Who Sits on Senate?

A revised Senate membership took effect on 1 August 2008, following a review of Senate in 2006 and the receipt of Privy Council approval for an increase in the number of co-opted members and changes in the student representation.

Ex-officio Members

• The Vice-Chancellor and Warden
• The Deputy Vice-Chancellor
• The five Pro-Vice-Chancellors (Arts and Humanities), (Education), (Research), (Science), (Social Sciences and Health)
• The Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Warden of the Colleges
• The Dean of the Graduate School
• The Heads of College
• The Heads of Departments (Chairs of Boards of Studies)
• The Librarian
• The Director of CIS (Chief Information Officer)

Appointed Members

A number of members equal to one-third of the ex officio membership of the Senate nominated and elected by the members of the academic staff who are not ex officio members of the Senate. Not less than half of such members shall be Lecturers or Senior Lecturers.

Co-opted Members

If Senate agrees, not more than six members appointed by co-option.

Senate will review the co-opted membership on a biennial basis.

Student Representatives

• The President of Durham Students' Union
• Two further student representatives, one of whom shall be a current Postgraduate student, appointed by the Durham Students' Union

Chair of Senate

The Vice-Chancellor or, in his absence, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor or a Pro-Vice-Chancellor, chairs meetings of Senate.

Terms of Appointment of Senate Members

The appointed members hold office for three years and one-third of them retire each year. Co-opted members hold office for two years.