No 6233
Monday 25 July 2011
Vol cxli No 37
pp. 1073–1108
30 June 2011
This paper is issued as part of the process of technical review of the Statutes, and Ordinances, authorised by Grace 10 of 21 July 2010, following the Report of the University Council dated 14 June 2010 (Reporter, 2009–10, p. 992). The paper has been considered and approved by the Technical Advisory Group chaired by Professor David Yates.
This paper makes suggestions about the new Statute B. An exposure draft of suggested amendments to Statutes is set out later in the paper.
Comments are welcome and should be sent to the Administrative Secretary at the University Offices, The Old Schools, Cambridge (email: Alan.Clark@admin.cam.ac.uk) if possible by 14 November 2011. All comments will be considered and a draft Report of the Council to the University will then be prepared for Discussion and eventual submission for approval in principle, through the ordinary University processes.
The draft Statute significantly simplifies the present statutory provision for education. It assigns responsibility to the General Board for education and research in institutions which it supervises and confirms its accountability to the Council for this. Provision is made for the Board to assign particular responsibilities to other University authorities. The Statute simplifies the present statutory status for degrees, by identifying a limited number of historic or higher degrees, the other present or future degrees to be established by Special Ordinance. It makes outline provision for the present B, III, 6 M.A., and for degrees by incorporation.
The Statute makes general provision for the structure of courses and examinations, more detailed provision to be made by Ordinance (or by regulations made by the General Board or by other University authority, by delegation).
Provision is made for allowances and the review of decisions about allowances, for representations about examinations, and for complaints by students.
Further provision is made for membership of the University, and for the admission of students. The requirement for Tripos students to be admitted by Colleges is stated in a Statute for the first time. Provision is made for resignation of membership of the University and renunciation of degrees.
(These notes do not form part of the Statute.)
Chapter I is general. Section 1 assigns the principal responsibility for educational and research in the University to the General Board, requires it to promote excellence in both, and states that it is accountable to the Council for the discharge of these responsibilities. Section 2 empowers the Board, by regulation, to delegate. Section 3 provides for the dates of term and full term.
Chapter II makes provision for degrees; and for the admission of University officers and others to the M.A. degree and to degrees by incorporation (including holders of some offices elect or designate).
Chapter III requires Ordinances to be made for courses and examinations, including normal residence requirements, if any, the length of courses and arrangements for examinations. Section 3 allows the General Board to make additional regulations, and to delegate. Section 4 provides for allowances (and review of decisions about allowances), and, in section 4 (a), for arrangements for representations or review.
Chapter IV makes outline provision for membership of the University by students and others. Provision is made for resignation of membership or renunciation of degrees, and the possibility of reinstatement. Section 3 sets out the framework for admission by a College, by a College and a University authority, or by a University authority, for different categories of students.
1. Subject to the powers and responsibilities of the Regent House and the Council, the General Board is the authority responsible for the University’s educational and research activities conducted in those University institutions assigned by Statute or Ordinance to its supervision. The Board is accountable to the Council for the discharge of these responsibilities.
2. Subject to section 1, the Board may by regulation assign detailed responsibility for the management and conduct of any educational or research activity to the Council of a School, a Faculty Board, a Head of Department or to some other institution or authority established by or under Statute or ordinance.
3. Provision must be made by Ordinance for the dates of Michaelmas, Lent and Easter Terms in each academical year, and for the dates of Full Term.
1. Degrees in the University are:
Bachelor of Arts, and any other Bachelors’ degrees established by Special Ordinance;
Master of Arts, and any other Masters’ degrees established by Special Ordinance;
Doctor of Philosophy, and any other Doctors’ degrees established by Special Ordinance;
Bachelor of Divinity;
Master of Surgery;
Doctor of Divinity, Doctor of Law, Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Science, Doctor of Letters, and Doctor of Music.
2. Provision can be made by Ordinance on the recommendation of the Council for the admission of University Officers, Heads and Fellows of Colleges (a) to the degree of Master of Arts or (b) for admission to degrees by incorporation if graduates of the Universities of Oxford or Dublin. Eligibility under (a) or (b) above can be made by Ordinance to include holders of office elect or designate. Provision can be made by Ordinance for the admission under (a) and (b) above of persons holding other posts designated by the Council in University institutions.
1. The University must, by Ordinance made on the recommendation of the General Board, make provision for courses, and examinations, in these categories:
(a) each Tripos;
(b) courses of study and training for research, and research, intended for candidature for a degree of Doctor of Philosophy (or such other degrees as may be determined by Ordinance);
(c) other courses or qualifications;
(d) other postgraduate courses or qualifications;
(e) other courses and qualifications (including certificates and diplomas);
(f) candidature and examination for the degree of Bachelor of Divinity, Master of Surgery, and Doctors degrees listed in the final category of section 1.
2. Such Ordinances must specify (1) the University authority primarily responsible for the course or examination, (2) for courses and qualifications in (a)–(d) above, normal residence requirements, the length of courses and arrangements for examination, and (3) for courses and qualifications in (e) above, attendance requirements (if any), the length of courses and arrangements for examinations.
3. The General Board can make additional detailed provision for the above matters by making additional regulations, and can delegate this power to a University authority.
4. The University must make Ordinances:
(a) for the grant of allowances to individual students in respect of courses and examinations in section 1 (a) to (e) above; and for arrangements for the review of such decisions about allowances;
(b) for arrangements for appeal or review about matters within the responsibility of the University about a course or examination in section (a)–(e) above, raised by an individual student.
1. The University must, by Ordinance, state the conditions on which persons may matriculate as a member of the University, as
(a) an undergraduate student;
(b) a student pursuing a course specified in Chapter III, 1, (c) and (d) ;
(c) a University officer;
(d) a person in any other category determined by or under Statute or Ordinance.
2. Membership of the University is for life, or until resignation, or deprivation by decision of a University court. Resignation entails cancellation of any degree. Renunciation of a degree entails resignation of membership of the University. Detailed provision for resignation of membership and renunciation of degrees must be made by Ordinance. Provision for reinstatement after resignation or renunciation can be made by Ordinance.
3. Admission to courses and candidature for a qualification shall be
(a) by College, in the case of a Tripos, and other courses or qualifications determined by Ordinance;
(b) by a University authority, and by a College, in the case of other courses or qualifications so identified by Ordinance;
(c) by a University authority, in the case of courses or qualifications so identified by Ordinance;
Admission by Colleges and candidature for a qualification is subject to the requirements of the Statutes and Ordinances of the University.