The Troy University Board of Trustees has ratified the continuation of TROY’s Faculty Senate, determining that the Senate complies with a new state law governing faculty senates at Alabama’s public four-year universities.
Alabama Act 2026-432, which takes effect Oct. 1, establishes requirements governing the creation, structure and responsibilities of faculty senates. Under the law, faculty senates established before Oct. 1 must be reviewed and ratified by their institutions’ governing boards. TROY’s trustees voted Sept. 12 to affirm the University Faculty Senate’s compliance with the law and authorize its continuation.
“Troy University’s leadership has enjoyed a productive relationship with the Faculty Senate for many years, and I am grateful that the Board’s action will preserve that partnership while ensuring the University remains in compliance with state law,” said Dr. Judson Edwards, interim Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. “Faculty provide an important perspective for senior leaders, and I am pleased the Senate will continue serving in this important advisory role.”
The Board found that TROY’s Faculty Senate meets the requirements of the new law because its constitution provides adequate representation from each of the University’s colleges, the Senate serves solely in an advisory capacity, and it does not exercise final decision-making authority.
“We appreciate the Board’s commitment to ensuring that the voices of the Senate and faculty remain part of University governance,” said Faculty Senate President Dr. Lenetra Jefferson. “The Senate will continue working with the administration to promote a strong academic environment and a community filled with Trojan spirit. Our focus remains on upholding the University’s mission and supporting TROY students as we educate the mind to think, the heart to feel and the body to act.”
As part of the resolution, the Board adopted the Faculty Senate’s existing constitutional provisions governing its leadership, membership size and composition, and removal of members as Board policy. The resolution also confirms that the Faculty Senate may not issue public statements on behalf of Troy University or represent its views as official institutional positions.
“This action preserves an important avenue for faculty engagement while ensuring that the Faculty Senate operates in accordance with state law and the policies of the Board,” said Gibson Vance, president pro tempore of the Troy University Board of Trustees. “We value the experience and insight of TROY’s faculty and look forward to the Senate’s continued contributions to the University.”
