As mandated by the University's governing body, the Board of Regents, the faculty is empowered to determine academic policy, set conditions for admission and the granting of degrees, authorize and supervise courses and curricula, and advise the administration on faculty appointments, promotions and budgets. This delegated authority makes the UC Academic Senate unique among faculty governments.

The Systemwide Academic Senate and the Divisional_Senates provide the organizational framework that enables the faculty to exercise its right to participate in the University's governance. Under the leadership of the Systemwide_Senate_Chair, the faculty voice is formed through a deliberative process that includes the Standing_Committees_of_the_Senate, the Academic_Council, the Academic_Assembly, and their Divisional counterparts. Consultation with the senior administration occurs in a parallel structure: at the systemwide level between the Systemwide Senate Chair and the President; and on the campus level between the Divisional Senate Chairs and the Chancellors.

With some exceptions and as defined by the Standing_Order_of_the_Regents_105.1, Senate membership is granted to anyone who has an academic appointment at the University. The code of the Senate is contained in the "Manual of the Academic Senate," which is divided into two sections. These are the Bylaws that set forth the membership, authority and organization of the Senate, and the Regulations that codify the requirements for admission, degrees, and courses and curricula.