The Senate is an all-university governance body whose membership includes administrative officers, students and faculty members elected for two year terms to represent their academic units. The Vice President for Academic Affairs is its presiding officer. It serves as a legislative forum that meets monthly during the academic year. The Senate recommends new degree programs to the president and the board and must approve the constitutions of colleges and schools. It determines academic policies and provides opportunity for public deliberation on issues of importance to the university.