Student administration/Award ceremony administration, University of Glasgow

University of Glasgow

Student administration

Award ceremony administration

Bedellus

Dean of Faculty

Clerk of Senate

Senate

Registry

From the foundation of the University, responsibility for the organisation of the graduation or laureation ceremony at which the degree of master of arts was conferred by the Chancellor appears to have been shared largely between the Dean of Faculties and the Bedellus. The Dean of Faculties was responsible for the academic arrangements and the prior examination of students whereas the Bedellus had to post notices for the ceremony, arrange seats for the dignitaries and receive a fee from the students for the privilege of being admitted to graduation. At the ceremony, he announced the names of those who had qualified for the degree and those who had failed.

By the mid 19th century at least, most of the administration and organisation of award ceremonies including those for graduation and for the conferment of honorary degrees was carried out by the Clerk of Senate at the direction of the Senate. In 1911, by order of the University Court, responsibility for the organisation of graduation ceremonies passed to the newly created University Registry. The Clerk of Senate remained responsible for organising ceremonies for the conferment of honorary degrees. This remained the case in 2005. Duties of the Registry included the enrolment of students for the graduation ceremony and the production of parchments. In c1998, the Registry was divided into sections. The Graduations and General Council Section henceforth handled graduation ceremony administration.

Faculty meeting minutes 1663-1669, 1701-1859 ref: GB 0248 GUA 26626, 26631-26632, 26634-26635, 26647-26650, 26690-26703
 

Senate minutes 1730 to date Ref: GB 0248 GUA SEN 1/1
The senate minutes include entries on graduation ceremonies and ceremonies for the conferment of honorary degrees.

Honorary graduation papers 1731 to date ref: GB 0248 ACC 44
Papers include nominations, letters of acceptance, graduation ceremony programmes and orations.

Dean of Faculty's meeting minutes 1732-1772 ref: GB 0248 GU 26645-26646
 

Senate scroll minutes 1771-1839 Ref: GB 0248 GUA 74018
 

Senate meeting papers c18th century-1998 Ref: GB 0248 GUA Senate papers
 

Indexes to senate minutes 1873-1919 Ref: GB 0248 GUA SEN 1/2
 

Clerk of Senate’s letterbooks 1876-1911 ref: GB 0248 GUA 17069-17098
The letterbooks include letters relating to the conferment of honorary degrees.

Title of function/activity taken from Elizabeth Parker's Function Activity Model (report compiled for JISC). Function and activity description compiled according to GASHE's Standard for Creating Function and Activity Descriptions.

Public relations management/Honorary award management, University of Glasgow