The faculty of Bucknell University is composed of the President, the Vice President of Academic Affairs/Provost, the academic deans, and those who are ranked as professors, associate professors, assistant professors, instructors, and academic lecturers.

The principal function of the faculty is to provide instruction in the various disciplines of learning. According to the faculty handbook (2014), in addition to instruction, the duties of the Faculty include:

• Considering and making recommendations to the President regarding any and all phases of education at Bucknell, as defined by the general purpose and mission of the university.

• Determining the curricular and other requirements for recommendations for degrees in course.

• Encouraging and supporting the development of courses, programs, and other academic activities that enable the University to maintain and enhance its role as an institution of higher education.

• Determining the qualifications for the admission of students.

• Setting procedures for its own governance, including the selection of officers of the faculty and the establishment of committees of the faculty.

• Determining the qualifications for membership in the Faculty; making recommendations regarding the recruitment and retention of members of the faculty of the highest professional competence; and evaluating colleagues for purposes of recommendations regarding retention, tenure, and promotion.

• Formulating policy on the general salary structure for academic personnel.

• Participating in resource allocation and in the university budget process. • Enforcing the rules and regulations adopted by the Trustees for the governance and instruction of students.

• Advising the President in the appointment of Vice Presidents and the Deans of the Colleges. • Advising the Board of Trustees in the appointment of Presidents.

The Faculty carries out its duties through faculty meetings and its participation in standing committees. The presiding officers of the faculty are the chairmen of the faculty and secretary. As the Faculty plays a key role in the governance of the University and in the establishing of the university policies, service on university, faculty and departmental committees is a significant responsibility of members of the Faculty. The number and functions of the standing committees has varied throughout the existence of Bucknell University, but have included the following:

Committee on Academic Freedom and Tenure

Committee on Academic Policy and Resources

Committee on Academic Regulations

Committee on Academic Standards

Chapel Committee

Committee on Elections and Memberships

Committee for the Encouragement of Graduate Study and Research

Faculty Advisory Committee

Committee on Faculty and Academic Personnel

Faculty Development Committee

Faculty Hearing Committee

Committee for Faculty Nominations for Student Relations

Committee on the Library

Committee on Personnel

Research Committee

Committee on Scholarly Development

Committee on Staff Planning

Committee on Student Measurement

University Review Committee