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. Students 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.

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.

Local government, private sector and public sector organizations participate in the University's governance through our University Senate. Senate is composed of 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. The following organizations are represented on the University of Saskatchewan Senate: Saskatchewan School Boards Association Saskatchewan Physiotherapy Association Saskatchewan Professional Planners Institutes Law Society of Saskatchewan Saskatchewan League of Educational Administrators University of Regina Alumni Association Provincial Council of Women of Saskatchewan Saskatchewan Library Association Institute of Chartered Professional Accountants of Saskatchewan College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan Saskatchewan Association of Recreation Professionals Chiropractors’ Association of Saskatchewan Saskatchewan Registered Music Teachers’ Association Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists Nature Saskatchewan Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association Saskatchewan Women's Institutes Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals Saskatchewan Federation of Labour Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce Assemblée Communantaire Fransakoise Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) University of Saskatchewan Alumni Association Saskatchewan Association of Architects Saskatchewan Association of Optometrists Saskatchewan Association of School Councils Association of Professional Engineers & Geoscientists of SK Canadian Federation of University Women (Regional Council) Council of Regional Colleges Saskatchewan Dieticians Association Congress (Saskatchewan Provincial Council) Saskatchewan Society of Occupational Therapists Federation of Saskatchewan Indigenous Nations Saskatchewan Library Trustees' Association Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation Registered Psychiatric Nurses’ Assoc. of Saskatchewan Saskatchewan Arts Board Association of Saskatchewan Home Economists College of Dental Surgeons of Saskatchewan Interior Designers Association of Saskatchewan Metis Nation-Saskatchewan Saskatchewan College of Psychologists Saskatchewan Registered Nurses' Association The following regional districts are represented on the University of Saskatchewan Senate: Weyburn – Estevan - Carlyle Chaplin – Moose Jaw - Rockglen Leader – Climax – Swift Current Kenaston – Indian Head – Moosomin Kindersley – Delisle – Lucky Lake Wynyard – Yorkton - Esterhazy Unity – Duck Lake – Watrous LaLoche–Green Lake– Battleford Nipawin - Melfort – Hudson Bay North East Saskatchewan Prince Albert and East North West Saskatchewan Saskatoon Regina The following elected members-at-large sit on the University of Saskatchewan Senate: Davida Bentham Susanne Berg Nicole Conan Dan Danielson Brooks DeCillia Leah Howie Cecile Hunt Nicholas Kaminski Victoria Jurgens Kelley Moore Chandran (Bud) Sambasivam Michelle Thompson Christine Wesolowski Fred Wesolowski The following students sit on the University of Saskatchewan Senate: Jackson Andrews Michael Aman Robert Henderson Emma Ashworth Jonathan Heppner Mery Mendoza Ex-Officio Membership of Senate: Jane Alcorn Dean, College of Pharmacy & Nutrition Jim Basinger Interim Vice-Provost Faculty Relations Tina Beaudry-Mellor Minister of Advanced Education Lois Berry Interim Dean, College of Nursing Peta Bonham-Smith Dean, College of Arts and Science Doug Brothwell Dean, College of Dentistry Mary Buhr Dean, Agriculture & Bioresources Karen Chad Vice-President Research Trever Crowe Interim Dean, Graduate Studies & Research Blaine Favel Chancellor Emeritus Greg Fowler Vice-President Finance and Resources Douglas Freeman Dean, Western College of Veterinary Medicine Robert Harasmychuk President, St. Peter's College Bill Harrison President, Lutheran Theological Seminary Russell Isinger University Registrar Melissa Just Dean, University Library Suzanne Kresta Dean, Engineering Jim Lee Director, International Office Chad London Dean, College of Kinesiology Iain Luke Principal, College of Emmanuel & St. Chad Richard Manley-Tannis Principal, St. Andrew's College Jeromey Martini President, Horizon College & Seminary Geordy McCaffrey Executive Director, Gabriel Dumont College Grit McCreath (chair) Chancellor Patti McDougall Vice-Provost, Teaching, Learning and Student Experience Peggy McKercher Chancellor Emerita Mark McLoughlin Deputy Minister of Advanced Education Jacqueline Ottmann Vice-Provost Indigenous Engagement Michael Pawelke President, Briercrest College & Seminary Vera Pezer Chancellor Emerita Martin Phillipson Dean, College of Law Debra Pozega Osburn Vice-President University Relations Michelle Prytula Dean, College of Education Roy Romanow Chancellor Emeritus Preston Smith Dean, College of Medicine Carl Still Interim President, St. Thomas More College Peter Stoicheff President Tony Vannelli Provost & Vice-President Academic Keith Willoughby Dean, Edwards School of Business