GOVERNORS’ HANDBOOK
Introduction
This handbook has been compiled specifically for members of Court and will provide you with useful reference material and background information to assist your important work in the governance of the University. It is revised every 12 months.
A number of appendices give important reference material such as the constitution of the University and the Standing Orders of the University Court.
The handbook provides detailed information about the work of the Court and its committees. Your roles, responsibilities and liabilities as a member are also explained. You will also find included structural and procedural information about the University that you may find useful in your role on Court and its committees.
A copy of the handbook is available on the Court Office page on the University website and there is also a separate secure area on the University website for your use. Details of the secure area and how it can be accessed is given within the handbook.
In 2004 the Committee of University Chairmen (CUC) of UK higher education institutions published a ‘Guide for Members of Higher Education Governing Bodies in the UK’. All Court members are given a reference copy of this Guide, which is generally accepted as a good practice standard by the university community and the main funding bodies.
The Court has formally adopted parts I and II of the CUC Guide – the Governance Code of Practice and General Principles of Governance – and the Court’s practices are consistent with the Code. Part III of the Guide provides Information for Governors on areas such as the legal status and operation of institutions, and the funding of higher education. This Handbook draws extensively on material from the Guide and should be read in conjunction with it.
This handbook is intended to be a key reference source for you. If you have any suggestions on how it can be improved, or have any questions that are not answered, please do not hesitate to let us know.
Our contact details are as follows:
Janice Bruce, Assistant Head of Governance
E:
T: 0141-331-8550
Lesley McGinley, Administrator, Governance & Quality
E:
T: 0141-331-3136
Louise Small, Administrator, Governance & Quality
E:
T: 0141-331-3136
CONTENTS
Page No
1. The University
1.1 Brief history of Glasgow Caledonian University 5
1.2 About the University 7
1.3 University Mission 8
1.4 University Vision 2015 8
1.5 Core Values 9
1.6 Strategic Priorities 9
1.7 Management Structure 11
2. University Governance
2.1 Legal Status 12
2.2 Governance Framework 12
2.3 The Powers, Duties and Responsibilities of the University Court 13
2.4 The Chancellor 15
2.5 The Role of the Chair of Court 15
2.6 The Vice-Chair 17
2.7 The Role of the Principal in Relation to Court 17
2.8 The Role of the University Secretary 18
2.9 Standing Committees of the University Court 19
2.10 Senate & Senate Standing Committees 20
2.11 University Companies 21
3. Membership of the University Court
3.1 Constitution and Membership of the University Court 22
3.2 Categories of Membership 22
3.3 Conduct of all Court Members 22
3.4 The Role of the Governor 25
3.5 Responsibilities of Governors as Trustees 26
3.6 Appointment Process 27
3.7 Period of Office 27
3.8 Resignation 28
3.9 Time Commitment 28
3.10 Governor Induction and Development 29
3.11 Court Online Resources 30
3.12 Personal Liability 30
3.13 Register of Interests 31
3.14 Gifts and Hospitality 32
3.15 Expenses 32
3.16 Car Parking 32
4. Conduct of the Meetings of the University Court
4.1 Guiding Principles 33
4.2 Members as Representatives 33
4.3 Standing Orders of Court 33
4.4 Agendas, Papers & Minutes 33
4.5 Calendar of Meetings 34
4.6 Time & Length of Court Meetings 34
4.7 Review of Effectiveness of Court and its Standing Committees 34
5. The Estate
5.1 The Role of the University Court 35
5.2 The Estates Strategy 35
6. Finance
6.1 The Role of the University Court 37
6.2 The Funding Council 37
6.3 Audit Committee 37
6.4 Finance & General Purposes Committee 38
6.5 Budgetary Cycle 38
6.6 Charitable Status 38
7. Staffing
7.1 The Role of University Court 40
7.2 Staff Groups 40
7.3 Joint Consultative Committee 40
7.4 HR Strategy 40
8. Student Affairs
8.1 The Role of the University Court 42
8.2 The Student’s Association 42
8.3 Quinquennial Review of the Students’ Association 43
9. Equality & Diversity
9.1 The Role of the University Court 44
9.2 The University’s Vision for Equality & Diversity 44
9.3 Policy Statement 44
9.4 Equality & Diversity Policy 45
9.5 Equality & Diversity Strategy 45
9.6 Equality & Diversity Committee 46
10. Health & Safety
10.1 The Role of the University Court 47
10.2 Health & Safety Policy 47
10.3 Structure of Health & Safety 48
11. Public Interest Disclosure
11.1 The Role of the University Court 49
12. Appendices
University Order of Council 2010 Appendix 1
Governance Framework Appendix 2
Standing Orders of Court and Schedules Appendix 3
Court Committee Terms of Reference Appendix 4
Membership of the University Court Appendix 5
Roles and Responsibilities of Court Members Appendix 6
New Court Member Mentoring Arrangements Appendix 7
Gifts and Hospitality and Anti-Bribery Policy Appendix 8
Public Interest Disclosure Policy Appendix 9
Useful Acronyms Appendix 10
Contact Details Appendix 11
1. THE UNIVERSITY
This section of the Handbook provides helpful background information regarding Glasgow Caledonian University, its mission, vision, strategic objectives and organisational structure. More detailed information can be obtained from the University website http://www.gcu.ac.uk/
1.1 History
Glasgow Caledonian University was formed on 1 April 1993 through the merger of The Queen’s College, Glasgow, and Glasgow Polytechnic. Glasgow Caledonian University was established by the Secretary of State for Scotland by the Glasgow Caledonian University (Establishment) (Scotland) Order of 1993 and was eligible for funding from the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council. A closure order shut down Glasgow Polytechnic and The Queen’s College, Glasgow, and their property rights and obligations were transferred to the new University’s Court, which replaced the governing bodies of the parent institutions.
Initially the University possessed 3 campuses - that of the former Polytechnic which was named City Campus, that of the former Queen’s College named Park Campus (sold to Glasgow University in January 2001) and the buildings leased by Queen’s College adjacent to Jordanhill College of Education named Southbrae Campus (this closed in 1998). The University is now located on one modern purpose built campus in the centre of Glasgow.
The aim of the new University was to offer non-elitist, high quality education and training to a wide and diverse range of students. It sought to collaborate with commercial and industrial organisations and other providers of education.
The University initially offered more than 140 undergraduate and post-graduate courses within 3 faculties and 22 departments. The original 3 faculty structure was made up of Health; Science and Technology, and Business.
In 1996 the University took over the contract for provision of pre-registration nursing and midwifery education from the Colleges of Nursing and Midwifery which were operated by the health boards. This moved this type of education into the tertiary education sector. In April 2004 the University’s Department of Nursing and Community Health was designated Scotland’s first World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for Nursing, and only the third in the UK.
Today, the University is made up of three academic schools offer a wide range of high quality programmes, professional training courses, research opportunities and consultancy services.
The School of Engineering and Built Environment is one of the leading schools for programmes in building and surveying in the UK. The school also carries out extensive research in partnership with industry, commerce and other academic institutions in the UK and overseas.
The Glasgow School for Business and Society integrates the areas of business, law and social sciences to ensure that they are well placed to meet the needs of business and society. The School has an international outlook and is committed to developing partnerships across the world.
The School of Health and Life Sciences is committed to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research and knowledge transfer across the disciplines of health, nursing and social care, biological and biomedical sciences, psychology and vision sciences.
Glasgow Caledonian University has established a distinctive identity in terms of its flexible, vocationally orientated academic programmes, its emphasis on life-long learning and the wide range of client groups it serves. It offers programmes in all of the SFC funding groups except medicine/dentistry and teacher education. All of our programmes are designed to offer students an effective combination of academic study and practical experience. In addition, students have the opportunity to develop a range of transferable skills essential for future career development, such as computing, foreign languages and communication skills. All programmes have a strong focus on ensuring that our graduates have the opportunity to enter a successful career in their chosen discipline. This strong careers focus is illustrated by the fact that the vast majority of Caledonian students looking for employment found a job or went on to further study within six months of graduation.
1.2 About the University
Dynamic and diverse
Glasgow Caledonian University has become one of the largest universities in Scotland with nearly 17,000 students. The campus is self–contained and situated right in the heart of the lively city of Glasgow.
Close-knit community
Glasgow Caledonian University attracts students from a wide range of backgrounds, from local school leavers to PhD students from all over the world. We pride ourselves on providing a friendly, modern and effective learning environment for all of our students.
Our strong commitment to increasing access to study and lifelong learning is illustrated by the fact that we have over 4,000 mature students and the largest number of part-time students in Scotland. Those who choose to study at Glasgow Caledonian University, will benefit from the university’s worldwide profile and have the opportunity to meet and get to know some of the many international students who study with us.
Our international students come from over 100 different countries throughout the world and bring with them a diversity and enthusiasm which undoubtedly enriches the Caledonian experience for everyone.
High-quality teaching
Glasgow Caledonian University has a well established reputation for providing high-quality teaching, learning and research which dates back throughout its founding institutions to 1875. All of our programmes are designed to offer students an effective combination of academic study and practical experience. In addition, students have the opportunity to develop a range of transferable skills essential for future career development, such as computing, foreign languages and communication skills.
Student-friendly environment
Caledonian University is rightly regarded as an extremely welcoming and friendly place in which to study. You’ll be on first-name terms with your lecturers and will benefit from our small class sizes and working on group projects with your fellow students. In addition to this, the university operates an open-door policy where students can drop in to talk with academics or support staff without an appointment.
Industry links
At Glasgow Caledonian University we have succeeded in building up strong links with industry over the years and many of the companies we deal with are world leaders in their field. These relationships benefit the university and our students in many ways. Not only do these companies employ our graduates and take student placements, they also work closely with the university on research and consultancy projects and have a strong input into the design and structure of our programmes.
1.3 The University’s Mission
Our mission as a University is to provide an outstanding inclusive learning environment underpinned by curiosity driven research allowing us to:
· share our knowledge and expertise;
· work in partnership with business, the professions and the public sector;
· create successful global graduates and citizens and deliver economic and social benefit for the communities we serve.
Our University is value-oriented and goal-directed.
1.4 The University’s Vision 2015
Our vision is to be a successful international university delivering access and excellence, with a strong commitment to the common good.
The University will be known for its:
Social Entrepreneurship
The University will engage in effective economic and social regeneration activities in the community, using our intellectual capital to commercialise what we do with flair.
Learning and Teaching
The University will have a modern, flexible and effective approach to teaching and learning, making best use of information and communication technologies to deliver a broadly based curriculum, which reflects its vision.
Academic Excellence in Research
The University will focus particularly on our areas of strength in:
· Health
· The Environment
· Creative Cultures
· Business and Technologies
· Social Justice
Graduates
The University will produce global citizens, who are employable, mobile, practical and resourceful.
Staff
The University will develop a friendly, confident, problem-solving and accessible approach with colleagues, displaying commitment to leadership development and to enhancing GCU’s social and emotional capital.
1.5 Our Values & Principles
The core values which underpin our vision are:
· Excellence
· Achievement
· Leadership
· International outlook
· Invention and innovation
· Trust and integrity
· Diversity
· Courage
The key principles guiding how we operate focus on:
· Equality of Opportunity: promoting social inclusion and social justice.
· Good Citizenship: promoting civic society and respect for others at home and abroad, and developing the social capital of the University.
· Partnership & Co-operative Working: working with others to achieve results, to maximise our impact and to add value to the work that we do.
· Good Governance: being accountable, fair and efficient in all we do.
· Accessibility & Approachability: being open and welcoming.
1.6 Our Strategic Goals
· Internationally networked: we will deliver excellence, competitiveness, and cultural diversity through new models of international collaborations with key partners in Scotland and around the world to extend our reach in education, research and development.
· Excellence in education: we will equip our students with the skills to excel in their chosen professions and succeed as global graduates and citizens through high-quality, flexible and accessible learning which harnesses the latest learning technologies. We will deliver curricula and associated learning opportunities which will attract international recognition for the attributes and employability of our graduates and ensure an outstanding student experience.
· Excellence in research: we will develop our key strengths, applying our research and transferring our knowledge and expertise through partnerships to provide solutions for business and society. We will strategically invest in world class applied research to meet the requirements of national and international benchmarks that will confirm the standing and quality of our research output.