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This page contains information on the structure of the University. Although most students will not deal with university committees directly, it is important to know which Students' Union Sabbatical officers sit on them, so if you have a problem then you know which Sabbatical can help you. The Sabbaticals sit on these committees to represent students' views and therefore rely on students' like course reps to inform them of any issues that could be brought to the attention of the relevant committee.
The University of Leicester
The Status and Charter of the University provide for a large and mainly formal University Court, University Council which is the designated governing body of the University, and Senate. University Court
Court is mainly a ceremonial body and has no real function. However the Chancellor, the Pro-Vice Chancellor, the Treasurer and the Auditor are appointed by the Court. It also receives reports each year from all University Officers, including a financial report. University Council
Council is largely concerned with the financial side of the University and anything else not directly academic. Little is actually decided at this level since decisions will have been made in the relevant standing committees and once an issue gets to Council there is little chance of changing it. University Senate
Senate has responsibilities for all the academic work of the University, regulating teaching and instruction in the University, subject to the general control and approval of Council. Again, decisions are largely taken in the various standing committees and Faculty Boards empowered by Senate, coming to Senate itself for ratification only. Occasionally there may be debate at this level and it is not unknown for an issue passed in the committee stage to founder here - but it's rare. More often they just pick at some small point or the wording of minutes from the standing committees. Committees of Senate and Council
Most Sabbaticals will sit on one or more of these. Subjects range from the state of the gardens to student welfare and anything in between. These are the places to get things done since the large committees, although powerful, don't actually do very much themselves. If you are a member of one these or want to find out what a committee gets up to then, it is a good idea to check through the previous year's minutes. A copy of the terms and reference of each committee is maintained by the Education Unit. Ask your predecessor to tell you about it, who's friendly, who isn't, whether they will listen to students, etc. Student/Staff meetings
These are the major contact between elected Course Representatives and the staff at your department. These meetings are specifically arranged to enhance the communication between staff and students and to allow you to raise any problems and suggestions or put forward any new ideas you may have through your Course Rep. The department wants to hear these ideas and input, and they very often act on the suggestions you raise