How is the University Governed?
Governance
Warwick's governing body is the Council, which oversees the conduct of University business in conjunction with the Senate – the University’s supreme academic authority. Diagrammatic representations of the Council, Senate and University Executive Board committee structures are available to view here, or please see below for further information on how the University is governed.
The Scheme of Delegation outlines the responsibilities and delegated authorities for making key decisions in the name of, or on behalf of, the University of Warwick.
Council
The Council is the governing body of the University with particular managerial responsibilities for finance and the University estate, and also a more general remit to oversee the conduct of University business in conjunction with the University Executive Board and the Senate. The Council meets formally up to five times each year and is chaired by Sir David Normington. The Council has a maximum membership of 21, a majority of whom are independent members drawn from the professions, business and industry, and local authorities, who bring a range of experience and professional expertise to the work of the University.
The Statement of Primary Responsibilities of the Council outlines the powers and responsibilities of the Council derived from the University Statutes. The Code of Practice for Corporate Governance summarises the decisions that can be taken by the University Council relating to corporate governance.
In order to carry out its responsibilities, and ensure the necessary dialogue with the Senate, the Council has specialist standing committees, principal amongst which are the Finance and General Purposes Committee, the University Estate and Environment Committee, the Audit and Risk Committee and the University Executive Board (joint with the Senate). The detailed work of the Council is mostly carried out through these standing committees and a range of Council and Joint Council/Senate sub-committees, usually with a mixture of independent and academic membership, which have an important role in overseeing the conduct of specific areas of business.
Senate
The Senate is the supreme academic authority of the University. Whilst the Council is ultimately accountable for the efficient management and good conduct of all aspects of the University's operation, within that the Senate has responsibility for the academic activities of the University including all aspects of the operations of the University that have a bearing on teaching, research and the welfare, supervision and discipline of students.
The Senate is chaired by the Vice-Chancellor and includes ex officio members; members elected by the Faculty Boards and the Assembly; and three representatives from the Students' Union. The Senate meets five times each academic year. The greater part of its business arises from reports from the range of Senate committees responsible for specific academic matters, as well as the Joint Council and Senate committees and the University Executive Board (joint with Council).
University Executive Board
The University Executive Board (UEB) comprises the Vice-Chancellor and President; the Provost; the Registrar; the Pro-Vice-Chancellors; the Group Finance Director; the Commercial Director; the Secretary to Council; the Chief Information and Transformation Officer and the Chief Communications and Marketing Officer. UEB meets weekly. UEB and its committees are responsible for the executive management of the University, including formulation and implementation of the University's Strategy, direction of resources to support the Strategy, risk management and compliance.
Faculty Boards
The Boards of the Faculties of Arts, Science, Engineering and Medicine and Social Sciences are Chaired by the Vice-Provosts and Chairs of Faculty. Membership of each of the Faculty Boards is drawn from representatives of academic departments and research centres within each Faculty. The Faculty Boards report to the Senate, both directly and via the Academic Quality and Standards Committee on matters relating to academic matters within the Faculty, i.e. teaching, research, curricula and examinations.
Assembly
The Assembly of the University has the power to appoint six members of the University's academic staff to the Senate and make recommendations to the Council or to the Senate on any matter relating to the University, including any matters referred to it by the Council or by the Senate.