All staff and other members of the collegiate University are invited to contribute to the discussion on changing membership criteria for Regent House
The Regent House is the largest decision-making body in the University, and the embodiment of the University as a democratic institution. Membership of the Regent House confers the right to approve the acts or decisions of the University (such approving major building projects or budget reports) as well as to elect members of the University Council and the Board of Scrutiny. Read more about the Regent House.
The University is consulting on changing the criteria by which University staff are eligible for membership of the Regent House. The current criteria are based on holding a University office or a specific post, but these increasingly do not reflect the situation on the ground, leading to instances where two members of staff may be doing similar jobs, but one is a member of Regent House and one is not.
The Council is proposing to replace the current criteria with a simple eligibility threshold based on staff grade. There are two choices for where this threshold is set: at Grade 9, or at Grade 7 with a three years’ service requirement for those in Grades 7 and 8.
All staff, alongside other members of the collegiate University, have the opportunity to give their views on the proposed changes. There is an online Q&A event on 16 March, then a formal Discussion on 23 March, both of which are open to all staff. Staff are also welcome to submit comments by email. Current members of the Regent House will then be asked to take part in indicative votes on the proposals.
For full details of the proposed changes, as well as how to attend the consultation events or submit comments, see this Notice in the Reporter.
It is important to note that no changes are being proposed to membership eligibility deriving from a College role. The Council has also determined that no staff should lose Regent House membership as a result of any changes, so any current Regent House members who would not be eligible for membership under the new criteria will nevertheless retain their individual membership until it expires for another reason (e.g. leaving the University).