Committees of the Council

Audit and Risk Management Committee

Ex Officio Member

Treasurer: Mrs Celia Edey (Chair)

Appointed Members (Appointed by Nominations Committee)

Seven members, not being members of Strategy and Resources Committee or holding an executive position, at least two of whom shall be External members of Council:

Mr Nitin Dahad
Dr John Grote
Dr Laura Mansel-Thomas
Mr Robin Paddock
Mr Brian Stapleton
Mr Riccardo Tazzini
One vacancy

At least two members will have relevant experience in finance, accounting and/or auditing.

Officers in attendance

The Registrar and Secretary
The Director of Finance
The Head of Internal Audit
A representative from External Audit

Co-opted

The Committee may co-opt members as appropriate.

Terms of Reference

1. Financial and Internal Control

   1. To review the effectiveness of the financial and other internal control systems;

   2. to ensure that all significant losses have been properly investigated and that the internal and external auditors, and where appropriate the HEFCE Accounting Officer, have been informed;

   3. to oversee the institution’s policy on fraud and irregularity, including being notified of any action taken under that policy.

2. External Audit

1. To consider and make recommendations to Council on: the appointment and, if necessary, the dismissal of the External Auditor; the terms of engagement; the audit fee; and any non-audit services from the External Auditor;

2. to guide the External Auditor on the nature and scope of the audit;

3. to receive and consider the External Auditor’s management letter in connection with the audit of the University’s Annual Accounts and the management response and any other matter the external auditor wishes to discuss;

4. to consider elements of the annual financial statements in the presence of the External Auditor, including the auditor’s formal opinion, the statement of members’ responsibilities and any corporate governance statement and make recommendations to Council.

3. Internal Audit

1. To consider and make recommendations to the Council on the appointment and if necessary the dismissal of the Internal Auditor; the terms of engagement, the audit fee and any non audit services from the internal auditor;

2. to receive and approve a five-year Strategic Plan for the Internal Auditor;

3. to receive and approve an Annual Plan for the Internal Auditor and any other matter the internal auditor wishes to discuss;

4. to receive and consider the final report of each internal audit assignment, activity or investigation undertaken on behalf of the University by the Internal Auditor and any other matter the internal auditor wishes to discuss;

5. to review the work of the Internal Auditor in conjunction with the receipt of an annual report prepared by the Internal Auditor, the report to include an opinion on the degree of assurance that can be taken from the system of control, and to make recommendations to Council;

6. to consider any internal audit matters not specifically covered above.

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4. Monitoring and co-ordination of internal and external audit

To monitor the effectiveness of internal and external audit on the basis of performance indicators approved by Council from time to time on the recommendation of the Audit and Risk Management Committee; to promote co-ordination between the internal and external auditors.

5. Reports of an audit nature

To receive and consider any reports of an audit nature prepared by the Higher Education Funding Council of England (HEFCE), the Quality Assurance Agency, the National Audit Office any other similar bodies.

6. Value for money

To satisfy itself that adequate arrangements are in place to promote value for money initiatives.

7. Economy, efficiency and effectiveness

To satisfy itself that satisfactory arrangements are in place to promote economy, efficiency and effectiveness.

8. Quality of data

To satisfy itself that adequate arrangements are in place to ensure that data provided to the HEFCE, the Higher Education Statistics Agency and other public bodies is of a high quality.

9. Risk management

To advise the Council on the effectiveness of risk management, control and governance arrangements by

1. familiarisation with the concept and requirements of risk management;

2. acting as a catalyst for risk management activity across the University;

3. ensuring appropriate audit work on risk management is performed;

4. collecting information on risks and risk management;

5. receiving reports from the Risk Management Group regarding the actions taken on the highest risks identified on the Risk Register.

Reporting mechanisms

10. Annual report

To prepare an annual report for submission to Council and the HEFCE on the work of the Audit and Risk Management Committee, incorporating an opinion on the effectiveness of the internal control system and the pursuit of value for money, together with an assurance on risk management.

11. Minutes

    To be circulated to all members and attendees of the Audit and Risk Management Committee and all members of Council.
     

12. Quorum

    The Committee shall be quorate when half of the members are present.
     

13. Meeting structure

    Meetings shall normally be held four times a year. Members of the committee, the external auditors and head of internal audit may request a meeting if they consider it necessary.
     

14. Review of Terms of Reference

The Terms of Reference should be reviewed annually.

Meetings

Normally four times per year

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Nominations Committee

Ex Officio Members

Chair of Council: Lord Currie of Marylebone (Chair)
Vice-Chancellor: Professor Anthony Forster
Registrar and Secretary: Mr Bryn Morris

Appointed members (appointed by Nominations Committee)

Two External members of Council:
Professor Sir Deian Hopkin
Mrs Maria Stanford

One Academic Staff member of Council, who is not a member of USG
Dr Alison Rowlands

Terms of Reference

To make recommendations to Council on the appointment of:

1. External and appointed members of Council

2. Council appointed members of Court

3. Council appointed members of Council Committees

4. External members, who are not members of Council, to Council Committees.

5. Internal members, who are not members of Council, to Council Committees

Meetings

Normally three times per year

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Remuneration Committee

Ex Officio Members

Chair of Council: Lord Currie of Marylebone(Chair)
Vice-Chancellor: Professor Anthony Forster
Registrar and Secretary: Mr Bryn Morris

Appointed Members (appointed by Nominations Committee):

Four External members of Council:
Mr Paul Gray
Mrs Judith Judd
Ms Maria Stanford
Mr Philip Tolhurst

Terms of Reference

1. In relation to the remuneration and reward framework:

   1. for staff groups where issues are not covered by collective agreements with the University's recognised trades unions (in particular, senior office holders, the professoriate and professional staff on grade 11), on behalf of Council to determine the remuneration and reward framework for the salaries, other remuneration and conditions of service eg the framework for pay levels; pay progression, including bonus payments, accelerated increments and market supplements;

   2. on behalf of Strategy and Resources Committee, to put in place a scheme of delegation to the Vice-Chancellor to agree salary increases in individual cases to address urgent retention issues for all categories of staff (currently up to £25,000 on the Vice-Chancellor's own authority and in excess of £25,000 with the agreement of the Chair of the Remuneration Committee);

2. In the light of an assessment of performance during the prior year against agreed objectives, to determine the salary, other remuneration and conditions of service of the Vice-Chancellor (in the absence of the Vice-Chancellor). Objectives set by the Chair of Council for the Vice-Chancellor should be provided for information to the Committee;

3. Following a submission by the Vice-Chancellor of an assessment of performance during the prior year against agreed objectives, to consider the salary, other remuneration and conditions of service of the Registrar and Secretary, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Vice-Chancellors and Executive Deans (in the absence of the Registrar and Secretary for consideration of their case). Objectives set each year by the Vice-Chancellor should be provided for information to the Committee;

4. To receive annually;

   1. a report on work related visits abroad by the Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar and Secretary;

   2. a report on the outside earnings of the Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar and Secretary;

5. to approve the Hospitality Fund of the Vice-Chancellor;

6. to consider the recommendations by the Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar and Secretary on the salaries, other remuneration and conditions of service of senior office holders, professorial staff and professional services staff on Grade 11;

7. to receive a report on early retirement packages and severance payments to members of the University and to approve payments in advance where:

   1. the cost to the University would not be recovered in two years or less; or

   2. any payments above contractual entitlement are paid to any member of University Steering Group

8. to receive a report on action taken by the Vice-Chancellor under Ordinance 36.4 or 36.7;

9. to receive a report on action taken the Vice-Chancellor to approve salary awards to staff who have received offers from other organisations;

10. to receive a report on action taken to approve the payment of market supplements;

11. to make an annual report to Council;

12. to consider other related business appropriate to the remit of Remuneration Committee.

Meetings

Normally once a year

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Strategy and Resources Committee (SRC)

Ex Officio Members

Chair of Council: Lord Currie of Marylebone (Chair)

University Steering Group Members

Vice-Chancellor: Professor Anthony Forster
Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Professor Jules Pretty
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education): Professor Jane Wright
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research ): Professor David Sanders
Registrar and Secretary: Mr Bryn Morris
Director of Finance: Mr Andrew Keeble
Director of Strategic Planning and Change Section: Dr Sonia Virdee

Appointed Members (appointed by Nominations Committee)

Five External members of Council:
Mr David Boyle
Mr Paul Gray
Mrs Judith Judd
Ms Maria Stanford
Mr Philip Tolhurst

One academic staff member of Council, who is not a member of University Steering Group
Dean of Health: Professor Joanna Jackson

Observer

Chief of Staff: Mrs Monica Illsley

Terms of Reference

1. To advise the Council on matters relating to the overall strategic direction of the University and to recommend the strategic plan to Council for approval;

2. to monitor and review the general progress and development of the University in academic, social, external, governance and other policy;

3. to recommend to the Council the annual recurrent budget of the University;

4. to approve on behalf of Council additions to the recurrent budget, up to the value of £1,000,000 (net expenditure), delegating authority to University Steering Group to approve non-recurrent budget increases, up to the value of £250,000 (net expenditure);

5. to delegate to the Remuneration Committee authority to determine an appropriate level of delegation to the Vice-Chancellor to offer salary increases in cases to address urgent retention issues for all categories of staff;

6. to approve on behalf of Council new projects added to the Capital Programme up to the value of £4,000,000 (gross expenditure), delegating authority to University Steering Group to approve additions to the Capital Programme up to the value of £2,000,000 (gross expenditure) and to Vice-Chancellor to approve additions to the capital programme up to the value of £100,000.These delegations may only be exercised if, and only if, the Capital Investment Plan is supported by appropriate financing eg loans, capital receipts;

7. to approve cost increases to approved projects in the Capital Programme me up to the value of £1,000,000, delegating authority to University Steering Group to approve cost increases up to the value of £20,000 and to the Vice-Chancellor to approve cost increases up to the value of £10,000. These delegations may only be exercised if, the Capital Investment Plan is supported by appropriate financing, eg loans, capital receipts;

8. to receive an annual report of all completed capital projects in the last 12 months comparing the initially approved budget to its outturn cost;

9. to consider and, where appropriate, make comments on all recommendations sent forward from the Senate to the Council which have financial implications;

10. to make recommendations to the Council on all other financial matters;

11. to recommend to Council a human resources strategy of the University;

12. to review the operation of the Council and its various Committees and to make recommendations thereon;

13. to consider the institutional audit report;

14. to review the reports of any working parties which may from time to time be set up to deal with various subjects;

15. to review and discuss any other items concerning Council business not falling within the remit of another Sub-Committee that External members of the Council might wish to raise.

Meetings

Normally four times a year

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Sub-Committees of Strategy and Resources Committee

Investment Sub-Committee

Ex Officio Members

Vice-Chancellor: Professor Anthony Forster
Chair of Council: Lord Currie of Marylebone
Vice-Chancellor's nominee, Registrar and Secretary: Mr Bryn Morris
Director of Finance: Mr Andrew Keeble

Appointed Members (appointed by Nominations Committee)

One member from Strategy and Resources Committee:
Mr David Boyle (Chair)

One external member with specialist knowledge:
Mr William Drake

Terms of Reference

1. To agree and keep under review appropriate asset allocation between equities, fixed interest and cash deposits, and within equities between the UK and overseas markets, taking account of the capital and income growth targets and risk set in the investment objective agreed by the Strategy and Resources Committee;
    

2. to monitor the performance of the fund managers, against the benchmarks set in the investment objective and comparator funds and market indicies;
    

3. to review, against the benchmark, at least every three years from the date of appointment all managers/investments and either remain invested or replace and to make recommendations to Strategy and Resources Committee;
    

4. to receive at each meeting an overall report, prepared by the Director of Finance, on the performance of the University’s investments and the key issues to be addressed.

Investment Objective

To achieve, over rolling three year periods, an above average performance in capital growth and income yield, taken together, by investing in: equities with a target return ahead of the FTSE All-Share Index, fixed interest with a target return of exceeding the FTSE British Government All-Stocks Index, and cash deposits with a target return of 0.5% above the seven-day fixed deposit rate. These performance targets should be aimed for without taking undue risk.

Meetings

Normally twice a year.

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University Steering Group (USG)

Purpose

To be the University's executive group, supporting the Vice-Chancellor in the discharge of powers and duties delegated to him by Council and Strategy and Resources Committee and in discharging specific powers and duties delegated to USG by Strategy and Resources Committee.

Ex Officio Members

Vice-Chancellor: Professor Anthony Forster (Chair)
Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Professor Jules Pretty
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education): Professor Jane Wright
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research): Professor David Sanders
Registrar and Secretary: Mr Bryn Morris
Director of Finance: Mr Andrew Keeble
Executive Dean, Faculty of Humanities: Professor Lorna Fox O'Mahony
Executive Dean, Faculty of Science and Health: Professor Graham Underwood
Executive Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences: Professor Todd Landman
Chief of Staff: Monica Illsley

Terms of Reference

1. To prepare and recommend annually to the Strategy and Resources Committee of the Council five year financial forecasts and a Capital Investment Plan, incorporating an annual recurrent revenue and capital budget for the University, and to monitor the implementation of these;
    

2. to review and monitor the implementation of the Strategic Plan of the University, its Strategies, Sub-Strategies and Supporting Strategies, their associated action plans and performance against their key performance indicators and to report to Strategy and Resources Committee, Council and other committees as appropriate; 

3. to keep the allocation and deployment of University resources under regular scrutiny and review, including allocations to Faculties and Professional Services, to ensure that resources are being used to support the institutional interest and the objectives in the Strategic Plan;

4. to approve the provision of staff posts, and to monitor appointments made, delegating authority for individual appointments in accordance with the University's recruitment policies as follows:

1. to the Executive Deans, authority to approve staffing replacements and new requests of academic staff within budget within their individual faculties;

2. to the Registrar and Secretary authority to approve staffing replacements and new requests within budget  of professional services staff in central sections, faculties and schools/departments.

5. to approve non-recurrent non-staff additions to the recurrent budget up to the value of £250,000 (net expenditure);
    

6. to approve new projects to be added to the Capital Investment Plan, up to the value of £2,000,000 (gross expenditure) provided the Capital Investment Plan is supported by appropriate financing, eg loans, capital receipts;
    

7. to approve cost increases to approved capital projects, up tot he value of £200,00, provided the Capital Investment Plan is supported by appropriate financing eg loans, capital receipts;

8. to approve tuition fees on behalf of Council and to report all such approvals to Council;

9. to monitor key institutional risks, including compliance with statutory obligations, reporting to Audit and Risk Management committee, Strategy and Resources Committee and Council as appropriate;

10. to establish advisory groups to undertake detailed work to support USG in discharging its responsibilities more effectively, including delegation of authority for specific decisions where this is considered appropriate.

Method of Operation

1. The record of meetings of the University Steering Group shall be copied to all members of Strategy and Resources Committee, the Chair of Audit and Risk Committee, Heads of Departments/Schools and Centres, Heads of Professional Services and Faculty Managers.
   

Meetings

Normally fortnightly throughout the year, with the exception of the summer vacation

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Advisory Groups of University Steering Group

Capital Planning Group

Purpose

To support USG in developing for approval and implementing capital investment plans that will support effective delivery of the University's Strategic Plan.

Ex Officio Members

Vice-Chancellor: Professor Anthony Forster (Chair)
Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Professor Jules Pretty
Registrar and Secretary: Mr Bryn Morris
Director of Finance: Mr Andrew Keeble
Director of Estate Management: Mr Simon Neale
Director of Information System Services: Mr Richard Murphy
Academic Registrar: Mr Stephen McAuliffe
Director of Research and Enterprise Office: Dr Janice Pittis
Director of Strategic Planning and Change: Dr Sonia Virdee

Terms of Reference

1. To recommend to the USG the University's Capital Investment Plan (CIP), covering all capital expenditure requirements of the University over thetimeframe as the University's Strategic Plan.

2. To consider individual requests for capital expenditure for inclusion within the CIP, prioritising them against the requirements of the Strategic Plan and the recommending projects to USG for inclusion within the CIP.

3. On an annual basis, to recommend to USG an annual capital budget necessary to finance projects within the CIP that will be initiated in the coming year, for approval by Strategy and Resources Committee and Council  as appropriate, alongside the University's revenue budget.

4. Under delegated authority from USG, be responsible to USG for overseeing the system through which the University manages individual capital projects, to ensure that they proceed to time, to budget and deliver their intended benefits.

5. Identify longer term capital investment requirements for the University to inform the University's overall financial strategy and to recommend to USG any implications of these requirements for the University's investment of its reserves and its external borrowings which might need to be drawn to the attention of Strategy and Resources Committee.

Meetings

Normally six times a year.

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Health and Safety Group

Purpose

To support the Vice-Chancellor and USG in discharging their executive responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the safety, health and wellbeing of staff, students and visitors at the University.

To provide a forum for consultation with student and staff representatives in relation to health, safety and wellbeing.

In appropriate circumstances, to draw matters directly to the attention of Council.

Ex Officio Members

Vice-Chancellor: Professor Anthony Forster
Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Professor Jules Pretty (Chair)
Director of Human Resources: Mrs Sue Endean
Director of Estate Management: Mr Simon Neale
University of Essex Campus Services, Head of Operations: Mr Chris Oldham
Southend Campus, Campus Manager: Ms Zoe Manning
Loughton Campus, Campus Supervisor: Mr Graham Cushway
Deputy Chief Executive, Students’ Union: Ms Marianne Provan
Faculty Manager, Humanities : Miss Rachel Lucas
Faculty Manager, Science and Health: Ms Alex Seabrook
Faculty Manager, Social Sciences: Miss Emma Griffin
Head of Health and Safety (professional adviser to the Committee): Ms Claire Saunders
Head of Occupational Health: Ms Lara Carmel

Nominated/Representative/Elected Members

One nominee from each of the recognised Trades Unions (3):
Unite: Mr Colin McAuley
UCU: Mr Kevan Wilding
Unison: Mr John Wakeman

One student member elected by the Students' Union: tba

The following specialist officers will be co-opted as and when required:

• Fire Safety Officer

• University Ionising Radiation Protection Officer

• University Non-Ionising Radiation Protection Adviser (UNIRPA)

• University Biological Safety Adviser (UBSA)

• Other specialist officers as deemed appropriate by the committee

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Terms of Reference

1. Review the University’s Health, Safety and Wellbeing Policy to ensure it remains fit-for-purpose as a basis for delivering the University's Health and Safety obligations and objectives, reporting to USG on any requirements for change as appropriate;

2. monitoring implementation of the University's Health, Safety and Wellbeing action plan as the basis upon which the policy is being operationalised;

3. monitoring performance against agreed health and safety performance measures, including providing an annual report on health, safety and wellbeing performance to USG and Council and making recommendations for any amendments to the agreed performance measures;

4. considering reports on changes to legislation and best practice that significantly affect health, safety and wellbeing practice at the University recommending to USG any changes in policy or practice that might as a consequence be required;

5. consulting on the introduction of any measures that may substantially affect the health, safety and wellbeing of staff and students;

6. considering reports:

   1. from the Health and Safety Advisory Service, Occupational Health Service,  Safety Advisory Group and other relevant specialist officers, for the continuous improvement of the University's health and safety arrangements;

   2. on issues of strategic health and safety policy and practice raised by the trade unions and health and safety representatives arising from audits, significant incidents and health and safety related enforcement action by regulatory bodies

   3. from the Students' Union and University of Essex Campus Services, on their health and safety performance or specific issue of health and safety practice;

7. under delegated authority from USG, agreeing actions required to address health, safety and wellbeing risks that need to be taken on an urgent basis;

8. making recommendations to USG and Council, on actions needed to address significant health and safety performance issues and to promote continuous improvement and promotion of health, safety and wellbeing;

9. establish sub-groups or groups to focus on particular health and safety risk areas.

Meetings

Twice annually.

Sub-Committees of Health and Safety Committee

Biological Hazards and Genetic Modification Safety Committee
Ionising Radiation Protection Committee
Safety Advisory Group

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Human Resources and Equality and Diversity Group

Purpose

To support USG in developing effective Human Resource strategies, policies and practices, including Equality and Diversity strategies, policies and practices, that will support and promote a culture of high performance and equality of opportunity within the University, for recommendation to Strategy and Resources Committee and Council.

To monitor on behalf of USG implementation of the University's Human Resource strategies, policies and practices, including Equality and Diversity strategies, policies and practices, promoting the dissemination of good practice throughout the University and drawing to the attention of USG any areas of concern requiring attention.

To receive reports from the University's formal consultative arrangements with the recognised trades unions.

In appropriate circumstances, to draw matters directly to the attention of Council.

Ex Officio Members

Vice-Chancellor: Professor Anthony Forster
Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Professor Jules Pretty (Chair)
Registrar and Secretary: Mr Bryn Morris
Director of Human Resources: Mrs Sue Endean
Executive Dean, Faculty of Humanities: Professor Lorna Fox O'Mahony
Executive Dean, Faculty of Science and Health: Professor Graham Underwood
Executive Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences: Professor Todd Landman

Terms of Reference

1. On behalf of USG, to keep the University's HR strategies and policies, including its Equality and Diversity strategies and policies, under review and to make recommendations to USG on any changes required, including the development of new policies;

2. to monitor the performance of the University in relation to a set of HR and Equality performance indicators, to be agreed as part of the University's Human Resource Supporting Strategy and to report annually to USG;

3. to indentify examples of good practice and promote their dissemination, as a means of promoting equality of opportunity and a high performance culture at the University;

4. to oversee the implementation of action plans agreed by USG for the delivery of the University's HR Supporting Strategy, Equality and Diversity strategy and other related initiatives;

5. to advise USG on the resources required to support the delivery of the University's HR and Equality and Diversity strategies and to promote equality of opportunity;

6. to receive reports from the University's formal consultative arrangements with the recognised trades unions, drawing relevant issues to the attention of USG;

7. to review issues arising from cases being considered under the University's grievance and performance management arrangements, identifying any themes which might require particular actions for the University and might need to be drawn to the attention of USG and Council;

8. under delegated authority from USG, to approve the University's annual programme of staff development and training, evaluating the effectiveness of the programme and suggesting amendments as necessary.

Meetings

Normally once each term.

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Project Coordination Group

Purpose

To support USG in delivering the University's Strategic Projects Portfolio (SPP), underpinning delivery of the Strategic Plan

Ex Officio Members

Vice-Chancellor: Professor Anthony Forster
Registrar and Secretary: Mr Bryn Morris (Chair)
Director of Information Systems: Mr Richard Murphy
Director of Strategic Planning and Change: Dr Sonia Virdee
Head of Learning and Development: Dr Jo Andrews
A Faculty Manager nominated by the Registrar and Secretary: Mrs Emma Hardy
Deputy Director of Finance or nominee: Mr Marc Albano
Director of Communications and External Relations or nominee: Ms Vanessa Potter
Academic Registrar or their nominee: Mr Richard Stock
A member of academic staff nominated by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Dr Tracy Robinson
Head of Strategic Planning and Change: Dr Richard Harrison

Appointed

The chairs of each of the Project Coordination Group sub-groups if they are not already Ex Officio members under the membership outlined above:

Academic Services: Professor Jane Wright

Co-Opted

Up to three members at any time, co-opted for a period of up to three years, co-opted members may be eligible for reappointment:
Southend Campus, Campus Manager: Miss Zoe Manning
External Consultant: Ms Bernarde Hyde, SUMS

Terms of Reference

1. Under delegated authority from USG for the approval, management and oversight of all non-capital projects included in the University's SPP;

2. develop, approve and maintain University policies and processes for the approval, management and oversight of non-capital projects and the SPP;

3. in accordance with the policies and processes agreed under b. above:

   1. consider all proposed non-capital projects for admission to the SPP (and thereby granting permission to proceed), ensuring that such projects are appropriately specified, resourced and scheduled before they are approved for admission and given permission to proceed;

   2. monitor the implementation of projects in the SPP, and ensure that where implementation is not proceeding as planned appropriate action is taken;

   3. where appropriate, revoke approval to proceed with a non-capital project;

   4. take a strategic overview of the SPP, to ensure that it is delivering demonstrable value in relation to the University's Strategic Plan and that potential synergies and economies of scale across the SPP are maximised and risk appropriately mitigated.

4. Report at least annually to USG on the current status of the SPP, and where necessary draw to the attention of USG between these regular reports any issues of strategic concern that arise from the development and implementation of the SPP;

5. advise the Registrar and Secretary on the selection of areas for consideration for review by Southern Universities Management Services (SUMS), the final choice of areas resting entirely with the Registrar and Secretary;

6. receive the reports of SUMS reviews and the management response to these reviews, and ensure that effective follow-up is taken in response to these reviews;

7. support and promote the development of institutional capacity for project management and continuous improvement.

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