University of Glasgow | Senate

University of Glasgow | Comitia

University of Glasgow | Faculty

University of Glasgow | Clerk of Senate

The term "Senate" was not used in connection with the University until the early part of the seventeenth century and then in a non-consistent form. It was one of three courts which, between them, handled the entire business of the University up until 1858. The other two courts were the Faculty and Comitia. In 1858, after the passing of the Universities (Scotland) Act of that year, the Faculty and Comitia were abolished and the Senate reconstituted.

Meetings of the Senate were originally held for conferring degrees, the management of the Library and all other matters relating to the University. After the passing of the Universities (Scotland) Act of 1858, the new Senate, the senatus academicus, became responsible for finance, the administration of the property and revenues of the University and for teaching and discipline. The Universities (Scotland) Act of 1889 was more radical, reducing the powers of the Senate to academic matters, the regulation and superintendence of the teaching and discipline of the University and the promotion of research.

Before 1858, the Senate consisted of the Rector, who presided, the Dean of Faculties, the Principal and all the professors of the University. After 1858, the ex officio members of the Senate were the Principal, who was its president, and the professors, both established chairholders and personal professors, together with a number of other officers, including the Clerk of Senate. Readers and lecturers who were members of the faculties could be elected to membership of the Senate to a number equal to one third of its members ex officio. Members of Senate were also elected from the following constituencies: Library staff - three members, research staff - six members and other related staff - three members. Membership of Senate was also extended to a number of matriculated students: the Students' Representative Council President, Senior Vice-President, Vice-President for University affairs, and one representative from each of the faculties. The Principal had a deliberative and casting vote. One third of the Senate constituted a quorum.

Administrative support for the Senate was provided by the Clerk of Senate, a senior academic elected to the office for a fixed term. The Clerk of Senate headed the Clerk of Senate's Office, which later became known as the Senate Office.

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Authority record created according to the National Council on ArchivesRules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names (NCA Rules)1997 and International Council on Archives: Ad Hoc Committee on Descriptive StandardsInternational Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons and Families (ISAAR) CPF1995.

Corporate name authority record compiled for the GASHE project by Victoria Peters, research archivist, 13 April 2004. Revised 15 March 2005.