Business Committee
Notification of Draft Ordinances
In terms of the Universities (Scotland) Act 1966, the following draft Ordinances, promulgated by the University Court of the University of St Andrews on Friday 17 October 2025, are sent herewith to the General Council. The draft Ordinances have been sent to the Senatus Academicus and made available for Public Inspection:
- Draft Ordinance No [135] – Composition of the University Court (revoking Ordinance No 132)
- Draft Ordinance No [136] – Election of the Chancellor to the University Court (revoking Ordinance No 129)
- Draft Ordinance No [137] – Election of the Rector (revoking Ordinance No 82)
- Draft Ordinance No [138] – Amendment of the Ordinance of the University of St Andrews No 90 (Readers, Senior Lecturers and Assistant Lecturers)
- Draft Ordinance No [139] – General Council Membership Registration and Meetings. Replacing Ordinance No 96 (and others as listed)
The text of the draft Ordinances accompanied by an explanatory note can be viewed below. Copies of the relevant existing Ordinances have also been included for reference.
Draft Ordinances Promulgated 17 October 2025 (PDF)
Q and A relating to the draft Ordinances (PDF)
Any comments on any of the draft Ordinances should be directed to me within eight weeks of the date of this notification, by Tuesday 6 January 2026 and will, as appropriate, be taken into consideration by the University Court. Subject to any comments received, the Court is expected to give final approval to the draft Ordinances at its meeting on Friday 16 January 2026, following which the approval of the Privy Council will be sought.
Copies of the draft Ordinances are available to be inspected in-person at College Gate, North Street, within office hours.
Margaret Sinclair
Executive Officer to the University Court and Senate
If you require the document in an accessible format, please email the Court Office at courtoffice@st-andrews.ac.uk.
The General Council Business Committee (GCBC) exists to support and strengthen the relationship between the University and its General Council. The GCBC meets quarterly, and advises on alumni programmes and services, promotes alumni involvement and assists in fostering a sense of community.
The GCBC was restructured and relaunched following the June 2025 General Council meeting. Its core responsibilities now include:
- supporting alumni programmes, services and events
- acting as ambassadors for the University within their local and professional communities
- assisting in fundraising efforts
- offering feedback and insights on alumni needs and interests
- building and maintaining relationships with other alumni
- providing feedback on new initiatives
- providing updates to the General Council and discharging any tasks or remits that the General Council may choose to give it
Membership of the Business Committee
The GCBC consists of:
- Between 10 and 20 representatives nominated from the University’s most active alumni clubs to hold office for up to two four-year terms.
- Ex officio members:
- Principal and Vice Chancellor
- Chancellor’s Assessor
- Registrar and Clerk to the General Council
- General Council Assessors to Court
- Alumni Relations Manager
- The current convener, Revd Matthew Lawson.
Current members of the Business Committee
Following the restructuring of the Business Committee agreed at the June 2025 General Council meeting, nominations for future membership are being sought from alumni clubs and will be brought forward to the November meeting of the General Council.
The General Council agreed to invite Revd Matthew Lawson to serve as Acting Convener until the new membership structures are in place.
Restructuring of the Business Committee
The revised Terms of Reference approved by the General Council on 28 June 2025 are available online, together with the supporting paper and presentation made by the Convener.
Contacting the General Council Business Committee
Members may raise any matter bearing upon the University, by reference to the Convener of the GCBC by:
- Email: generalcouncil@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Post:
Convener of the Business Committee of the General Council
General Council Office
91 North Street
St Andrews
KY16 9AJ