University of Cambridge: Excellence in Education, Learning, and Research

1. The University's Mission and Core Values Mission The mission of the University of Cambridge is to contribute to society through the pursuit of education, learning, and research at the highest international levels of excellence. • Core values • The University's core values are as follows: • freedom of thought and expression • freedom from discrimination • Education • the encouragement of a questioning spirit • quality and depth of provision across all subjects • the close inter-relationship between teaching, scholarship, and research • strong support for individual researchers as well as research groups • an extensive range of academic subjects in all major subject groups • residence in Cambridge as central to most courses • education which enhances the ability of students to learn throughout life

2. The University's relationship with society • the widest possible student access to the University • the contribution which the University can make to society through the pursuit, dissemination, and application of knowledge • the place of the University within the broader academic and local community • opportunities for innovative partnerships with business, charitable foundations, and healthcare • concern for sustainability and the relationship with the environment

3. The Collegiate University • the relationship between the University and the Colleges as fundamental to the nature of Cambridge • the interdisciplinary nature of the Colleges as a major stimulus to teaching and learning • the enhanced quality of experience for students and staff through College membership

4. The University is a common law corporation, consisting of Chancellor, Masters and Scholars who have “from time out of mind” had the government of their members. It can act in relation to charitable, ecclesiatical and public trusts as a trust corporation

5. SELF GOVERNING COMMUNITY OF SCHOLARS Senate Regent House General Board Council School Councils: Arts and Humanities; Humanities and Social Sciences; Biological Sciences; Physical Sciences; Technology; Clinical School Non-School institutions: 26 eg UL, some museums Departments & Faculties

6. The CouncilThe Council is the principal executive and policy-making body of the University. It has overall responsibility for the administration of the University, for defining its mission, for planning its work, and for the management of its resources. The Council deals with relations between the University and the Colleges, conducts negotiations with outside bodies on many matters (other than those relating directly to the educational and research programme of the University, which are dealt with by the General Board). The Council consists of:the Chancellor (who does not usually attend); the Vice-Chancellor (the usual Chairman); nineteen elected members in the following classes:four Heads of Colleges; four Professors or Readers; eight other members of the Regent House; three current students of the University (one must be a graduate student). The Council also includes two External members who are appointed by Grace of the Regent House. The External members may not be employed by the University or a College. One of the External members chairs the Council's Audit Committee.

7. The Regent House The Regent House is the governing body and principal electoral constituency of the University. It has more than 3,800 members (the roll of membership is published in Reporter in November), comprising University Officers, Heads and Fellows of Colleges and certain other categories defined by Ordinance.

8. The General Board of the Faculties • The principal duty of the General Board (as it is usually abbreviated) is to advise the University on educational policy and to control the resources necessary for the proper implementation of that policy. It is responsible for maintaining a high standard of teaching and research, and for ensuring that University teaching officers satisfactorily perform their duties and fulfil their conditions of appointment. • In recent times the General Board has become much involved in national programmes of assessment and evaluation of teaching and research, and with important initiatives in the area of equal opportunities. • Some aspects of the General Board's work must pass through the legislative machinery of the Regent House, although it now has delegated powers to make Ordinances regulating various academic matters. • The General Board consists of: • the Vice-Chancellor (as Chairman); • eight members of the Regent House appointed by the Councils of the Schools; • four members of the Regent House appointed by the Council (subject to certain procedural qualifications to ensure sufficient overlap between membership of the Board and that of the Council). • two student members, one of whom must be a graduate student, elected by current students in the University.

9. The Board of Scrutiny The powers delegated to the two principal executive bodies, the Council and the General Board, have been extended in recent years. This has been balanced in the new constitution by re-affirmation of the role of the Regent House as the governing body of the University. The Council now submits an Annual Report to the Regent House which, with the Annual Estimates and Accounts, is subject to examination and public review on behalf of the Regent House by the Board of Scrutiny. The Board consists of the Proctors and Pro-Proctors and eight elected members of the Regent House none of whom may hold a senior administrative office, or be a member of the central bodies. The Board publishes an Annual Report to the University and has the right to see any documents which are relevant to its enquiries. The Board usually interviews a number of senior administrative officers each year.

10. The Councils of the SchoolsThe term 'School' in Cambridge usually indicates an administrative grouping of related subjects. There are six Schools: the Physical Sciences; the Biological Sciences, including Veterinary Medicine; the Clinical Sciences; Technology; the Arts and Humanities; and the Humanities and Social Sciences.Each of these bodies covers a specified group of Faculties. Each has an elected supervisory body - The Council of the School - comprising representatives of the constituent faculties and departments in each School. At least one member of each Council must be a member of the General Board. Each Council acts as a co-ordinating organisation for its group of Faculties, and filters much academic business before its transmission to the General Board. MAIN ACADEMIC PLANNING VEHICLE; RESPONSIBLE FOR STRATEGIC ACADEMIC PLAN FORMULATION AND DELIVERY

11. Graces, Reports, Notices & Discussions Graces A 'Grace' or motion for decision is presented to the Regent House by the Council. It is published in the University's weekly journal, Cambridge University Reporter and, for most minor matters, a footnote of explanation will be appended to it. If no objection or amendment is made by at least twenty-five members within ten days, the Grace is deemed to have been approved. If a vote is called, voting is by postal ballot. A separate procedure exists under which fifty or more members of the Regent House may initiate a Grace independently of the Council. Very occasionally Graces are submitted to the Senate. Reports More complex matters and proposals are presented in the form of a Report, again published in Reporter, with more detailed recommendations. Such a Report is first put up for Discussion, that is, open debate in the Senate-House. Any remarks made at the Discussion are then considered by the body responsible for originating the recommendations, who advise the Council on the response to be made.

12. Notices The response by the Council to any remarks made in a Discussion is contained in a statement or Notice, also published in Reporter. Such a Notice normally ends by submitting the proposals to the Regent House in the form of a Grace, incorporating any amendments made after the Discussion. The procedure then allows either for approval without dissent, or, if requested, for a ballot. • Discussions • Discussions are the forum in which members of the University can comment publicly on University business. They are held on Tuesdays at 2pm and usually take place in the Senate-House. Announcements of particular Discussions and of the matters to be discussed are published in the Reporter. • In addition to members of the Regent House and all other members of the Senate, the following persons are also entitled to attend and speak at Discussions. • graduates of the University who are not members of the Senate • members of Faculties • students in the University • any other person who has been authorised by the Vice-Chancellor

13. Right to run own affairs??? • Only if delivering and more independent of state funding • Does it work? Up to a point—second in world, first in teaching • Regent House problems--it doesn’t work • How do we engage more staff? • Green papers • Top down vs bottom up • What about contract research staff? • Closing/opening activity • More external representation on bodies? Charity Laws. Conflicts of interest. • Too many internal agendas? • Over dependence on public sector funds undermines autonomy