Susan Webb was elected chair of the Faculty Senate, with Maria Bachman as vice chair; Susan Slavik remains as secretary. Webb, previously vice chair, rose to the top position when former chair Dave Evans was appointed assistant provost for technical college engagement.

The 53-member Faculty Senate is the main body dealing with faculty governance. All academic issues must come through this group that meets monthly to assess, determine or improve such matters as standards for admission, curriculum, discipline of students, research, recruitment and calendars.

Webb, professor of sociology, joined the University in 1984. She earned a bachelor of science degree from Lander College in Greenwood, a Ph.D. in sociology and a master's degree in rural sociology from North Carolina State University. She teaches social demography, criminology, victimology and sociology of the South. Webb has served as president of the South Carolina Sociological Association and recently completed a two-year term as president of the National Council of State Sociological Associations.

Bachman, professor of English and director of the University's Interdisciplinary Studies, joined the faculty in 1999. She earned a bachelor's degree in international affairs from George Washington University, a master's degree in English from George Mason University and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Tennessee. She was named the 2006 South Carolina Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.