STUDENT LIAISON COMMITTEE Terms of Reference

1 Constitution and purpose

1.1 The University recognises that, in the interests of staff and students, it is important to continually advance the excellence of the student experience and the teaching, learning and research environment it provides. The voice of the student community is represented by the Students’ Union.

1.2 To this end and, in accordance with the provisions of the Articles of Government (paragraph 5.4), the University’s Governing Body has established a Student Liaison Committee (SLC).

1.3 The SLC provides a forum for students to raise views with the Board of Governors and members of the Academic Board and to: • consider and inform (the Board of Governors) on matters of concern and to advise the student body (Articles of Government paragraph 5.4); • receive reports on student satisfaction and the student experience and report to the Board of Governors; • provide communication channels between the student community and Governors;

2 Remit

2.1 To advise the University’s governing body on its statutory obligations with regard to the Students’ Union (SU), particularly the requirements of the Education Act 1994, and specifically:

a) all matters concerning the SU’s Constitution which the SLC should review every five years (last reviewed 2011);

b) all matters concerning the UWL/SU Code of Practice which the SLC should review every five years (last reviewed 2011);

c) receive reports on the election of Officer Trustees in accordance with requirements of the Education Act 1994 (it has been agreed that these reports will only be brought forward if a substantial item needs to be brought to the Board’s attention).

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2.2 To receive regular reports from the Academic Board and the Committees of the Academic Board and to report to the Board of Governors on:

a) the process by which the University monitors and reviews issues which arise from the student experience;

b) how the University addresses those student issues and the findings from those processes.

2.4 To consider and recommend the proposed Annual SU Block Grant for submission to the Finance Committee and, subsequently, the Board of Governors.

2.5 To receive and consider regular reports on the financial status of the SU and expenditure against the annual SU Block Grant.

2.6 To receive and consider regular reports on the services of the SU to their community.

3 Membership

The SLC shall comprise no more than eight members (Articles of Government paragraph 5.4); membership includes representatives of the SU, the Academic Board, the Board of Governors and the Vice-Chancellor.

3.1 The composition of the SLC is as follows: • Independent Governor (Chair) • SU President • SU Vice-President Education • SU Vice-President Recreation • Academic Board representative • Student representative • Vice-Chancellor or nominee • Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)

3.2 The current membership is as follows: • Ms Justine Stephenson (Independent Governor and Chair) • Ms Jodie Vickery (SU President) • Mr Rohit Marria (SU Vice-President Education) • Ms Jodie Vickery (Acting SU Vice-President Recreation) • Dr Julia Townshend (Academic Board representative) • Vacant (Student Representative) • Professor Peter John (Vice-Chancellor) or nominee • Professor Kath Mitchell (Deputy Vice-chancellor) • Professor Nick Braisby (Pro Vice-Chancellor Academic and Student Experience)

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In attendance: • Mr Tony Coad (Co-opted Independent Governor) • Ms Maureen Skinner (University Secretary) • Mr Ben Whittaker (Students’ Union Membership Manager) • Ms Helen Turner (Executive Director of Finance) or nominee • Mr John Killeen (Interim Director of Estates and Facilities) or nominee • Ms Kath Bedwin (Students’ Union Finance Manager) • Ms Kat Stark (Students’ Union Chief Executive)

3.3 In the absence of the Chair the Co-opted Independent Governor will Chair the Committee.

3.4 The term of office of the Independent Governor will run concurrent with his/her term of office as a Governor.

3.5 The term of office of the co-opted Independent Governor will run concurrent with his/her term of office as a governor.

3.6 The term of office of the student representatives will run concurrent with their term of office as per the SU Constitution.

3.7 The term of office of the Academic Board representative will run concurrent with their term of office on the Academic Board.

3.8 The SLC is also empowered to engage ‘advisory members’ (for specific tasks and a defined timescale) from the staff, student body and SU of the University in order for it to discharge its obligations properly.

3.9 The SU President Elect and SU Vice-Presidents Elect may attend meetings of the SLC as observers.

4 Quorum

4.1 Quorum is four members and must include the Independent Governor and one SU member.

4.2 If the Vice-Chancellor is represented by a nominee, the nominee will count in the quorum.

4.3 The co-opted Independent Governor and advisory members will not normally count in the quorum and will have no vote. However, the Co-opted Independent Governor will count in the quorum and have a vote went sitting as Chair in the absence of the Chair of the Committee.

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5 Chairmanship

5.1 The Chair of the SLC shall be an Independent Governor appointed by the Chair of the Board of Governors.

6 Frequency of meetings

6.1 The SLC will usually meet four times each academic year.

6.2 In addition, at least one awayday will be held in each academic year.

7 Attendance at meetings

7.1 Other officers may be invited to attend, as appropriate.

8 Reporting procedures

8.1 The minutes of the SLC’s meetings will be submitted to the Board of Governors, the Academic Board and the Student Council.

8.2 The Chair will report to the Board on any matters requiring the approval of the governing body. These matters will be highlighted in the minutes.

Supporting Information

Groups feeding into the Student Liaison Committee

None at present.

Effectiveness and lifespan

Lifespan ongoing. Effectiveness reviewed five-yearly as part of the Board effectiveness review.

Actions that may be taken by the Committee

The Student Liaison Committee may: • Note • Approve • Receive • Recommend • Consider • Reject • Support

Most appropriate minuting style

Traditional / formal minutes in accordance with the Committee Handbook.

Resources

Secretary University Secretary & Clerk to the Board Clerk Committee Secretary Meetings Four times per academic year plus at least one awayday

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