Principles of Membership of the Senate

1. Active participation by all Senators is paramount to the success of the Senate.

a. The Senate is a collegial and respectful space for the academic governance of the global University.

b. Senators have a duty to participate in discussions and all Senators have an equal say on the matters before the Senate, regardless of role,[1] seniority, or location, and can speak without fear of censure for expressing views in the common academic interest.[2]

2. Senators are regarded as members of the Senate as individuals with diverse academic experience.

a. Senators are appointed or elected in an individual capacity, and are expected to take a University-wide perspective on issues before them.

b. Individual Senators are not delegates of the areas from which they are drawn, and nor is their role that of advancing the interests of those areas.

c. Notwithstanding this, and having regard to the Senate's role in underpinning collegiality, Senators are expected informally to take soundings from colleagues on non-reserved matters of particular interest prior to meetings of the Senate and report back to colleagues subsequently.[3]

[1] With the exception of the Principal, who has some specified rights and responsibilities as Chair of the Senate

[2] If uncertain on any points, Senators are encouraged to raise specific issues with the Chair, or the Secretary, during or outwith Senate meetings

[3] Such seeking of views can only be on an informal basis, and Senators cannot be expected to in any way ‘represent’ groups of Staff or Students. Nor can Senators be ‘mandated’ on any particular matter by those who elect them.