| Collection | University of Kent Archive |
| Description | THE CHARTER OF INCORPORATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KENT
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 Elizabeth the Second did on the 4th January 1965 grant a Charter
constituting and founding a body corporate by the name of “The University of Kent at
Canterbury” having perpetual succession and a common seal, with power to sue and be sued in
the said name.
Whereas the University has presented to Us in Council a humble Petition representing that it is
desirable that new provision be made with respect to its purposes, proceedings and duties by way
of a Supplemental Charter.
Now therefore know ye that We, having have taken the said Petition into Our Royal consideration
have of Our especial grace, certain knowledge and mere motion granted and ordained and do by
these presents for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, grant and ordain as follows:
1. There shall be a body politic and corporate with perpetual succession and a Common
Seal by the name of “The University of Kent” (“the University”).
2. The Charter of 1965 (except insofar as it incorporates the University and confers upon it
perpetual succession and a common seal) shall be and is hereby revoked 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 Charter of 1965.
3. The objects of the University are to advance education and disseminate knowledge
by teaching, scholarship and research for the public benefit.
4. The University shall have all the powers of a natural person to do all lawful acts that are
conducive or incidental to the attainment of the objects of the University, which includes
but is not limited to the power to award and revoke degrees and other distinctions
(including without limitation, diplomas, joint degrees, dual degrees, certificates,
fellowships, honorary degrees, honorary fellowships, memberships and associateships)
in its own name and/or jointly with other education institutions.
5. The University shall not make any dividend, gift, division, or bonus in money unto or
between any of its officers or members of Council except by way of prize, reward or
special grant.
6. There shall be a council ("the Council"), which shall be the supreme governing body of
the University and shall be responsible for the exercise of the University’s powers. The
functions of the Council shall include, without limitation:
(a) the custody and use of the Common Seal;
(b) the oversight of the management and administration of the revenue and property of
the University; and
(c) oversight of the conduct of the affairs of the University.
7. The Council may delegate all or any of its functions provided that the Council shall not
delegate any of the following:
(a) the determination of the character and mission of the University, including the
determination of the academic year of the University and the appointment of the
Vice-Chancellor;
(b) the responsibility for ensuring the solvency of the University and for safeguarding
its assets, including the appointment of auditors, the establishment of an audit
committee and the approval of the University’s annual audited accounts; or
(c) the making of, alteration, amendment or addition to this Our Charter or the
Statutes set out in the Schedule to this Our Charter.
8. The Council shall consist of the following persons, namely:
(a) Sixteen persons external to the University (“Lay Members”);
(b) Two persons elected from among their number by the academic staff of the
University;
(c) Two persons elected from among their number by the non-academic staff of the
University;
(d) One person elected from among their number by the students of the University;
(e) The Vice-Chancellor;
(f) Up to two officers of the University, appointed by Council following consultation
with the Chair and the Vice-Chancellor; and
(g) The President of the University of Kent Students' Union.
9. The term of office as members of Council of the Vice-Chancellor, the officer(s) of the
University and the President of the Students' Union shall be for so long as they continue
to occupy their respective positions unless removed in accordance with the Ordinances.
10. The term of office of the members of Council referred to in paragraphs 8(a),(b) and (c)
of this Our Charter shall be for three years and they shall be eligible for reappointment
normally for one further period of up to three years, unless the provisions of paragraph
11 of this Our Charter apply.
11. The Chair and Deputy Chair of Council shall be eligible for reappointment for two
further periods of three years, subject always to a maximum period on Council of twelve
years, with six years as Chair.
12. The term of office of the student member of Council appointed under clause 8(d) of this
Our Charter shall be for one year and s/he shall be eligible for re-election once.
13. One-third of the actual membership of the Council shall constitute a quorum, of which a
majority shall be Lay Members.
14. There shall be such officers of the University as the Council shall decide, including but
not limited to:
(a) The Chancellor; and
(b) The Vice-Chancellor, who shall be the principal academic and administrative
officer of the University.
15. There shall be a Visitor of the University who shall be the person who shall be for
the time being the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury.
16. The Court of the University ("the Court") shall have such powers and functions as are
delegated to it by the Council.
17. There shall be a senate of the University ("the Senate"), which subject to the general
control and approval of the Council, shall be responsible for the academic work of the
University.
18. There shall be a union of the students of the University (“Students’ Union”) which shall
conduct and manage its own affairs and funds in accordance with a constitution
approved by the Council. No amendment to or rescission of that constitution shall be
valid unless approved by the Council.
19. Academic staff of the University have freedom within the law both to question and test
received wisdom and to put forward ideas and controversial or unpopular opinions
without putting themselves at risk of losing their jobs by virtue of such ideas or opinions,
or any privileges, which they may enjoy at the University.
20. The University shall be committed to the fair and equal treatment of every person and
shall not discriminate on unjustified, irrelevant or unlawful grounds.
21. The Council may amend, add to, or repeal this Our Charter by a resolution passed at a
Council meeting by a majority of not less than three-fourths of those present and voting.
Such amendment, addition or repeal shall, when allowed by Us, Our Heirs or Successors
in Council, have effect so that this Our Charter shall operate as though it had been
originally granted and made as so amended, added to or repealed.
22. Our Royal Will and Pleasure is that this Our Charter shall be construed benevolently and
in every case most favourably to the University and the promotion of the objects of this
Our Charter.
IN WITNESS whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent.
WITNESS Ourself at Westminster the fourth day of October in the fifty-ninth year of Our Reign.
BY WARRANT UNDER THE QUEEN'S SIGN MANUAL |