The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Faculty Senate traces its origins back to the beginning of the university, when the full faculty regularly met to discuss issues pertaining to curriculum, scheduling, and other academic concerns. As the university grew, in particular after the merger with the University of Tennessee system, the faculty body increased rapidly. The number of instructional staff on campus more than doubled during the late 1960s and early 1970s, from less than 100 instructors to well over 200. For that reason, Chancellor William H. Masterson organized the basic structure of the Faculty Senate that is in place today. Originally called the Faculty Council, this body was established in 1968 as a faculty group without administrative personnel on the roster. An excerpt from the 1969 charge stated that the body "serves as the executive committee for the faculty, prepares issues and formulates alternatives for faculty debate, and reacts to proposal from various committees." Since its formation, the group has met regularly during the academic year to effect widespread change on a range of areas, including curriculum development, the university budget, athletics, grade appeals, faculty administrative relations, and others. In 2003, the Faculty Council changed its name to the Faculty Senate under the leadership of then Senate President Marvin Ernst. The meeting minutes and supplementary materials in this collection reflect the agency of University of Tennessee at Chattanooga faculty members in the governance and operation of the institution throughout its history.