VC's address to Senate - June 2017

Friday, 07 July 2017

The University Senate had its second meeting of the year on 29 June 2017.

In his opening remarks to the Senate, Vice-Chancellor Sir David Bell said: “When Senators dispersed at the end of the last meeting in March, none of us could have anticipated that our next gathering would be held in the aftermath of a general election. Against the opinion poll predictions, the outcome was a surprise but, of course, we await to see what the implications will be for higher education.”

He said the funding environment could become less predictable, as Britain negotiated the terms of its exit from the European Union. However, there was much that the University could do to shape and control our destiny.

The Vice-Chancellor’s address covered four areas – TEF Silver rating for the University; capital expenditure priorities; doctoral loans for the 2018-19 academic year; and, Graduate Outcomes.

You can read the full transcript of the Vice-Chancellor’s address to the Senate.

Senate is the University’s main academic administrative body. Reporting to the Council and meeting at least four times a year, the Senate advises on areas such as student entry, assessment and awards.

With around 100 members, the Senate comprises Deans, Heads and elected representatives of Schools, as well as professional staff and students. University Boards responsible for developments and innovation in research, teaching and learning report to the Senate.