Shared governance

At the turn of the 20th century, when the university was young, the faculty's business could be transacted quite satisfactorily in general meetings and presidential committees. In the 1960's, however, the need for faculty governance became obvious. The president of the university, Ernest W. Hartung, expressed great confidence in the faculty and urged it to assume the responsibilities given to it by the territorial legislature and the state constitution, which entrusted "the immediate government of the University of Idaho to the faculty." The tradition that the faculty, the president and the regents are jointly responsible for governing University of Idaho has continued to the present.

Faculty Senate

The senate is empowered to act for faculty in all matters pertaining to the immediate government of the university. The senate is responsible to, and reports to, the faculty and, through the president, to the regents.

Faculty Senate leadership

Chair — Kristin Haltinner, College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences

Vice Chair — Jerry Long, College of Law

Past Chair — Tim Murphy, College of Law

Secretary — Chantal Vella, College of Education, Health and Human Sciences

More information for U of I employees

Faculty Senate meetings

2026-27 Meeting schedule

Meetings are held on Tuesday afternoons from 3:30-5 p.m. Pacific time, via Zoom: 890 8318 0720. If a meeting is cancelled, it will be noted. Meeting agendas are posted 24 hours prior to the meeting. Request additional meeting materials here.

  • Meeting #3, Sept. 1
  • Meeting #4, Sept. 8
  • Meeting #5, Sept. 15
  • Meeting #6, Sept. 22
  • Meeting #7, Sept. 29
  • Meeting #8, Oct. 6
  • Meeting #9, Oct. 13
  • Meeting #10, Oct. 20
University Faculty meetings

2026-27 Meeting schedule

Meetings are held via Zoom and the agenda and connection information will be posted one week prior to the meeting.

  • Meeting #1, Sept. 30
  • Meeting #2, Dec. 3
  • Meeting #3, April 29
Policy reports and actions

2026-27 Materials

Items will be posted as actions are taken.

Staff Council

Staff Council advocates for staff by working with university administration in the development and/or revision of university policies, employment benefits and other matters where staff are directly affected.

Visit Staff Council's employee intranet

Associated Students

ASUI is University of Idaho’s official student body government. Its mission is to represent the interests of all enrolled students to U of I departments and administration, the Idaho State Board of Education and the Idaho Legislature. In addition to providing funding to more than 200 student organizations, ASUI helps Vandals of all disciplines be engaged leaders to craft a brighter future for Idaho and beyond.