Senate Committees

There are a number of sub-committees of the Senate, as under, whose membership is restricted to Senate members:

Honorary Degrees Committee
Military Education Committee
Senate Business Committee
Senate Appeals/Complaints Panel

In addition, there is a composite Students’ Progress Committee for undergraduate students, which is a sub-committee and acts with the power of the Senate.

Honorary Degrees Committee

The Honorary Degrees Committee’s primary role is to consider nominations for honorary degrees and make recommendations to the Senate. Ultimate approval of decisions on whether to offer honorary degrees to a particular candidate rests with the Senate.

The Committee meets bi-annually, in October and May, with its recommendations being considered by the Senate at its November and June meetings. Occasionally nominations are considered by circulation.

The Honorary Degrees Committee also, from time to time, reviews the University’s practices and procedures in regard to honorary degrees and makes recommendations to the Senate, as appropriate.

Further details about Honorary Degrees can be accessed at www.abdn.ac.uk/admin/hondeg.shtml which also gives access to the Nomination Form.

Military Education Committee

The Military Education Committee's primary role is to foster an interest in, and an understanding of, the Armed Services within the University of Aberdeen and the Robert Gordon University, through the three Service Units: the Officer Training Corps, the Air Squadron and the Royal Naval Unit.

Senate Business Committee

The Senate Business Committee has a primary role to agree Senate agendas, for approval by the Principal. In order to engage Senate in open debate, the Senate Business Committee identifies for each meeting of Senate at least one major strategic topic for discussion.

The Committee also has delegated responsibility from the Senate to approve the appointment of Senate members or representatives to University Committees and the schedule for Senate elections.

Senate Appeals/Complaints Panel

The Senate Appeals/Complaints Panel hears and determine, on behalf of the Senate, the outcome of academic appeals and complaints submitted by students in accordance with the University’s Policy and Procedures on Student Appeals and Complaints

Undergraduate Students’ Progress Committees

The Students’ Progress Committee hears and determine, on behalf of the Senate, the outcome of representations submitted by students in accordance with the University’s Policy on Undergraduate Student Progress and the associated Guidance Notes.

Student Disciplinary Committee

The Student Disciplinary Committee considers cases that are referred to it in accordance with the Code of Practice on Student Discipline.