Charter of Cardiff University

Supplemental Charter of Cardiff University

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 Her Majesty Queen Victoria did on the 7th day of October 1884 grant a Charter (hereinafter referred to as "the Charter of 1884") constituting and founding University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire:

And Whereas Her Majesty Queen Victoria did on the 1st day of August 1893 grant to the said University College a Supplemental Charter (hereinafter referred to as "the Supplemental Charter of 1893") varying and extending the Charter of 1884:

And Whereas upon the grant of a Charter by Her Majesty Queen Victoria on the 30th day of November 1893 constituting and founding Our University of Wales, the University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire became a constituent College of Our said University:

And Whereas His Majesty King George V did on the 21st day of January 1931 grant a Supplemental Charter (hereinafter referred to as "the Supplemental Charter of 1931") varying and enlarging the powers of University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire:

And Whereas the Supplemental Charter of 1931 has been amended at divers times by Special Statutes duly made thereunder and approved by Our Privy Council and by such a Special Statute made in 1972 the name and style of University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire was changed to University College, Cardiff:

And Whereas We did on the 11th day of December 1967 grant a Charter (hereinafter referred to as "the Charter of 1967") constituting and founding a University College of Our University of Wales under the name and style of the University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology (Athrofa Gwyddoniaeth a Thechnoleg Prifysgol Cymru):

And Whereas We did on the 26th day of September 1988 grant a Charter (hereinafter referred to as "the Charter of 1988") constituting and founding a University College by the name and style of "University of Wales College of Cardiff" ("Prifysgol Cymru, Coleg Caerdydd"), a constituent college of our said University of Wales, having accepted the surrender of the Charter of 1884, the Supplemental Charters of 1893 and 1931, and the Charter of 1967:

And Whereas the Charter of 1988 has been amended at divers times by Special Statutes duly made thereunder and approved by Our Privy Council and by such a Special Statute made in 1996 the name and style of University of Wales College of Cardiff was changed to the University of Wales, Cardiff:

And Whereas His Majesty King George V did on the 5th day of February 1931 grant a Charter of Incorporation (hereinafter referred to as "the Charter of 1931") to the Welsh National School of Medicine:

And Whereas on the 11th day of January 1965 We were graciously pleased to grant to the Welsh National School of Medicine a Supplemental Charter (hereinafter referred to as "the Supplemental Charter of 1965") varying the terms of the Charter of 1931:

And Whereas We did on the 26th day of July 1984 grant to the Welsh National School of Medicine a Supplemental Charter (hereinafter referred to as "the Supplemental Charter of 1984") revoking the Supplemental Charter of 1965 and varying the terms of the Charter of 1931 and whereby the name and style of the Welsh National School of Medicine was changed to University of Wales College of Medicine and it became a constituent institution of Our said University of Wales:

And Whereas the University of Wales, Cardiff and the University of Wales College of Medicine, have continuously fulfilled their objects and performed their duties in the manner prescribed by the aforesaid Charters and Supplemental Charters but have now concluded, with the agreement of the University of Wales, that their objects and duties would be better achieved and performed if united as one institution under the style and title of University of Wales, Cardiff:

And Whereas the merger of the University of Wales, Cardiff and the University of Wales College of Medicine has been effected by the University of Wales, Cardiff Act of 2004, which revoked the Charter of 1931 and the Supplemental Charter of 1984:

And Whereas by an humble Petition presented unto Us in Our Council, the University of Wales, Cardiff, has prayed that We should be graciously pleased to grant a Supplemental Charter to the Charter of 1988:

And Whereas the University of Wales, Cardiff has resolved to change its name to Cardiff University:

Now Therefore Know Ye that We, having taken the said Petition into Our Royal consideration by virtue of Our Prerogative Royal and of Our especial grace, certain knowledge and mere motion, have willed and ordained and do by these Presents for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, will and ordain without prejudice to that part of the Charter of 1988 which incorporated the University of Wales, Cardiff and conferred upon it perpetual succession and a Common Seal and power to sue and be sued and to do all such other things as are ancillary to a body corporate, the said Charter of 1988 shall be hereby revoked and the provisions hereinafter contained shall be substituted therefor, but nothing in this revocation shall affect the legality or validity of any act, deed or thing lawfully done or executed under the provisions of the said Charter.

I The Name

The institution shall be known hereafter either as Cardiff University or as “Prifysgol Caerdydd” and may sue and be sued and may hold land and property and may bear Arms in either or both of such names or styles and may exhibit both of such names or styles upon its Common Seal.

II Objects of Cardiff University

1. The objects of Cardiff University shall be:
(1)  To advance knowledge and education by teaching and research and by the example and influence of its corporate life;
(2)  To provide instruction and courses of study for persons seeking to qualify for degrees and other awards of Cardiff University, and of other universities and for other persons;
(3)To promote and make provision for research and for such methods of advancing, disseminating, preserving and applying knowledge as may be decided upon from time to time by Cardiff University;
(4)  To develop the character of the Students by virtue of its corporate life;
(5)  To promote, itself or jointly with others, health and welfare with special reference to the needs of Wales;
(6)  To contribute to the social, cultural and economic development of Wales and the United Kingdom.

2. Cardiff University shall be a teaching, research, examining and degree-awarding body and shall have power to do all lawful acts including (but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing) power:
(1)to make awards and confer degrees, diplomas, certificates and similar distinctions which may be substantive, dual, joint, honorary or otherwise and for good cause to deprive a person of such an award, distinction or degree, subject to the provisions of the Statutes and Ordinances of Cardiff University.

III The Visitor

There shall be a Visitor of Cardiff University who shall be appointed by Us, Our Heirs or Successors in Council as and when required, upon the nomination of the Chancellor of Cardiff University, from amongst persons who hold or who have held high judicial office.

IV Chancellor

There shall be a Chancellor and one or more Pro-Chancellors may be appointed.

V President and Vice-Chancellor

There shall be a President and Vice-Chancellor, who shall be the chief academic and executive officer and Chair of the Senate.

VI Chair of Council

There shall be a Chair of Council, who shall be an Officer and who shall chair meetings of the Council.

VII Officers

The Council may:

1. appoint Officers to perform such functions as the Council, the Chair of Council, or the President and Vice-Chancellor shall assign to them;

2. on the recommendation of the President and Vice-Chancellor, and in accordance with such Regulations or Ordinances as are considered appropriate, appoint one or more such other Officers, who shall be employees of Cardiff University, to deputise for the President and Vice-Chancellor or to perform such functions as the President and Vice-Chancellor shall assign to them.

VIII

This Article is left intentionally blank.

IX The Council

1.There shall be a Council of Cardiff University (in this Our Supplemental Charter referred to as “the Council”) which shall be responsible for the management and administration of the revenue and property of Cardiff University.  The Council shall be the supreme authority as the governing body of the institution and shall have general control over the conduct of the affairs of the institution and shall perform such functions as may be prescribed by the Statutes.

2. As the supreme authority, the final decision rests with the Council on all matters.

3. Subject to the provisions of this Our Supplemental Charter and the Statutes the Council shall have power to delegate, provided that nothing in this Article shall enable the Council to delegate its power to reach a decision under paragraph 10(2) of Statute XV.

4. The Council shall have the power to enact, revoke, add to or amend the Statutes and Ordinances from time to time, subject only to the provisions of Article XI of the Charter.

X The Senate

There shall be a Senate of Cardiff University (in this Our Supplemental Charter referred to as “the Senate”) which shall, subject to the powers of the Council as provided for in this our Supplemental Charter and the Statutes, have responsibility for the ordering of the academic affairs of Cardiff University, both in teaching and in research, and for the regulation and superintendence of the education of the students of Cardiff University as prescribed in the Statutes and the Ordinances.

XI The Statutes

1. There shall be Statutes of Cardiff University (in this Our Supplemental Charter referred to as "the Statutes").  Subject to the provisions of this Our Supplemental Charter, the Statutes may prescribe or regulate all such matters as the Council considers fit with respect to or for the governance of the institution, its members and constituent parts or otherwise for the promotion of the objects of Cardiff University, including:
(1) the appointment, duration of appointment and functions of the Chancellor and the Pro-Chancellors;
(2) the appointment and terms of appointment of the President and Vice-Chancellor, other Officers and of the Academic Staff;
(3) the constitution, functions and procedure of the Council, the Senate and the election, selection, appointment, nomination and term of office or membership of the Chairs of such bodies and other members of those bodies and the filling of vacancies thereon;
(4) the custody and use of the Common Seal of Cardiff University;
(5) a Students' Union;
(6) the conferment of membership of Cardiff University on any person;
(7) any other matter connected with the government and administration of Cardiff University or otherwise for the promotion of the objects of Cardiff University.

2. The existing Statutes of Cardiff University shall remain in force until they have been added to, revoked or amended.

3. The Council may, by resolution passed by a two thirds majority of those present and voting, make Statutes which amend, revoke or add to the Statutes; but no such Statute 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, and provided that the said Lords may direct that such Statutes  
shall take effect subject to such amendments, variations or additions as to Their Lordships may seem appropriate.

4. A Statute may direct that any matter for which it makes provision shall be the subject of further provision by Ordinance, Regulations or Standing Orders: Provided that any further such provision which is inconsistent with this Our Supplemental Charter or with the Statutes shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void.

5. Any Statute which is inconsistent with this Our Supplemental Charter shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void.

XII Alterations to Charter

1. The provisions of this Our Supplemental Charter (except Article I in so far as it constitutes and founds Cardiff University) may be amended or revoked or added to by  Resolution passed by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting at one meeting of the Council.

2.  No such alteration shall have effect until approved by Us, Our Heirs or Successors in Council, of which approval a certificate under the hand of the Clerk of our Privy Council shall be conclusive evidence.

3. The provisions of this Article of this Our Supplemental Charter shall not preclude Cardiff University from petitioning for the grant of a Supplemental Charter if so desired in which event the procedure set out in the said Article XII shall, as nearly as may be, be adhered to.

XIII Interpretation

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

In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent.

Witness Ourself at Westminster the eleventh day of March in the fifty-fourth year of Our Reign.

By Warrant Under The Queen’s Sign Manual.