Overview

The Governing Authority of University College Cork (UCC) was established under the Universities Act 1997 and is collectively responsible and accountable for institutional activities. It is charged with the overall governance of the University and provides active strategic direction and leadership to enable the University to succeed in its mission of education and research.  

As set out in the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016, the Governing Authority should:

• fulfil key functions within its remit, including: reviewing and guiding strategic direction and major plans of action, risk management policies and procedures, annual budgets and business plans, setting performance objectives, monitoring implementation and State Body performance, and overseeing major capital expenditure and investment decisions.
• act on a fully informed and ethical basis, in good faith, with due diligence and care, and in the best interest of the State Body, having due regard to its legal responsibilities and the objectives set by Government.
• promote the development of the capacity of the State Body including the capability of its leadership and staff.
• hold the President and senior management to account for the effective performance of their responsibilities.

Membership

The current membership of the Governing Authority is available here.

Committees

The Governing Authority currently has eight standing Committees which support its work:

• Finance, Oversight Planning and Resource Allocation Committee,
• Audit & Risk Committee,
• People, Culture, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Committee,
• Student Experience & Success Committee,
• Physical Assets Committee,
• Digital Strategy Committee,
• Nominations Committee and 
• Procurement & Purchasing Subcommittee.

Meetings

The Governing Authority ordinarily meets six times each year however, additional meetings may be required from time to time.  Meetings are typically from 9.30 am to 4.00 pm.

Functions of Governing Authority

The functions of the Governing Authority are set out in Section 18 of the Universities Act 1997 and Section B.1.b of the UCC Principal Statute. In pursuance of the objects of the University and within the constraints of its budget, the functions of the Governing Authority shall include:

1. to control and administer the land and other property of the University;
2. to appoint the President and such other employees as it thinks necessary for the purposes of the University;
3. to determine the membership of the Governing Authority, subject to the general law and to the University’s charter, statutes and regulations; and
4. to perform such other functions as are imposed on it by or under any law or by the University’s charter, statutes and regulations.

The Governing Authority shall:

1. promote the success (including academic success) and reputation of the university,
2. satisfy itself that appropriate systems, procedures and practices are in place—
   1. to achieve the objects of the university,
   2. for the internal performance management and accountability of the university in respect of—
      1. the performance of its functions, and
      2. the achievement of the aims in the strategic development plan of the University, and
   3. in order to implement, and report on compliance with, the policies (whether set out in codes, guidelines or other documents, or any combination thereof) of the Government or a Minister of the Government to the extent that those policies may affect or relate to the functions of the university, and
3. establish and implement arrangements for the management of the performance of the President of the Unviersity

The Governing Authority shall perform the following functions with regard to the University:

1. approve expenditure for major capital and investment projects;
2. approve annual financial statements;
3. provide for and maintain a system of audit;
4. provide for and maintain a system of risk management;
5. provide for and maintain a system of quality assurance in accordance with the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012;
6. review and oversee the implementation of major plans of action and provide strategic direction;
7. delegate such functions as may be appropriate to the President;
8. manage the financial affairs of the University to ensure value for money and its financial viability; and
9. account to the Higher Education Authority for funding provided to the University by the Authority.