The University operates under a bi-cameral system of governance comprising a governing body – the University Council and an academic arm – the Academic Board.

The University Council

Council is "the supreme governing body of the University" and is the formal employer of all university staff. The powers of Council are set out in the Charter and Statutes of the University of Technology, Jamaica Act 1999. It is primarily concerned with ensuring the financial health of the University, establishing (in consultation with the Academic Board) the long-term aims of the institution, and taking responsibility for its estate and properties. It inevitably works closely with the Board and respects the Board’s judgement on strictly academic matters. Necessarily, many of the decisions taken by Council affect, and need to be informed by, the academic community. So, there are both ex officio and elected members of the academic staff on Council and academics are nominated to several of its committees.

There are four categories of Council members as follows:

·         Ex-officio (by virtue of their office)

·         Nominated (representatives of government, Public and Private Sector and University organizations and the Chancellors Nominee.

·         Elected (University Academic representatives)

·         Co-opted (a maximum of three external to the University, nominated by the Council).

The Academic Board

The Academic Board is the academic authority of the University and subject to the powers of the President and the Council, has responsibility for academic affairs of the University, such as policy, standards, instruction, research and evaluation. The Board has the responsibility for regulating and promoting the academic life of the University.
 

The Board is chaired by the President. Its members include the vice-presidents, Director of Research and Graduate Studies, director of Curriculum Development and Evaluation, Director of Continuing Education and Distant Learning, Deans, University Librarian, a student representative and an elected academic staff representative from each Faculty.

Council and Academic Board Committees

The University values the collegial contribution that its members can make to academic and other decision-making. The existence of committees at all levels of the University’s operation has provided the main mechanism for this contribution. The committees are established under the categories, Council Committees, Academic Board Committees, Joint Committees of the Council and Academic Board and Management Committees.

Governing Instruments

Presently, the documents of university governance are:

1. The University of Technology, Jamaica Act – 1999
   which contains:

   a) The Charter

   b) The Statutes

2. Ordinances
   – essentially rules made by the Council of which there are currently 16
   The Ordinances that are currently in use are:

   1. Registered and Occasional Students – 1999/1

   2. University Examinations – 1999/2

   3. The Faculties – 1999/3

   4. Appointment of Deans of Faculties- 1999/4

   5. The Establishment and Review of Other Bodies – 1999/5

   6. University of Technology, Jamaica Students’ Union – 1999/6

   7. Elections of Members to the Council 1999/8

   8. Elections of Members to the Academic Board – 1999/9

   9. The Joint Committee for the Award of Honorary Degrees – 1999/10

   10. Retirement and Resignation – 1999/13

   11. Student Discipline – 1999/14

   12. Staff Redundancy, dismissal, Removal and Grievance Procedures – 1999/15

   13. Academic Staff Grading, Appointment, Promotion and Tenure – 1999/16

3. Regulations
   – essentially academic policy as defined by the Academic Board. The Regulations currently in use are:

   1. Regulation 3 – Academic Progress and Granting of Awards

   2. Regulation 4 – Regulations Governing Examinations in Courses of Study

   3. Regulation 5 – Academic Misconduct

   4. Regulation 6 – Library Regulations

   5. Regulation 8 – The Award of Honorary Degrees

4. Decisions of Council and Academic Board

University Symbols

The University’s Emblem was designed by an internal committee of staff members. The College of Arms in the UK gave approval for its use in 1999. The announcement was made by the President at the Graduation held on November 27,1999. This date has been designated the official date for the commencement of the use of the emblem, more appropriately referred to as Armorial Bearings or Arms of the University.

The University Registrar is the keeper of the University Arms. Permission for use of the Arms must be sought from the Governance Committee through the Registrar. A form for application for use as well as guidelines for the use are available from the University Secretariat.

The University Seal is the Stamp that authenticates official documents such as degrees and parchment diploma, certificates and contracts. With the acquisition of the new emblem steps have been taken to acquire a new seal incorporating the new emblem.

Mace

In universities the Mace symbolizes the authority of the Chancellor to award degrees. Only in its presence can degrees be conferred. The mace plays a major role in all university ceremonies and convocations (conferring of degrees) and takes pride of place in the procession. The Mace was designed by Basil Watson and constructed by him in collaboration with Garth Sanguinetti in 1999.

The University Song “Building a Future together” was composed by Noel Dexter.

MEMBERS OF COUNCIL

The University Secretariat

The Office of the Registrar – University Secretariat is the primary coordinating body responsible for coordinating and facilitating the activities of the University Council and Academic Board and their committees. The office provides secretarial, administrative and advisory services to these bodies and serves as the repository of information and data on all matters relating to the Board and Council.

The University Registrar (Secretary to the Council and Academic Board) is responsible for ensuring the efficient and effective operation of the University b-cameral system of governance. The Secretary will work closely with the Chairs of the Council and Board, senior administration and committee chairs, to provide advice and guidance on jurisdiction, strategy, policy and process. The Secretariat is responsible for ensuring there is effective liaison among the decision making bodies and senior university officers. The Secretariat is responsible to the entire university community for the provision of timely, accurate and objective information, advice, interpretation and application of policy.

Staff of the University Secretariat

Ann-Marie Smith Secretariat
Administrator
Ext: 2148 – amsmith@utech.edu.jm

Sharon Black
Admin. Support
Ext. 2181 – sblack@utech.edu.jm

UNIVERSITY COUNCIL MEETING DATES FOR 2004

Council meetings will be held on the dates indicated for 2004. Meetings are scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. sharp in the Conference Room of the Technology Innovation Centre.

ACADEMIC BOARD MEETING DATES FOR 2004

Academic Board meetings will be held on the dates indicated for 2004.   Meetings are scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. sharp in the Conference Room of the Technology Innovation Centre.

*** The date indicated may be changed to facilitate participation in the Anniversary Week Celebrations.