The University's Council system is representative of the various constituencies within UTHealth and devotes itself to the overall governance of the university in accordance with UT System rules and policies. Issues relating to faculty, staff, students; education, research endeavors, clinical activities; and the collective mission and vision of UTHealth may be brought to these councils. 

Leadership Councils

• University Executive Council (reports to the President) 
  This council meets monthly and is comprised of executive leadership from across the university.  The council's primary function is to advise the President on key issues related to university governance and operations.
  
  
• University Leadership Council (reports to the President)
  This council meets quarterly and is comprised of key university leadership stakeholders and chairs of University Councils.  The University Leadership Council serves as a forum for the bi-directional communication of ideas and information between the University and the faculty, students and staff in the Schools.  This council receives and reviews reports from the Constituency and Topical Councils as well as addresses issues of institutional diversity.

Constituency Councils

• University Classified Staff Council (UCSC) (reports to the COO/CFO)  
• University Interfaculty Council (IFC) (reports to the Executive Vice President for Academic and Research Affairs) 
• University Student InterCouncil (SIC) (reports to the Executive Vice President for Academic and Research Affairs)

Topical Councils

• University Academic Council (reports to the Executive Vice President for Academic and Research Affairs)
• University Safety Council (reports to the Executive Vice President for Academic and Research Affairs) 
• University Research Council (reports to the Executive Vice President for Academic and Research Affairs)  
• University Information Technology Governance Council (ITGC) (reports to the COO/CFO)

Standing Committees

• Animal Welfare Committee
• Audit Committee
• Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects
• Committee on the Status of Women
• Intellectual Property Committee
• Research Conflicts of Interest Committee
• Safety Committees
• Biological
• Chemical
• Institutional Biosafety
• Radiation