Welcome to the Support Services Conference 2007

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“UNIVERSITY COUNCIL- anchor in the past or engine

for the future?”

Jim Foulds, Chair of Council and Pro Chancellor,The University of Bristol

Support Services Conference 2007

Outline of presentation1. Introduction2. Coping with a world in a constant state

of change3. What is Council? – role; membership;

agendas4. Anchor in the past? 5. Engine for the future?6. Conclusion

1: INTRODUCTION

• Some general comments

• Own background

• Independence of the institution within a national context

• Need for transparent governance

• Desire to keep staff involved

2 : A world of constant change• Impact of University mission statement• Impact of University values statement• Impact of Government policy• Impact of change in society’s attitudes• Impact of political and economic trends• Impact of information technology• Impact of technological change• Impact of environmental change• Council project

3.1 : What is Council? - Role

• Council, including its main committees, is the supreme governing body of the University

• Key tasks :

• Policy making/strategic duties• Appointments• Teaching and research• Financial aspects• Compliance and constitutional matters

3.2 : What is Council? Membership

• How are Council members chosen?

• What are members responsibilities?

• Council members do’s and don'ts

3.3: What is Council? - Agendas

• How constructed? – • Calendar;

• Information;

• Decisions;

• Monitoring

• Who brings items?

4.1: Anchor in the past?

• ‘Key’ guardian of values• ‘Key’ supporter of the ‘mission’• Reservoir of past experience • Source of continuity • Often an advocate of evolution

[rather than revolution]

4.2: Anchor in the past?

• Monitors agreed action• Audits compliance• Assesses risks• Acts as an appeals ‘court’

5.1: Engine for the future?

• Provides additional professional/technical input to strategy

• Provides additional professional/technical input to policies

• Adds wider view of possibilities from the world outside education

5.2: Engine for the future?

• Compares standards with practice in other types of organisation

• Is less vulnerable to ‘special pleading’ • Has the ability to ‘stand back’ and

take a more detached view of decisions

6.1 :Conclusion

• As trustees, Council members must have a strong attachment to our roots, values and good governance

• Likewise as trustees, Council members must help the organisation achieve its mission and fulfil its maximum potential

6.2 : Thanks!• A big thank you to all our support staff, from

Council, for all your…..• Hard work• Professional and technical input• Superb commitment• Great enthusiasm• Fine achievements.......

• Without which this University would not be rated so highly in the world of research, teaching and learning and its contribution to society

6.3 : Final Quotation!

“Cling to those ideas handed down from the past that are good whilst grasping those new ideas that are

better……..”

[An engraving over the door of a ‘professional recycling’ college in France]