Part 2.7: The Constitution, Powers and Functions of the Convocation

2.7.1	Constitution of the Convocation 2.7.1.1 The Convocation shall consist of the following persons, namely: Class 1 These Officers of the University: The Chancellor The Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Council The Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive The Pro-Vice-Chancellors The Executive Deans Class 2 Persons who at any time have been members of the Governing Body of the College, Honorary and Elective Associates of the College. Class 3 Her Majesty’s Lieutenants of and in the Counties of Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and the West Midlands. Class 4 Such representatives of religious bodies, not exceeding ten in number, as the Council shall from time to time determine. Class 5 The Members of the Commons House of Parliament elected for the Constituencies in the Counties of Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and the West Midlands. Class 6 The Chairs of the County Councils of Herefordshire Worcestershire, Shropshire Staffordshire and Warwickshire. Such other representatives of local authorities, not exceeding twenty in number, as the Council shall from time to time determine. Class 7 One representative of each of the following Local Education -Authorities: the County Councils of Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire, Staffordshire and Warwickshire; the Metropolitan District Councils of Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton Class 8 Such representatives of industry and commerce, not exceeding fifty in number, as the Council may from time to time determine. Class 9 Such representatives of the following, not in any category -exceeding forty in number, as the Council on the recommendation of the Senate may from time to time determine: The Engineering Council and other Professional Institutions, Research Associations and Establishments, Learned Societies, Universities, Other Educational Institutions. Class 10 The members of the Council. The members of the Academic Staff. The Graduates of the University, including Honorary Graduates. The Associates of the College. The President and Secretary for the time being of the Students’ Union. Emeritus Professors. Such other Members of the University as the Council on the recommendation of the Senate shall from time to time determine. Class 11 Retired members of the Academic Staff. Former members of the Council. Members of committees and advisory bodies who are not otherwise members of the Convocation. Directors of Companies wholly owned by the University who are not otherwise members of the Convocation. Appropriate Members of the European Parliament. Such other classes or persons as may on the recommendation of the Senate be invited by the Council. 2.7.1.2 Upon a change or changes in the boundaries of the Constituencies for the Commons House of Parliament, or in the boundaries, areas or composition of the Counties or other bodies referred to above, the Council may from time to time in its absolute discretion make appropriate alterations in the composition of the Convocation as listed in this Section 2.7 of these Ordinances, and thereafter the lists so altered from time to time by the Council shall operate in substitution for the corresponding lists set out in Ordinance 2.7.1.1. 2.7.1.3 Except as otherwise by the Charter provided and subject to these Ordinances the Council may determine all matters relating to the nomination and appointment of members of the Convocation and their respective periods or terms of office and all other matters relating to the constitution of the Convocation. 2.6.1.4 Ex officio members shall be members of the Convocation during their tenure of office only. Representative members shall be members for a period to be determined by the nominating or appointing body, and persons appointed by the Council shall be members for such periods as the Council may determine provided that in no case shall the period of office exceed five years. 2.7.1.5 Any casual vacancy occurring by resignation, incapacity or death among the representative members shall be filled as soon as convenient by the person or body which appointed the member whose place has become vacant. 2.6.1.6 Members retiring by effluxion of time may be re-nominated or re-appointed. 2.6.1.7 Except where otherwise provided representative members need not be members of the body by which they are nominated or appointed. 2.7.1.8 Any member of the Convocation may resign by writing addressed to the Convocation.

2.7.2	Powers of the Convocation 2.7.2.1 The Convocation shall receive the Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive’s report on the working of the University and audited accounts, and shall have the right to discuss and to express its opinion to the Council or the Senate upon any matter concerning the working of the University. 2.7.2.2 The Convocation shall appoint the Chancellor on the joint recommendation of the Council and the Senate.

2.7.3	Meetings of the Convocation 2.7.3.1 The Convocation shall hold a General Meeting at least once each year within fifteen months of the preceding General Meeting. A special meeting may be convened at any time by the Council, or on the written request of fifty members of the Convocation. 2.7.3.2 A quorum for all meetings of the Convocation shall be fifty members.