MyGlasgow News

The Senate of the University of Glasgow has approved plans for a Council of Senate.  The vote was 208 for the proposal and 11 against. The meeting was chaired by the Principal, Professor Anton Muscatelli.

‌In his opening remarks in support of the Council of Senate proposal, Professor Muscatelli said the attractions lay in the ability to be quorate, proportional to the academic areas of the University and also a good indication of academic opinion within the University. Another benefit of the Council would be the opportunity to have elected and voting members from the student community.

Professor John Briggs, Clerk of Senate, said: "The document we have before us today is the result of a process of discussion and consultation and Senate at its meeting in October was content with the proposal as it now stands."

"I can reassure you that I take the responsibilities of my office of Clerk of Senate very seriously. I will jealously guard the primacy of Senate as the overriding academic body of this University and I am sure my successors will do the same." John Briggs

The extraordinary meeting was told that it will be possible for a meeting of Senate to be called at any time by a minimum of 5 members petitioning the Convenor of Senate calling for a meeting (as is currently the case). It is also planned to hold a meeting of Senate in two year's time to review the workings of the Council. 

‌The new body will have a total membership of approximately 125, with a quorum of 80. This compares to the full Senate which has 570 members, most of whom are ex-officio, with a quorum of 190. There is a view that the current Senate is too big to operate effectively in its decision-making.  

As he announced the result of the ballot in the Bute Hall, Principal Anton Muscatelli said it was an historic day for the University.

 

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First published: 24 January 2014