The Senate Assembly established several kinds of standing committees to carry out its responsibilities for oversight and advice on areas of University policies and operations. These committees report to the Senate Assembly on a regular basis and, as needed, propose actions to the Assembly. One kind of Senate Assembly committee advises and consults with the vice presidents, vice provosts, and executive officers of the Ann Arbor campus on matters within the areas of their respective responsibilities; these committees also advise SACUA and the Assembly in these areas. The other main kind of Senate Assembly committee advises other University officials and/or assists SACUA and the Assembly in carrying out their responsibilities. From time to time, special Senate Assembly committees are created to assist the Assembly with its work.

The members of all Senate Assembly committees are nominated by SACUA and approved by the Senate Assembly. Some of these committees also have student members, appointed by appropriate units of student governments. SACUA also appoints or nominates faculty members to a number of other University committees that are not committees of the Senate Assembly.

All members of the University Senate are solicited on an annual basis to nominate themselves or their colleagues for these various kinds of committees. All faculty are encouraged to participate in this nomination procedure. For further information about these committees, check the central faculty governance website or email the specific committee at the address listed in handbook sections 4.E.1 Senate Assembly Committees Advising Executive Officers and Vice Presidents and 4.E.2 Other Senate Assembly Standing and Special Faculty Committees.