University Charter

ELIZABETH THE SECOND by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Our other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith.

TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, GREETING!

WHEREAS an humble Petition has been presented to Us by the University College of North Staffordshire praying that We should constitute and found a University within North Staffordshire for the advancement of Knowledge, the diffusion and extension of Arts, Sciences and Learning, the provision of Liberal, Professional and Technological Education and for the furtherance of the objects for which the University College of North Staffordshire was incorporated by a Charter granted by Our Royal Predecessor His Majesty King George the Sixth and dated the eleventh day of August in the year of our Lord One thousand nine hundred and forty-nine and to grant a Charter with such provisions in that behalf as shall seem to Us right and suitable:

AND WHEREAS we have taken the said Petition into Our Royal Consideration and are minded to accede thereto:

NOW THEREFORE know Ye that We by virtue of Our Royal Prerogative and of Our especial grace, certain knowledge and mere motion have willed and ordained and by these Presents do for Us, Our Heirs and Successors will and ordain as follows:-

1.  There shall be and there is hereby constituted and founded in Our County of Stafford a University by the name and style of "The University of Keele", with Boards of Studies in the Humanities and Social Sciences, the Natural Sciences and Medicine and Health Sciences and such other Boards of Studies and Faculties either in addition to or in substitution for the aforesaid Boards of Studies or any of them as may from time to time be constituted by Statutes or Ordinances of the University.

2.  Our most dear and entirely beloved Sister Margaret Rose, Lady of the Imperial Order of the Crown of India, Dame Grand Cross of Our Royal Victorian Order, Chancellor of the University of Keele, the members for the time being of the Council, the Senate, and the Boards of Studies and Faculties of the University, the Graduates of the University, the Graduate and the Undergraduate students of the University, the Chancellor, the Pro-Chancellor, the Deputy Pro-Chancellors, the Vice-Chancellor, the Treasurer, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost and the Chairs of the Boards of Studies and Faculties of the University for the time being and all others who shall pursuant to this Our Charter and the Statutes of the University for the time being be Members of the University are hereby constituted and from henceforth for ever shall be one body politic and corporate with perpetual succession and a Common Seal by the name and style of "The University of Keele" (hereinafter called "the University") with fullpower and capacity by and in such name to sue and be sued and to take and hold land, and with power, subject to the Customs and Laws of Arms, to acquire armorial bearings which shall be duly recorded in Our College of Arms, and to do all other lawful acts whatsoever.

3. We do reserve unto Ourself, Our Heirs and Successors to be the Visitor of the University through the Lord President of Our Council for the time being and in exercise of the Visitorial Authority We, Our Heirs and Successors shall have the right from time to time and in such manner as We or They shall think fit to direct an inspection of the University, its buildings, laboratories and general equipment and also an enquiry into the teaching, research, examinations and other work done by the University.

4. There shall be a Chancellor of the University who shall be the Chief Officer of the University. The first Chancellor shall be Our most dear and entirely beloved Sister Margaret Rose.

5. There shall be a Pro-Chancellor of the University who shall be the ex officio Chair of Council and subject to the Statutes in the absence of the Chancellor or pending a vacancy in the office of Chancellor exercise all the functions of the Chancellor except the conferring of Degrees.

6.  There shall be not fewer than two and not more than four Deputy Pro-Chancellors, one of whom shall, in the absence of the Chancellor and the Pro-Chancellor, be selected by the Council to preside at meetings of the Council.

7.  There shall be  a Vice-Chancellor of the University who shall be the principal Academic and Administrative Officer of the University and ex officio Chair of the Senate and who shall in the absence of the Chancellor confer Degrees.

8.  There shall be a Treasurer and other proper Officers of the University.

9. There shall be a Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost who shall subject to the Statutes act for the Vice-Chancellor during the absence or inability of the Vice-Chancellor or during a vacancy in the office of Vice-Chancellor.

10. There shall be a Chair of each Board of Studies and Faculty of the University.

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12. The Supreme Governing Body of the University shall be the Council (hereinafter referred to as "the Council") which, subject to this Our Charter, the Statutes and to the Laws of the Realm, shall have absolute power within the University and shall have the custody and use of the Common Seal, the management and administration of the whole revenue and property of the University and the conduct of all the affairs of the University and all such other powers and duties as may be conferred upon it by Statute or Ordinance.

13. There shall be a Senate of the University (hereinafter referred to as "the Senate") which shall, subject to the Statutes and to the control and approval of the Council, regulate and superintend the education, welfare and discipline of students of the University and the promotion of learning and research.

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15. There shall be a Students' Union of the University. The Students' Union shall have such and so many representatives on the Council and the Senate and on such conditions as may be provided by the Statutes.

16. There shall be an Association of Postgraduate Students of the University. Such Association shall have such and so many representatives on the Council and the Senate and on such conditions as may be provided by the Statutes.

17. The University shall be both a teaching and an examining body and shall subject to this Our Charter and the Statutes have the following powers:

(A) To grant and confer under conditions laid down in its Statutes or Ordinances Degrees and other academic distinctions to and on persons who shall have pursued a course of study approved by the University and shall have passed the examinations or other tests prescribed by the University provided that Degrees representing proficiency in technical subjects shall not be conferred without proper security for testing and assessing the scientific or general knowledge underlying technical attainments and provided further that at least one external and independent examiner shall be appointed by the Council for University examinations in each subject or group of subjects forming part of the course of studies required for University Degrees excluding the examinations for matriculation in the University and for the Foundation Year.

(B) To admit graduates of other Universities to Degrees of equal or similar rank in the University.

(C) To confer Degrees of the University on any persons who hold office in the University as Professors, Readers, Lecturers or otherwise or who shall have carried on research therein under conditions laid down in its Statutes or Ordinances.

(D) To grant Diplomas, Certificates or other distinctions to persons who have pursued a course of study approved by the University under conditions laid down by the University.

(E) To confer Honorary Degrees and other distinctions on approved persons provided that all Honorary Degrees and other distinctions so conferred shall be conferred and held subject to any provisions which are or may be made in reference thereto by the Statutes, Ordinances or Regulations of the University.

(F) On what the University shall deem to be good cause to deprive persons of any Degrees, Diplomas, Certificates or other distinctions granted to or conferred on them by the University, subject to such right of appeal to the Council as may be provided under the Statutes.

(G) To provide instruction in such branches of learning as the University may think fit and to make provision for research and for the advancement and dissemination of knowledge in such a manner as the University may determine.

(H) To provide such lectures and instruction for persons not Members of the University as the University may determine and to grant Diplomas and Certificates to such persons.

(I) To accept the examinations and periods of study passed by students of the University at other Universities or places of learning including therein the University College of North Staffordshire as equivalent to such examinations and periods of study in the University as the University may determine and to withdraw such acceptance at any time.

(J) To affiliate other institutions or branches or departments thereof and to recognise selected members of the staffs thereof as teachers of the University and to admit the members thereof to any of the privileges of the University and to accept attendance at courses of study in such institutions or branches or departments thereof in place of such part of the attendance at courses of study in the University and upon such terms and conditions and subject to such regulations as may from time to time be determined by the University.

(K) To examine and inspect schools and other educational institutions and to cooperate by means of Joint Boards or otherwise with other educational authorities for the conduct of examinations for the inspection and examination of schools and other academic institutions and for such other purposes as the University may from time to time determine.

(L) To enter into any agreement for the incorporation within the University of any other institution and for taking over its rights, property and liabilities and for any other purpose not repugnant to this Our Charter.

(M) To institute Professorships, Readerships, Senior Lectureships, Lectureships and any other such offices required by the University and to appoint to such offices.

(N) To institute and award Fellowships, Scholarships, Studentships, Exhibitions, Bursaries and Prizes.

(O) To establish and maintain and to administer and govern institutions for the residence of the students of the University whether Colleges, Halls or Houses and to license and supervise such institutions and other places of residence whether maintained by the University or not so maintained.

(P) To make provision for research and advisory services and with these objects to enter into such arrangements with other institutions or with public bodies as may be thought desirable.

(Q) To provide for the printing and publication of research and other works which may be issued by the University.

(R) To demand and receive fees.

(S) To give guarantees for the payment of any sum or sums of money or the performance of any contract or obligation by any company, body, society or person if it is in the interest of the objects of the University so to do.

(T) To act as trustees or managers of any property, legacy, endowment, bequest or gift for purposes of education or research or otherwise in furtherance of the work and welfare of the University and to invest any funds representing such property, legacy, endowment, bequest or gift if not immediately required in such security as the University may deem fit.

(U) To do all such other acts and things whether incidental to the powers aforesaid or not as may be requisite in order to further the objects of the University as a place of education and of learning and of research.

18. The Statutes shall prescribe or regulate as the case may be:-

(A) The constitution, powers and duties of the Council, the election and continuance in office of the members of the Council, the filling of vacancies among the members and all other matters relative to the Council which it may be thought are proper to be so prescribed and regulated.

(B) The constitution, powers and duties of the Senate and all other matters relative to the Senate which it may be thought are proper to be so prescribed and regulated.

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(D) The constitution, powers and duties of the Boards of Studies and Faculties and the election, appointment and continuance in office of the Chairs of the Boards of Studies and Faculties and all other matters relative to the Boards of Studies and Faculties which it may be thought are proper to be so prescribed and regulated.

(E) The constitution, functions, privileges and all other matters relative to the Students' Union which it may be thought are proper to be so prescribed and regulated.

(F) The constitution, functions, privileges and other matters relative to the Association of Postgraduate Students which it may be thought are proper to be so prescribed and regulated.

The first Statutes shall be those set out in the Schedule to this Our Charter and shall remain in force until they have been added to, altered or repealed in the manner hereinafter prescribed.

The Council may from time to time by Special Resolution make any new or additional Statutes for the University which shall carry into effect this Our Charter and its provisions and which may govern and regulate the affairs, business, work and interests of the University and the Members thereof as such and the status, appointment and continuance in office of the Chancellor, Pro-Chancellor, Deputy Pro-Chancellors, Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost, Treasurer, Chairs of Boards of Studies and of Faculties and other Officers of the University and may contain all such provisions as the Council may deem fit and meet with respect to or for the governing of the University, its Members and constituent parts or to promote the objects of this Our Charter.

The Statutes may add to, alter or repeal the Statutes from time to time in force including the first, and the matters with regard to which the Council shall have power to make Statutes shall not be limited by or with reference to the first or any subsequent Statutes or the several matters therein dealt with. Provided that no such Statutes shall be either repugnant to the provisions of this Our Charter or to the Laws of the Realm, or shall have effect until approved by the Lords of Our Most Honourable Privy Council, of which approval a Certificate under the hand of the Clerk of Our said Privy Council shall be conclusive evidence.

19. Ordinances shall be made by the Council of the University and shall be operative and have effect when sanctioned by the Council and not before; and provided that in matters referring to courses of study, degrees, diplomas and certificates, the duties or powers of the Boards of Studies and Faculties, the affiliation of Colleges, the recognition of Teachers, and the constitution of Joint Committees of the Council and the Senate Ordinances shall be submitted to the Council on the recommendation of the Senate. Ordinances may add to, amend, alter or repeal Ordinances from time to time in force.

20. The Council and the Senate respectively may from time to time make Regulations for governing subject to this Our Charter and the Statutes the proceedings of those bodies and the power to make Regulations shall include the power to add to, amend, alter or repeal any Regulations theretofore made.

21. It shall be the duty of the Council from time to time to bring before the Senate any matters which in its opinion should be dealt with by this body.

It shall be the duty of the Senate from time to time to bring before the Council and the Boards of Studies and Faculties any matters which in its opinion affect the teaching, research and general well being of the University.

22. No religious, racial or political test shall be imposed on any person in order to entitle him/her to be admitted as a Member, Professor, Teacher or Student of the University or to hold office therein or to graduate thereat or to hold any advantage or privilege thereof.

23. The University shall not make any dividend, gift, division or bonus in money unto or between any of its members except by way of prize, reward or special grant.

24. The Council may at any time alter, amend or add to this Our Charter by a Special Resolution in that behalf and such alteration, amendment or addition shall when allowed by Us, Our Heirs or Successors in Council become effectual so that this Our Charter shall thenceforward continue and operate as though it had been originally granted and made as so altered, amended or added to in manner aforesaid. This Article shall apply to this Our Charter as altered, amended or added to in manner aforesaid.

25. For the purposes of the foregoing Articles of this Our Charter, a "Special Resolution" means a Resolution passed at a duly convened meeting of the Council by an affirmative vote of not less than three-fourths of those present and voting.

26. In this Our Charter "Statutes" means the Statutes of the University set forth in the Schedule hereto and any Statutes adding to, altering or repealing the same or any of them which may hereafter be made and may be approved by the Lords of Our Most Honourable Privy Council. "Ordinances" means Acts of the Council under the powers conferred by this Our Charter to which Our further sanction is not hereby or by Statute required. "Regulations" except when otherwise required by the context means Regulations made pursuant to this Our Charter or to the Statutes.

27. Our Royal Will and Pleasure is that this Our Charter shall ever be construed benevolently and in every case most favourably to the University and the promotion of the objects of this Our Charter.

IN WITNESS whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent.

WITNESS Ourself at Westminster the twenty-sixth day of January, in the Tenth year of our Reign. (1962)

BY WARRANT UNDER THE QUEEN'S SIGN MANUAL