Historically the Academic Deans of Xavier University have met to discuss issues of common interest. The university Academic Vice President (later the university Provost and Chief Academic Officer) usually called and chaired the meeting.

Since at least 1957, the deans of the colleges and other academic administrators met together regularly, usually under the chairmanship of the Academic Vice President/ Provost. The title of the group varied from time to time. From 1975 to 1987,it was call the "The Council of Deans." From 1987 to 1992 it was known as "The Academic Affairs Advisory Council-Group 1." The Academic Affairs Advisory Council also had a "Group 2" and a "Group 3" which were made up of departmental chairs and other academic officers and which occasionally met with Group 1. From 1993 to 2001 the name was simply "The Deans' Meetings." From 2002 until 2006 it was called "The Academic Council." In 2006 the group became the "Academic Administrative Council." The group of deans was never recognized as a standing committee of the university. Its function was to afford the deans an opportunity to discuss and decide matters of mutual interest.