University Court
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A University Court is the supreme governing body of a university in Scotland, analogous to a Board of Directors or a Board of Trustees.
The University Courts were first established for the ancient universities by the Universities (Scotland) Act 1858 and they are responsible for the finances and administration of each university. Each university, subject to approval by the Privy Council of the United Kingdom, determines the constitution of its Court, with members coming from within each university, the local community and beyond.
At an ancient university the Court is chaired by the Rector, who ranks third after the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor, is elected by all the matriculated students of each university. Members are also appointed by the General Council, Academic Senate and local authority.
At more modern universities there is usually a chairman or convenor appointed along lines similar to a Chairman of the Board in a corporation or charity.
The President of the Students' Representative Council is usually a member and lay members are co-opted onto the Court.
