Court warmly welcomed Ms Alison Grant as a new co-opted member of Court from 1 June 2015, following an open and transparent recruitment process. Ms Grant is a senior business professional whose experience spans major consultancies and global information and communications organisations including Microsoft UK plc and Accenture.
New Court member
Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill
Court noted the publication of the anticipated Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill and discussed the potential implications for the governance arrangements for Court and Senate. Further information would be presented as the Bill progressed.
Designation of Assistant Principals
Court approved as follows:
Professor Susan Deacon's term of office as Assistant Principal to be extended for two years until 31 July 2017 and her designation to be amended to Assistant Principal External Relations.
Professor Natascha Gentz to be appointed for an initial period of three years with effect from the 1 August 2015 to 31 July 2018 to the new position of Assistant Principal - China.
Business Planning round 2015-2018
The business plans of the Colleges and Support Groups were approved by Court and the budget allocated for 2015/16, including the priorities for strategic investment and provision for the proposed estate and IT infrastructure programmes.
Enhancement-Led Institutional Review (ELIR) - Reflective Analysis and Case Studies
Court welcomed and endorsed the impressive documentation prepared for the Quality Assurance Agency Scotland (QAAS) formal review of the University, which occurs every four years. The external review team will be visiting the University in autumn 2015 prior to their report being published early in 2016.
SRUC update
Following detailed consideration of the information available, Court agreed that while wishing to maintain collaborative working with SRUC, it was not appropriate to proceed further at this stage with the strategic alliance.
University Risk Register
Court approved the 2015/16 University Risk Register, noting that this document is considered on an on-going basis throughout the year.
Resolutions
Court approved the following Resolutions noting that no observations had been received except in respect of Resolution 20/2015 where minor typographical changes had been required:
- Resolution No. 10/2015
- Foundation of a Chair of Chemical Reaction/Catalysis Engineering
- Resolution No. 11/2015
- Foundation of a Chair of Applied Control Engineering
- Resolution No. 12/2015
- Foundation of a Chair of Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health
- Resolution No. 13/2015
- Foundation of a Personal Chair of Global Environmental Law
- Resolution No. 14/2015
- Foundation of a Chair of Cyber Security and Privacy
- Resolution No. 15/2015
- Alteration of the title of the Chair of Epigenetics
- Resolution No. 16/2015
- Abolition of the Waddington Chair of Systems Biology
- Resolution No. 17/2015
- Foundation of a Chair of Materials Engineering
- Resolution No. 18/2015
- Boards of Studies
- Resolution No. 19/2015
- Code of Student Conduct
- Resolution No. 20/2015
- Postgraduate Degree Programme Regulations
- Resolution No. 21/2015
- Undergraduate Degree Programme Regulations
- Resolution No. 22/2015
- Degree of Doctor of Clinical Dentistry (DClinDent)
Other items
Court approved a number of items to progress the University's current estates programme. There was also consideration and approval of a revised Finance Strategy and the Estates Funding Strategy. Court also received reports from the following committees: Policy and Resources, Audit and Risk, Nominations, Knowledge Strategy and the Committee on University Benefactors.
Further information on the remit and work of Court and its Committees can be found online.
The University Court had its most recent meeting on 21 September.
Court warmly welcomed Mr Steve Morrison, Rector to his first meeting of Court. Members congratulated him on his election and looked forward to working with him for the next three years.
A very successful event was held prior to the Court meeting.
Court welcomed four new members: Senate Assessors Professor Sarah Cooper and Dr Claire Phillips, and Co-opted/Lay external members Lady Susan Rice and Ms Mandy Exley. Member biographies and photos can be found on the University Court website.
Court approved the part-time appointment of Professor Jeff Haywood as Vice-Principal Digital Education. Professor Haywood will step down as Vice-Principal Knowledge Management and Chief Information Officer at the end of 2014.
The University continues to explore with colleagues at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) activities relating to strategic alignment, with a current focus on governance issues.
Court noted that staff and students are invited to attend an open forum on 9 February 2015, which will be jointly hosted by the Vice-Convener of Court (similar to Chair in other institutions) and the Principal.
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