About the Senate

Overview

Initiated in Spring 2017, the Senate provides faculty representation from all Schools of the University “in order to facilitate and enhance the effectiveness of the governance of the University and further develop a shared sense of community among its members.”  There are thirty (30) elected faculty officers and three (3) ex-officio members from the university administration.

Major issues focus on university-wide plans and policies. The schools are still autonomous, but issues that may impact/influence faculty at other schools can be brought before the Senate for consideration.  Its powers are not absolute, but the Senate allows a central body in which issues that may be of concern to the entire university can be addressed and faculty can have a voice in these matters.  Issues may be introduced by the administration or from faculty at the various schools.

Please contact any Faculty Senate member if you have a question or issue you feel the Senate should address. You can also submit an issue for Senate consideration by filling out the “Contact Us” form on the homepage or by emailing facultysenate@tufts.edu.

Faculty Senate Members, 2025-26 Academic Year

Ex-Officio Members

• Sunil Kumar, President
• Caroline Genco, Provost & Senior Vice President
• Colleen Ryan, Vice Provost for Faculty

Executive Committee of Faculty Senate and Officers

• • Fair Vassoler, Cummings School (President)
  • J.P. de Ruiter, School of Engineering (Vice President)
  • Vasiliki Tsakalelli, School of Dental Medicine (Secretary)
  • Elena Naumova, Friedman School (Member at Large)
  • David Proctor, School of Arts & Sciences (Member at Large)