Council is the main policy-making body of the University, with responsibility for planning its work and managing its resources.
The University Council met in the Council Room at The Old Schools on Monday 20 January for its first meeting of the 2020 calendar year. In his opening remarks, the Vice-Chancellor welcomed the new external member of Council, Gaenor Bagley. He noted that various Cambridge colleagues had been honoured in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List, including Professor Andy Neely, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Enterprise and Business Relations, who was awarded an OBE. The Vice-Chancellor updated the Council on the detailed and positive conversations the University is involved in with various parts of the British government, on subjects ranging from immigration to research funding.
Members of Council were updated on the current state of negotiations about the USS pensions scheme, and about the University’s proposed response to the latest USS consultation. Professor Eilís Ferran, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Institutional and International Relations, updated Council on pay disputes and the likelihood of further industrial action. Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research, Professor Chris Abell, presented a report on preparations for next year’s Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021).
Members of Council voted on, and approved, a report proposing the introduction of a final year classification for Cambridge B.A. (Honours) degree. They approved the Equality and Diversity Report, published on 31 January.
Council members expressed their gratitude and good wishes to Emma Stone, who will be stepping down as Director of the University’s Human Resources office later this year.