Representation - University Committees

The GSA represents your
interests on numerous committees at Heslington Hall Almost all decisions that the University makes are taken within a number of important committees. The GSA currently represents the interests of all graduate students in the following permanent committees:

University Court

The University Court complements the Council (the governing body) and the Senate (responsible for the academic work of the University) in the University's formal governance structure emanating from its Royal Charter. It is largely ceremonial and chaired by the Chancellor (currently Greg Dyke). Court members constitute a public forum for the presentation of University business and contribute to the University by acting as ambassadors and critical friends. Their voluntary efforts are much valued and appreciated and help to make the University the vibrant community it is.

University Council

University Council is the top governing body of the University, and has overall responsibility for the business, staffing and management of the institution. It is chaired by Sir Christopher O'Donnell, and comprises all the top University Officers (for example the Vice Chancellor).

Sub-Committees of the University Council with a GSA representative on them are:

Dignity at Work and Study Committee - Deals with anything to do with harassment within the University.
Equality and Diversity Committee - Ensures that a diversity of experience and perspectives is taken into account and informs all University decisions.
Ethics Committee - Monitors and reports on any issue to do with research or teaching ethics within the University.
Health, Safety and Welfare Committee - Monitors the University’s health and safety strategy, making sure the welfare of staff and students is central in the decision making of the University.
Policy and Resources Committee - Deals with all the financial and business areas of the University. The GSA and YUSU representative, although have no vote on the committee, do however have speaking rights.
Race Equality Implementation Group - Monitors the University’s compliance with racial equality law.

University Senate

Chaired by the Vice Chancellor, University Senate has overall responsibility for the academic (teaching and research) direction of the institution. As well as the GSA rep, there is also an independent Graduate Student representative who sits on this committee.

Sub-Committees of the University Senate with a GSA representative on them are:

Board for Graduate Schools - Has overall responsibility for graduate study at the university (dealing specifically with research degrees).
Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning - Reporting to Teaching Committee, it provides a University wide forum for best practice in teaching to be shared across the institution
HYMS Teaching Committee - Has responsibility for all teaching within HYMS, and in particular is charged with the development of graduate study within the department.
Learning and Teaching Projects Committee - Reporting to Teaching Committee, it allocates University grants to support projects aimed at improving and pioneering effective learning and teaching methods.
Standing Committee of Assessment - Reporting to Teaching Committee, it monitors and considers policy regarding assessment (marking scales, exams, misconduct penalties).
Student Services Committee - Deals with all areas of improving the 'student experience' outside the confines of the academic brief. This includes things like Welcome Week and the commercial services across campus (the food and bars).
Teaching Committee - Has overall responsibility for teaching quality and policy within the university (including taught graduate programmes).

Library Committee

The Library Committee provides a forum for open discussion of matters relating to the Library and its services. It is a sub-committee of the Information Committee. Normally the Committee meets once a term. Its membership is made up of the Director of the Library & Archives, all the departmental library representatives and postgraduate and undergraduate student representatives.

Bar Strategy Group

Handles development of the Campus bars