Academic Board Terms of Reference

Academic board

Terms of Reference

Subject to the provisions of the Articles of Association, to the overall responsibility of the University Council and the responsibilities of the Vice-Chancellor, Academic Board shall be responsible for the following:

1. To oversee the development and enhancement of the academic activities of the University, and to advise the Vice-Chancellor and the Council accordingly.
2. To maintain oversight of the relationship between academic and resource planning.
3. To oversee academic policy relating to:
   • i. Research and scholarship;
   • ii. Learning and teaching;
   • iii. The academic portfolio, including the approval and closure of courses;
   • iv. The recruitment and admission of students;
   • v. Academic regulations including those relating to assessment and the classification of awards;
   • vi. Arrangements for the management of academic standards and academic quality, including with respect to; the validation, monitoring and review of courses; external examiners and panel members; student representation and feedback;
   • vii. Procedures for the approval and award of qualifications and honorary academic titles;
   • viii. The academic experience of students, including student support and guidance; and appeals and complaints;
   • ix. The University’s arrangements for collaborative provision.
4. To ensure alignment with sectoral reference points and to consider and approve reports and responses to external bodies, related to the academic work of the University.
5. To establish such committees as it considers necessary to enable it to carry out its responsibilities, provided that each establishment is first approved by the Vice-Chancellor; the membership of any such Committee, and the terms of reference shall be determined by the Academic Board.
6. To delegate authority to Boards of Examiners, to administer the arrangements for the conferment of the University’s awards upon individual students who have satisfied the requirements of conferment.
7. To advise on other matters referred to it by the Vice-Chancellor or the University Council.
8. To consider equality and diversity issues arising from the remit of the Board.
9. To consider risk issues arising from the work of the Board.
10. To ensure compliance with any regulatory requirements for registration with the Office for Students which fall within the remit of the Committee.

Specific Policy Responsibilities

Individual policies are delegated to sub-committees or individual postholders with major changes to be approved by Academic Board.

Terms of Office

Academic Staff Members: 3 years
General Staff Members: 3 years
An individual is eligible to stand again and serve a second term but shall then step down.
Academic Staff Member of Council: determined by their term of office of Council.
Representatives from the Students’ Union: determined by their term of office in the Students’ Union.

Mode of Operation

Chair: Vice-Chancellor
Vice Chair: Deputy Vice Chancellor
Officer: Head of Academic Registry

Co-options

Up to three per year.

Quorum

Half of the total membership (excluding co-options if relevant) which must include either the designated Chair or Vice-Chair.

Frequency of Meetings

Normally up to 5 times per year, occurring in October, December, February, May, and July.

Reporting Line

University Council

Sub-Committees

Academic Affairs Committee
Research Committee
Honorary Awards Committee
Senior Academic Appointments Panel

Delegated Boards

Module and Award Boards of Examiners

Submission / Availability of Minutes

Summaries of all minutes will be forwarded to the University Council and held by the Registrar’s Directorate. Minutes will also be published on the University website.

Membership		Appointment Dates	Term of office
Vice-Chancellor (Chair)	Clare Marchant	N/A	ex officio
Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Provost (Vice-Chair)	Prof Jackie Labbe	N/A	ex officio
Chief Operating Officer	Dr Matthew Andrews	N/A	ex officio
Head of School, Business, Computing, and Social Sciences	Prof Cathia Jenainati	N/A	ex officio
Head of School, Creatives	Prof Angus Pryor	N/A	ex officio
Head of School, Education & Applied Sciences	Dr Graham Parton	N/A	ex officio
Head of School, Health	Rakhee Aggarwal	N/A	ex officio
Director of CCRI	Dr Matt Reed	N/A	ex officio
Academic Staff Member of Council	Dr Louise Livesey	Ends 26 Nov 26	ex officio
Two academic staff members	Dr Julia Webb Vacancy	Jun 21 – May 24	1st term
Two professional services staff members	Vacancy Dr Louisa Watts	Apr 23 – Mar 26	1st term
Two representatives from the Students’ Union	Ibby Williams Bobola Ajibola	Jul 23 – Jun 24 Jul 23 – Jun 24	appointed appointed

• The Academic Staff Member of Council serves ex officio on Academic Board for as long as they hold that position on Council.
• Academic and professional services staff members are appointed on a skills basis through a process of application and selection.
• The representatives from the Students’ Union are appointed by the Students’ Union.
• The Academic Board appoints one of its members to membership of Council. The person appointed can serve on Council for as long as they remain a member of the Academic Board subject to a maximum period of 8 years.