The Faculty Senate, as sanctioned by the Ohio University Board of Trustees, is an elected representative body that acts on behalf of all faculty on matters related to University planning, governance, and resource allocation. The Senate maintains primary jurisdiction over curriculum and academic policies, and is an advocate for faculty views on all other University policies and practices. As a key partner in University governance, the Senate provides representatives to all relevant University committees, boards, and task forces. The Faculty Senate provides a forum for the discussion of all issues of concern to the faculty, and is dedicated to creating and maintaining a University environment that preserves academic freedom and fosters the free exchange of ideas.

Faculty involvement in shared governance is a long-standing tradition at Ohio University. Prior to the creation of the Faculty Senate, Ohio University faculty were represented by a 24-member Faculty Advisory Council. This Faculty Advisory Council acted in an advisory capacity to the University administration, responding to matters presented to it by the administration and seldom initiating its own proposals. 

Ohio University faculty became more active participants in shared governance when the Board of Trustees approved the creation of the Faculty Senate on November 17, 1964. The newly created Faculty Senate was constituted as “the official channel of faculty opinion in all matters which have a bearing upon the furtherance of academic excellence." Unlike the earlier Faculty Advisory Council, the Faculty Senate is a pro-active body that promotes faculty interests and represents faculty concerns.

The early Senate was composed of 30 to 36 Senators representing Group I (tenure line) faculty. The number of Senators has grown to 50. Forty-eight Senators represent Group I faculty across the University, with the 48 senate seats apportioned across the colleges and the regional campuses. Two Senators represent all Group II (part-time) faculty.