Following reviews during the 2007-08 academic year by both the Council and Senate, the University committee structure has been simplified and streamlined with a view to expediting the decision-making process and aligning it more closely to the University Strategy (‘Aston 2012’), eliminating the former replication of consideration of issues in different committees and optimising the use of the time spent by colleagues in committee work. The new structure aims to balance the need for managerial accountability and effective and efficient governance and management with the requirement to maintain the democratic procedures for representation of views set out in the University’s Charter and Statutes. The University's current committee system is set out in the Appendix to this paper.
COUNCIL AND ITS SUB-COMMITTEES
Council
The governing body of the University, overseeing institutional activities. More specifically, this includes approving the University Strategy, long-term business plans, high-level Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and annual budgets, and ensuring that these meet the needs of stakeholders. The Council also ensures compliance with the Statutes, Ordinances and provisions regulating the University, as well as its framework of governance, and monitors systems of control and accountability, including financial and operational controls and risk assessment.
Audit Committee
Oversees the arrangements for monitoring and review of internal control systems, internal and external audit, the appointment of auditors, and the arrangements of the University for securing economy, University policy on fraud and irregularity, efficiency and effectiveness. It is also responsible, under delegation from the Council, for examining the University’s risk management control (risk management itself being properly a responsibility of the Executive).
Finance and Major Projects Committee
Exercises the powers delegated by Council in relation to the finances of the University, and renders appropriate reports. The work of the Committee is focused in particular on ensuring that institutional resources are deployed in accordance with the University Strategy. This includes the review and commendation of major capital investments in estates and in ICT.
Nominations Committee
Makes recommendations to the Council on the appointment of lay governors.
Remuneration Committee
Determines salaries, terms and conditions of the Vice-Chancellor and the Executive Team, and takes an overview of senior staff remuneration more broadly.
JOINT SUB-COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL AND SENATE
Strategy Review Committee
Contributes to, oversees and evaluates the draft University Strategy prepared by the Executive, and reviews and monitors the agreed Strategy, with particular reference to the needs to integrate the strategic, academic and resource-related aspects of the planning process. The Committee also examines, and monitors, on behalf of the Council and Senate, institutional ‘sub-strategies’ which underpin the overall University Strategy.
SENATE AND ITS SUB-COMMITTEES
Senate
The supreme academic authority of the University, responsible for the award of degrees, and for the regulation and superintendence of academic programmes (teaching and research). It also regulates the admission, examination and discipline of students, and has responsibility for the oversight and maintenance of academic standards, exercised both through its Learning and Teaching and Research Committees (see below).
Sub-Committees to oversee the development and delivery of academic strategy
Learning and Teaching Committee
Also undertakes work in the areas of teaching quality and standards, collaborative teaching provision, undergraduate and postgraduate programmes management, undergraduate admissions, and widening participation.
Research Committee
Also considers and makes recommendations concerning the regulation, assurance and enhancement of the quality and standards of research degree programmes, including the supervision, training and examination of postgraduate research students.
Community Engagement Committee
Also encompasses relevant academic aspects of the University’s business partnerships activity.
International Strategy Committee
Develops, enables and evaluates the implementation of the University’s international strategy.
Sub-Committees to perform necessary regulatory work on behalf of Senate
Academic Appeals Committee
Considers appeals against the decision of a Board of Examiners for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes of a procedural or personal nature.
Disciplinary Board
Appointed by the Senate to consider and adjudicate upon any matters referred to it which are prima facie breaches of discipline, and to consider appeals against decisions of authorised University Officers.
Complaints Committee
Appointed by the Senate and Council, and chaired by a lay member of Council. Considers student complaints in respect of their experience at the University, including services and facilities provided by Schools or support departments.
Ethics Committee
Provides advice to Senate on the development, implementation and review of institutional procedures and guidelines relating to ethical issues arising from teaching, research, consultancy and other related activities, taking into account emerging issues of institutional, national or international significance. The Ethics Committee will develop and maintain a broad framework of guidelines within which Schools may establish local codes of ethics. Considers and approves on behalf of Senate the acceptability of standards of safety and welfare of human experimental subjects in all projects carried out in the University.
School Boards
Responsible (pending a review to be undertaken of the School Board role, in the light of requirements of the ‘Aston 2012’ Strategy) for the academic and resource-related affairs of its School and for submitting recommendations thereon to the Executive Dean of School, the Vice-Chancellor and the Senate.
Interdisciplinary and Work-based Programme Board
Oversees the development and delivery of interdisciplinary programmes, including Combined Honours.
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