Court of Governors (1891-present)

• Board of Governors
• Governing Body

Under the 1891 Charity Commissioners Scheme, Regent Street Polytechnic established a Governing Body for the first time. Although there were no specific provisions for the office of President, this role was immediately filled by the institution's founder, Quintin Hogg. The President was also Chair of the Governing Body until 1962, thereafter the role was discontinued. A Director of Education was also appointed from 1891, this role became known as the Rector, and then from 1996, Vice Chancellor.

Court meets at least four times a year.

Terms of Reference: highest level decisions of the Polytechnic.

Current Responsibilities:

The Court of Governors shall be responsible for:

(a) the appointment of the appointed members referred to in paragraph 2.1 above; Articles of Association Privy Council approved Oct 2010.DOC 16

(b) the determination of the educational character and mission of the University and the overseeing of its activities;

(c) the effective and efficient use of resources, the solvency of the University and the safeguarding of its assets;

(d) the consideration and, if thought fit, approval of the annual estimates of income and expenditure prepared by the Rector;

(e) the appointment, assignment, grading, appraisal, suspension, dismissal and determination of the pay and conditions of service of the

Rector, the Deputy Rector, and the holders of such other senior posts as the Court of Governors may determine; and

(f) the establishment of a framework for the pay and conditions of service of other staff.

Powers:

The Court of Governors shall have power:

(a) subject to the provisions of paragraph 3.4, to delegate any of its powers to any committee consisting of one or more members including, without limitation, to the Chairman of the Court of Governors or the Rector. Subject as aforesaid, it may also delegate to any member of the staff of the University such of its powers as it considers desirable to be exercised by him or her. Any such delegation may be made upon such terms and subject to such conditions as the Court of Governors may impose and, save in the case of committees of independent members formed pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (2.15) or (2.16), may be revoked or altered;

(b) to establish a committee for any purpose. The number of members of a committee, the terms on which they are to hold or vacate office and the rules of conduct of each committee shall, subject to the provisions of paragraph 10, be determined by the Court of Governors. A committee may include persons who are not members of the Court of Governors, provided that a committee established to determine or advise on policy on employment or finance may include the Rector and/or the Deputy Rector but shall otherwise be drawn from the members of the Court of Governors other than staff or students of the University;

(c) to appoint, by power of attorney or otherwise, any person to be the agent of the company for such purposes and on such conditions as it may determine, including authority for the agent to delegate all or any of his/her powers; and (d) to pay to its members such travelling, subsistence or other allowances as it may determine.

Duties:

It shall be the duty of the Court of Governors:

(a) to keep true records of the income and expenditure of the University;

(b) to appoint external auditors, and to conduct such other audit work (if any) as may from time to time be required;

(c) to appoint an Audit Committee and make rules for its conduct;

(d) to appoint a Registrar and Clerk to be the Clerk to the Court of Governors;

(e) to establish a committee or committees to determine or advise on such matters relating to employment policy or finance as the Court of Governors may remit to them;

(f) after consultation with representatives of the staff, and with due regard to its obligation to ensure that academic staff of the University have freedom within the law to question and test received wisdom, and to put forward new ideas and controversial or unpopular opinions, without placing themselves in jeopardy of losing their job or any privileges they may have at the University, to make Rules relating to:

(i) the conduct of staff; (ii) procedures for affording to members of staff the opportunity to seek redress of any grievance relating to their employment; (iii) the suspension or dismissal of members of staff; (iv) appeal against such suspension or dismissal; and

(g) to determine the tuition and other fees payable to the University (subject to any terms and conditions attached to grants, loans or other payments paid or made by the Higher Education Funding Council (England); and

(h) to make such Rules in regard to the government and conduct of the University as may be required by these Articles or as it may deem to be desirable and consistent therewith.

Members included 2 executive and 17 non-executive governors, both staff and students represented. The court approved long-term objectives and strategies and provides overall financial and organisational control.

Current membership:
Ex-officio: The Rector; The Deputy Rector (unless they choose not to be members)
Appointed members: Not less than eleven and not more than twenty-three members appointed in accordance with the following provisions:
(a) up to thirteen shall be independent members;
(b) up to two may be teachers at the University nominated by the Academic Council and up to two may be students of the University

nominated by the students thereof; and
(c) at least one and not more than nine shall be co-opted members nominated by the members of the Court of Governors who are not coopted members.