The University Council holds authority over the academic, administrative, and financial management of SU's affairs, ensuring the implementation of its overarching policies. The council's responsibilities encompass a broad range of functions, including:
- Approving plans for faculty training and study abroad programs.
- Recommending the establishment of colleges, institutes, departments, research centers, and supporting deanships, as well as proposing changes to their names, mergers, or dissolutions.
- Approving academic programs and specializations, including graduate studies.
- Awarding academic degrees to graduates.
- Conferring honorary doctorates.
- Setting the academic calendar, including the start and end dates of the academic year and holidays.
- Granting sabbaticals, secondments, study leaves, and, when necessary, terminating faculty services in compliance with relevant regulations.
- Approving curricula, study plans, textbooks, and reference materials, based on proposals from college and institute councils.
- Recommending scholarships, grants, and other forms of student support.
- Endorsing SU’s draft budget and forwarding it to the Minister of Education.
- Approving SU’s regulations and bylaws, provided they do not involve financial or employment benefits.
- Drafting new – or recommending amendments to existing – SU’s regulations.
- Reviewing SU's annual report for presentation to the Council of Universities' Affairs.
- Allocating budgets to colleges, institutes, support deanships, and independent research centers within the bounds of financial regulations.
- Examining SU’s financial statements in preparation for submission to the Prime Minister.
- Approving SU plans for extracurricular activities.
- Appointing faculty members, upon recommendation from the academic council.
- Accepting donations, gifts, bequests, and other contributions, provided they align with SU’s mission.
- Establishing guidelines for the admission of visiting and transfer students.
- Addressing matters referred by the Minister of Education, SU President, or council members.
- The University Council may form permanent or temporary committees, comprising council members or external experts, to conduct specialized studies as needed.