Court meeting: 5 December 2016
The University Court held its most recent meeting on 5 December.
We publish 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 five times a year.
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.
Detailed information on University Court
Summary of Court meeting: 5 December 2016
The following reports are summaries of a selection of items discussed and agreed at Court on 5 December.
Annual Report and Accounts 2015/16
The Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 July 2016 were approved.
This contains detailed information about the University, including performance against the University Strategic Plan 2012-16 during the past year, a section on social responsibility and sustainability, and a section on financial information and trends.
The document is available at the following webpage:
Annual Review 2015/16
Court approved articles for inclusion in the 2015/16 Annual Review, to be presented to the February meeting of the General Council and circulated to stakeholders. The document will be published shortly on the following webpage:
Student Experience Update
The Senior Vice-Principal thanked Court members for their contribution to the student experience seminar held prior to the Court meeting and presented an update on ongoing work to understand and enhance the student experience. The importance of work to enhance staff-student engagement and community building was noted and communicating the forthcoming 2017 National Student Survey with assistance from EUSA was discussed.
‘Building a New Biology’ project
The final tranche of University funding for the provision of new and redeveloped facilities for the School of Biological Sciences in and around the Darwin Building at the King’s Buildings Campus was approved. More details are available on the ‘Building a New Biology’ project website.
Student Accommodation – St Leonard’s Street
Court approved a Nominations Agreement for a 579 room student accommodation site on St Leonard’s Street commencing in September 2017.
Edinburgh University Students’ Association (EUSA) Democracy Review – Phase 2
Changes to EUSA’s Articles of Association, Sabbatical Regulations and Democracy Regulations were approved to implement Phase 2 of EUSA’s Democracy Review, supported by a student referendum in March 2016 – facilitating a change in the number and individual responsibilities of sabbatical officers, the appointment of student trustees and a change in the membership of Student Council.
Other items
Court approved a revised business model and plan for commercialisation company Roslin Technologies Ltd; approved a Central Bioresearch Services Estates Strategy; approved funding to finance a Biological Research Facility at the Institute of Regeneration and Repair; approved a Modern Slavery Statement (available at: http://www.ed.ac.uk/about/sustainability/about/programmes/fairness-trade-sustainable-procurement/modern-slavery/statement), and; received an update from EUSA and reports from its Committees on activities being undertaken in support of Court.
Further information on the remit and work of Court and its Committees can be found online.