George Mason Faculty Senate records

Access and use

Location of collection:
George Mason University
2400 Fenwick Library
Special Collections Research Center
Fenwick Library MS2FL
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Mieko Palazzo
Phone: (703) 993-2220
Fax: (703) 993-2669
Restrictions:

None.

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions on personal use. Permission to publish material from Faculty Senate records must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Preferred citation:

Faculty Senate Records, R0034, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Summary

Extent:
3.3 Linear Feet 7 boxes
Creator:
George Mason University. Faculty Senate
Abstract:
This collection contains Memmoranda, correspondence, meeting minutes and reports created or accessed by the George Mason University Faculty Senate and its previous iterations.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Faculty Senate Records, R0034, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Background

Scope and content:

The George Mason Faculty Senate contains records created and/or accessed by the Faculty Senate, its previous iterations, and/or Faculty-related committees dealing with such issues as promotion and tenure, academic freedom, and compensation and benefits. Types of records include correspondence, memoranda, meeting minutes, reports, and records pertaining to the establishment of the Faculty Senate including the Charter, ammendments, and by-laws. The bulk of the records covers the years 1966-2000, with additional records covering the years 2007-2012. Faculty Senate agendas and meeting minutes for the years 1967 and 1973-2000. Reports of Faculty Evaluation of the Administrators are available for the years 1990-1993 and 2007-2012.

Biographical / historical:

The Faculty Senate of George Mason University has the fundamental general responsibility to speak and act for the General Faculty on matters affecting the University as a whole. It has the particular responsibility to formulate proposals on matters affecting the welfare of the University and on university-wide academic policy. The Faculty Senate serves as the principal faculty advisory body to the President and the administration.

Prior to 1974 there was no Faculty Senate as exists today. During the 1960s through the early 1970s George Mason college was small enough for the general faculty to meet as a whole. Regular general faculty meetings were held during the early years. General faculty meetings were held to discuss academic policies and actions of the administration, and write recommendations and resolutions pertaining to George Mason College issues. In 1972, Mason established a University Senate. The University Senate was comprised of the president, provost, deans and department heads from the two academic units: The College or Arts and Sciences and The College of Professional Studies.

The organization currently known as the Faculty Senate was established by charter on April 3, 1974. This document established the membership, appointments, qualifications, election, resposibilities, and authority pertaining to the body.

Acquisition information:
Materials were transferred to SCRC by agents of the George Mason Faculty Senate.
Processing information:

Collection reprocessed and new markup in April 2026.

Arrangement:

The collection contains a single series comprising meeting minutes, reports, memoranda and other records pertaining to the Faculty Senate arranged chronologically.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard