Saint Mary's University Senate was established in 1963 and was given legal status by the Saint Mary's University Act in 1970. "Subject to the powers of the Board, the Senate shall be responsible for the educational policy of the University and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (a) may create, maintain and discontinue such faculties, departments, schools or institutes and establish such chairs as it may determine and may fix the duties of those employed therein; (b) may recommend to the board the affiliation or discontinuance of the affiliation of or with other colleges or universities; (c) may determine the courses of study, admission standards, qualifications for diplomas, certificates and degrees, examinations, scholarships and bursaries and may issue the university calendars and other official publications; (d) shall be responsible for the library; (e) shall be responsible for student discipline; (f) may create such committees as it deems necessary or useful; and (g) may make regulations governing the matters that are assigned to it by this Section" (Saint Mary's University Act, 1970). All Senate standing and ad-Hoc committees report directly to the Senate.
The Senate consists of the President, Vice-President Academic and Research, Deans of all faculties, Librarian, Registrar, five students elected by the students, fifteen members elected by the academic staff, and the Director of Student Services. The Chair of the Senate is elected annually at the initial meeting of the Academic year from one of the members. The Chair presides over all meetings of the Senate, calls special meetings of Senate, casts a vote in the event of a tie, and is an ex-officio member of all committees of the Senate (Senate By-Laws, 1981). Known members to hold the position of Chair: C.J. Fischer (1964-1968), Henry Labelle (1968-1971), D. Owen Carrigan (1971-1977), John B. Owen (1977-1979), Arthur Monahan (1979-1982), D. Mulrooney (1982-1983), J. Chamard (1983-1986), Ronald A. Lewis (1986-1991; 1992-1996), Roger Barnsley (1991-1992), and Donald J. Naulls (1996-1999).
The Vice-Chair of the Senate is elected annually at the initial meeting of the Academic year. The Vice-Chair presides over meetings of the Senate in the absence of the Chair and is an ex-officio member of all committees of the Senate (Senate By-Laws, 1981). Known members to hold the position of Vice-Chair: J.E. Healey (1964-1965), Hugh Kierans (1965-1967), G.W. Tait (1969-1971), Ronald A. Lewis (1979-1986), Keith Vaughan (1986-1988; 1990-1991), Nathan Kling (1988-1990), Wendy Katz (1991-1992), Roger Barnsley (1992-1993), Peter Ricketts (1993-1996), Margot Schenk (1996-1998), and Geraldine Thomas (1998-1999).
The Secretary of the Senate is appointed annually at the initial meeting of the Academic year. The Secretary is responsible for recording, publishing, and distributing the minutes of the Senate and of the Executive Committee of the Senate, distributing documentation presented at the meetings, providing and posting a list of Senate committees and their membership, maintaining a list of Senate members (Senate By-Laws, 1981). Known members to hold the position of Secretary: Kevin Cleary (1964-1972; 1977-1999).
The Library Committee is one of SMU's Senate committees. According to the Senate By-Laws the Committee "shall examine library policies and advise the University Librarian in the carrying out of these policies, and shall report to Senate."
The Saint Mary's University Senate Office was established around 1977. The Office is responsible to the Senate and is the office for the Secretary of Senate, acting as the distributor of information on behalf of the Senate.
The Sport Hall of Fame and Heritage Centre at Saint Mary's University was established in 1995
The Staffing Committee was established in 1978 by the Saint Mary's University Senate and was responsible for two subcommittees: Subcommittee on Analysis of Present Situation (1979) and Sub-committee on Programming and Staffing (1979). This Committee was preceded by the Staffing and Allotments Committee (1977). The Committee consists of 'four faculty members appointed by Senate, one representing each of the four Faculties' (Minutes, 10 October 1978), whose 'task was to identify possible staffing imbalances among the departments of the University and to make recommendations concerning what steps might be taken to remedy them' (Memo, 2 May, 1979).
Saint Mary's University Student Services was established in 1974. The Director reports to the President. Student Services is responsible for the Art Gallery (until 1998), Atlantic Centre of Support for Disabled Students, Chaplaincy, Child Care Centre, Counseling Services, Financial Aid Office, Food Services, Health Services, International Student Centre, Residences Services, Student Employment Centre/Cooperative Education, Student Peers, and student discipline. Known persons to have held the position of director: Robert Hayes (1975-1982) and Keith Hotchkiss (1982-1999).
The Saint Mary's Students' Association was incorporated in 1966. The Association is the official representative organization of the students. Every SMU student is automatically a member of the Association once registered. The goal of the Association is to promote and represent the interests of its membership. The Association seeks to foster understanding and fellowship among all sectors of the University community as a whole. It also coordinates artistic, literary, educational, social, and recreational activities for Saint Mary's students. The Association is governed by a sixteen member Student's Representative Council. The Association organizes activities for students as well as provides a service and representative base for its members. All of the various student societies receive their funding from the Students' Association.
The TESL Centre was established as a separate centre in 1996. The Centre reports to the Vice-President Academic and Research. Prior to 1996, the TESL Centre (1990-1996) was part of the Faculty of Education. A brochure from 1998 outlines the goals and mission of the Centre: "For non-native speakers of English, the TESL Centre at Saint Mary's University offers year-round language, cultural, and orientation programs including English for Academic Purposes (EAP), English for Personal and Professional Communication (EPPC), general English as a Second Language (ESL), and English for Specific Purposes (ESP). Special courses are also arranged on a contractual basis with both local and international universities, governments and businesses. These courses are individually designed to meet the specific needs of the second language students and may focus on the language used in specific disciplines or professions. We also offer small tutorial or seminar groups, tutors for individuals, and integrated social activities."
In 1995 Saint Mary's University established an extension program in The Gambia. In 1999, The Gambia created The University of The Gambia which eventually replaced the program.
University Security (known as "Security" until 1998) was established in 1977, and is responsible to the Vice-President Administration and runs the Commissionaire's Office, and is partly responsible for the Huskies Patrol.