1. UCC Governance
Overview
January, 2017

2. UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK
Welcome to
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK
A tradition of independent thinking

3. Presentation UCC profile/overview History and Background
Governance and Management
Statutory Framework
Academic Governance
Strategic Plan

4. The Irish Universities
Trinity College Dublin [TCD]
University College Cork [UCC]
National University of Ireland, Galway[NUIG]
University College Dublin (1854) [UCD] 1908
University of Limerick [UL]
Dublin City University [DCU]
National University of Ireland, Maynooth
National University of Ireland

5. UCC’s History
19th Century 1845 Queen’s College Cork – a constituent College of the Queen’s University – became part of the Royal University in 1879
20th Century 1908 University College Cork – a constituent College of Early the National University of Ireland – received its Charter as University College Cork – 1908 Act
20th Century 1997 University College Cork –
Late National University of Ireland, Cork – a constituent University of the National University of Ireland –
Universities Act 1997
Working Title – University College Cork

6. Governance and Management
Governing Body
5 GB Committees
Academic Structure
Academic Council
Academic Board
Colleges
University Management Team
Operations
Strategy
Administrative Structure
Central administration
College administration

7. Structure

8. Management Structure

9. Colleges

10. STATUTORY FRAMEWORK

11. 1. Legislation – Universities Act 1997
Governance Framework
Governance Framework
1. Legislation – Universities Act 1997
2. Charter and Statutes
3.Regulations/Rules

12. Legislation – Membership of the University
Members of Governing Body
Members of Academic Council
Employees
Students
Graduates
Other persons appointed by Governing Body

13. Legislation – Objects of a University
To advance knowledge
To promote learning 
To foster “independent critical thinking” amongst students
To promote the official languages of the State (“special regard”
to Irish language)
To support and contribute to the realisation of national economic
and social development 
To facilitate life-long learning 
To promote gender balance and equality of opportunity

14. Legislation – Functions of a University
provide courses of study, conduct examinations and award degrees and other qualifications,
promote and facilitate research,
establish subsidiary companies
may collaborate with educational, business, professional, trade union, Irish language, cultural, artistic, community and other interests, both inside and outside the State, to further the objects of the university,
shall maintain, manage and administer, and may dispose of and invest, the property, money, assets and rights of the university,
may collaborate with graduates -both inside and outside the State,
may purchase or otherwise acquire, hold and dispose of land or other property, and
may accept gifts of money, land or other property on the trusts and conditions, if any, not in conflict with Universities Act, specified by the donor.

15. Legislation – Powers of the Governing Body
“15.—(1) Subject to section 21 , each university shall have a governing authority established in accordance with this Act which shall be known by whatever name the governing authority decides.
(2) Subject to this Act, the functions of a university shall be performed by or on the directions of its governing authority.
(3) All acts and things done by a governing authority, or in the name of or on behalf of the university with the express or implied authority of the governing authority, shall be deemed to have been done by the university.”

16. Legislation – Functions of the Governing Body
To control and administer the land and other property of the University
To appoint the President
To appoint staff (may be delegated to President)
To determine the membership of Governing Body
To perform the requirements of 1997 Act, any other Act, or Charter or Statute
To delegate to committees (must include GB members)

17. Governing Body - Membership
President 1
Chairperson 1
Officers
Professors/Associate Professors 5
Other full-time academic staff 5
Staff (full-time) other than academic staff 3
Students’ Union 2
Postgraduate Student 1
External nominees 4
Minister for Education & Science nominees 4
Graduates 3
Local authorities 7
National University of Ireland 2
Total

18. Governing Body - Committees
Students
Staff
Strategy
Finance
Audit

19. Bicameral Governance
Governing Body
Academic Council

20. Academic Council
“27.—(1) Each university shall have an academic council which shall, subject to the financial constraints determined by the governing authority and to review by that authority, control the academic affairs of the university, including the curriculum of, and instruction and education provided by, the university.”
Programmes of Study
Development of Research
Admission, retention, exclusion of students
Conduct of examinations (statute)
Examination appeals (statute)
Evaluation of academic progress (statute)
Fellowships, prizes, scholarships

21. Academic Council - Membership
Determined by Statute
Majority academic staff
Senior academic staff
Range of levels of other academic staff
Students
President and Registrar, ex officio

22. Academic Governance Governing Body Academic Council + Academic Board
College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences
College of Science, Engineering and Food Science
College of Medicine and Health
College of Business and Law

23. Charter, Statutes, Regulations, Rules
Principal Statute
Governing Body Regulations
College Rules

24. Principal Statute
The University
Governing Body
Academic Council
The President and Senior Management
Organisation of the University
University Officers and Employees
Tenure and Disciplinary Procedures
Students
External Bodies

25. Other Aspects of University Governance
Strategic Planning
Quality Promotion
Equality
Risk Management
Internal Audit – Internal Controls
Signing and Approval Authority
Health and Safety Compliance
Information Compliance – FOI / DP
Ethics in Public Office

26. Higher Education Authority [HEA]
External Agencies
Higher Education Authority [HEA]
 Department of Education and Skills [DES]
Irish Universities Association [IUA]

27. TO BE A WORLD CLASS UNIVERSITY CONNECTING
MISSION
TO BE A WORLD CLASS UNIVERSITY CONNECTING
OUR REGION TO THE GLOBE

28. Strategic Plan
Strategic Goals:
Delivering research-inspired teaching and learning with a world-class student experience
2. Being a premier European university for research,
discovery, innovation and commercialisation
3. Being pre-eminent in internationalisation, external
engagement and contribution to society
4. Applying best international practice to attract, develop
and retain staff of the highest quality and to enable all
staff to reach their full potential
5. Strengthening our infrastructure and resource base

29. New President – February, 2017
Professor Patrick O’Shea – Vice-President for Research, University of Maryland

30. THANK YOU