The role of the University Council

The powers and duties of the Council are set out in the Education Act 1989. The Victoria University Council is the governing body of the University, established under section 165 of that Act.

The functions of the Council are:

  1. To appoint a chief executive in accordance with the State Sector Act 1988, and to monitor and evaluate his or her performance;
  2. To prepare and submit a proposed plan if the institution is seeking funding under a funding mechanism that provides for funding via plans;
  3. If the institution has a plan, -
    a) to ensure that the institution is managed in accordance with that plan; and
    b) to determine the policies to implement that plan;
  4. To determine, subject to the State Sector Act 1988, the policies of the institution in relation to the management of its affairs;
  5. To undertake planning relating to the institution’s long-term strategic direction.

The Chancellor of the University chairs the Council.

The Officers of the Council are the Chancellor, the Pro-Chancellor (Deputy Chair), the Chair of the Finance Committee and the Vice-Chancellor. The composition of the Victoria University Council is:

  • four persons appointed by the Minister of Education.
  • the Vice-Chancellor.
  • three permanent members of the academic staff of the University, one at least of whom shall be a Professor of the University and one at least of whom shall not be a Professor, elected by the permanent members of that staff.
  • one permanent member of the general staff of the University elected by the permanent members of that staff.
  • two persons who are or have been students of the University appointed by the Executive for the time being of the Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Association.
  • one person appointed by the Council of the University after consultation with the central organisation of employers within the meaning of the Labour Relations Act 1987.
  • one person appointed by the Council of the University after consultation with the central organisation of workers within the meaning of the Labour Relations Act 1987.
  • five persons elected by the Court of Convocation.
  • two persons co-opted by the Council of the University.

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What does the Chancellor do?

As Chair of the University Council, the Chancellor is responsible for providing leadership to Council in the execution and review of its governance responsibilities. The Chancellor represents the Council at meetings concerned with governance issues across the sector (e.g. Chancellors’ meetings, meetings with representatives of government) and provides advice and support to the Vice-Chancellor. The Chancellor is also typically the spokesperson for Council and the University on governance issues.

The Chancellor is elected by the Council, holds office for one year and is eligible for re-election.

As Chair of Council, the Chancellor:

  • convenes Council meetings;
  • when presiding at a meeting, has a deliberative vote on any question and, on any question where the deliberative votes for and against are equal, the Chancellor also has a casting vote;
  • convenes or is a member of committees or working parties of Council as deemed appropriate;
  • convenes meetings of the Officers of Council as and when required;
  • attends meetings of the NZ Chancellors; and
  • is a Trustee of the Victoria University of Wellington Foundation (ex officio).

As Ceremonial Head of the University, the Chancellor:

  • presides at the Graduation Ceremonies of the University and, on behalf of the Council, confers the degrees; and
  • represents the University at corporate and cultural functions.

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What is a Pro-Chancellor?

The Pro-Chancellor is the Chancellor’s deputy in governance and ceremonial roles and, on occasion as required, acts on the Chancellor’s behalf. The Pro-Chancellor is Deputy Chair of the University Council, elected by the Council, holds office for one year and is eligible for re-election.

If the Chancellor is not present at a meeting of Council or if there is no Chancellor, the Deputy Chair presides at the meeting and has all the powers and functions of the Chancellor for the purpose of the meeting.

The Pro-Chancellor:

  • is an Officer of Council;
  • deputises for the Chancellor as the Ceremonial Head of the University;
  • is a member ex officio of the Audit Committee, the Finance Committee and the Governance Committee; and
  • represents the University at corporate and cultural functions.

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What is the Court of Convocation?

The Court of Convocation was established under The Victoria University of Wellington Act 1961 s.4.

The Court of Convocation is responsible for electing five members to serve on the University Council. Elections for these positions are held every two years. The next ordinary election will be held in late 2010.

The Court of Convocation consists of the persons whose names are enrolled on the Register of the Court. All graduates of Victoria University of Wellington and people who, not being graduates, were enrolled in the Register of the Court of Convocation of the University on 26 August 2002 are eligible to be members of the Court of Convocation.

The Secretary to Council is the Secretary to the Court of Convocation, and is responsible for the Register of the Court.

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What is the Register of the Court of Convocation?

The Register is maintained in two rolls, active and inactive. The active roll of the Register lists those members who:

  1. voted in the last preceding ordinary election (2008);
  2. voted at the penultimate ordinary election (2004);
  3. have had their names enrolled in the Register since the penultimate election.  (All new graduates of the University since 2000 have been automatically enrolled in the Register and are listed on the active roll).

The inactive roll of the Register lists those members who have not exercised their right to vote in an election since 1998.

To check your status on the Register, please contact the Alumni Office, VUW, PO Box 600, Wellington or email address giving your full name (and name at graduation if different), your address, degree and date of graduation if known.  If your name is not listed, or is listed on the inactive roll of the Register, and you wish to receive voting papers for the election, you should apply in writing to the Secretary of the Court of Convocation, VUW, PO Box 600, Wellington, or  email address.