Statute 2.4 - The Vice-Chancellor
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Council to appoint the vice-chancellor
2.4.1 Council may appoint as vice-chancellor any person whom Council considers to be capable of performing the duties of the office.
Expiry of appointment
2.4.2 Subject to this statute, the vice-chancellor holds office for such period as Council determines on the occasion of each such appointment.
Conditions of appointment of vice-chancellor
2.4.3 1 The conditions of appointment of the vice-chancellor are those determined by Council following receipt of a report by a committee appointed for the purpose. 2 The vice-chancellor must not engage in any work or occupation for profit without the permission of Council except when such work or occupation is permitted by the conditions of appointment of the vice-chancellor.
Termination of appointment
2.4.4 1 If a question arises as to the fitness of the vice-chancellor to perform the duties of the office, Council may convene an inquiry to investigate the question. 2 An inquiry convened under this section must be constituted in such manner as Council sees fit having regard to the circumstances of the case. 3 If an inquiry under this section finds that the vice-chancellor is unfit by reason of infirmity, misconduct or inefficiency to perform the duties of the office, Council may terminate the appointment of the vice-chancellor. 4 A decision to terminate the appointment of the vice-chancellor is not valid unless carried by an absolute majority of Council.
Censure or suspension of vice-chancellor
2.4.5 Council may decide to censure or suspend from duty the vice-chancellor if any inquiry under section 2.4.4 finds the vice-chancellor to be guilty of misconduct or inefficiency, if, in the circumstances of the case, termination of appointment would be harsh, unjust or unreasonable.
Resignation
2.4.6 1 The vice-chancellor may resign the office by notice in writing delivered to the Chancellor not less than six months before 31 January of the following year. 2 Notwithstanding sub-section (1), Council may accept the resignation of the vice-chancellor at any time.
Retirement
2.4.7 The vice-chancellor may retire at any time after reaching 55 years of age.
Leave
2.4.8 Council may grant leave to the vice-chancellor on such terms as it considers appropriate.
Powers and responsibilities of the vice-chancellor
2.4.9 1 The powers and responsibilities of the vice-chancellor are as set out in section 1.7.6 of Statute 1.7. 2 Subject to the Act and Statute 1.7, the vice-chancellor may exercise any of the powers of Council which are necessary for or incidental to the proper administration of the University including-
- in respect of a minor or routine matter, the power to give any direction or take any action the vice-chancellor considers necessary;
- in respect of an urgent matter requiring immediate decision or action by Council or another body of the University, the power to make any decision or take any action on behalf of Council or the body which the vice-chancellor considers necessary in the circumstances; and
- in connection with any matter relating to the performance of the vice-chancellor's duties, the power to obtain from any body of the University or member of staff of the University any information the vice-chancellor requires.
3 If the vice-chancellor makes a decision or acts under paragraph (b) of sub-section (2) in respect of an urgent matter, the vice-chancellor must inform Council or relevant body of the University of the matter as soon as practicable. 4 The vice-chancellor may require from a member of the University an explanation of any neglect of duty, misconduct or inefficiency alleged against the officer. 5 Subject to the Act and the statutes, the vice-chancellor is by virtue of the office a member of all bodies of the University. 6 In matters of urgency the vice-chancellor may make any regulation which Council could make and which could not otherwise have been made by the vice-chancellor, and the vice-chancellor must report the making of the regulation to the next meeting of Council. 7 The vice-chancellor may correct a clerical mistake or an error arising from any accidental slip or omission which demonstrably has occurred in the transmission of an instrument to Council:
- in any statute – at any time prior to its approval by the relevant minister; and
- in any regulation or standing resolution – at any time.
The vice-chancellor will report any such corrections to Council as soon as practicable.
Appointment of acting vice-chancellor
2.4.10 1 The Chancellor or Council may appoint an officer as the acting vice-chancellor if-
- a vacancy occurs in the office of vice-chancellor; or
- the vice-chancellor is unable to perform the duties of the office by reason of ill health or absence from the University.
2 If an appointment under this section is made by the Chancellor, the appointment expires on the date of the next meeting of Council. 3 An acting vice-chancellor exercises the powers and assumes the responsibilities of the vice-chancellor for the term of the relevant appointment.