On October 22, 1890, just one week after the founding of the college, the faculty of the North Dakota Agricultural College [NDAC] held their first meeting. They were responsible for making and upholding the rules of the college and regulating student labor, study, meals, events, and duties. The faculty consisted of the president and all teachers and instructors. They reported directly to the governing body of the college, known as the Board of Trustees, which appointed, assigned duties to, and determined the salaries of faculty members. On April 14,1914, the Board of Trustees adopted a resolution that created the College Council. The Council maintained jurisdiction over all matters regarding NDAC policies not reserved to the Board or the college president. It consisted of the president and a group of fourteen or fewer faculty members selected by and accountable to the Board. The Board of Trustees was succeeded by the Board of Regents in 1916, the Board of Administration in 1920, and finally the State Board of Higher Education in 1939. Supervised by each of these boards, the Council held legislative powers until 1960. In 1960, the College Council became the University Council, reflecting the fact that the NDAC became North Dakota State University [NDSU] in December of that year. When another revised constitution was adopted in 1963, the Council was renamed the University Senate. In November, 1973, the University Senate became the Faculty Senate. Changes that accompanied this move included the admission of elected students as Senate members if the Senate deemed student participation necessary to carrying out its responsibilities. In December, 1989, the Faculty Senate returned to the name University Senate, which it has since kept. Four staff members were now selected by the new Staff Senate (established January 1, 1990) to serve on four University Senate committees. They also represented the staff on the University Senate, having the full rights of elected senators.
From the description of University Senate records, 1890- (North Dakota State University Library). WorldCat record id: 694086001
