About the Senate

The University of Guelph Senate was established through the University of Guelph Act, 1964 and is responsible for academic programs, regulations and policies.

Comprised of a membership that is representative of the University community, with both elected and ex-officio members, responsibilities of Senate include:

electing the Chancellor;
to control, regulate and determine the educational policy of the University;
to determine the courses of study and standards of admission to the University and continued membership therein, and qualifications for degrees and diplomas;
to conduct examinations and appoint examiners;
to deal with all matters arising in connection with the awarding of fellowships, scholarships, bursaries, medals, prizes and other awards;
to confer the degrees of Bachelor, Master and Doctor and all other degrees and diplomas in all branches of learning that may appropriately be conferred by a University;
to confer honorary degrees in any department of learning;
to create faculty councils or committees and committees generally to exercise its powers.

The President & Vice-Chancellor of the University is ex-officio Chair of Senate. The current Chair of Senate is Dr. Rene Van Acker. A list of past Presidents is available below.