University of Saskatchewan
PA-3: Participatory Governance

Elected students are included in all three of tricameral governing bodies. The student-elected President of the University of Saskatchewan Students' Union (USSU) is a member of the Board of Governors. The USSU is the representative body for all University of Saskatchewan undergraduate, extension and certificate students that represent the academic and non-academic interests of U of S undergraduate students. University Council includes one elected student representing each college and each affiliated federated college. Student are elected from their respective colleges. University Senate includes six undergraduate student and one graduate student. The undergraduate students are elected by students registered in colleges other than the College of Graduate Studies and Research. The graduate student is elected by students registered in that College. The University of Saskatchewan follows a tricameral governance structure, which means that it has three governing bodies. All three governing bodies are bound by the University of Saskatchewan Act to make decisions that are in the best interests of the university overall and are all considered to be at the highest level of governance. This governance structure includes: Board of Governors is responsible for fiscal issues and consists of the Chancellor, the President of the University, five members appointed by the Lieutenant-Governor-in-Council, two members elected by the Senate, one student (Student Union President), and one faculty member. University Council is responsible for academic issues and consists of 116 members: the President, Provost and Vice-President (Academic), two faculty members, representing each college and affiliated and federated colleges and the Library, one elected student representing each college and each affiliated and federated college and 54 faculty members at large. Senate is responsible for public issues and includes the present and former Chancellors, the president and vice-presidents of the university, the Minister of Advanced Education, the Deputy Minister, principals of federated and affiliated colleges, deans or acting deans of colleges, 14 electoral district members, 14 members-at-large, six undergraduate students, one graduate student, and representatives of professional societies, groups or organizations with a demonstrated interest in furthering the goals of higher education and research at the university.

There is opportunity for staff members to be elected from the public to the Senate, however they are not members of Senate in their role as staff. In 2007, a Senate Round Table on Outreach and Engagement was created to support, lead, and move forward the University’s outreach and engagement activities. Four staff members whose duties are related to outreach and engagement sit on the Senate Round Table. The Senate is composed as follows: the present and former Chancellors, the president and vice-presidents of the university, the Minister of Advanced Education, the Deputy Minister, principals of federated and affiliated colleges, deans or acting deans of colleges, and such other deans of academic and student affairs and such directors as nominated by the president and approved by the Senate, 14 electoral district members, 14 members-at-large, six undergraduate students, one graduate student, and representatives of professional societies, groups or organizations in the province which in the opinion of the Senate contribute in a significant way to the social, economic and cultural welfare of the Province and have a demonstrated interest in furthering the goals of higher education and research at the university.

Our tricameral governance structure means that three governing bodies are bound by the University of Saskatchewan Act to make decisions that are in the best interests of the university overall and are all considered to be at the highest level of governance. These three governing bodies are the Board of Governors, University Council and Senate. There is faculty representation on both the Board of Governors and University Council. The Board of Governors is responsible for fiscal issues and administers and manages property, revenues and finances. The Board of Governors consists of the Chancellor, the President of the University, five members appointed by the Lieutenant-Governor-in-Council, two members elected by the Senate, one student, and one faculty member. The faculty member is elected by members of the assembly who are faculty members. University Council oversees and directs the university’s academic affairs. University Council consists of the President, Provost and Vice-President (Academic), two faculty members representing each college and affiliated and federated colleges and the Library, one elected student representing each college and each affiliated and federated college and 54 faculty members at large. The faculty members representing each college or affiliated and federated college are members of the college and have been elected by the members of the college. Senate is responsible for public issues; giving graduates, the community and key stakeholders a voice in university affairs.

University Senate is composed as follows: the present and former Chancellors, the president and vice-presidents of the university, the Minister of Advanced Education, the Deputy Minister, principals of federated and affiliated colleges, deans or acting deans of colleges, and such other deans of academic and student affairs and such directors as nominated by the president and approved by the Senate, 14 electoral district members, 14 members-at-large, six undergraduate students, one graduate student, and representatives of professional societies, groups or organizations in the province which in the opinion of the Senate contribute in a significant way to the social, economic and cultural welfare of the Province and have a demonstrated interest in furthering the goals of higher education and research at the university. Under The University of Saskatchewan Act, 1995, Senate is responsible for recommendations regarding the establishment or disestablishment of any college, school, or department; appointing examiners for and making bylaws respecting the conduct of examinations for professional societies; the granting of honorary degrees; and non-academic student discipline.