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.