Home

About the Faculty Senate

The GW Faculty Senate is the faculty governance body of the George Washington University. Senators are elected to two-year terms by their home schools, and the Senate annually elects an Executive Committee that sets agendas, reviews proposed resolutions, and guides the work of the Senate. The Senate is normally in session from September through May, although the Executive Committee works year-round on faculty and administrative matters.

Sign up to receive Faculty Senate updates

Senate Election Processes

May 9 Faculty Senate Meeting

The Senate met on May 9, convening at 2:02pm and adjourning at 3:53pm.

The Senate began this first meeting of the 2025-2026 session by re-electing Professor Sarah Binder as the Senate Parliamentarian. It then elected the 2025-2026 Faculty Senate Executive Committee (FSEC), with Professor Katrin Schultheiss elected to serve as FSEC Chair.

President Granberg’s report (PDF) included updates on federal actions and responses, admissions and enrollment, the strategic framework process (including the marketing and branding initiative), and the campus master planning process, as well as several university and community events.

In his Provost’s report (PDF), Provost Bracey provided updates on recent events showcasing the accomplishments of GW’s scholarly community, spring grades, the budget model redesign, the policy development review policy, the Middle States reaccreditation process, the nominations process for the new cohort of the GW Academic Leadership Academy, and dean searches in the Milken Institute School of Public Health and the Graduate School of Education & Human Development. The Provost also recognized the service of outgoing Deans Lynn Goldman and Michael Feuer and Interim Dean Vanessa Perry.

FSEC Chair Katrin Schultheiss delivered the Executive Committee report (PDF), which included updates on recent FSEC activities.

The Senate approved its 2025-2026 calendar as well as chairs and rosters for the Senate standing committees and the Dispute Resolution Committee. Faculty Nominations to the Student Discrimination Report Committee were also approved.

The Educational Policy & Technology Committee delivered a report on its joint recommendation with the Student Government Association on GW’s Excused Absence Policy (PDF).

The next regularly scheduled Faculty Senate Executive Committee meeting will be held on August 22. The next regularly scheduled Faculty Senate meeting will be held on September 12. The draft minutes of the May 9 Senate meeting will be posted as soon as possible.

View the Senate Academic Freedom Portal