University of Saskatchewan
PA-3: Inclusive and Participatory Governance

There are 3 formal governance bodies of the University of Saskatchewan: the Senate, the Board of Governors, and the University Council.

The Senate is the university’s window on the province and the province’s window on the university. Under The University of Saskatchewan Act, 1995, Senate is responsible for:
- approving admission requirements and quotas (on the recommendation of council);
- 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 Board of Governors is responsible for overseeing and directing all matters respecting the management, administration and control of the university’s property, revenues and financial affairs. This includes:
- construction and maintenance of buildings, equipment and capital assets;
- appointing the president and other senior officers of the university and fixing salaries;
- compensation and terms of employment for all employees, and pension plans for retirees;
- overseeing the university’s finances, investments and pension plans;
- providing for the establishment and/or disestablishment of colleges, schools, departments, endowed chairs and institutes;
- affiliation and federation with other educational institutions;
- setting of tuition and other fees; and
- establishment and oversight of good governance practices, including regulating the conduct of its meetings, establishing its committees and making bylaws respecting matters over which it has responsibility.

University Council oversees and directs the university’s academic affairs including:
- grants academic degrees, diplomas and certificates;
- grants scholarships, prizes, fellowships, bursaries and exhibitions;
- approves all academic programs, new programs and program deletions;
- authorizes the board to establish new colleges, schools, departments, endowed chairs and institutes;
- prescribes methods and rules for evaluating student performance;
- disciplines students for academic misconduct and hears student appeals;
- prescribes qualifications for admission;
- sets the academic schedule;
- reviews library policies;
- makes recommendations on physical and budgetary plans for the university; and
- makes recommendations on any other matters it considers to be in the interest of the university.

Students also have their own governing body in the University of Saskatchewan Students' Union (USSU). The USSU is the official voice and representative of undergraduate students at the University of Saskatchewan. Since 1909, our student-led organization has provided undergrads with services and support to reach their academic goals and make the most of their university experience.

For graduate-level students, the Graduate Students' Association (GSA) is a not-for-profit organization that represents the over 4000 graduate students at the University of Saskatchewan. The GSA provides professional, academic, and social activities and services, and promotes awareness of issues relevant to graduate students. All graduate students at the University of Saskatchewan are members of the GSA and thus have the right to vote in elections, referenda and at general meetings. The general membership is the highest decision-making body of the GSA.