# University Senate

**Source**: https://www.york.ac.uk/about/organisation/senate/
**Parent**: https://www.york.ac.uk/about/departments/

Senate is responsible for regulating and directing the academic work of the University.

Senate oversees all academic matters on behalf of [Council](https://www.york.ac.uk/about/organisation/council/). It advises Council and ensures that academic governance is robust and effective.

Its work includes:

- supervision and discipline of students
- governance of teaching and learning, the student experience, research and knowledge exchange activities
- advising on the academic implications of the University strategy
- championing the academic activities of the University.

Senate advises and assures Council that academic quality and standards leading to the York degree stand up to external scrutiny. Senate in turn takes assurance that students can access, participate, progress and succeed in their studies with us. Senate also oversees policy for research, partnerships and engagement activity.

It is chaired by the [Vice-Chancellor](https://www.york.ac.uk/about/organisation/ueb/charlie-jeffery/) and meets at least three times per year.

Senate is made up of academic colleagues of different levels and roles from across the University, and student representatives.

Senate members:

- 10% student representatives
- 30% elected academic staff
- 30% nominated heads of departments or schools
- 30% *ex officio* members

> ## Terms of reference
>
> Find out more about the purpose of Senate, which bodies it advises and how it delegates authority.
>
> [Terms of reference](https://www.york.ac.uk/about/organisation/senate/terms-of-reference/)
>
> ## Delegation of powers
>
> Senate can establish committees to conduct work on its behalf and can delegate its powers and function to those committees.
>
> [See the Senate scheme of delegation](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/17x1AcX7XbKA5HjSIbbOVEBDkGteIgn0YIlpKxpIlySo/edit?usp=sharing)

[Members](https://www.york.ac.uk/about/organisation/senate/members/)

[Meetings](https://www.york.ac.uk/about/organisation/senate/meetings/)

[Minutes and agendas](https://www.york.ac.uk/about/organisation/senate/minutes-agendas/)

[Senate Effectiveness Review 2021-22](https://www.york.ac.uk/about/organisation/senate/senate-effectiveness-review/)

## Subcommittees

Senate delegates work to subcommittees ([view organogram](https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1jsNsk7MqM71hs0r1KYHctjOFghcpgIlRx13Ie6uUKVY/edit#slide=id.g4b8c99ed2e_0_0)) chaired by the senior academic officers and to Faculty Boards chaired by the Faculty Deans.

The subcommittees of Senate are:

### [Academic Promotions Committee](https://www.york.ac.uk/admin/hr/pay-and-grading/promotion/academic-promotion-committee/terms-of-reference/)

### [Hull York Medical School Joint Senate Committee](https://www.york.ac.uk/about/organisation/subcommittees/hyms-joint-senate-committee/)

### Global Strategy Committee

### Partnerships, Enterprise and Engagement Committee (University)

### Planning Committee (University)

### [Research Committee (University)](https://www.york.ac.uk/staff/research/governance/committees/research-committee/)

### [Student Life Committee](https://www.york.ac.uk/about/organisation/subcommittees/student-life-committee/)

### [Teaching Committee (University)](https://www.york.ac.uk/about/organisation/subcommittees/education-committee/)

## Contact us

**Chair: Professor Charlie Jeffery**

Vice-Chancellor and President

- [vc@york.ac.uk](mailto:vc@york.ac.uk)

**For agendas and minutes: Richard Harrison**

Deputy University Secretary

- [richard.harrison@york.ac.uk](mailto:richard.harrison@york.ac.uk)

## Related links

- [Senate election 2025-26](https://www.york.ac.uk/about/organisation/senate/senate-election/)
- [Preparing papers for committees](https://www.york.ac.uk/about/organisation/governance-documents/members-secretaries/preparing-papers/)