Lay Vacancies on Court - Call for Nominations

The University Court, the governing body of the University, includes a certain number of members from outside the University who are co-opted by the Court itself. The process of selecting co-opted lay members is handled by a Governance & Nominations Committee, which seeks to ensure that there is a balance of skills and experience amongst the membership of Court.

The Committee is currently addressing the need to fill two current vacancies for such co-opted members, although there will be additional vacancies over the next nine months. Students and staff of the University are invited to suggest the names of suitable lay persons for consideration by the Governance & Nominations Committee. The sort of professional skills that are of value to the Court include the arts, law, accountancy, general or business management, education, public/not for profit sector, etc.

It is important that candidates for co-option should be willing to support the University and in particular be available for Court meetings. Subject to the latter, there is no geographical restriction on the area from which co-opted members may be recruited. The term of office is four years, with the possibility of reappointment for a second term. Lay members of Court are not remunerated, but may claim reimbursement for travel and other necessary expenses incurred in the fulfilment of their duties. The definition of a lay member for this purpose is any person who is neither a student nor a staff member of the University, and who has not been a student or staff member within the last four years. The Court is committed to diversity in its membership and so suggestions of persons from groups currently underrepresented on Court would be especially welcome.

The names of potential nominees (who need not necessarily be approached by the proposer) should be forwarded in confidence, together with a brief supporting case, to Dr Neale Laker, Clerk to Court (n.laker@dundee.ac.uk, tel. x85104) by 31 January 2010, to whom also any questions may be directed. The suggestions that are submitted will be reviewed by the Governance & Nominations Committee in February 2010, whereafter initial contact with preferred candidates will be made.

For further information about the University Court see http://www.dundee.ac.uk/academic/court/.