Explanatory Notes

Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Act 2016

2016 asp 15

13 April 2016

Commentary on Sections

Part 1: Governance Arrangements

Chapter 2: Academic boards
Section 15: Composition of academic board

29.Section 15(1) sets out the composition of the membership of an academic board of an HEI. Each academic board must include the following members:

30.Section 15(2)(a) provides that more than 50% of the membership of the academic board members must be persons elected by staff or students. Section 15(2)(b) provides that at least 10% of the membership of the academic board members must be persons elected by students.

31.Section 15(3) provides that, despite section 15(2)(b), HEIs are not obliged to elect more than 30 student members. The proportions that will be required (just over 50%, and 10%, respectively) are generally reflected in the composition of the majority of existing academic boards. Election, rather than nomination, of student members to academic boards will be new to the majority of HEIs.