Departmental Boards were established by the 1973 charter for the University's academic departments. They dealt with aspect of academic policy which fell outside the direct responsibility of the Faculty and Senate. Over time, a number of subordinate committees were established,w hich reported to the board; typically, these might include a staff-student committees, teaching, research, undergraduate and postgraduate degree committees.
Pre-1995 minutes for this department have not been located, including those of the predecessor Department of Near Eastern Studies.