Senate projects, please look here