The Faculty Senate is composed of elected faculty members. Administrators participate as observers by invitation. The Senate's Constitution defines its purpose as follows:

• serve as the primary vehicle of faculty participation in the governance of University policies;
• evaluate and make recommendations on policy in academic and closely related areas that touch on academic matters;
• approve graduation and general education curriculum requirements;
• evaluate and make recommendations on University-wide minimum criteria for faculty appointment, promotion, and tenure;
• evaluate and make recommendations on policies associated with conditions of employment;
• evaluate and make recommendations on policies for the academic use and operation of various academic support functions including the University Library and Computer Services, the University calendar and other functions that directly affect academic matters;
• make recommendations on issues related to academic matters that are not specifically academic in nature;
• have responsibility for the maintenance of academic freedom and responsibility at the University;
• be the forum for the formulation of faculty opinion;
• review and approve the Faculty Handbook of the University of Memphis.