If you missed the Sept. 28 Academic Senate meeting or need a refresher, keep reading for the highlights from the meeting. For more information on the Academic Senate, click here.
Meetings are open to the public and held on Zoom. Meetings are recorded only for the purposes of meeting minutes. Although senate meetings are not required to be public under Utah law, the senate has elected to conduct its business in a transparent way, and all attendees are welcome.
Subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees, the “university faculty shall have authority ... to legislate on matters of educational policy. ... The faculty has a right to a meaningful role in the governance of the University; ... it has a right to participate in decisions relating to the general academic operations of the university, including budget decisions and administrative appointments.”
“The legislative power of the University faculty collectively will normally be exercised by the faculty through their representatives in the Academic Senate and the college and Graduate and Undergraduate councils ...”
See Academic Policies 6-001-III-B-3, 6-002 and 6-300 to read the policies in full.
Debate Calendar
Rule 6-200B: Graduate Academic Standing, Performance, Probation, and Dismissal
In response to a USHE directive to create a university administrative rule, current Graduate School guidelines regarding graduate academic standing, performance, probation and dismissal are being converted into a Rule to accompany Policy 6-200: Graduate Studies and Degrees. The proposed Rule ensures clarity and consistency of processes across graduate programs; alignment with related policies; and support and resources for struggling students.
Information and Recommendations Calendar
Utah 360 Faculty Features
Utah 360 app
- Utah 360 launched in May 2025
- It is the official app for students, alumni and athletics
- Adoption is high among students and rising
- There are many features available to Faculty
- There is a specific Canvas Course Roster that will be demonstrated
Graduate Council 7-year Reviews
Department of Anthropology
The Department of Anthropology, established as an independent department in 1926, offers the bachelor’s, master’s and doctor of philosophy degrees. The department is commended for its programmatic coherence—distinctive among its peers, reviewers observed; the high quality of faculty research; the excellence of its graduate program; and the unique, high-value training opportunities that it offers all its students. To sustain and grow the department and ensure continued competitiveness, reviewers recommended that the department explore opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations with departments across campus; identify sustainable models of support for graduate students; and continue its efforts to establish a professional Cultural Resource Management master’s degree program, for which there is significant and growing demand in both public and private sectors.
Department of Psychology (Undergraduate Program*)
At the undergraduate level, the Department of Psychology offers the bachelor’s degree across two majors: the general Psychology major and (jointly, with the School of Biological Sciences) the newly launched Neuropsychology major. It also offers two undergraduate certificates. Reviewers commended the department’s significant growth in faculty research productivity and distinction since the last review; its “extraordinary” contributions to the university’s undergraduate teaching mission; and its legacy of strong, dedicated leadership and service. In light of the explosive growth of its undergraduate programs since last review as faculty numbers have held steady and staff numbers have declined, the department is encouraged to work with the college to hire additional faculty and staff in order to meet exigent resource and support needs; work with the institution to identify classroom spaces adequate to accommodate extremely large classes; and identify ways to bolster academic and career advising of its many undergraduate students.
*Graduate program accreditation accepted by Graduate Council in lieu of review
Department of Special Education
The Department of Special Education offers the bachelor’s degree; two master’s degrees—the Master of Science and the Master of Education—and the Doctor of Philosophy. Department faculty were commended for the breadth and depth of their expertise across a range of disabilities, distinguishing the department among its peers; for their shared dedication and sense of purpose; and for their success in securing state and federal support for the department’s teacher training programs. To optimize the department’s considerable strengths, reviewers recommended that the department streamline and coordinate its curricula, programs and certificates; establish effective program and learning outcomes; establish robust faculty support protocols and mechanisms; and develop clear, detailed and transparent guidelines relative to faculty members’ roles, responsibilities, expectations and opportunities for advancement.