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Student Life Committee

Student Life Committee reports to Senate.

Terms of reference

Objectives and outcomes

In partnership with University of York Students' Union, to drive, co-ordinate and monitor at a high level the provision of high quality non-academic services and support for students, focusing on their welfare, development, recreation and wellbeing. This includes frameworks and approaches to address non-academic student misconduct and discipline.

The Committee has particular responsibilities to ensure that the needs of specific groups of students (eg international, online, part-time, mature, visiting, disabled, ethnic minority and students with families), and the needs of students across all levels of study are addressed.

It also ensures the University’s supporting framework of regulations, strategies, policies, procedures and guidance in this area is robust and fit for purpose.

The Committee provides annual assurances to Senate regarding the quality of the non-academic student experience, including related non-academic support provided to students to enable them to succeed in and benefit from higher education (ref: Office for Students Condition of Registration B2).

Contact us

Co-Chair: Kirsty Lingstadt

Director of Library, Learning, Archives and Wellbeing

Co-Chair: Lewis Parrey

Union Affairs Officer, York SU

For agendas, minutes, apologies and queries:

Library, Learning, Archives and Wellbeing

Remit

The remit of the Committee under the following core, agenda-aligned headings, is:

(a) Strategic development, planning, performance monitoring and resourcing: items for consideration and/or decision

i. To support implementation of the University Strategy relating to non-academic aspects of student life.

ii. To approve further strategies and associated action plans relating to non-academic aspects of student life.

iii. To monitor progress in relation to the implementation of related strategies and action plans (including the Sports Strategy, the Student Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy, and the Sexual Violence Action Plan).

iv. To approve, in consultation with the relevant directors, the annual priorities relating to services provided for students.

v. To approve student-related Key Performance Indicators for core aspects of non-academic student life, and to consider regular reports on the performance and effectiveness of student-facing services and non-academic provision.

vi. To monitor ongoing developments relating to student-facing services and non-academic provision.

vii. To monitor data relating to non-academic student misconduct.

viii. To consider reports from YUSU and the GSA on plans and activities, including their Annual Reports.

ix. To approve and monitor the University’s approach to internal surveys of student opinion relating to non-academic aspects of student life, and to consider the findings of and proposed responses to internal and external surveys and benchmarking in this area.

x. To monitor external developments relating to non-academic aspects of student life and consider proposed responses to these developments.

xi. To review the adequacy of arrangements for the management and mitigation of corporate risk and specific risks relating to non-academic aspects of student life, and in particular in response to changes to the risk status and/or the effectiveness of risk controls (See Section 4.10 of the Risk Management Policy and Framework).

(b) Policy and regulatory matters

i. To approve policies, procedures and guidance relating to non-academic aspects of student life, in line with the University’s Scheme of Delegated Approvals.

ii. To recommend to Senate changes to the relevant aspects of the University’s regulatory framework.

Authority

On behalf of Senate, Student Life Committee is empowered to take decisions relating to non-academic aspects of student life and to seek assurance relating to the quality of these activities as set out under its remit. It can also make recommendations and/or refer items to Senate, UEB, UTC and other University committees as appropriate.

Student Life Committee has no direct budgetary control.

Members

Ex Officio members

Co-Chairs

  • Kirsty Lingstadt, Director of Library, Learning, Archives and Wellbeing Services and University Librarian
  • Lewis Parrey, Union Affairs Officer, York SU

Academic leaders

  • Professor Tracy Lightfoot, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students
  • Professor Paul Wakeling, Dean of the York Graduate Research School
  • Professor Jill Webb, Associate Dean (Education and Students)

Professional services

  • Jen Wotherspoon, Deputy Director, Student Administration and Academic Affairs
  • Lisa Woods, Director, Accommodation, Campus and Commercial Services
  • Louise Thurston, Associate Director of Careers and Employability, Careers and Placements
  • Martin Crosby, Interim Deputy Director of Student Life and Wellbeing
  • Jonny Exon, Interim Head of College Life
  • Maria Ayaz, Head of Equality and Diversity
  • Mary Howarth, Director, Philanthropic Partnerships and Alumni
  • Nicola Campbell, Head of Conduct and Respect
  • Jill Ellis, Head of Student Support
  • Yeme Onoabhagbe, CEO York SU
  • Claire Wilkinson, Disability Services
  • Steve Hardy, Open Door

University of York Students’ Union sabbatical officer

  • Samuel Dickinson, Community and Wellbeing Officer, York SU

Two student representatives from Colleges

  • Archie Eiloart (Constantine College)
  • Jack Watts (James College)

Four academic staff members appointed by Senate

  • Dr Sally Hancock, Department of Education (until 31 July 2028)
  • Dr Harry Munt, Department of History (until 31 July 2028)
  • Professor Richard Waites, Department of Biology (until 31 July 2026)
  • Dr Dawn Wood, Department of Computer Science (until 31 July 2026)

CITY College representatives

  • Theofano Kyriakou, Director of Student Services and Alumni, CITY College
  • Andi Ganiu, CITY College Students' Union President

In attendance

  • Jenny Underhill, Deputy Head of Student Support and Committee Secretary

Constitution and membership

The majority of the committee’s members are appointed ex officio, including the co-chairs, academic leaders, representatives of professional services and student union sabbatical officers. Academic staff representatives are appointed by Senate. The committee also includes a nominee from University of York Europe Campus.

Other membership considerations

Academic staff representatives should be drawn from each of the three Faculties, with no two members from the same department, and should between them have sufficient experience to be able to speak to staff interaction with students from a range of levels and modes of study.

Quoracy

50% of members, or 50% + 1 member where the number of members is not even. For the meeting to be quorate, at least one student representative should be present. 

Membership review

Membership will be periodically reviewed by the Committee itself for Senate approval. Membership is otherwise coterminous with the individual’s appointment term. Gender balance and wider EDI considerations should be factored into the Committee’s reflection on its own size and composition.

Meetings

2024-25

Date Time Venue Paper deadline
Thursday 31 October 2.15pm H/G21 Monday 21 October
Thursday 6 February 2.15pm H/G21 Monday 27 January
Thursday 19 June 2.15pm H/G21 Monday 9 June 

Meetings are held a minimum of three times per year, with the facility to transact and record decisions by written resolution or, where necessary, Chair’s Action.

Minutes and agendas

2023/24

2022/23

2021/22

2020/21

Reporting

Student Life Committee reports to Senate:

  • Frequently: through summaries of the minutes of each of its meeting to the next Senate meeting;
  • Annually: via an annual assurance report and presentation on the quality of the non-academic student experience, including related non-academic support provided to students to enable them to succeed in and benefit from higher education;
  • Periodically: via other policies, reports, plans and progress updates which it reviews and/or recommends for Senate approval within the business cycle and its terms of reference.

Reporting to the Committee

  • College Life Forum provides a group for those involved in leading Colleges and those that are generally involved in College life at the University to discuss, share and consult upon important developments and changes that impact college life and college members.
  • The Student Mental Health Forum maintains operational oversight of provision for student wellbeing and mental health as it relates to student need, and holds operational responsibility for development and implementation of the University’s Student Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy. It provides termly reports to Student Life Committee in the form of the minutes of its meetings, and is also empowered to submit other reports and/or proposals for endorsement or approval which may arise in the course of its business.
  • The Volunteering and Community Committee is not a formal subcommittee of Student Life Committee, but reports annually on its activity.
  • The Sports Strategy Group also reports to the Committee.

Parent committee and associated subcommittees

Senate

Student Mental Health Forum

YGRS Board

Contact us

Co-Chair: Kirsty Lingstadt

Director of Library, Learning, Archives and Wellbeing

Co-Chair: Lewis Parrey

Union Affairs Officer, York SU

For agendas, minutes, apologies and queries:

Library, Learning, Archives and Wellbeing