Ordinance 5: The Senate
The Senate
(1) |
Ex Officio Members of the Senate will hold office so long as they continue to occupy the positions by virtue of which they became members. Ex officio members consist of the following persons: |
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Academic Leadership The Vice-Chancellor, who will preside over the meetings of the Senate The Provost The Pro-Vice-Chancellors The Vice-Provosts/Faculty Chairs Heads of academic departments delivering degree programmes in the Faculty of Arts (7 members) Heads of academic departments delivering degree programmes in the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine (10 members) Heads of academic departments delivering degree programmes in the Faculty of Social Sciences (7 members) The Dean of Students The Chair of the Senate Committee responsible for postgraduate research The Chair of the Academic Freedom Review Committee Professional Services Leadership The Registrar The Academic Registrar The Director of Research and Impact Services The Librarian |
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(2) |
Six members of staff bringing expertise and perspectives relevant to the remit of the Senate, appointed by the Senate Nominations Panel. |
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(3) |
Appointed members, other than elected student representatives, will hold office for a period of three years commencing on the first day of August in the year in which they are appointed. |
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(4) |
Where an appointed member of the Senate ceases to be a member of the staff or a student of the University, their appointment as a member of the Senate will terminate with immediate effect. |
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(5) |
Six members of the Assembly, to be appointed by the Assembly as set out in Regulation, of whom four should be Academic Staff and two should be Professional Services staff. Not more than two of the Academic Staff members should be Professors, however any serving academic representative of the Assembly promoted to Professor during their term of office will be able to complete their full term. |
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(6)
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Student Representatives |
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(a) |
The President and two other elected full-time Sabbatical Officers will be appointed to be representatives of the students of the University to the Senate. |
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(b) |
Three Faculty representatives, comprising a diversity of level and mode of study between them, appointed by the Senate Nominations Panel upon the recommendation of the Students’ Union President. |
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(c) |
Student members will hold office for no more than one year commencing on the first day of their term of elected office and ending on their last day of elected office according to the Students’ Union’s governing documents. Student members may serve for more than one term of office on the Senate if so elected to the office of President or other Sabbatical Officer position. |
5.1: Powers of the Senate
5.1.1 Statement of Primary Responsibilities of the Senate
The Senate is the principal academic authority of the University and responsible for the academic work of the University. The Senate and its committees will govern education, research, and student matters sustainably, inclusively, and transparently, in support of the values, strategy, and regulatory compliance of the University as a whole. The Senate provides assurance to the Council on academic matters.
5.1.2 Terms of Reference of the Senate
Subject to the Charter and Statutes, the Senate has the following powers, duties and functions: |
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To provide assurance to Council, through reports from its relevant Subcommittees, on: |
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(1) | Implementation of the education and student experience, research and other academic strategies. |
(2) | Academic assurance, regulatory and external compliance. |
To recommend to Council: | |
(3) | Education and student experience, research, and other academic strategies, in support of the University strategy. |
(4) | Matters relating to student welfare/wellbeing, student support and the student experience. |
(5) | Matters affecting the appointment, duties, promotion, and conditions of service of all members of the Academic Staff. |
(6) | New and revised academic and related University Ordinances. |
(7) | The establishment of Faculties and Departments. |
(8) | The establishment of degrees. |
(9) | In partnership with the Council, to promote, maintain and protect the principles of academic freedom and freedom of speech. |
(10) | Any other matter of interest to the University. |
To approve: | |
(11) | Changes to the Academic Governance Framework. |
(12) | New and revised regulations and policies (which for good reason cannot be delegated to one of the Senate's Subcommittees), including, in particular, those relating to the student lifecycle from admission to graduation, and those relating to academic standards, quality assurance and student outcomes; student discipline and complaints; partnerships, collaborative provision, credit transfer and academic equivalency; the conduct of research and ethics. Subject to approval by the Council where appropriate. |
(13) | Granting of degrees, diplomas, licences, certificates, and other academic distinctions whether by recommendation from a nominated body or by delegated authority. |
(14) | Granting of Honorary Degrees (joint with Council) or other University distinctions. |
(15) | The revocation of any degrees or other distinctions conferred by the University, and all privileges connected with them for good cause. |
To appoint: | |
(16) | Members of the Senate to be members of the Council as provided for under Statute 5. |
(17) | Jointly with the Council, the Chancellor as provided for in Ordinance 3. |
To receive: | |
(18) | Regular reports from its Subcommittees, reviewing the discharge of its responsibilities through these Subcommittees on a regular basis and no less often than every five years. |
Other: | |
(19) | To express an opinion on any academic matter pertinent to the University and its affairs. |
(20) | Generally, to exercise all such powers as are or may be conferred on the Senate by the Charter and Statutes and the Ordinances including the power to make Regulations, in the exercise of those powers of the Senate. |
5.2: Procedures for meetings of the Senate
(1) |
The Senate may make Standing Orders that regulate its procedures, provided that such Standing Orders do not conflict with the Charter, the Statutes, the Ordinances or the Regulations. |
5.3: Committees of the Senate
(1) |
Academic Resourcing Committee |
(2) |
Academic Staff Committee |
(3) |
Education and Student Experience Committee |
(4) |
Honorary Degrees Committee, a joint Committee of both the Council and the Senate |
(5) |
Research Committee |
(6) |
Research Governance and Ethics Committee, a joint Committee of both the Council and the Senate |
(7) |
Senate Awarding Panel |
(8) |
Social Inclusion Committee, a joint Committee of both the Council and the Senate |