Staff Elections to University Court

Member of Court elected by and from the Academic Staff 

Nominations are open for the member of Court drawn from the academic staff of the University.

If you wish to stand for this position, please complete a nomination form (below) and return it by 12 noon on 11 May to Governance Services.    

You are eligible to stand for election or to nominate or second someone else if you are employed under a permanent academic contract (either full-time or part-time).  Copies of the election regulations are posted below.

Information about the position

The academic staff member of Court is an integral part of the University's governing body.  The position is specified in the Constitution of University Court and provides an important input to the discussions and decisions of Court.  The member participates in meetings of the Court and one or two of its sub-committees as well as the annual strategy meeting involving the Court and the Principal's Executive Group (PEG). 

You should therefore be able to devote sufficient time to participate in (and prepare for) up to ten set-piece meetings per academic session. 

The successful candidate will contribute to Court discussions using knowledge and experience from their own background -including their experience of working at the University.  They cannot, however, be 'mandated' or otherwise represent the views of others.

Under our governance structure, the successful candidate fulfils their duties independent of the people who voted.  S/he is expected to voice views as an individual who is broadly representative of rather than directly representing the non-academic staff of the University.  

Further information about the nature of Court members' responsibilities is available here.  You can download information on Court from the Governance Intranet site.  The  Recruitment Information Pack for Lay Members, while aimed at external applicants, contains further information about University Court which prospective candidates may also find useful.

The appointment will be for four years from 1 August 2012 and the successful candidate will join Court at the first meeting of Court in Session 2012/13. 

Voting

If more than one candidate is nominated, there will be an election contest.  Staff will be able to vote from Thursday 24th May 2012 until 12.00 noon on Friday 1st June 2012. Voting will be conducted electronically, with an alternative available for any staff without access to their own e-mail account.

Staff will be eligible to vote if they are employed under permanent academic contracts (either full-time or part-time).  Copies of the election regulations are posted below.

The 'Instant Run-off' method of preferential voting will be used.  This means that voters will be asked to rank candidates in order of preference (1, 2, 3 etc) rather than by making a single choice with a cross.

Information will be available on the link below to explain more about how voting will work.

Information and documents

  Copy of the general election regulations (PDF file). This is an important document for guiding the conduct of the election, including specifying who is eligible to take part.

  Nomination Form (Word file).  All nominations should be submitted on this form.  Completed forms must be received by the Returning Officer no later than 12.00 noon on Friday 11 May 2012.  Please consult the above regulations before completing.

Information on Court's responsibilities (link to the Governance Intranet pages)

To find out more about how voting will work, choose help (link to another Intranet page will be made live nearer election time)

For more details please contact the 'returning officer': 

John McDermott, Governance Officer (Court Committee Support)
Governance Services, Room 7.B.16, Sighthill Campus

t: 0131 455 6408
f: 0131 455 6269

e: j.mcdermott@napier.ac.uk