The Robert Gordon University (Scotland) Order of Council 2006

Period of office

7.—(1) An Independent Governor shall hold office for a 4 year term.

(2) On the expiry of that term an Independent Governor shall be eligible to be reappointed or elected (as the case may be) (as long as that Governor is still eligible in accordance with the other terms of this Order) for one further term of a maximum of 4 years.

(3) An Independent Governor shall not normally serve as such Governor for more than 8 years.

(4) For the purpose of calculating 8 years any period of office as an Independent Governor shall be counted towards the 8 year term.

(5) In exceptional circumstances the Board may extend the term served by an Independent Governor by up to a further 2 years to give a maximum of 10 years service as such Governor.

(6) Governors appointed or elected under article 5(4)(b) shall hold office for a maximum of 4 years and no Governor appointed or elected under article 5(4)(b) shall remain as a Governor if such Governor has ceased to be a member of staff of the University.

(7) Governors elected under article 5(4)(c) shall hold office for a maximum of 2 years and no Governor elected under article 5(4)(c) shall remain as a Governor if such Governor has ceased to be a student.

Vacation of office of Governor

(8) A Governor shall automatically cease to be a Governor in the following circumstances:–

(a) the Governor resigns in writing;

(b) the Governor’s estate is sequestrated or a bankruptcy order is made against the Governor or the Governor has granted a trust deed for or entered into an arrangement with his or her creditors;

(c) in the opinion of the Board the Governor becomes unable to continue as a Governor by reason of physical or mental incapacity;

(d) the Governor has failed to attend any meetings of the Board or of its committees for more than 6 months otherwise than for a reason approved by the Board;

(e) two thirds of the total membership of the Board decides on good reason to remove a Governor (other than the Principal);

(f) the Governor becomes ineligible to remain in office under articles 7(1), 7(2), 7(3), 7(6) or 7(7);

(g) the Governor has been convicted of a criminal offence punishable by imprisonment;

(h) in the opinion of the Board the Governor has been involved in behaviour bringing the Governor or the University into disrepute;

(i) the Governor dies; or

(j) the Governor has breached a contract between the Governor and the University or that Governor has materially breached any policy or procedure of the University.

Suspension

(9) Two thirds of the total membership of the Board shall be entitled on good reason to suspend a Governor from the Board for any period.

Filling of vacancies

(10) Where the office of a Governor has become vacant under article 7(8) then a new Governor shall be eligible to be appointed or elected to fill that vacancy.