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University Governance

III. Structure of the Collaborative Governance System

Charter approved for adoption July 29, 2026

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A. Councils

  1. University Coordinating Council (UCC)

    1. Purpose.
      1. The purpose of the UCC is to make governance efficient, effective, and responsive.
    2. Function. 
      1. To coordinate the work of the UPCs and to guarantee appropriate consultation and efficiency in the overall process of university governance.
      2. To develop and maintain information on faculty and staff regarding their expressions of experience, expertise, interest, and sensitivities on the range of issues considered by the various Policy Committees.
      3. To appoint members to Policy Committees on the basis of (i) the information so collected and maintained and (ii) continuing consultation with all segments of the campus, especially with the Faculty Senate Council, the Staff Senate, the ASG, and the various graduate student associations.
      4. To fill any vacancies of appointed members of Policy Committees throughout the year, if such vacancies occur.
      5. To be aware of the work of the various Policy Committees, and to ensure that the communication between the Policy Committees and the University community is regular and systematic.
      6. To assess the issues that may be brought to its attention by any member of the campus community and to assign important policy issues to an appropriate Policy Committee or to a joint task force bridging multiple Policy Committees.
      7. To maintain regular and systematic contact with the Faculty Senate Council, the Staff Senate, the ASG, and the various graduate student associations, and, based on the input received from these bodies, to allocate to the respective Policy Committees various initiatives, proposals, concerns, etc. not already under active consideration by a Policy Committee.
      8. To ensure that effective communication between the Policy Committees and the University community systematically occurs at the critical decision points of the definition of the problem, the formulation of tentative solutions, and the review of final recommendations (The Rule of Three).
      9. To establish committees referenced in section I(B)3a-c in this charter and to appoint members, establish the charge, monitor effectiveness, and dissolve those committees no longer needed.
      10. To receive and preserve annual summary reports of the activities of Policy Committees and other University committees. 
      11. To monitor and maintain collaborative governance procedures.
      12. To provide specific training on collaborative governance to all members of the campus community.
      13. To coordinate with the University administration when changes to the organizational structure impact the reporting structure of policy committees.
    3. Membership. There shall be a total of seven (7) voting members on the UCC:
      1. The Provost or their designee.
      2. The Presidents of the Faculty and Staff Senates
      3. The past President of the Staff Senate
      4. The Associated Student Government President
      5. The UCC Chair and Chair-elect shall be two members of the continuing faculty each with at least ten years of experience at Santa Clara University, elected at large by the entire faculty and staff to staggered two-year terms.
    4. Terms of service shall run from July 1 through June 30.
    5. Leadership.
      1. The chair of the UCC shall be an elected faculty member in their 2nd year of service and the chair-elect shall be the elected faculty member in their 1st year, who will become the chair in their 2nd year. 
      2. In case of a vacancy in the position of chair, the chair-elect shall assume the position immediately. The new chair shall complete the remaining time from the vacated chair’s term and shall continue to serve through the remainder of the following academic year.
      3. In the case of a vacancy in the position of chair-elect, the UCC shall temporarily appoint a chair-elect until such time as an election can take place.
      4. In the case of a vacancy in the position of both the chair and the chair-elect, the UCC shall temporarily appoint a chair until such time as an election can take place to select the new officers.

  2. University Budget Council (UBC)

    1. Purpose.
      1. The purpose of the UBC is to develop the annual macro budget in the context of long-range financial planning.
    2. Function.
      1. Prepare the annual macro operating budget for approval by the President prior to final approval by the Board of Trustees, in alignment with the university’s mission and values and strategic plan priorities. The macro operating budget establishes the aggregate totals of each principal revenue and expense category for the university budget.
      2. Ensure that the annual budget represents all major revenues and expenditures, is balanced, and is consistent with long-range financial projections based on careful analysis of program, enrollment, market, compensation, and other relevant trends.
      3. Review and refine financial assumptions, projections, and planning scenarios developed by the Budget Office, periodically throughout the year.
      4. Convene to review and recommend changes to the implementation of the approved operating budget when significant operating adjustments are needed.
      5. Ensure that timely and substantive communication about budgetary issues and procedures occurs within the University community.
    3. Membership. There shall be a total of twelve (12) voting members on the UBC:
      1. Vice President for Finance and Administration
      2. The Provost
      3. The Vice Presidents of University Relations and Enrollment Management
      4. The Associate Vice President for Finance
      5. The Vice Provost for Planning & Institutional Effectiveness
      6. The University Budget Director
      7. The Faculty and Staff Senate Presidents-Elect
      8. One dean for a three-year term, as appointed by the UCC
      9. One faculty member appointed by the UCC to three-year staggered term, renewable once
      10. One full-time staff member with at least two consecutive years of employment at SCU appointed by the UCC to three-year staggered term, renewable once.
    4. Terms of service shall run from July 1 to June 30.
    5. Leadership and Reporting.
      1. The Chair of the UBC shall be the Vice President for Finance and Administration.
      2. The Vice Chair shall be elected by the UBC at the start of their term. 
      3. The University Budget Council reports to the President of the University.

  3. Planning Action Council (PAC)

    1. Purpose.
      1. The general purpose of the PAC is to promote, coordinate, and oversee planning at the University level. It will attempt to link the University's programs and services with its mission, markets, and resources. In meeting the challenges of external as well as the internal environment, it will strive to display and foster strategic thinking, timely action, effective implementation, and adequate communication.
    2. Function.
      1. Oversee the development and revision of the University’s Strategic Plan and work to advance its initiatives.
      2. Oversee and monitor the plans of major academic and administrative units to implement the University Strategic Plan.
      3. Coordinate the work of other groups involved in planning and integrate their products into a coherent set of action plans.
      4. Identify strategic issues and options through ongoing analysis of the University's internal strengths and weaknesses in relation to its external opportunities and threats.
      5. Prepare and periodically update planning assumptions to guide planning.
      6. Ascertain the need for outside planning expertise and retain consultants as appropriate.
      7. Promote continuous assessment and benchmarking of planning efforts.
      8. Ensure adequate communication about planning issues and processes with the University community.
    3. Membership.
      1. The President of the University
      2. The members of the President’s Cabinet
      3. The Academic Deans and Dean of the University Library
      4. Directors of the Centers of Distinction
      5. The President of the Associated Student Government
      6. Four to six members selected by the President from the recommendations of the UCC. These members will be selected for their relevant expertise, creativity, and University perspective with at least one from the Leavey School of Business, at least one from the School of Engineering, and two from the College of Arts and Sciences (1 from Arts and Humanities, 1 from Natural and Social Sciences). These members shall serve three-year staggered terms, renewable once.
    4. Terms of service shall run from July 1 to June 30.
    5. Leadership and Reporting.
      1. The President of the University shall serve as Chair of the PAC.
      2. The Provost shall serve as Vice Chair of the PAC.
      3. The PAC reports to the President of the University.

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B. Policy Committees

  1. Academic Affairs Committee (AAC)

    1. Purpose.
      1. The AAC works with the Provost to improve teaching and learning and the quality of academic programs. In that capacity, it serves as the final locus of dialogue in the formulation of University policies, procedures, and guidelines that relate to academic affairs
    2. Function. 
      1. Promote continued improvement of academic programs and of teaching, learning, scholarship or artistic expression, and service within the University and/or the community at large.
      2. Review and evaluate proposals for new academic programs to ensure their academic rigor and contribution to the goals and mission of Santa Clara as a Catholic and Jesuit university.
      3. Review and evaluate proposals for substantive restructuring of academic programs or departments within the University.
      4. Review and evaluate proposals for substantive changes in the academic calendar.
      5. Review and evaluate the work of those committees charged with specific responsibilities for various aspects of the University's academic affairs, for example, student advising, academic integrity, assessment, etc.
      6. Ensure appropriate consultation with students, faculty, and staff in the Committee's deliberations.
      7. Consult regularly with other administrators on academic matters, including (but not limited to) the Dean of the Library, the Chief Information Officer, the Director of Media Services, the Vice President for Enrollment Management, and the University Registrar.
    3. Membership. The AAC shall have up to nine (9) voting members.
      1. Four to six continuing faculty members, appointed by the UCC to three-year staggered terms, renewable once.
        1. Membership should be broadly constituted to adequately represent a wide spectrum of viewpoints, for example, disciplinary divisions within the University, an emphasis on both teaching and scholarship, the University's graduate and undergraduate character, the Catholic and Jesuit tradition, the core curriculum, and any other perspectives, experiences, or expertise that may enrich the Committee's deliberations.
      2. One undergraduate student, appointed by the UCC for one year, renewable once.
      3. The Director of Undergraduate Core Curriculum.
      4. The Provost or their designee.
    4. Terms of service.
      1. Non-student terms of service shall run from July 1 to June 30. 
      2. Student terms of service shall run for an academic year.
    5. Leadership and Reporting.
      1. Each Spring, the membership of the AAC shall elect, from the UCC-appointed faculty members with at least two years remaining in their term (or with a request for an extended term by the UCC), a chair-elect who will serve for the following academic year.
      2. Upon completion of one year as chair-elect, the chair-elect shall serve as chair for one year.
      3. The AAC shall report recommendations to the Provost.

  2. Faculty Affairs Committee (FAC)

    1. Purpose.
      1. The FAC works with the Provost to advise and implement policies relating to the faculty, ensuring policies and procedures that promote the success of all faculty and align with the university's goals, serving as a bridge between the faculty and the university administration. In this capacity it serves as a locus of dialogue in the formulation of University programs, policies, and procedures pertaining to the responsibilities, rights, and compensation of the faculty, and as the final locus of dialogue for policies and procedures pertaining to the responsibilities, rights, and compensation of faculty outside the bargaining unit.
    2. Function.
      1. Initiate and/or review proposals, University initiatives, and programs for faculty development.
      2. Review and evaluate proposals on compensation/benefits so that they promote faculty achievement and reflect sound personnel practice.
      3. Promote adequate support for faculty teaching, advising, scholarship, professional activity, creative work, and service.
      4. Review and recommend policies governing sabbaticals.
      5. Ensure that guidelines and criteria for recruitment and hiring of faculty, and for promotion and tenure advance the mission and goals of the University.
      6. Ensure the fairness and efficiency of University appellate and judicial procedures for faculty.
      7. Oversee faculty committees charged with responsibility for policies, procedures, programs, or issues pertaining to the responsibilities or compensation of faculty.
      8. Collaborate with the Staff Affairs Committee on issues, policies, guidelines, and programs that affect all University personnel.
      9. Consult regularly with other administrators responsible for academic matters including (but not limited to) the Provosts, Deans, Associate Provost for Faculty Development, Associate Provost for Research, General Counsel, and the Vice President of Human Resources. For additional consultation guidelines, refer to Section II.E Relationships with Senates.
    3. Membership. The FAC shall have up to nine (9) voting members:
      1. Four to eight continuing faculty outside the bargaining unit at the associate level or higher. They shall be appointed by the UCC to three-year staggered terms, renewable once.
        1. Membership should be broadly constituted to adequately represent a wide spectrum of perspectives, for example, disciplinary divisions within the University, an emphasis on teaching, scholarship and creative works, the University’s graduate and undergraduate character, the Catholic and Jesuit tradition, and other perspectives, experiences, or expertise that may assist the Committee in its deliberations.
      2. The Provost or their designee.
    4. Terms of service shall run from July 1 to June 30.
    5. Leadership and Reporting.
      1. Each Spring, the membership of the FAC shall elect, from the appointed faculty members with at least two years remaining in their term, a chair-elect who will serve for the following academic year.
      2. Upon completion of one year as chair-elect, the chair-elect shall serve as chair for one year.
      3. The FAC shall report recommendations to the Provost.

  3. Staff Affairs Committee (SAC)

    1. Purpose.
      1. The SAC works to promote staff development and improve the quality of service and support provided. In this capacity, it serves as the final locus of dialogue in the formulation, review, and recommendation of policies and procedures pertaining to the responsibilities, rights, and compensation of non-union staff members.
    2. Function.
      1. Initiate, review, and/or recommend policies affecting the rights and responsibilities of all non-union staff.
      2. Initiate, review, and/or recommend proposals, University initiatives, and programs for staff development.
      3. Review and evaluate proposals on compensation/benefits to ensure that they promote staff achievement and reflect sound personnel practice.
      4. Review and recommend changes to the salary grade classification system.
      5. Initiate, review, and recommend changes to the Staff Policy Manual.
      6. Collaborate with the Faculty Affairs Committee on issues, policies, guidelines, and programs that affect all University personnel.
      7. Ensure the appropriate consultation with staff, faculty, administrators, and students in the Committee's deliberations. For additional consultation guidelines, refer to Section II.E Relationships with Senates.
      8. Monitor and invite feedback on the effectiveness of staff policies and strategic initiatives.
    3. Membership. The voting membership of the SAC shall not exceed nine (9) total members:
      1. Five to seven staff members, appointed by the UCC to three-year staggered terms, renewable once.
        1. Staff serving on the Committee represent the collective non-union staff rather than a particular constituency or themselves personally.
      2. The Vice President of Human Resources or their designee
      3. The President-elect of the Staff Senate or a designee appointed by the Staff Senate
    4. Terms of service shall run from July 1 to June 30.
    5. Leadership and Reporting.
      1. Each Spring, the membership of the SAC shall elect, from the UCC-appointed staff members with at least two years remaining in their term (or with a request for an extended term by the UCC), a chair-elect who will serve for the following academic year.
      2. Upon completion of one year as chair-elect, the chair-elect shall serve as chair for one year.
      3. The SAC shall report recommendations to the Vice President for Human Resources.

  4. Student Affairs Committee (StuAC)

    1. Purpose.
      1. The StuAC will contribute to the improvement of student learning and the quality of the Santa Clara educational experience as related to co-curricular programs and student support services. The Committee will help monitor the effectiveness of, and serve as the final locus of, dialogue in the formulation and recommendation of major policies, programs, and procedures that affect student life and that contribute to the satisfaction and success of Santa Clara students.
    2. Function.
      1. Promote continued improvement of co-curricular programs, student support services, and other aspects of integrated learning.
      2. Review, evaluate, and improve policies and programs related to student life to ensure their consistency with, and contribution to, the mission and goals of Santa Clara as a Catholic and Jesuit university.
      3. Review and evaluate proposals for substantive changes in programs or departments that affect student life.
      4. Ensure that the University regularly reviews and assesses the quality and effectiveness of services to students.
      5. Ensure appropriate consultation with students, faculty, administrators, and staff in the Committee's deliberations.  For additional consultation guidelines, refer to Section II.E Relationships with Senates.
      6. Advise the Provost on issues identified by either the Provost or the Committee.
      7. Initiate, review, and recommend changes to the Student Handbook.
    3. Membership. The membership of the StuAC shall not exceed eleven (11) total voting members:
      1. Five undergraduate students:
        1. The President of the Associated Student Government or their designee
        2. Chair of the Student Senate or their designee
        3. Director of the Multicultural Center or their designee
        4. Two additional undergraduate students, appointed by the UCC to one-year terms, renewable once.
      2. One graduate student, appointed by the UCC to a one-year term, renewable once.
      3. Two continuing faculty members, appointed by the UCC to three-year staggered terms, renewable once.
      4. Two staff members, appointed by UCC to three-year staggered terms, renewable once. 
      5. Vice Provost for Student Life or their designee.
    4. Terms of Service.
      1. Non-student terms of service shall run from July 1 to June 30. 
      2. Student terms of service shall run for an academic year.
    5. Leadership and Reporting.
      1. Each Spring, the membership of the StuAC shall elect, from the UCC-appointed faculty or staff members with at least two years remaining in their term (or with a request for an extended term by the UCC), a chair-elect who will serve for the following academic year.
      2. Upon completion of one year as chair-elect, the chair-elect shall serve as co-chair for one year.
      3. In the Fall of each year, the members of the StuAC will elect one student to serve as co-chair.
      4. The StuAC shall report its recommendations to the Vice Provost for Student Life.

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C. Other Committees

  1. Benefits Joint Committee (BEN)

    1. Purpose.
      1. The BEN works with the Vice President for Human Resources on issues surrounding the benefits package provided to faculty and non-bargaining unit staff.
    2. Function. 
      1. Review and evaluate proposals on benefits to ensure that they promote employee well-being, achievement, recruitment and retention, reflect sound personnel practice, and reflect sound budgetary practice within strategic planning and priorities of the university.
      2. Collaborate with the Vice President for Human Resources on the budget for faculty and non-bargaining unit staff benefits, as well as collaborate on the final recommendations on benefits providers and costs to both the university and its faculty and staff.
      3. Initiate, review, and recommend changes to the comprehensive benefits package offered to university personnel.
      4. Collaborate with the Staff Affairs Committee and the Faculty Affairs Committee on issues, policies, procedures, and programs that affect the benefits of all University personnel.
      5. Monitor and invite feedback on the effectiveness of benefits policies.
      6. Facilitate communication between the Department of Human Resources and the SCU community concerning benefit issues.
    3. Membership.
      1. The BEN shall include seven (7) voting participants and one (1) non-voting member:There shall be a total of seven (7) voting members on the UCC:
        1. Two staff members outside the bargaining unit, appointed by the UCC to three-year staggered terms, renewable once.
        2. Two faculty members outside the bargaining unit, appointed by the UCC to three-year staggered terms, renewable once.
        3. Chairs-elect of the Faculty Affairs Committee and the Staff Affairs Committee, or their designee from the respective committee.
        4. The Vice President of Human Resources or their designee.
        5. The Director of Human Resources, or their designee, shall be a non-voting administrative participant.
    4. Terms of service shall run from July 1 through June 30.
      1. Committee members usually continue to serve an additional three months (July to September) as non-voting informal members to support the benefits planning process for the following academic year.
    5. Leadership and Reporting.
      1. Each Spring, the membership of the BEN shall elect, from the appointed faculty or staff members with at least two years remaining in their term, a chair-elect who will serve for the following academic year. Ordinarily, the position of chair-elect shall alternate between a staff member and a faculty member.
      2. Upon completion of one year as chair-elect, the chair-elect shall serve as chair for one year.
      3. The BEN shall report recommendations to the FAC and SAC, who will recommend further action to the appropriate administrator(s).

  2. Research Standing Committee (RES)

    1. Purpose.
      1. The RES works with the Associate Provost for Research to support faculty scholarship at the University in a manner that is equitable and transparent. It makes policy recommendations to the Faculty Affairs Committee and the University Coordinating Committee. 
      2. Sponsors programs to enhance scholarship, including recommendations for University internal grants and awards.
      3. Consults on the appointment of faculty or outside experts with discipline-specific-expertise (whether internal or external) to conduct research misconduct investigations.
    2. Membership. The RES shall be comprised of:
      1. At least one tenured representative from each of the following disciplinary clusters: Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Math and Natural Sciences, Engineering, and Business;
      2. At least one Teaching Professor
      3. The Associate Provost for Research will serve ex officio.
    3. Term of service. Length of appointment ordinarily for two years. The UCC shall appoint members of the RES. The RES is authorized to select additional members for specific tasks, provided that:
      1. For grant application review, the review committee shall be comprised of equal numbers of tenured faculty from the following disciplinary clusters: Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Math and Natural Sciences, Engineering, and Business; and at least two Teaching Professors. The Associate Provost for Research shall recruit additional faculty with requisite expertise as needed in any given year.
    4. Leadership and Reporting.
      1. The RES shall elect a Chair to serve a one-year term. 
      2. The Associate Provost for Research and the Chair shall report to FAC, by the end of the quarter in which the decisions are made, on the following topics:
        1. For faculty and for graduate students separately: the number of grant applications (and, for faculty, course releases) received and funded: the total amount funded: the distribution of funds by disciplinary cluster, amount, percent of total, and faculty position, rank, and (if reported) gender; 
        2. budget for research support for the next academic year;
        3. policy changes requested, if any.

  3. Advisory Committee for Faculty-Staff Policy (ACFSP)

    1. Purpose.
      1. ACFSP works with the General Counsel’s Office, Human Resources, and the Provost’s Office on policies (as determined in collaboration with the UCC) that affect all University personnel and sometimes also students or visitors, and which require coordinated work. It provides feedback on such proposed policies before they are sent to the Faculty Affairs Committee (FAC), Staff Affairs Committee (SAC), and Student Affairs Committee (StuAC) if relevant, for further feedback and review in the collaborative governance process.
      2. ACFSP will collaborate with the FAC and the SAC in moving such proposals  through the governance process, including presentations and feedback from the Faculty and Staff Senates, as described in Section II.E Relationships with Senates.
      3. If the UCC determines that the proposal is time sensitive, the UCC shall consider invoking an accelerated timetable.
    2. Membership. The ACFSP shall be comprised of: 
      1. Two current members of SAC and two current members of FAC; a member of the General Counsel’s Office, a member of the Human Resources Department, and a representative from the Provost’s Office.The FAC and SAC members of the ACFSP shall be nominated by their respective committees and confirmed by the UCC to two-year staggered terms, in collaboration with the FAC and SAC chairs and respective members. Ad-hoc members will be invited to serve on the committee as necessary to secure relevant expertise on the policy at hand. 
      2. For policies that also directly impact students, as determined by the Student Affairs Committee, two members of the Student Affairs Committee, a student representative and a non-student representative, shall be appointed by the Student Affairs Committee and confirmed by the UCC to two-year staggered terms, in collaboration with the Student Affairs Committee chair.  
      3. Each Spring, the membership of the SAC shall select, from the appointed staff members with at least two years remaining on their term, two representatives to serve on ACFSP. FAC shall select, from the appointed faculty members with at least two years remaining in their term, two representatives to serve on ACFSP.
    3. Leadership and Reporting.
      1. The ACFSP shall elect a Co-chair from among its FAC and SAC members to serve a one-year term. The other ACFSP Co-chair shall be the General Counsel, the Vice President of Human Resources, or their designee. 
      2. At the beginning of each academic year, the ACFSP Chair will report its planned agenda of proposals to the UCC Chair, and the ACFSP Chair shall keep the UCC Chair apprised of its progress throughout the academic year.

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