You are here

  1. Home
  2. Governance
  3. University committees

University committees

The Open University is governed, to a significant extent, by committees. Further information on the formal committee structure can be found on the Government Structure and the Academic Structure pages of this site.

The primary University committees are the Council and the Senate, but within their substructures a number of committees exercise delegated authority on their behalf.

The purpose, terms of reference, mode of operation and membership composition of each formal University Committee is set out in their constitutions.

Committee members hold their positions either by virtue of their role (ex officio) or by election or appointment. OU staff are encouraged to contribute to the work of the University's Committees by standing for election.

The Senate approved the Standing Orders, which, although they do not apply formally to other bodies, are used as advice to all Committee Chairs about the procedure of business. The Standing Orders (pdf 136kb) contains policy information on membership categories, elections and co options, attendance, the conduct of meetings, openness and information and classification of documents. Information on Membership of OU Governance Committees (pdf 136kb) and how they are filled is published as Appendix 1 of the Standing Orders. Details of the Role and Responsibilities of Members (pdf 136kb) is Appendix 2 of the orders. Elections to membership of the Senate, and other committees in the academic governance structure shall be concluded in accordance with the Code of Practice for Elections to OU Governance Committees (pdf 136kb), is published as Appendix 3. The code also outlines the procedures to be followed in the event of a casual vacancy arising on the Senate, or for a Senate elected member on another committee.

The quorum for meetings of the Council is specified in the Statutes (pdf 305kb), and for Council Committees in their constitutions. The quorum for meetings of the Senate is 50% plus 1.

Information on the formal committees of the University including their constitutions, papers and minutes can be found in the Governance Sharepoint pages. Please note that members of the public will be unable to access this restricted area.

Committee Member Privacy Notice (pdf 132kb)