General Council seeks committee members
Alumni are being given the opportunity to learn more about the workings of the University, and to guide the programme for how the General Council contributes to its governance, by becoming members of the Business Committee.
The General Council was first established as part of the Universities (Scotland) Act 1858 as the result of a sustained campaign by alumni, led by advocate James Lorimer, to involve graduates in the governance of Scottish Universities.
Today it still has a statutory right to comment on matters affecting the wellbeing and prosperity of the University and represents the continuing voice of graduates in the University’s affairs.
Business committee
The Council's role is managed through a Business Committee composed of elected members of the General Council that meets in Edinburgh five times per year. Through a structure of standing committees, members consider academic and financial and professional service matters affecting students and staff; and the public affairs of the University at Scottish UK and international level.
The agenda is broad and a breadth of skills, experience and backgrounds is needed to fulfil the Council's role.
Stuart Macpherson, formerly a surgeon specialising in kidney transplantation and with a particular interest in medical education, is an experienced member of the Business Committee and its current Convener:
As Convener I would like to encourage members of the General Council to stand for membership of the Business Committee. I can assure you the Committee provides a friendly and interesting experience which allows one to learn at first hand of matters currently affecting the University and in many cases to influence thinking on these. I am particularly keen that the composition of the Committee reflects the wide diversity of membership of the General Council.
Call for Nominations
In February 2019 there will be an election for five members of the General Council’s Business Committee.
Nominations can be downloaded from the General Council website. They can be requested by e-mail or telephone from the General Council Office.
Completed nomination forms must be returned to the General Council Office by 5pm, 21 November 2018.
Voting in the elections
Information about candidates will appear on the General Council website by 26 November 2018 and in Billet. The General Council has been working with the University in an attempt to overcome barriers to voting online and to encourage more General Council members to participate in the election. Members who receive a printed copy of Billet and those who request ballot papers will receive step-by-step instructions, with personalised information to assist them to register for online voting.
Voting will commence 7 January 2019.
The poll will close at 5pm on 12 February 2019. The result will be announced at the General Council Half Yearly meeting on 16 February 2019.