Following a review during 2005/06 of the effectiveness of the Senate (see below), the Senate agreed a number of changes to its modus operandi, to be implemented from the start of the 2006/07 academic year. The rationale for these changes, and the relevant recommendations, are detailed in the First Report of the Senate Effectiveness Review Working Group, which was considered by the Senate on 25 January 2006 (see below).

The primary change to the modus operandi was the delegation for approval of a range of business to the Principal (or in his/her absence the Senior Vice-Principal) acting on behalf of the Senate, and to the University Committee on Teaching & Learning, or the Vice-Principal (Learning & Teaching) acting on its behalf, after consultation with Heads of School.

Items approved by the above delegated authority would be placed on the Senate homepage that highlighted the business for the next meeting of the Senate, and would be deemed to be approved or would be noted, as appropriate, and incorporated in the formal record of the Senate Minute of the meeting in question, unless any member of the Senate asked for an item to be formally discussed at the next Senate meeting.

Additionally, the Senate homepage will include details of a range of business that had previously been reported to the Senate for information; and, similarly, members of the Senate are able to ask for any such items for information to be discussed at a Senate meeting.

Details of the business delegated for approval or reported for information are given in Appendix D to the First Report of the Senate Effectiveness Review Working Group.