Notices

Calendar

31 January, Friday. Congregation of the Regent House at 2 p.m. Ballot of the Regent House, voting closes at 5 p.m.

13 February, Thursday. Lent Term divides.

23 February, Sunday. Preacher before the University at 11.30 a.m., The Revd Canon Professor James Walters, of Selwyn College, Professor in Practice and Director of the LSE Faith Centre and of the LSE Religion and Global Society Research Unit (Hulsean Preacher).

Discussions (Tuesdays at 2 p.m.)	Congregations (at 10 a.m. unless otherwise stated)
25 February 18 March	31 January, 2 p.m. (degrees in absence only) 1 March 29 March 5 April 11 April, 2 p.m. (degrees in absence only) (see below)

Additional Congregation

The Vice-Chancellor gives notice, in accordance with Special Ordinance A (ii) 2, that a Congregation will be held on Friday, 11 April 2025, at 2 p.m., for the conferral of degrees in absence.

Mere’s Commemoration: Preacher appointed

The Vice-Chancellor gives notice that she has appointed The Reverend Professor Andrew Davison, sometime Fellow of Corpus Christi College and formerly Starbridge Professor of Theology and Natural Sciences in the Faculty of Divinity, Regius Professor of Divinity in the University of Oxford, to preach the sermon at the annual commemoration of John Mere, in St Bene’t’s Church, at 11.45 a.m. on Tuesday, 29 April 2025.

Office of Chancellor

27 January 2025

In February 2024, The Lord Sainsbury of Turville advised the Vice-Chancellor of his intention to step down from the office of Chancellor, following which the Council reflected on how to make sure the next election was a success.1 In a ballot in October 2024, the Regent House approved the Council’s proposal to change the term of the Chancellor (and the High Steward) from a lifetime appointment to a fixed term of ten years.2 The amendments to the University’s Statutes to implement that change are now with the Privy Council for approval.

The Council is grateful to the Chancellor for remaining in office to facilitate consideration of these revised arrangements. The Privy Council is expected to review the amendments to the Statutes at a meeting in May 2025. The Council has agreed with the Chancellor that it will aim to publish the timetable for the election of the next Chancellor, in accordance with the Ordinance for the Nomination and Election of the Chancellor,3 after its meeting in February 2025. In the meantime, it is publishing a note of the anticipated process and schedule for the information of members of the University and the Colleges, set out below.

The Council has also approved a role profile for the Chancellor (see p. 236). There are no specific criteria for the position;4 to a certain extent, the skills and expertise of the person elected will shape the part the Chancellor will play in the life of the University. However, the Council believes that it will be helpful to those considering whether to stand for election to have a description of the main duties associated with this position.

Anticipated schedule

February	Publication of timetable for the election of the next Chancellor
March–April	Promotion of registration to vote online to alumni members of the Senate5 Main period during which nominations will gather support
June	Announcement of names of candidates
Late June/early July	Campaign period for candidates
July	Voting online and in person

Role profile

The Chancellor

The Chancellor plays a key role in the life of the collegiate University. The person elected is the University’s formal and ceremonial head, and while they have no executive responsibilities, they will play a vital part in Cambridge’s public‑facing activities, fundraising, and in providing advice to senior members of the University.

The most significant commitment for the Chancellor is to be a champion and ambassador for Cambridge, and to advocate and support the University’s aims and strategic interests. Other important responsibilities include:

•presiding at major ceremonial events, such as Honorary Degrees and admission to the Guild of Benefactors, and taking part in other high-profile occasions;

•providing confidential advice and support to the Vice-Chancellor; and

•acting as Visitor at several Cambridge Colleges (an external figure on whom the College can call for advice, or for decision in certain internal disputes).

The responsibilities include duties of a fiduciary nature, requiring the person elected to act in the best interests of the University. The Chancellor is also a member of the Council, but by longstanding custom does not attend or play an active part in its decisions.

The Chancellor is expected to be a distinguished individual who has a deep affinity with the University’s mission and values. The person elected should demonstrate a serious and committed interest in its affairs.

Terms of office

The Chancellor is elected by the Senate, which consists of all members of the Regent House6 and everyone who holds a Cambridge Master’s degree (including the M.A.), Doctorate or Bachelor of Divinity degree. The appointment is for a non-renewable term of ten years.7 The Chancellor needs to be available to attend events on behalf of the University throughout the year, mostly in Cambridge.

Nominations from a diverse range of backgrounds are warmly welcomed. Every nomination must be supported in writing by at least 50 members of the Senate, and by a declaration from the candidate accepting nomination. Further details on the nominating process will be published in February 2025.

The role is not paid but the University will reimburse role-related travel and other expenses.