The Colleges of Education (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (Schedule 2) requires the University College's Instrument of Government, issued by the Department for Employment and Learning, to provide for a Governing Body of not more than 18 members of whom:-

(a)  not less than one-half shall be persons appearing to the Department to be, or to have been, engaged or employed in business, industry or any profession;

(b)  one shall be the Principal of the College;

(c)  two shall be elected by staff employed at the College of whom -

(i)   one shall be elected by teachers so employed from among such teachers; and

(ii) one shall be elected by other staff so employed from among such other staff;

(d)  one shall be elected by students of the College from among such students;

(e)  not more than two may be persons co-opted  by the other members of  the Governing Body.

The Articles of Government set out in general terms the responsibilities of the Governing Body:-

(a)  determining th21-Aug-2007 9:09 of its activities and maintaining its general character;

(b)  the effective use of resources, the solvency of the College and safeguarding its assets;

(c)  approving annual estimates of income and expenditure;

(d)  the appointment, discipline, conduct, grievance, suspension, dismissal and conditions of service of senior staff;

(e)  approving a framework for the pay and conditions of staff, and arranging for the negotiation of such with recognised representatives of such staff;

(f)  approving the arrangements for the appointment, promotion, discipline, conduct and grievance of staff, other than senior staff;

(g)  ensuring that there is an efficient and effective appraisal system operating in the College.

The financial responsibilities of the Governing Body are set out in some more detail in the Financial Memorandum (currently under review).  These include:-

• ensuring that funds from the Department are used only in accordance with the Memorandum and other conditions which the Department may from time to time make;
  
• ensuring that the financial, planning and other management controls (including controls against fraud and theft) are appropriate and sufficient to safeguard public funds;
  
• securing the efficient, economical and effective management of all the College's resources and expenditure, including: funds other than those provided by the Department; capital assets; equipment; and staff, so that the investment in public funds in the College is not put at risk;
  
• ensuring that financial considerations are taken into account at all stages in reaching decisions and in their execution;
  
• preparing, annually, a financial statement in an accrual based format, having the same audited and submitted to the Department.

The members of the Governing Body currently are:-

Mr S Costello MBE BA (Chairperson)

Mrs S E D Bell MA DASE (Vice Chair)

Mr N Bodger  MBA Dip Modern Languages

Mr D Campbell BEd MA

Mr D Capper   Cert Ed  BA

Mr C Donaghy  BEd MA (Staff Governor)

Rev M Hagan  Cert. HE Theology MPhil

Ms J Harper  MEd DASE PQH(NI)

Dr A Heaslett  BA MA D.Phil MSc FRSA (Principal and Chief Executive)

Mr J Murray (Department Observer)

Mr M McFarland BEd (Student Governor)

Mr T McGonigal BA (Hons)

Mr H Storey MSSc DMS ACIS MBIM (Staff Governor)

The Governing Body normally meets three times a year and its Committees - Audit, Executive and Remuneration - also meet three times or as and when required in the case of the Remuneration Committee. The Annual Reports and current Strategic Objectives and Business Plan of the Governing Body can be consulted on this Website.  The Secretary to the Governing Body is Mr N C G Halliday, AFA.