Structure of the Business Committee

• twenty members of the General Council elected by its members;
• a Convener and a Vice-Convener appointed by the Business Committee;

and, ex officio:

• three General Council Assessors appointed to the University Court;
• the Chancellor's Assessor; and
• the Secretary of the General Council

The Business Committee fulfils those responsibilities of the General Council delegated to it between the statutory half yearly meetings. 

To meet these responsibilities the Business Committee meets five times per year, on Thursdays at 5.15pm, in the central area of the University.

Minutes of the meetings provide more information about the work of the Committee. 

More information about the role of elected members:

The work of the Business Committee is supported by standing committees, each of which focuses on an important aspect of the University i.e. academic; constitutional; finance and services; international and public affairs.  In each case the committee meets with the relevant University staff and/or students to review key contemporary issues on its agenda, reporting back to the Business Committee and the General Council. Each committee typically meets 4 times per year and further information about the work of the committees can be found from reading the reports from the most recent meetings written by the Conveners.

The Business Committee assists the General Council in its statutory governance obligations with regard to such important functions as:

• The election of the Chancellor;
• The statutory half yearly meetings open to all General Council members, held on a Saturday in February and June.  These are important events.  In February, by statute, the Principal presents his Annual Report, giving members the opportunity to ask questions pertaining to the wellbeing and prosperity of the University.  In June, the formal General Council meeting offers an opportunity for members to engage with some aspect of the University's work in a more direct way;
• The General Council is represented, through members drawn from its Business Committee, on the selection panel for General Council Assessors;
• In the statutory consultative role in the making of the University Ordinances and the passing of University resolutions.

The General Council’s statutory obligations are set out in the Constitutional Arrangements:

There are opportunities for Business Committee members to engage with the wider University community and assist in a number of ways, e.g:

• representation at University graduations and other events
• social events organised by the Business Committee
• participation in voluntary activities in support of some aspect of the University's work e.g mentoring
• initiatives undertaken after discussion with the University, e.g. General Council Prince Philip scholarship Fund.

The Business Committee is committed to attracting members from diverse backgrounds to engage in its endeavours.