Alumni Services

Your chance to get involved

Interested in becoming a member of the General Council Business Committee? This is your opportunity to make a difference and become part of the governance of the University.

Stuart Macpherson
Stuart Macpherson, General Council Convener.

The General Council was first established as part of the Universities (Scotland) Act 1858 and was the direct result of a sustained campaign by alumni, led by advocate James Lorimer, to involve graduates in the governance of Scottish universities.

Its role has evolved over time but the value of graduate involvement in the life of the University is as important now as it was in 1858 and we are now seeking nominations for the upcoming elections to the Business Committee of the General Council and would like to encourage graduates to consider standing.

Stuart Macpherson, originally a surgeon with a particular interest in kidney transplantation and medical education, is an experienced member of the Business Committee and is the current Convener.

Having recently assumed office 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.

Stuart MacphersonGeneral Council Convener

Current work

The Council has recently worked on the consultation on the Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill with the formal submission prepared by a working party of the Business Committee. It is currently working on the revision to the Scottish Code of Good HE Governance.

Earlier this year the Council hosted a talking and thinking event in partnership with the University's Global Academies followed by a reception at London's City Hall with former UK Government Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir John Beddington. The event provided General Council members with an opportunity to meet leading academics and influential alumni working in international policy and development, politics, health and law.

The University needs you

As a member of the Business Council you will have an opportunity to help guide the programme of this essential part of your University's governance. You will play an important role in helping us develop the organisation and you will work alongside a range of graduates with a range of interests and experiences.

If this isn't something you have previously considered, or if you don't think the General Council is an organisation that would benefit from your skills and experience, please take a fresh look at the website. We hope that you will see that an effective Council requires a mix of individuals and that you might be exactly what is needed.

Call for nominations

In February 2017 there will be an election for five members of the General Council’s Business Committee – the team who manage the Council’s ongoing work programme. This year there is also a vacancy for one General Council Court Assessor. This person is an independent lay member of Court, the University's governing body. It is a substantial responsibility and a significant time commitment but also an extremely rewarding role that provides real insight into the challenges faced by a modern higher education institution. The Court Assessor also sits on the Business Committee as an ex-officio member. Further information on Court may be found on the University website.

Nomination forms can be downloaded below or from the General Council website. They can also be requested by email or telephone from the General Council Office.

More about General Council elections 2017 on the General Council website

Completed nomination forms must be received in the General Council Office by 5pm on 23 November 2016.

The General Council

Contact details

All completed nomination forms must be returned to the General Council Office by 5pm on Wednesday 23 November 2016.

Voting in the elections

Voting will commence on Monday 9 January 2017.

The election will take place on Wednesday 15 February and the result announced on Saturday 18 February 2017 at the General Council’s Half-Yearly Meeting.

Related links

The General Council

About Stuart Macpherson