Terms of Reference

Powers and Functions

Charter, para.12

(i) There shall be a Council of the University (in this Our Charter called “the Council”) which shall, subject to this Our Charter and the Statutes, be the Governing Body of the University.

(ii) The Council shall have the custody and use of the Common Seal.

(iii) The Council shall be responsible for the management and administration of the revenue and property of the University and, except as may otherwise be provided in this Our Charter, shall have general control over the University and all its affairs, purposes and functions and shall have all such other powers and duties as may be conferred upon it by the Statutes or Ordinances.

Statute XIII, section 6

Subject to the Charter and these Statutes, the Council shall, in addition to all other powers vested in it, have the following functions:

(i) To appoint a Chairman and Vice-Chairman.

(ii) To appoint members of the Court as provided for under Statute XII.

(iii) To co-opt members of the Council as provided for under this Statute.

(iv) To nominate to the Court persons for appointment as Chancellor, as Pro-Chancellors (other than the Senior Pro-Chancellor) and as Treasurer.

(v) To appoint the Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Vice-Chancellors and Registrar.

(vi) To make Statutes and Ordinances.

(vii) To authorise, on the recommendation of the Senate, the establishment of academic posts in the University.

(viii) To suspend or abolish, on the recommendation of the Senate, any post except any post created by these Statutes; provided that no academic post shall be suspended or abolished except on the recommendation of the Senate.

(ix) To appoint all members of the Academic Staff, and to determine, after consultation with the Senate, the terms and conditions of such appointments.

(x) To appoint all other members of the University staff, and to determine the terms and conditions of such appointments.

(xi) On the recommendation of the Senate, to establish and dissolve the organs of academic administration, to prescribe their constitution and functions, and to modify or revise the same.

(xii) To review the work of the University and take such steps as it thinks proper for the purpose of advancing its interests.

(xiii) To foster close associations with industrial, commercial, research and public organisations.

(xiv) To make provision for research within the University.

(xv) To determine, after considering any recommendations of the Senate, all University fees.

(xvi) To institute, on the recommendation of the Senate and subject to any conditions made by the founders, Fellowships, Scholarships, Studentships, Exhibitions, Bursaries and Prizes and other aids to study and research.

(xvii) To confer, on the recommendation of the Senate, the title of Emeritus Professor or Honorary Professor, Reader or Lecturer.

(xviii) To provide for the personal development and well-being of the students and for the welfare of the employees of the University.

(xix) To govern, manage and regulate the finances, accounts, investments, property, business and all affairs whatsoever of the University and for that purpose to appoint bankers and any other officers or agents whom it may deem expedient to appoint; provided that before determining any question of finance which directly affects the academic policy of the University the Council shall take into consideration any recommendation or report thereon by the Senate.

(xx) To invest any moneys belonging to or held by the University in such stock, funds, fully paid shares or securities as the Council shall from time to time think fit, whether within or outside the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, or in the purchase of freehold or leasehold hereditaments, including rents; provided that in the case of moneys held by the University as trustees the powers conferred by this paragraph shall be exercised subject to the provisions of the law relating to investment by trustees.

(xxi) To sell, buy, exchange, lease and accept leases of real and personal property on behalf of the University.

(xxii) To provide the buildings, premises, furniture and apparatus, and other means needed for carrying on the work of the University.

(xxiii) To provide and license Halls of Residence, lodgings, apartments, and other places of residence, whether or not maintained by the University and upon and subject to such terms and conditions as the Council shall think fit.

(xxiv) To borrow money on behalf of the University and for that purpose, if the Council think fit, to mortgage or charge all or any part of the property of the University, whether real or personal, and to give such other security as the Council shall think fit.

(xxv) To enter into, vary, carry out and cancel contracts on behalf of the University.

(xxvi) To make provision for schemes of insurance, superannuation, pensions or retirement benefits for members of the Academic and other staff, and so far as the Council may think fit for other employees of the University or their dependents.

(xxvii) To select a Seal, Arms and a Mace for the University and to have the sole custody and use of the Seal.

(xxviii) To give on behalf of the University guarantees to building societies, whether in pursuance of continuing arrangements or not.

(xxix) Generally to exercise all such powers as are or may be conferred on the Council by the Charter and these Statutes, including the power to make Regulations in the exercise of all the powers expressly set out in this Statute and of all other the powers vested in the Council.