Congregation Meeting, 29 April 2025

Information regarding the meeting of Congregation to be held on 29th April 2025

A legislative proposal and explanatory note on changes to the Conduct of Ceremonies in Congregation, and certain other Ceremonies were published in Gazette No 5451. 

Two notices of opposition and one notice of amendment have been received to that legislative proposal, as set out below.

Notice of Opposition

The following members of Congregation have given notice that they intend to vote against the legislative proposal:

Professor Paul Elbourne, Magdalen
Dr Nicolai Sinai, Pembroke

Notice of Amendment

The following members of Congregation have submitted a proposed amendment:

Proposed by:  Dr Tristan Franklinos, Wolfson
Seconded by: Dr Jonathan Katz, Brasenose

The full text of the amendment is published in the Gazette on 24 April and will also be made available in hard copy at the meeting.  It is also intended to create a hard copy version of the regulations marked up in line with the proposed amendment, to inform voting at the meeting.

The meeting will be held at 2pm on Tuesday, 29 April, in the Sheldonian Theatre. The doors will be opened at 1:30pm.

Attendance at the meeting is open to members of Congregation and nominated members of Oxford SU. Admittance to the Theatre will be on production of a member's University Card stating 'Congregation', and will be on a first-come first-served basis. Since it is possible that some members will not have been issued with a new card, identity may also be checked against the Register of Congregation at the entrance. Please make sure that the details on cards are legible. New cards may be obtained from the University Card Office.  Information on eligibility requirements for membership of Congregation and how to apply is published at https://governance.admin.ox.ac.uk/congregation.

The Vice-Chancellor has decided that the wearing of gowns shall be optional on this occasion.

The Proctors have recommended that postponement to a second meeting of Congregation (as per regulation 2.10 (1)(a)) is not required.

The Chair will open the meeting at 2pm and set out the procedure and order of business as follows:

  • The resolutions at (1-3) authorising the allocation of space will be declared carried.
  • The Legislative Proposal at (4) will be moved and seconded on behalf of Council.
  • The two notices of opposition will be moved.
  • The proposed amendment will be moved and seconded.
  • Speeches will be invited in support of or opposition to the proposed amendment as time permits.
  • The mover of the amendment will be given the opportunity to respond.
  • The proposed amendment will be put to Congregation in a round of voting by paper ballot (1 – see ‘Voting’ section below).

If the amendment is rejected, further speeches will be invited in support of or in opposition to the original legislative proposal as time permits, the movers of the notices of opposition to the legislative proposal and the mover of the legislative proposal will be given the opportunity to respond to the debate, following which there will be a vote by paper ballot to pass or reject the original legislative proposal (2).

If the amendment is carried, Congregation will vote on the amended legislative proposal (3).

It would be helpful in determining the order of speakers if those also wishing to speak would email congregation.meeting@admin.ox.ac.uk by 4pm on Friday 25 April. 

Voting on the legislative proposal in the meeting of Congregation will be determined by paper ballot. Three voting papers will be handed out on arrival: for or against the amendment (1), for or against the original legislative proposal (2) and (3) for or against the amended legislative proposal.

It is intended that a transcript[1] of the meeting will be published in the Gazette and on the Congregation website. As a result of time constraints, it will not be possible to check the report of the proceedings with individual speakers before publication. Speakers are asked to provide their written texts by email to congregation.meeting@admin.ox.ac.uk by 9am on Wednesday 30 April.

Information will also be published on the Congregation website https://governance.web.ox.ac.uk/congregation.

 

[1] The transcript may be edited for legal reasons

If you have any queries about the meeting, please email: congregation.meeting@admin.ox.ac.uk.

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