Governance in Higher Education Wendy Appleby Secretary to Council and Academic Secretary, Queen Mary, University of London Sophie Richardson President of Queen Mary Students’ Union

Governance – What’s it all about? Ensuring that the students have the ability to have an impact on the highest decision making body in the institution BUT… You’re there as a student governor looking after the best interests of the institution.

An Officer’s Perspective Be confident – you’re in the know! Take control Knowing who’s who It’s all about relationship building Be prepared

University Governance – A Council Secretary’s Perspective: how it’s Organised! Different types of institutions which mean different types of governance arrangements: Chartered, Post-92s, Companies. These are the legal basis for the creation of the higher education institution and determines the structure of the governing body Common features are: governing body (typically a Council or Board of Governors), sometimes an annual meeting such as a Court etc, an academic governance body such as a Senate or Academic Board, Audit and Risk Committee, Remuneration Committee Duties of governing body members – act in the interests of the organisation and not as a representative Managing conflicts of interest

Governance Relationships Relationship between Senate and Council or Academic Board and Board of Governors – ie corporate v academic governance. Relationship between the Students’ Union and the governing body (2) Education Act v Charities Act Where does the institutions senior management team fit in – management v governance

Types of Business Non-confidential for report, decision and oversight. Confidential Reserved Where students don’t attend: Audit and Risk Committee and RemCo + in some institutions Reserved business – and why not?

Queen Mary Definitions Reserved business is that business that makes reference to an identifiable person and contains sensitive personal information about that person. Student members and non-members, apart from the Council Secretariat, are required to leave when reserved business is discussed. Reserved business is also confidential and will remain so under the provisions of the relevant legislation on data protection and freedom of information. Confidential business is that business where disclosure of it beyond those present at the meeting might be damaging to QM. Often confidential business is commercial in its nature, relates to issues that might result in reputational damage or is in sensitive work in development. Non- members, except those individuals invited to be present by the Chairman, are required to leave when confidential business is discussed. Confidential business may become non-confidential at a future point.

Quiz Reserved, ordinary or confidential business: -Pay agreement for a new Pro-Vice Chancellor -Purchase of land near to the university -Annual accounts -Remuneration Committee report to Council -Tuition fee strategy

Quiz 2 Council business or not (and if not whose)? -National Student Survey results -Enrolment numbers -Appointing the auditors for the university -Approving the students’ union budget -Deciding to offer a new subject area -The research strategy

Quiz 3 Identify three things that you would do to build relationships with your governing body.