The University Senate
"Subject to the reserve power of the Trustees ... the University Senate shall be a policy-making body which may consider all matters of University-wide concern, all matters affecting more than one Faculty or school, and all matters pertaining to the implementation and execution of agreements with the other educational institutions that are now or may hereafter become affiliated with the University."
Composition of the University Senate
The 17 schools of Columbia, and Barnard College, Teachers College, and Union Theological Seminary
Conduct University Senate business
Administration, Administrative Staff, Alumni, Faculty, Libarians, Research Officers, and Students.
Forum on University Governance
On March 26th and March 31st, 2026, the University Senate organized Forums on University Governance at both the CUMC and Morningside campuses. Thank you to all those who attended for a productive and stimulating discussion.
Professor David Pozen of the Columbia School of Law presented slides drawing on a forthcoming article, coauthored with Daniel Hemel, titled "In Search of University Democracy." The slides are attached here. A summary of the discussion is available here.