Acta: The enactment of a Grace, once
approved by the Regent House or Senate.
Ballot
of the Regent House: A
vote on a matter of significant University business in which all members of the
Regent House can take part.
Board
of Scrutiny: The ‘watchdog’
body of the University. It scrutinises the Annual Report of the Council, the
accounts of the University, and any Report of the Council proposing
allocations from the Chest. It also has the right to report to the University
on any matter falling within the scope of this scrutiny, and to examine the
policies of the University and the arrangements made for the implementation of
those policies
Chancellor: The Chancellor is the constitutional
head of the University, and is elected by the Senate; usually a renowned public
figure.
Congregation: A meeting of the Regent House –
primarily now for the conferment of degrees, and for the discussion of Reports.
Council: The principal executive and
policy-making body of the University. It has general responsibility for the
University’s administration, the planning of its work and the management of its
resources.
Discussions: The forum in which members of the
University can comment on University business by giving short speeches on
matters published in Reports. Discussions are usually held in the Senate House
every fortnight.
Fly-sheet: A written statement outlining the
views of Regent House members on questions which are the subject of a ballot;
fly-sheets are submitted to the Registrary and published alongside the voting
papers.
General
Board of the Faculties:
The body responsible for the academic and educational policy of the University.
It is accountable to the Council.
Grace: A formal recommendation concerning
University business, sanctioned by the Council and published in the Reporter.
Head
of House (Master/Mistress/President/Principal/Provost/Warden): The senior member, or head of each
College, is known generically as the Head of House. Heads of House may either
be academics, and hold the post concurrently with another position within the
University, or they may be from outside the world of academia but with a
distinguished career in another area.
Matriculation: Registration as a member of the
University.
Non-placet: A vote against a Grace (literally,
‘it does not please’).
Notice: A straightforward announcement, made by the Council, or another
authorised body, to inform the University of any changes in procedures or
regulations or just about events of interest, and published in the Reporter.
Placet: A vote of assent for a Grace
(literally, ‘it is pleasing’).
Proctor: Elected annually by the Regent
House. Their main duties are to represent the interests of Regent House
members, and to maintain discipline.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor: There are five Pro-Vice-Chancellors,
who support the Vice-Chancellor; each Pro-Vice-Chancellor has responsibilities
in a particular area, such as Planning and Resources, Research, Education,
International Strategy and Institutional Affairs.
Regent
House: The principal
electoral constituency and governing body of the University; membership
is largely comprised of academic and senior administrative staff of the University and Colleges.
Registrary: The principal administrative officer
of the University, and the head of the University’s administrative staff; secretary
to the Council.
Report:
Items for
consideration by the University are presented in the form of a Report to the
University, which is then brought forward to a Discussion.
Reporter: The official journal of the
University, for the publication of items that are integral to the progression
of University business.
Senate: All members of the University who
are members of the Regent House and/or who hold any Master’s or Doctor’s degree, or
the degree of Bachelor of Divinity, of the University, and the Chancellor and
Vice-Chancellor.
Statutes
and Ordinances: The
constitutional 'legislative' framework by which the University is governed.
Topic
of concern: A
particular area of concern or interest can be brought forward for discussion in the
Senate-House if so requested by ten members of the Regent House.
Vice-Chancellor: The principal academic and
administrative head of the University, appointed by the Council for a period of
up to seven years.