Chair's action was taken on 28 March 2018 to confirm proposed changes to Regulation 10 on Examination Regulations with changes taking effect on 14 May 2018 for new and existing students.

Rationale: To strengthen the regulation to prevent attempts of cheating in examinations by enforcing time allowed for rest breaks more rigorously and introducing a penalty of a mark of zero for the examination in question for any candidate in possession of a digital information, communication, storage or retrieval device.

At its meeting on 7 February 2018 the Council approved amendments to the following University Regulations:

• Regulation 2 on Committee Elections
• Regulation 6 on Admission to the University
• Regulation 9 on Constitutions of Boards of Examiners
• Regulation 15 on Higher Doctorates
• Regulation 34 on Determination of Fitness Practise
• Regulation 36 on Student Registration, Attendance and Progress
• Regulation 38 on Research Degrees

Rationale: To reflect further amendments arising from the academic governance review. The majority of the amendments reflect the disestablishment of the Board of Undergraduate Studies and the merger of the Undergraduate and Graduate Studies Committees of the Boards of the Faculties to form Faculty Education Committees. Additionally, gendered terminology has been removed.  

At its meeting on 7 February 2018, the Council approved for the first time amendments to University Ordinance 7 on Constitution of the Boards of the Faculties and University Ordinance 9 on Board of Graduate Studies.

Rationale: To reflect further amendments arising from the academic governance review, to addressing operability issues identified by the Faculties and to update the Board of Graduate Studies constitution, previously approved by the Senate.

At its meeting on 7 February 2018, the Council approved for the second time amendments to University Ordinance 7 on Constitution of the Boards of the Faculties and University Ordinance 9 on Board of Graduate Studies.

Rationale: Following the review undertaken by the Academic Governance Review Group on the University’s academic governance processes it was proposed that Ordinance 7 and Ordinance 9 be amended to reflect the disestablishment of the Board of Undergraduate Studies and the merger of the Undergraduate and Graduate Studies Committees of the Boards of the Faculties to form Faculty Education Committees. Additionally, redundant references to sub-faculties have been removed.

Chair's action was taken on 7 December 2017 to confirm proposed changes to Regulation 42 on Governing Academic Appeals.

Rationale: to clarify that a member of staff from the Students’ Union Advice Centre can accompany a student to an Appeal Committee.

At its meeting on 18 October 2017 the Council approved amendments to Regulation 42 on Governing Academic Appeals.

Rationale: To take account of the fact that not all Appeals Committee panels have a Chair.