University of Colorado Faculty Senate records

The Faculty Senate, consisting of all members of the faculty of the University of Colorado, played a substantial role in University governance from the turn of the century until the late 1960’s. Fixed and temporary committees were formed by both the Statutes of the University of Colorado and by appointment during Senate meetings. These committees investigated problems, surveyed nationwide university solutions, and developed proposals for Senate and Presidential approval. During the University of Colorado’s first 75 years, when faculty numbers were fewer, the Faculty Senate also fulfilled a social role by fostering a sense of community within the University faculty. By the late 1960’s, the Faculty Senate had grown too large for efficient action. The University administration had also grown to take over many of the tasks required of the Faculty Senate. In 1968 as a response to the growth in faculty numbers, the Faculty Senate developed a smaller elected body, the Faculty Council, to better address issues confronted by the Senate. In 1974, the University of Colorado split into the four-campus system, and each campus developed its own faculty assemblies of the Faculty Council to include the Boulder Faculty Assembly, the Colorado Springs Faculty Senate, the Denver Faculty Assembly, and the Health Sciences Center Faculty Council. The development of a large, multi-tiered administration shifted governance from faculty to administrators, allowing the faculty to concentrate on individual research, teaching, and other committee work. The University of Colorado Senate was formed in 1908 and consisted of the resident heads of departments, the Librarian, and the dean of Women. Initially, an Advisory Council was also formed to advise capacity to the President, to propose issues to be discussed at the University Senate, and to handle disciplinary cases of the students. This council later shifted to encompass the same roles as the original Executive Committee, which addressed governance issues between the regular meetings of the entire Faculty Senate. The Faculty Senate was organized to address the needs of the students during the age of In Loco Parentis. Until 1970, the University was expected to provide “parental” style supervision for the students beyond the classroom in all areas of their social lives. Among other student social activities, the Faculty Council addressed the concerns of student organizations, student discipline, publications, athletics, and entrance regulations. The Senate also dealt with faculty concerns and the educational policy of the University. The Faculty addressed questions dealing with the definition of the meaning of tenure and the usage of research sabbaticals. In off campus issues, the Faculty Senate was also influential. With the development of the Minority Affairs Committee in 1939, the Faculty Senate helped to guarantee the equal treatment of minority students, both on and off campus.

Each college or school of the University also had a Faculty, which was made up of the professors of the specific college or school. Each Faculty dealt with “matters pertaining to the internal working of the college or school and to the students therein,” made regulations for graduation and matriculation requirements, handled recommendations for degrees, and dealt with minor disciplinary issues through the Dean.

For more information on the organization of the Board of Regents and the Faculty Senate, see the Statues of the University of Colorado.