The University of Waterloo Senate is composed of faculty, undergraduate and graduate students, alumni, governors, and administrative staff, including both elected and ex-officio members. As the institution’s highest authority on academic matters, the Senate meets regularly to discuss topics such as academic programs, educational policies, appointments, and other academic priorities.
Items Approved at the Meeting:
- Recommendation of the University operating budget to the Board of Governors, for prospective final approval at that body’s meeting on April 15, 2025
- Recommendation of an organizational change within the Faculty of Environment to remove the Department of Knowledge Integration from the organizational structure, subject to Board of Governors approval on April 15, 2025 (with Knowledge Integration programs, students and faculty to be moved to the School of Environment Resources and Sustainability)
- Amendments to the Constitution of the Faculty of Environment, including amendments to align with the recommended organizational change
- Approval of curricular changes in the graduate calendar
- New collaborative programs in health technologies for MEng programs in civil engineering, in electrical and computer engineering, and in systems design engineering
- New specialization in Future Cities for the MEng in Civil Engineering
- Major modifications to the Master of Climate Change, the PhD in Psychology, and to MA plans in English - Critical Media Studies
- Annual delegation of Senate’s authority for the approval of the roster of graduands jointly to the chair and vice-chair of Senate, for convocation ceremonies scheduled in June 2025 and October 2025, with reporting on the complete roster of graduands to be presented for information to the Senate meeting following the relevant convocation
Other Reports/Updates Received:
- Announcement of the 2025 University Professor designations: Anita Layton (Applied Mathematics), Daniel Scott (Geography and Environmental Management), and Donna Strickland (Physics and Astronomy)
- Consultation and engagement with the community underway following the publication of the Report of the Task Force on Principles for Institutional Partnerships and the Report of the Task Force on Social Responsibility in Investing
- Plans for the development of guidelines toward groups/units taking a collective position, which flows from the work of the Task Force Report on Freedom of Expression and Inclusive Engagement
For more information
Visit the Senate website to find the meeting agenda and related materials for all recent Senate meetings, as well as dates for upcoming meetings. Information for visitors interested in attending a Senate meeting can be found on the Secretariat website.
If you have any questions, please contact the Secretariat at senate@uwaterloo.ca.