The Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh (Scotland) Order of Council 2007

The Court

Composition

4.—(1) The governing body of the University is the Court.

(2) The membership of the Court shall not exceed 24 persons and shall comprise–

(a) lay members of a number determined in accordance with paragraph (3), being not less than 12 and not more than 16, appointed by the Court in accordance with its rules and procedures from time to time with the aim of the Court having a broad range of skills and experience represented on it;

(b) the Principal;

(c) the Vice-Principal, or if there are 2 Vice-Principals, both of them, or if there are more than 2 Vice-Principals, such 2 Vice-Principals as are nominated by the Principal;

(d) 3 members of staff of the University–

(i) one appointed by the Senate from among its members who are academic staff;

(ii) one elected by the academic staff of the University from among the academic staff; and

(iii) one elected by all other staff of the University from among such staff; and

(e) 2 student members, being the president of the students' association representing the student body of the University approved from time to time by the Court for this purpose and one other office-bearer of the association to be selected by the association.

(3) The Court shall from time to time by resolution determine, subject to the limits in paragraph (2)(a), the number of lay members to be appointed under that sub-paragraph.

(4) Each member appointed in terms of paragraphs (2)(b), (c) and (e) is appointed ex officio.

Election of certain members

(5) The Court shall–

(a) make rules for the election of members to be elected by the academic staff from among such staff under paragraph (2)(d)(ii); and

(b) make rules for the election of members to be elected by all other staff from among such staff under paragraph (2)(d)(iii).

(6) Any rules made by the Court under paragraph (5) may, after such consultation as the Court sees fit with the academic staff of the University, or all other staff of the University, as the case may be, be revoked and replaced, or varied, by further rules made by the Court from time to time.

(7) The Court shall be responsible for the holding and conduct of any election to be held for the appointment of members under paragraph (2)(d)(ii) or (iii).

Organisational

(8) The Court has the entire control and management of the University.

(9) The functions and duties of the Court shall (without imposing any limitation on its general powers as provided for in article 3) include–

(a) overseeing the University’s activities, determining its mission and future direction, fostering an environment in which the objects of the University are achieved and providing strategic input on all material policy or other matters affecting the University (including the adoption and publication of a statement of primary responsibilities of the Court);

(b) appointing and regulating committees of its own members or committees of its own members and other persons;

(c) setting up within the University such departments, schools, faculties and other units of organisation and delegating to them, in accordance with paragraphs (10) to (12), such functions, duties and powers as it sees fit;

(d) employing staff and other contractors and regulating their engagement;

(e) appointing a Chancellor;

(f) appointing a Principal;

(g) appointing one or more Vice-Principals, a Secretary and other office holders to have such powers as the Court may see fit;

(h) making regulations, byelaws and standing orders for the exercise of the functions and duties of the Court acting on behalf of the University;

(i) providing facilities to carry on any activities which are necessary or desirable to enable the University to fulfil its objects;

(j) establishing and monitoring systems of control and accountability including financial and operational controls and risk assessment; and

(k) reviewing and monitoring the management of the University and its performance.

Delegation

(10) Subject to paragraphs (11) and (12) and any other provision preventing delegation, the Court shall be entitled to delegate all or any of its functions, powers and duties to any person or body provided that such delegation is approved by a two-thirds majority of the Court.

(11) The following matters are reserved to the Court–

(a) the solvency of the University;

(b) the determination of strategic direction or policy matters affecting the University;

(c) the employment arrangements and monitoring of performance of the Principal;

(d) the consideration of the amendment or revocation of this Order;

(e) the approval of an annual business plan and annual budget;

(f) the strategy for risk management;

(g) the review and the monitoring of the management of the University and its performance;

(h) the appointment and terms of engagement of a Secretary; and

(i) the approval of the University’s annual audited accounts.

(12) The Court shall not delegate any matter it considers to be material relating to–

(a) safeguarding the property, assets or undertaking of the University;

(b) approving any significant commercial activities involving the University;

(c) establishing and monitoring systems of control and accountability within the University; or

(d) strategy for establishing and monitoring of any entity with which the University is involved.