Faculty Senate

About

The Faculty Senate is the primary means by which faculty collectively share in the governance of Central Washington University (CWU) by shaping the university’s academic environment.

Senate Mission

The Faculty Senate of CWU acts for and on behalf of the university’s faculty with respect to all academic matters and issues related to the intellectual life of the university.

In a university community that declares in its mission that it values teaching as the vehicle to inspire intellectual depth and breadth, to encourage lifelong learning, and to enhance the opportunities of its students, the Faculty Senate is committed to enabling faculty to provide quality academic programs and other opportunities for students in support of the university’s core values, rooted first and foremost in each student’s greatest good.

Meetings

Meetings are held once a month in The Grupe Center from 3:10-5:00 PM. To watch the live webinar, click this link. 

*Scroll down the page for more meeting information and access to meeting minutes.

Role of the Faculty Senate

The Senate is composed of elected faculty representatives who provide a forum for deliberation, advise the administration on academic matters, and contribute to the development and review of academic policy and curriculum.

2025-2026 Senators and Alternates
838

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee serves as a coordinating and advisory body of the Faculty Senate, supporting leadership continuity and the effective organization of Senate work.

Executive Committee Members
838

Faculty Legislative Representative

The Faculty Legislative Representative consults with faculty and legislators, coordinates with university partners, testifies on faculty and university issues, and reports legislative activity to the Faculty Senate.

25/26 Rep. Matthew Altman, PhD
838

FACULTY SENATE MEETINGS

The Faculty Senate meets once a month in The Grupe Center from 3:10-5:00 PM.

To watch the meeting live, click this link. 

If you are a currently elected senator or alternate and you wish to join as a panelist, please email your request to senate@cwu.edu at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. 

2026-2027 Meeting Dates:

FALL QUARTER   

  • October 7, 2026
    • Agenda - Recording - Meeting Minutes     
  • November 4, 2026
    • Agenda - Recording - Meeting Minutes
  • December 2, 2026
    • Agenda - Recording - Meeting Minutes

WINTER QUARTER          

  • January 13, 2027
    • Agenda - Recording - Meeting Minutes
  • February 3, 2027
    • Agenda - Recording - Meeting Minutes
  • March 3, 2027
    • Agenda - Recording - Meeting Minutes

SPRING QUARTER

  • April 7, 2027
    • Agenda - Recording - Meeting Minutes
  • May 5, 2027
    • Agenda - Recording - Meeting Minutes
  • June 2, 2027
    • Agenda - Recording - Meeting Minutes

*Agendas will be posted prior to each Senate meeting.

**Links to meeting recordings will typically be posted within 1 week following each Senate meeting.

***Meeting Minutes will be posted upon a vote of approval from the Faculty Senate at the next meeting.

 

Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes

FACULTY SENATE COMMITTEES

The Faculty Senate is made up of seven standing committees, each given charges for the academic year.
  • Academic Affairs Committee

    The Academic Affairs Committee examines academic standards, policies, and organizational structures, and reviews and recommends changes to academic policy in accordance with Faculty Senate and Executive Committee direction.

    Learn More
  • Budget & Planning Committee

    communication between faculty and the President’s Budget Advisory Council, and advances faculty-informed budget recommendations in accordance with Senate and Executive Committee processes.

    Learn More
  • Bylaws & Faculty Code Committee

    The Bylaws and Faculty Code Committee studies and maintains the Faculty Senate Bylaws and Faculty Code, developing and advancing proposed amendments through the Executive Committee for Senate consideration in coordination with relevant stakeholders.

    Learn More
  • Curriculum Committee

    The Curriculum Committee studies and advances the development and improvement of curriculum, academic programs, and related academic policy, working collaboratively across the university and in accordance with Faculty Senate and Executive Committee direction.

    Learn More
  • Evaluation & Assessment Committee

    The Evaluation and Assessment Committee reviews and develops assessment tools involving faculty input, including faculty evaluations of academic administrators and Senate bodies, and advances recommendations in coordination with the Executive Committee and relevant stakeholders.

    Learn More
  • Executive Committee

    The Executive Committee serves as a coordinating and advisory body of the Faculty Senate, supporting leadership continuity and the effective organization of Senate work.

    Learn More
  • General Education Committee

    The General Education Committee oversees the study, development, and improvement of the university’s general education program, reviewing curricula and policies in collaboration with academic administrators to ensure a broad, inquiry-based foundation that prepares students for responsible citizenship, independent learning, and engaged participation in a global society.

     

    Learn More

 

 

DISTINGUISHED FACULTY AWARDS

The Distinguished Faculty Awards represent the highest honors bestowed upon faculty at Central Washington University, recognizing sustained excellence at the highest level of performance. Overseen by the Faculty Senate, these awards honor outstanding contributions in teaching, service, and scholarship or artistic accomplishment, as well as long-term, comprehensive excellence through the Board of Trustees Distinguished Faculty Award. Conferred annually (with the Board of Trustees Award awarded biennially), the Distinguished Faculty Awards celebrate faculty whose work exemplifies exceptional commitment to the academic mission, shared governance, and the broader CWU community.

 

Distinguished Faculty Awards Guidelines

Click here for a full list of all awards recipients from 1977 to the present.

 

 

Additional Resources

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Faculty Governance Documents

Contact

Faculty Senate

Barge 310 | Mail Stop - 7509
400 E. University Way
Ellensburg, WA 98926-7509

Site Administrator: Alysia Owlsym, owlsyma@cwu.edu