Shared Governance

The Faculty Council Steering Committee serves as a bridge between faculty and University leadership, co-chairing the Faculty Council, a deliberative body addressing matters central to NYUAD’s academic mission, and chairing the Faculty Forum, a faculty-only space for open dialogue and idea exchange.

Faculty also serve on NYUAD Faculty Committees, which focus on specific areas of academic and institutional policy, and represent NYUAD in the NYU University Senate through elected Tenured/Tenure Track Faculty Senators Councils and Full-Time Continuing Contract Faculty Senators Councils. Together, these structures ensure meaningful faculty participation, transparency, and collaboration.

The Staff Council at NYUAD represents all staff—administrative, academic, and research—acting as the voice of the staff community in discussions with University leadership.

The Staff Council Steering Committee acts as the primary channel of communication between the Staff Council and senior administration, ensuring that staff voices are included in institutional discussions.

The Council organizes venues such as the All Staff Meeting, which provides an opportunity for senior leadership to share updates, answer questions, and engage directly with staff, and the Staff Forum, which offers a space for open dialogue on staff concerns and initiatives.

A four-member Executive Board oversees a larger Student Council composed of management leads, class and academic representatives, and committee chairs. Together with more than 100 undergraduate students serving on various committees, the Student Government works to advance undergraduate student interests and foster collaboration between students, faculty, and administration. The Student Government convenes General Assemblies, open monthly meetings for all undergraduate students to raise concerns, share ideas, and discuss campus-wide issues. These gatherings provide a forum for open dialogue and collective decision-making within the undergraduate student community.

The Graduate Student Council represents the graduate student community at NYUAD, serving as a liaison between graduate students and University leadership. The Graduate Student Council meets weekly, alternating between working sessions and official Council meetings, and organizes multiple events each month to foster community and engagement. These include both on-campus activities, such as movie nights, game nights, brunches with faculty, and town halls, as well as off-campus events exploring Abu Dhabi. The Council also publishes a monthly newsletter featuring community updates, upcoming events, University news, and individual successes within our community.

The Postdoctoral Council Steering Committee represents the postdoctoral community at NYUAD, serving as the official advocate and liaison between postdoctoral associates and University leadership. The Committee works to ensure that postdoctoral perspectives and needs are represented in institutional discussions and decision-making.

The Postdoctoral Council Steering Committee meets regularly to discuss matters affecting the postdoctoral community and has representatives serving on several University committees, including the Cross Council Committee, Bookstore Committee, and Faculty Council meetings. The Committee leads several recurring initiatives focused on community building, advocacy, and communication. These include National Postdoc Week, as well as excursions, well-being activities, and networking opportunities that foster connection and enhance the postdoctoral experience. A biannual newsletter keeps postdocs informed about Council initiatives, events, and other relevant developments.

The Cross Council Committee facilitates communication, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas among NYUAD’s representative bodies. It serves as an advisory group to University leadership, providing input on matters that affect multiple constituencies across the institution.

The committee brings together representatives from faculty, staff, students (undergraduate and graduate), postdoctoral associates, and contract staff.