Regulation on the composition and rules of order of the University of Iceland University Forum, no. 984/2008
with subsequent amendments
| Authorised translation |
Article 1. On the University Forum.
The University Forum is a consultative forum for the University community, where discussion takes place on the development and advancement of the University of Iceland. The University Forum shall [formulate and present]1 the University of Iceland’s central research and educational policy at the initiative of the rector and shall also provide statements, in accordance with paragraph 6 of Article 6, paragraph 1 of Article 11 and paragraph 3 of Article 16 of the Act on Public Higher Education Institutions no. 85/2008. The University Council shall charge the University Forum with addressing central academic matters and may seek the opinion of the University Forum on any subject concerning the operations of the University and its schools, faculties and institutes, cf. paragraph 1, Article 9 of Act 85/2008.
The University Forum shall nominate [three]1 representatives from the University community to the University Council, cf. Article 6 of the Act on Public Higher Education Institutions no. 85/2008.
The provisions of Article 10 of the Act on Public Higher Education Institutions no. 85/2008 shall apply concerning the composition of the University Forum.
The University Forum is competent to pass resolutions if legally called, regardless of the number of people in attendance. The power of vote is decisive. In the case of a tie vote on a resolution, the rector shall cast the deciding vote.
1Amended by Article 1 of Regulation no. 1144/2011.
Article 2. Permanent representatives on the University Forum.
[The rector, deans of schools, heads of faculties and the chair of the Student Council are ex officio members of the University Forum.]1 In the absence of the dean, the governing board of a school shall appoint a representative from its numbers to attend the University Forum. [The deputy head of faculty shall attend the University Forum in the absence of the head of faculty and the deputy chair of the Student Council shall attend the University Forum in the absence of the chair of the Student Council.]1
1Amended by Article 1 of Regulation no. 521/2016.
Article 3. Period of appointment for elected and appointed representatives.
Representatives shall be elected or appointed to the University Forum for a period of two years, excepting student representatives, cf. Article 4. Election or appointment of representatives to the University Forum, in accordance with this Article, shall be completed by 1 March each year that the period of appointment for a sitting University Forum expires; the period of appointment shall commence 1 July and conclude 30 June two years later.
Article 4. [Period of appointment for nominated student representatives.
The period of appointment for student representatives nominated to the University Forum shall be one year. The nomination of representatives shall be completed by 1 March; the period of appointment shall commence 1 July and conclude 30 June one year later.]1
1Amended by Article 2 of Regulation no. 521/2016.
Article 5. Number of elected or appointed representatives on the University Forum.
The number of elected and appointed representatives shall be as follows:
- Seven representatives for each of the five schools at the University of Iceland, including the faculty heads, cf. Article 2. The others shall be elected from among the academic staff of the faculties and institutes within the school. One further representative shall be elected, under the same terms, for each 500 students at those schools with more than 2,000 students. For every elected school representative, two alternates shall also be elected in the same way.
- Two representatives and one alternate for each of these shall be elected from among the members of the Union of University Teachers and the State University Professors' Union. Those who are elected must not hold the position of school dean or faculty head at the University of Iceland (including deputy head of faculty).
- Two representatives from among the University administrative staff, and one alternate for each, shall be elected for a period of two years via a written poll at a general meeting of the Union of Administrative Staff at the University of Iceland.
- Each of the following institutes shall appoint their own representative. For each representative, one alternate shall also be appointed:
The National University Hospital
The National and University Library
The Institute for Experimental Pathology at Keldur
The Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies
The University of Iceland Science Institute
The University of Iceland Continuing Education Institute
[The National Museum of Iceland]1 - [Ten representatives from student societies at UI nominated by the Student Council. For each representative, one alternate shall be nominated.]1
Preparation of the election and appointment of representatives must comply with the provisions of the University of Iceland Equal Rights Policy, with regards to equal representation of the sexes in the University's committees, boards and councils.
1Amended by Article 3 of Regulation no. 521/2016.
Article 6. Voting rights.
Every regular representative, elected or appointed in accordance with Articles 2-5, shall have one vote when attending the University Forum. In the absence of a regular representative, the alternate shall have this vote.
Representatives at the University Forum who have not been appointed or elected in accordance with Articles 2-5 have the right to speak and to make proposals, but do not have the right to vote.
The rector may require other parties to attend the University Forum, where they shall have the right to speak and make proposals, but they shall not have the right to vote.
Article 7. Calling the University Forum.
The Office of the Rector maintains a register of University Forum representatives.
The University Forum shall meet at least once per academic year. The rector shall call the University Forum. Forums must be called at least three weeks in advance. A draft agenda shall be included with the announcement. If individual representatives wish to make a proposal at the University Forum, these proposals, along with supporting statements, must have been submitted to the Office of the Rector no later than two weeks before the Forum is to take place. A final agenda, along with all relevant documentation, shall be sent to representatives no later than one week before the Forum is to take place.
Should a two-thirds majority of University Forum representatives request a meeting, the rector is required to call a meeting.
Article 8. Agenda and rules of order of the University Forum.
The rector shall attend the Forum and act as chair. At the beginning of the meeting, the rector shall go over the agenda and the schedule.
Committees and working groups may be appointed to work on issues at meetings and between meetings.
The University Forum shall address the following matters as appropriate for each individual meeting:
- The rector shall present and discuss the University's central research and education policy.
- Individual proposals submitted by other representatives for resolution by the University Forum.
- Statements on regulation established by the University Council.
- Other matters legitimately raised.
To conclude the meeting, any resolutions passed by the Forum during that session shall be reviewed. Minutes shall be finalised after the meeting has ended. The resolutions and minutes of the University Forum shall be published on the University of Iceland website.
Article 9. Entry into force.
This Regulation is established by the University Council, in accordance with the authority of paragraph 3, Article 10 of the Act on Public Higher Education Institutions no. 85/2008, and shall enter into force immediately.
At the same time, Articles 5-7 of the Regulation for the University of Iceland no. 458/2000 are repealed.
Temporary provisions.
The first University Forum should be called in accordance with this Regulation as soon as the school deans have taken office.
Before the first University Forum is called after this Regulation enters into force, the election and appointment of representatives shall take place in accordance with items a-e of Article 5. These representatives shall sit until 20 June 2010.
The results of the election amongst UI students which took place in February 2007 shall apply to the appointment of 8 out of 10 student representatives in accordance with item e of Article 5, and the remaining two shall be those student representatives who previously sat on the University Council at the Iceland University of Education. Student representatives appointed in accordance with these temporary provisions shall sit until 30 June 2009, and from this date onwards the appointment of student representatives shall be in accordance with Article 4 and item e of Article 5.
University of Iceland, 6 October 2008