Further particulars - Ordinances and Regulations Committee Vacancy

Further information on the role

Thank you for looking further into the role on the Ordinances and Regulations Committee. We hope the information below is helpful and that you choose to apply.

Lay members of the Ordinances and Regulations Committee are independent of the University and contribute by providing an external perspective on our governance documents. Membership is for a three-year term, with the option to be considered for two further three-year terms.

Committee members would be expected to demonstrate:

• Familiarity with key topics within the remit of the Committee (for example, regulatory practice);
• Familiarity with legislation and processes which impact on the work of the Committee (for example, the University Charter and Statutes);
• Knowledge of good practice in areas relevant to the Committee’s remit, for example, experience of working within a regulatory or constitutional framework;
• The ability to independently scrutinise and comment on proposals (for example, proposed changes to Ordinances and Regulations or reviews of the University’s Charter and Statutes);
• Experience of providing advice to improve areas within the Committee’s remit;
• The University’s values of Inspire, Belong, Collaborate and Celebrate;
• Experience of promoting equality, diversity and inclusion; and
• The ability to regularly attend meetings and contribute to discussions.

If you can demonstrate most, but not all, of the criteria above then please do not hesitate to apply. The University Secretary, the governance team and fellow governors are all on hand to help new members, and induction is provided to help governors develop their knowledge and skills.

The Ordinances and Regulations Committee is part of the University’s governance structure, reporting to the Court and the Senate. By focusing on Regulations and Ordinances, the Committee helps the Court and Senate to ensure that the University has clear and effective governance arrangements in place.

The Committee normally meets two or three times a year, with meetings lasting around two hours. Members will prepare for meetings by reviewing the papers circulated, which should take no more than half a day on each occasion. In addition, lay members of the Court Committees are invited to attend two Court Strategy Days per year on the Edinburgh Campus, one in November and one in May. The total time commitment for the role is approximately five days per academic year.

Ordinances and Regulations Committee meetings usually take place via Microsoft Teams. Meetings are normally scheduled from 10am – 12pm (UK time). One meeting may be held on the Edinburgh Campus each year, with the option of attendance via Teams if members cannot make the journey to Edinburgh. Members of the Committee are also encouraged to take a general interest in activities open to them to develop their understanding of the University and its community.