All policies in the areas listed in the Senate Constitution, Article III, Sections
F.1.a,F.2.a, and F.4.a that originate in the Senate must be approved by the
Senate before being forwarded to the University President or Board of
Trustees.
The Michigan Technological University Board of Trustees (“the Board”) Policy, Chapter
6, Section 3,Policy Functions of the Faculty states that the Board “extends a cordial
invitation to the faculty to express its opinions and recommendations on matters of
academic policy, through the regularly established channels as provided by the Constitution
of the Senate.” The Senate’s Constitution, which is approved by the Board of Trustees,
grants “the authority and responsibility to the University Senate to review and establish
policy and procedure” in the areas listed in the Senate Constitution, Article
III, Sections F.1.a, F.2.a, and F.4.a (colloquially referred to as "A List" items)
subject to Administrative and/or Board of Trustees approval or rejection.
The flowcharts detailed in Procedure 104.1.1 Senate Proposal Approval Process describe the procedures under which University Policies in the areas identified in the Senate Constitution, Article III, Sections F.1.a, F.2.a, and F.4.a ("A-list Items") at Michigan Technological University are developed and approved.
For items listed in Senate Constitution Article III, Sections F.1.b, F.2.b, F.3.a, and F.4.b (colloquially referred to as "B-list Items"), the Senate has the responsibility (not authority) to review, make recommendations, initiate, and participate in the formulation of University policy and procedures. In cases where a “B-list” proposal originates from the Senate, Procedure 104.1.1 should also be followed.
Types of Policy Proposals
Generally, there are three types of policy proposals that the Senate votes on:
- Recommendations to Modify Board of Trustees Policy in the “Alist” areas—These are submitted to the president after being approved by the Senate and, if approved
by the president are then routed to the Board of Trustees for its consideration. If
rejected by the President the Senate is provided appeal procedures directly to the
Board of Trustees. (e.g., recommending revisions or additions to Board of Trustees
Policies Manual).
- Academic, Research, and Other Senate Policy and Procedure Recommendations—The Senate also has the responsibility and authority to review and establish University
(not Board of Trustees) policy and procedures in the areas referred to as the "A-List
Items," which are listed in Article III, Section F.1.a, F.2.a, and F.4.a of the Senate’s
Constitution subject only to approval of the President or their Designee.
- B-list Items—The Senate has the responsibility (but not authority) to review, make recommendations, initiate, and participate in the formulation of policy and procedures in the areas referred to as the "B-List Items," which are listed in Article III, Section F.1.b, F.2.b, and F.4.b of the Senate’s Constitution.
Professional Staff Policy and Procedure—The Senate has the responsibility (not authority) to review, make recommendations, initiate, and participate in the formulation of policy and procedures in the areas referred to in Article III, Section F.3.
Revised:
5/27/2025 - Revised to contain the text from former Senate Policy 104.1.
7/10/2023 - Updated to include flow charts from approved version of proposal 2-19
3/8/2018 - Emergency Edits from the Senate: the Developing Academic Policy flow chart
was rolled back to the previous version housed on the Senate Policy website: https://www.admin.mtu.edu/usenate/policies/p104-1.htm from 1993.
04/06/2017 - Annual Review: Updated the "Academic Policy Development and Approval
Process" flowchart.
12/08/2016 - Annual Review: No changes made to content.
06/03/2015 - To reflect current University titles, "Board of Control" is now "Board
of Trustees".
04/09/2015 - Annual Review: To reflect current practice, the email address for questions
is now policy@mtu.edu. No changes made to content.
02/06/2014 - Annual Review: Updated Michigan Tech and Handbook banners, and "Grad
Student Council" now reads "Grad Student Gov't".
03/11/2013 - Annual Review: "Senate Proposal Number 4-93 (passed 5/5/93) (Amended
9/2/93)" is now "Senate Policy 104.1"
07/13/2011 - Annual Review: Removed the word "normally" from the first sentence, titles
have been changed to reflect the current circumstances at Michigan Tech. "Board of
Control Policy Manual" is now "Board of Control Bylaws and Policies Manual", Exec
V-P/Provost" is now "Provost/VP Acad Affairs", "MTU Procedures Manual" is now "University
Policy and Procedures Manual" and "President's Cabinet" is now "Executive Team", MTU
is now Michigan Tech and the email address for questions is now hbwebmaster.
02/27/2007 - Format changes made.