About committees
The composition and Terms of Reference of each University Committee is set out in the Organisation of the University [PDF 783.06KB]. The number of Committees is kept under review to minimise the time and resources they consume.
The format of the Agenda and papers for Committee meetings and the timely dispatch of papers should follow common University protocols and house style. Detailed information is set out in Effective Committee Management: the role of the Secretary.
Summaries of the key elements are set out in:
- Committees - format of the agenda [DOC 48.00KB]
- Committees - format of papers [DOC 37.50KB]
- Committees - cover template [DOC 58.00KB]
- Committees - format of the minutes [DOC 52.00KB]
- Committees - format of post-meeting correspondence [DOC 89.50KB]
The dates and times of the main Committees are published in the Committee Timetable. Wednesday is the Committee Business Day on which all members of academic staff are expected to be available for Committee meetings, so that these may be called if necessary without prior consultation.
Unless special provision is made in a Committee's constitution, deputies are not normally allowed to stand in for occasional meetings, although in the event of illness or absence for a significant period deputies will be permitted by special arrangement with the Chair concerned.
The quorum for meetings of the Statutory Bodies (Court, Council and Senate) is specified in the Statutes. For those Committees where no quorum is prescribed, Senate has approved Senate standing orders [PDF 54.72KB] which, although they do not apply formally to other bodies, are used as advice to Committee Chairs about the procedure of business.
Any change to membership of Committees should be notified to Angela Pater who will advise on the appropriate action to be taken to effect such changes.