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The University of Southampton
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The University Council

University Council – supporting and guiding the University of Southampton.

The University’s governing body is the Council, which meets six times a year. It approves the strategic plans of the University and is ultimately responsible for its finances, buildings and staff.

It approves all major development and receives regular reports from the Vice-Chancellor and the Executive Management Team, and is responsible for ensuring that audited financial statements are produced for each financial year. 

The University Council

The Council is made up of 5 different classes of membership:

Council members

Class 1 Officers

Class 2 Lay Members

Members appointed by Council being neither employees nor officers of the University, of whom at least 1 (2 desirably) shall be graduates of the University:

Class 3 Members Appointed by Senate

Members of the Senate, appointed and any reappointments by the Senate:

Class 4 Member of the Non-Teaching Staff

1 member of the full-time staff of the University other than Academic staff to be appointed from amongst their own number by such means as the Council shall from time to time determine.

Class 5 Representative of the Union of Students

The President of the Union of Students:

Committees of the Council

The Council has a number of committees. The committees hold delegated responsibility for decision-making or consultation in specific areas:

  • Nominations Committee
  • Remuneration Committee - To view the Annual Report of the Remuneration Committee, click here
  • Audit Committee
  • Finance Committee
  • Health and Safety Audit and Assurance Committee
  • Safety and Occupational Health Committee
  • Consultative Committee for Safety and Occupational Health
  • University Biological Risk Management Committee
  • Estates and Infrastructure Committee
  • Pensions Committee

Council meeting minutes

The confirmed, unrestricted/non-confidential minutes of Council meetings are publicly available and copies can be viewed on our archive page.

Useful Downloads

Statement of the Council’s Primary Responsibilities and delegated and related matters 2022-2023

Governance Structure

Class 4 Member of the Non-Teaching Staff

 vacant

Class 5 Representative of the Union of Students

Mr Oliver Murray – SUSU President

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