Academic Governance Principles

Taking a principles-led approach recognises that not every scenario can be foreseen and designed into the architecture, tools, or process of our academic governance system. Instead, those responsible for facilitating academic governance can look to a set of guiding principles that ensure any decisions they take are in the spirit of those principles.

a. Senate and its committees lead by example in upholding these principles.

b. Rounded, robust decisions uphold the interests of the University and its community overall, having regard for the diversity of our academic disciplines.

c. Decision-making is informed by and improves the experiences and outcomes of our diverse student and staff communities.

d. The rationale for reaching decisions is captured and shared with the University community.

e. Diversity of thought is important in the scrutiny of proposals and encouraged through inclusive, respectful discussions that uphold Academic Freedom, Freedom of Expression, and the principles of Dignity at Warwick.

f. The Academic Governance and External Governance of the University operate in a mutually informed and effective way.

g. The remit, authority and parameters of the Senate, its committees and policy development processes are published and communicated transparently, implemented consistently, and designed as a coherent system in a way that builds understanding and trust over time.

h. The memberships of the Senate and its committees include representation of senior responsible officers, academic units, subject matter experts and our diverse staff and student bodies.

i. Students are partners in their education and student experience, including through our academic governance system. j. Staff and students involved in academic governance are supported to effectively fulfil a defined set of responsibilities and make an active contribution.

k. Defining, evaluating, and improving the effectiveness of our approach to academic governance is a continuous and shared endeavour for all staff and students involved.