Introduction

This handbook is intended primarily for secretaries who support the formal University Committees. However, committee chairs and members and those involved with School/service level committees may also find some of the information useful.

Committee Governance is overseen by Academic Registry on behalf of the Chief Operating Officer who has ultimate responsibility. The Academic Registrar’s Office and the Strategic Planning Team provide committee secretaries for many formal committees, although a number are serviced by staff from sections relevant to the business of the committee.  

Universities are highly complex organisations with both diverse missions and diverse stakeholders. Despite changes to the funding regime, most receive substantial sums in public funds, either directly or indirectly through the loans taken out by undergraduate students. Whilst many position themselves as global institutions, they also recognise their responsibilities to their local communities and of course to their students and staff. The environment in which universities operate is also changing rapidly. Making the right decisions, and being seen to have rigorous processes for decision-making, are critical in this challenging context.

Committees are a core part of the University's governance structure and decision-making processes. Committees ensure that decisions are fully considered and formally recorded, and they also have a key role in the oversight and assurance of University business. Assurance is about how the University ensures adequate and effective risk management, control and value for money. 

Discussing issues and making decisions through committees ensures that the University is operating transparently and is accountable for its activities. Relevant committees play a key role in determining and implementing overall strategy and consider decisions on major projects and initiatives. They will also be involved when changes are being considered to the University’s policies and some operational procedures, including changes to the formal governance framework set out in the Charter, Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations.

The role of Committees should not be confused with the role of staff with management responsibilities within the institution. Senior staff, led by the Vice-Chancellor and the senior team, are responsible for the day to day running of the University, delivery of its key activities and the implementation of its policies and procedures. In appropriate circumstances, to ensure business is expedited in a timely manner, certain Committee powers have been delegated to individual officers. The Schedule of Delegation clearly outlines where authority rests within the University for particular decisions made in the name of or on behalf of the University. 

Committee members are drawn from across the University and include staff, students and external (lay members). Committees make a key contribution to collegiality at Loughborough and are essential for the effective handling of much University business. Lay members of Committees provide external challenge and expertise in specific areas of business and, as many are also members of Council, they contribute to assuring Council about the effective governance of the University.