Staff news

Court meeting: 23 June 2014

The University Court had its most recent meeting on 23 June.

Staff News publishes regular updates on matters discussed at all Court meetings, during which members consider matters of strategic importance to the University.

Meetings of the Court are held six times a year.

The Court has the best interests of the whole institution at heart and it's important that the decisions which it takes are shared with and understood by our diverse University community.

Peter McCollRector
Peter McColl

Governing body

The Court is the University’s governing body and its legal persona.

With a focus on strategic direction, it takes the final decisions on issues of fundamental concern to the wellbeing of the University.

Detailed information on the membership and activities of the University Court, including meeting agendas, papers and minutes, is available online.

Summary of Court meeting: 23 June 2014

The following reports are summaries of a selection of items discussed and agreed on at Court on 23 June.

The meeting’s agenda and papers are available online.

Designation of Vice-Principals and Assistant Principals

James Smith

Court approved the appointment, from 1 November 2014, of Professor James Smith as Vice-Principal International. He is currently Assistant Principal Global Development, and holds the Personal Chair of African and Development Studies.

Court agreed to explore the creation of a Vice-Principal Global Access.

Court approved the designation of Dr David Reay as Assistant Principal Global Environment and Society in succession to Professor Mark Rounsevell. Approval was also given to extend the designations of Assistant Principals Professor Sue Welburn (Global Health) and Professor Christine Bell (Global Justice).

Strategic priorities and resource allocation 2014/15

Court approved the budget allocations to Colleges and Support Groups for 2014/15.

Information was presented on the priorities emerging from this year’s planning round and the University’s projected income in 2014/15.

There was strong support for the University to continue to strategically invest while ensuring a sustainable and appropriate budgeted surplus.

SFC post-merger evaluation: ECA

The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) has reported on its latest and final evaluation.

Work on this evaluation began in October 2013 following the University’s submission of its self-evaluation report, and Court welcomed the report’s positive comments.

Scottish Code of Good HE Governance

The compliance-plus approach to the implementation of the Code was noted, and the University’s position in respect of the 18 principles in the Code was confirmed.

Court also approved a number of appointments to the new Standing Committees of Court.

A Remuneration Committee Framework setting out this Committee’s decision-making process will be published on the University’s website in the near future.

Chancellor’s Fellowship Scheme review

Court endorsed the outcome and the recommendations of the recent review of the Chancellor’s Fellowship Scheme and the actions being taken. The Scheme has been a great success in taking forward the development of early-career colleagues.