The senate and its leadership are in regular contact with representatives of the administration and serve on numerous university committees. These duties are performed within the scope of state law and Board of Regents policy.

Composition of the Faculty

The president, the academic deans, professors, professors emeriti, associate professors, assistant professors, instructors, lecturers, senior lecturers, assistant librarians, associate librarians and librarians shall constitute the faculty of the University of South Dakota. Any person having academic tenure, not otherwise qualified, shall be considered a member of the faculty.

The university senate represents the faculty with one representative for each 15 faculty members who teach 50% or more, with at least one seat allotted to each college and school as well as the university library.