Chapter VII

THE BOARD OF SCRUTINY

1. There shall be in the University a Board of Scrutiny, which shall in each year scrutinize on behalf of the Regent House the Annual Report of the Council, the abstract of the accounts of the University, the allocations Report of the Council required by Statute F I 1(b), and any other Report of the Council proposing allocations from the Chest. In addition the Board shall perform such other duties, and shall have such powers, as may be specified by Ordinance or Order.

2. The Board of Scrutiny shall have the right of reporting to the University on any matters falling within the scope of Section 1 above which in the Board’s opinion should be drawn to the attention of the University.

3. Subject to the provisions of Section 4 below, the Board of Scrutiny shall consist of

1. (a)the Proctors;
2. (b)the two Pro-Proctors who are nominated by the Colleges;
3. (c)eight members of the Regent House elected by the Regent House, as follows:
4.  (i)two persons who have been members of the Regent House for not more than ten years on 1 October next following their election;
5.  (ii)six persons who are members of the Regent House.

Arrangements for election shall be made by Ordinance.

4. No person may be a member of the Board of Scrutiny who is a member of the Council, the General Board, or the Finance Committee of the Council, or who holds any of the University offices of Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, University Advocate, Deputy University Advocate, Registrary, Assistant Registrary, or Secretary of a School. The University may by Ordinance make provision from time to time to designate University offices which are established by Ordinance and which have primarily administrative duties, the holders of which shall be prohibited from membership of the Board as though they were listed in this Statute. If any member of the Board of Scrutiny becomes a member of any of the aforementioned bodies or is appointed or elected to any of the aforementioned offices or ceases to be a member of the Regent House, her or his seat shall thereupon become vacant. The Chair and Secretary of the Board shall be elected annually.

5. The Board of Scrutiny shall have power

1. (a)to consult any official documents or accounts (other than those of the University Press) which may be relevant to any enquiry;
2. (b)to consult such official documents or accounts of the University Press as may be specified by Ordinance;
3. (c)to make enquiry, whether in person or in writing, of the officers of any authority on matters pertaining to a subject of enquiry;
4. (d)to request that a matter be put down for discussion by the Regent House, which request the Council shall not unreasonably refuse.

No documents or accounts requested by the Board under Subsection (a) or Subsection (b) above shall be withheld except on the ground of their irrelevance. Such withholding shall require the written sanction of the Vice-Chancellor.