Freedom of Information Act 2000
Publication Scheme for Stranmillis University College

1 Governance

This section covers information relating to the way the institution is governed and how decisions are made. It includes information on the legal status of the institution, which individual member of staff or group within the organisation is responsible for specific functions and where they fit in the overall structure of the organization. In some instances information from committees will be exempt from disclosure where it contains personal information, information that may damage the commercial interests of the institution or that may threaten the health and safety of specific individuals.

1.1 Legal Framework

Stranmillis University College was established by the then Ministry of Education in 1922 under the Ministries of Northern Ireland Act 1921. It receives funding from the Department for Employment & Learning under Article 66(2) of the Education & Libraries (NI) Order 1986.

As a result of the approval by Parliament of the Colleges of Education (NI) Order (2005), Stranmillis became a legally incorporated higher education institution on 1st October 2005. Its grounds and buildings were on that date transferred from Government to the Governing Body, which also became the employing authority for staff. As a result of incorporation, the term 'Governing Body' replaced the previous usage of 'Board of Governors' from 1st October 2005 onwards.

1.2 Governance Structure

The University College is governed by a Governing Body appointed by the Minister at the Department for Employment & Learning.

The Governing Body has a Code of Conduct for its members.

The Governing Body has two standing Committees:

• Executive
• Audit

Meetings of the Governing Body and its Committees are regulated by Standing Orders.

In summary the Governing Body has the following responsibilities:

'to determine the educational character and mission of the institution,
oversight of its activities,
the effective and efficient use of resources,
the solvency of the institution and safeguarding its assets,
approving the annual estimates of income and expenditure,
the appointment, grading, appraisal, suspension, dismissal and
determination of the pay and conditions of service of members of staff,
subject to the approval of the department, the appointment of the Principal and Director of Corporate Services.
ensuring that funds from the Department are used only in accordance with the Financial Memorandum and any other conditions which the Department may determine.'

The Executive Committee is responsible for:

• College Strategic Plan
• Admissions Policy
• Staff Development
• Review of Policies and Procedures

The Audit Committee is responsible for:

'liaison with the Internal and External Auditors,
oversight of those aspects of the Financial Regulations that
demonstrate effective internal control and arrangements,
the promotion of economy, efficiency, effectiveness and value for money,
fraud and risk management.'

1.3  How the Institution is organised

The Principal is the chief executive of the institution and services are delivered through 4 Vice-Principals:

• Corporate Services
• Academic Registrar
• Educational Services
• Academic Affairs

1.4 Information on the institutional context

The Institution's Mission statement is:

'to sustain a critical community of educational excellence in teaching and research in a shared learning environment where diversity is welcomed, in order to help meet the professional needs of society in Northern Ireland and beyond'.

The Institution is linked academically with Queen's University, Belfast through an agreement dated May 2002.

1.5 Information on the institutional context

The Institution produces a Strategic Development Plan and a Business Plan 07-08 on an annual basis.

As the University College is integrated academically with QUB, Academic policies and procedures reflect those in the QUB Quality Handbook.

1.6 Management Structure

The Principal and 4 Vice-Principals form the Management Board of the Institution.

This group has the following remit:'the development and implementation of the University College's general strategy,
the establishment of the University College's objectives,
the drawing up, and annual monitoring of the University College's Strategic Development and Business Plans,
The allocation of resources, setting and monitoring of budgets and staffing issues,
the scrutiny of resource implications of the introduction of new programmes of study'.

SUMMARY OF INFORMATION AVAILABLE
Section 1: Governance