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The Registrary



(Photo: Jonathan Nicolls (Registrary, 2007-2016) with the Vice-Chancellor,​
​ Sir Leszek Borysiewicz (2010-2017), and the Senate House Keeper, Terry Foreman, during the Chancellorship elections in 2011)

The current post-holder

Emma Rampton is the current Registrary.​​​​

History

The office of Registrary dates back to 1506; the first Registrary was Robert Hobys, who had previously been one of the University’s bedells (a University official responsible for collecting fees and fines, and maintaining lists, e.g. of graduates). The Registary’s original role was to compile and maintain the University’s records, and although the job is one of the longest continuously-held offices in UK higher education, the role has changed significantly since the post was first introduced.

The role today

The Registary is Secretary to the University Council, and formally of most of its principal committees, although these duties may be delegated. The Registrary is also Head of the Unified Administrative Service, which is responsible for the University’s central administrative functions, and which supports the academic faculties, departments and institutions in fulfilling the University’s mission. The Registrary ensures that the UAS delivers the services required by the University, and that the business of the central University is conducted in a coherent, proper and timely way. The UAS is divided into six Divisions, such as the Academic Division, the Finance Division, and the Human Resources Division, and the Registrary works closely with the Heads of those Divisions. 

The Registrary acts as the principal administrative officer of the University, and as such works closely with the Vice-Chancellor and Pro-Vice-Chancellors, providing strategic advice and briefing to them on a day-to-day basis. The Registrary interacts with and presents University policy to a wide range of senior internal and external contacts, such as Heads of Colleges, senior officers of Cambridge Assessment and Cambridge University Press, representatives of the local NHS Trusts and officials of Government and the numerous national funding agencies concerned with higher education.

Duties under Statute

The duties of the Registrary are prescribed by Statute C VI 1 as follows:

(a) to act as the principal administrative officer of the University, and as the head of the University's administrative staff;
(b) to keep a record of the proceedings of the University, and to attend for that purpose all Congregations of the Regent House and such other public proceedings of the University as may be specified by Statute or Ordinance or by the Council;
(c) to act as Secretary to the Council;
(d) to receive reports of Boards, Syndicates, and other bodies, and to deal with them as required by Statute or Ordinance;
(e) to be responsible for maintaining a register of members of the University, and keeping records of matriculations and class-lists, and of degrees, diplomas, and other qualifications;
(f) to edit Statutes and Ordinances and the Cambridge University Reporter;
(g) to perform such other duties as may be prescribed by Statute or Ordinance or by the Council.​

Subject to Council approval, the duties of the Registrary may be assigned or deputized to administrative officers.

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