On May 12, 1960, the General Faculty authorized the establishment of a Faculty Senate as its agent to the business assigned to faculty jurisdiction by law, the President, or the Board of Trustees.  The Faculty Senate, subject to the provisions of state and federal law, subject to consistency with the general objectives established by its governing Board, and subject to the referendum power of the General Faculty, has ultimate legislative power on educational policies.

With the concurrence of the President, the Faculty Senate has the authority to formulate policy concerning teaching and research, study, exercise, discipline, and government: for example, and without excluding others not listed, academic standards (scholastic standing, admission and dismissal policy, class attendance, grading systems, etc.), the University calendar, University-wide curriculum matters both graduate and undergraduate, and research and patent policy as they may affect the faculty as a whole (from the Constitution of the Faculty Senate, Article II – Powers).

State of Rhode Island General Laws
TITLE 16 
Education, CHAPTER 16-32
University of Rhode Island, SECTION 16-32-10

§ 16-32-10 Award of degrees – Curriculum and government. – The board of trustees, with the approval of the president and a committee of the faculty of the university, shall award academic degrees and diplomas and confer honors in the same manner as is customary in American colleges. It shall also be the duty of the president and a committee of the faculty, with the approval of the board of trustees, to arrange courses of study conforming to all acts of Congress, and prescribe any qualifications for the admission of students and any rules of study, exercise, discipline, and government as the president and committee may deem proper.