Ordinance 1 The Membership of The University

This Ordinance was adopted by the Council on 5 December 2023

1. This Ordinance supports Statute 5 and should be read in conjunction with it.

2. Terms defined in the Statutes shall have the same meaning in these Ordinances.

3. Terms defined in Ordinance 13 shall apply to all Ordinances. 

4. The Appendix to this Ordinance forms part of the Ordinances.

5. Subject to paragraphs 6 to 9 of this Ordinance, the following shall automatically be members of the University: 

1. The Chancellor;  
2. The Vice-Chancellor and Warden;  
3. The Lay Members (and any former Lay Members the Council in its discretion resolves shall remain as members of the University, notwithstanding their ceasing to be a Lay Member);  
4. The University Staff;  
5. The Registered Students; 
6. The Emeritus and Honorary Staff;  
7. The Alumnae/Alumni;  
8. The Honorary Graduates; and 
9. Visiting Staff for so long as they are visiting the University 

together with such other persons as may be determined to be members by the Council from time to time.  

6. Subject to paragraphs 7 to 9 of this Ordinance, an individual's membership of the University shall continue for so long as they hold at least one of the offices, roles, awards or qualifications in paragraph 5 of this Ordinance (Membership Qualifications).  

7. An individual’s membership of the University shall terminate in the following circumstances:

1. they cease to hold at least one of the Membership Qualifications for whatever reason, including under paragraphs 8 and 9 of this Ordinance; or 
2. on their death; or  
3. in the event they are otherwise removed from membership in accordance with any University disciplinary code (or similar) from time to time in force.

8. The Council may, on the recommendation of Senate, withdraw, redefine, or approve other Membership Qualifications from time to time.  

9. The Council may, on the recommendation of Senate, remove an Alumna/Alumnus from a Membership Qualification in accordance with the procedure set out in the Appendix to this Ordinance.

10. The members of the University have such rights as are determined by Council from time to time.  

11. The members of the University are subject to and expected to uphold the values, standards, policies and Ordinances of the University.  

Appendix 1

Removal of a Member

1. The Council may remove an alumnae/alumnus from membership at any time, after proper investigation, if the Council resolves that it is in the interests of the University to remove the member, including on the recommendation of  Senate.

2. Actions or behaviours by a member which would be considered contrary to the interests of the University include but are not limited to: 

1. acting in breach of the Statutes or Ordinances; 
2. breaching any rules in respect of any University examination; 
3. obtaining a degree or honorary title from the University by deception; 
4. damaging or misusing any University property or resources; 
5. abusing any privilege enjoyed by virtue of holding any particular role or position, whether elected or unelected; 
6. behaving towards any University Staff or Officer or member of Council or student or other member of the University or any visitor to the University in a violent, offensive or threatening manner, or subjecting them to any form of harassment, bullying or abuse;  
7. any other action or behaviour which brings or threatens to bring the University into disrepute. 

Stage 1 – Investigation by the Committee 

3. The Council shall direct a committee convened for this purpose (the Committee) to undertake an initial investigation subject to complying with paragraph 22 of this Appendix.  The Committee shall comprise 3 individuals.

4. If the Committee finds there is no case to answer, the Committee shall report this to the Council and the member and no further action will be taken beyond noting the allegation in the University's records and the fact that the allegation was unfounded.

5. If the Committee finds that no substantive action or behaviour has taken place that would be considered sufficiently serious to consider the removal of the member, the Committee may where it considers it appropriate: 

1. Offer written advice or an opportunity for training or development; 
2. Recommend to the Council that  

1. 1. compensation is sought for damage, misuse or loss of property; 
   2. the member be required to make a written or oral apology; 
   3. a formal written warning be given and placed on that member's records. 

6. If the Committee finds that there is sufficient evidence to form the basis for the Council to consider the removal of the member, the Committee shall refer the allegation and their findings to a panel convened for this purpose (the Panel).   

Stage 2 – Hearing by the Panel  

7. The Panel shall comprise 3 individuals who did not form part of the Committee (or have any other connection to the allegations).  

8. The Panel shall conduct a hearing to establish whether or not the alleged action or behaviour occurred and consider what sanctions, if any, are appropriate following usual University processes for the calling and conduct of similar hearings at the University, as advised to the Panel and the member by the University Secretary.

9. A decision will be reached by majority vote but the votes of individual members of the Panel shall remain confidential.

10. The chair of the Panel shall deliver the Panel's recommendation, together with the reasons for the recommendation to the Council.

11. If the Council agrees with the recommendation of the Panel it shall send a copy of the decision together with the reasons why the decision has been reached, and the consequences of that decision, to the member. 

12. If the Council rejects the recommendation of the Panel they may either close the investigation or else require that a further investigation be undertaken, and in each case shall inform the member.

Appeals 

13. A member may appeal against a decision of the Council within 30 days of receiving written notification of the decision together with a description of the appeal process.  No sanction may take effect until the deadline for an appeal has passed or the appeal has been determined (if requested).

14. The chair of the Council may allow an appeal to be made if the member has new evidence that could not have been or for good reason was not available at the time of the hearing or the member provides evidence of significant procedural error on the part of the University or the Panel before or during the hearing.

15. If the chair of the Council allows the appeal they shall convene and chair an appeal panel of three members, none of whom shall have been involved in the original hearing or investigation (the Appeal Panel).

16. The Appeal Panel shall follow usual University processes for the calling and conduct of similar appeals at the University, as advised to the Appeal Panel and the member by the University Secretary.

17. The Appeal Panel shall only consider the new evidence provided by the member and/or the procedure followed by the University or the Panel before or during the original hearing.

18. The Appeal Panel shall have delegated authority from the Council to dismiss the appeal, to amend the findings of the Panel, and/or to amend the sanction determined by the Council in light of the new evidence. The decision of the Appeal Panel shall be reported to the Council.

19. The University shall confirm to the member the decision of the Appeal Panel and its reasons within 7 days of the appeal hearing.

20. The decision of the Appeal Panel shall be final and there shall be no further right of appeal. 

Record Keeping 

21. Details of allegations shall remain confidential and shall be retained securely in accordance with relevant University policies and procedures in relation to the same.   

Conflicts of Interest 

22. Where an allegation involves a member of the Council or a Connected Person, that member of the Council shall not form part of the Committee or the Panel or otherwise participate in the process and shall not take part in any deliberations or decisions as a member of the Council.