Key governance resources

The University does not operate in isolation, but benchmarks its system of governance with the codes and principles that are considered to be best practice in the higher education sector.

The following links will direct you to the documents and organisations that provide the context for the University’s governance structures and procedures.

• Nolan Principles - Seven Principles of Public Life
• Committee of University Chairs (CUC)
• Committee of University Chairs (CUC) Higher Education Code of Governance (pdf 416kb)
• Scottish Code of Good Higher Education Governance
• AdvanceHE/Leadership Foundation for Higher Education 
• Governor Development Programme
• Charity Commission - The Essential Trustee (pdf 1.2mb)
• Charity Commission Conflicts of Interest guidance
• Charity Commission Charitable Purposes and Public Benefit guidance

The following links will direct you to key governance documents and strategies of the University

• OU Charter and Statutes (pdf 235kb)
• The Council constitution and standing orders, including the role of members (pdf 315kb)
• The Senate constitution and membership (pdf 209kb)
• Code of Conduct (pdf 169kb)
• Committee Member Privacy Notice (pdf 132kb)
• Council Diversity Policy (pdf 107kb)
• OU Government Structure Chart (pdf 103kb)
• OU Academic Governance Structure Chart (pdf 90kb)
• OU Organisational Structure Chart 

The Council Role Descriptions

• OU Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Council (pdf 97kb)
• OU Treasurer (pdf 78kb)
• OU Council - Vice-Chair (pdf 112kb)
• OU Council - Member (pdf 89kb)
• OU Council Committee - Chair (pdf 20kb)

• OU Annual Report
• OU Financial Statements
• OU Strategic Objectives
• Academic Strategy
• Learning and Teaching Vision and Plan (pdf 277kb)
• Research
• Widening Access and Success