Nominations for election to General Assembly open
11 Mar 2013
Staff are invited to nominate themselves or colleagues for election to the General Assembly.
This could lead to what one member of the General Assembly described as “an amazing, incredible experience where you can learn how the University works and meet some very interesting and friendly people”.
Any member of academic related or support staff can be nominated for the General Assembly, which meets twice a year and whose main purpose is to act as a two-way channel of communication through which the University presents its achievements to its stakeholders and receives feedback and advice on matters relating to University business.
Those elected will be able to run for election to the University’s governing body, the Board of Governors, which is ultimately responsible for the University’s strategic direction and monitoring performance.
The members of the University’s governance bodies have important roles. The University is a chartered corporation and an exempt charity. Its constitution and supporting structures – the General Assembly, Senate and Board of Governors – have been developed in a way that ensure they hold true to the ethos, principles and requirements of good governance in higher education.
Senior Research Finance Officer Mark Glass, now in his second year on the General Assembly and Board of Governors, says: “It’s an amazing, incredible experience where you can learn how the University works and meet some very interesting and friendly people.
“You get to understand the place you work and what its aims are. You get a feel for what people expect of the University and it is stimulating as a staff member to get to know that.
“The General Assembly only meets twice a year and there is about two hours of reading for it – you get out what you put in so it is worthwhile to make sure you are informed beforehand – so that’s not too onerous.”
Mark, who joined the bodies after being encouraged by a colleague who was already on the Board of Governors, adds: “The Board of Governors is more work but again thoroughly enjoyable.
“It has been absolutely fascinating and an amazing experience and I would recommend it to anyone.”
For full information on the electoral process and a link to the nomination form, go to:
For further information on the University’s governance arrangements, contact:
- Martin Conway, Deputy Secretary, at martin.f.conway@manchester.ac.uk