Overview
The Senate Secretariat coordinates academic activities between the various Technion units and regulates (or administers) the work of the following authorities:
- The Academic Assembly – a body whose members include all Professors and also Senate members. The Academic Assembly usually convenes twice a year and is responsible inter-alia for the appointment of the President of the Technion. The Academic Assembly is authorized to hold meetings to re-discuss Senate decisions, receiving written reports from the Senate and the Senate committees. The President serves as Chairman of the Academic Assembly.
- The Senate – determines all Technion academic matters according to the bylaws, constitution and academic regulations. Moreover, the Senate determines the rules overseeing the teaching, research & development, exam curriculum, student admission, education, discipline and social benefits within the Technion. The Senate is responsible for undergraduate, graduate and external studies. The Senate approves appointments and promotions for academic staff members, including chair holders and emeriti degrees and appoints academic office holders. The Senate assigns members of the disciplinary courts for academic staff and for students. The Senate comprises of ex-officio members (the President – Chairman, Vice Presidents, Deputy Presidents, Technion Deans and Heads of the Academic Units) and student representatives and 71 elected members. The various committees carry out the vision of the Senate – either appointed or elected, such as the Standing Committee for Academic Studies, Standing Committee for Honorary Degrees and Honorary Awards, Standing Committee for the Appointment and tenure of Senior Staff, Research Committee, Academic Development Committee, General Technion Staff-Student Committee, Library Committee etc. The Senate convenes approximately five times during each academic year.
- The Steering Committee –prepares the topics for the meetings of the Academic Assembly, the Senate and the Standing Committee for Academic Studies. The President of the Technion serves as Chairman of this committee. The Steering committee has frequent meetings throughout the Academic year, comprised of ex-officio members (the President, Vice Presidents, Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Dean of the Graduate School), as well as eight elected members (Professors). The Steering Committee also has additional responsibilities, as detailed in the academic regulations, such as the approval of sabbaticals and leave of absence for staff members, decisions regarding appointments for various roles, approval of secondary affiliation etc.
- The Standing Committee for Academic Studies – Is responsible for teaching issues, approval of study programs, education and student discipline, student admission, the academic calendar etc. Meetings are usually held (once) every 6 weeks during the academic year. Members of the committee include ex-officio members (the President, Senior Executive Vice President – Chairman, Dean of Undergraduate Studies, Dean of the Graduate School and the Dean of Students) and student representatives as well as 14 elected members.
The Senate Secretariat is responsible for gathering and circulating academic information, filling vacancies for the Senate and Senate committees, updating the various regulations etc.