Becoming a Governor
Governing bodies are formed of external ('lay') and internal (individuals who are employed by the institutions or connected to its student body) members. A new governor may therefore be largely unfamiliar with the institution they are joining, or strongly connected.
All new governors face new challenges when joining a governing body. These may be about understanding higher education as a business, the specific challenges faced by the institution they are joining or how the system of governance works in higher education. Depending on their background and expertise, new governors may face a steep learning curve when they first join a governing body.
What is governance?
What is understood by the term governance in the context of higher education? Is higher education governance the same as in other sectors, or are there differences? Two key aspects of this question are examined:
- The distinction between governance and management, including, what a governing body is responsible for.
- The workings of a typical governing body, including the respective roles of the chair, head of institution and clerk.
Governor responsibilities
The responsibilities of governors in terms of specific aspects or activities of the institution are examined. A range of topics are reviewed, including academic governance and quality, regulation and compliance, commercial operations, international students, risk management, students, strategic plans and monitoring performance
Find out more about Governance