Sessional_Paper_1938 — Page 252

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Report.

81. As regards the Senate, we are strongly of the opinion that its sphere should be rigidly confined to academic matters.

This would seem to be implicit under the specific terms of seventeen of the eighteen paragraphs of Statute 10, but the whole of these are nullified by the very wide terms of paragraph 8 of that Statute, which reads:-

"To discuss and declare an opinion on any matter whatsoever relating to the Uni- versity".

The simple deletion of that paragraph would in our opinion be of great advantage to the dis- cipline of the University.

82. Even though the question may in prac- tice only very rarely arise we consider that the present almost invulnerable status of the members of the staff ensured by Statute 17 of the Ordin- ance might casily be dangerous.

The individual concerned must be fully entitled to appeal against any such decision; but the de- cision, we are satisfied, should originally lie with the Council, or even with the Vice-Chancellor subject to the Council's confirmation.

Resolutions of Senate and Faculties.

that the wording of the last sentence in paragraph 80 would appear to involve a misconception of the organization of British Universities, the powers usually required by Vice-Chancellors, and the re- lations which normally exist, and have existed here, between the Vice-Chancellor and the mem- bers of his staff.

(a) The Senate declares that paragraph 8 of Statute 10, so far from nullifying, the provisions of that Statute, is essential to the constitutional functioning of any body honoured by the name of the Senate.

(b) The references to discipline in paragraph 8 of the Report and also in paragraphs 62 and 84, are matters of very serious implication. The Senate is unaware of any cases of indiscipline justifying these references.

As regards the machinery for dismissal of officers the Senate is of the opinion that cases involving dismissal should be dealt with by a Committee of the Council of not more than five members to be nominated by the Chancellor. The Committee should include two members of the academic staff and its proceedings should go to the Court for confirmation-an appeal against its findings to the Chancellor.

Resolutions of Council.

Resolved that the Council is of opinion that the elimination of Section 8 of Statute 10 would be contrary to the spirit of British University organization.

Resolved that complaints of serious breach of discipline should be investigated by a Committee of the Court appointed ad hoc by the Chancellor to consist of the Vice-Chancellor, a senior member of the University staff who is a member of the Executive Committee, and one non-academic member of the Executive Committee, the proceed- ings and decision of the Committee to be subject to review and confirmation by the Chancellor.