On March 9, 1952 a meeting of lay faculty members of Xavier University was held for the purpose of determining the feasibility of establishing a "faculty organization." After some months of consideration of this idea, the Faculty Committee was established with its first formal meeting occurring on October 9, 1953. The committee appears to have met regularly thereafter, some years more frequently than others.

The role of the Faculty Committee has changed with time. The Annual Document of University Committees provides the following information on the role, responsibilities, and membership of this committee: "THE FACULTY COMMITTEE: Charge: The Faculty Committee, elected annually by the faculty, is the official representative body of the faculty. This committee is advisory to the Academic Vice President/Provost and has access to the President. Membership: The Faculty Committee consists of nine (9) tenured or tenure-track faculty members elected by the faculty so as to provide two and no more than four members from any college. Their terms of office are three years. The Committee elects its own Chair. Reporting: The Faculty Committee reports to the Academic Vice President/Provost." (Source: Annual Document of University Committees, 2009-2010)