Over its history, the feature of the internal governance of ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ that has attracted the most attention from outside observers is its decentralized, or "collegial," nature. While internal government at most other universities can be adequately portrayed in a simple hierarchical diagram, at ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ internal decision-making processes are more complex, with decision-making dispersed among multiple bodies at various levels, and with complex and interlocking relationships between those bodies.
In its basic structure, as established by the Royal Charter, the government of ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ is bicameral, with a Board of Trustees responsible for overseeing the operation of the University, and in particular its financial operation, and with a Senate responsible for all academic matters.
But there is another basic distinction as well, between overall policy-making and day-to-day administration. The Board and the Senate are both policy-making bodies; the other main policy-making bodies are the faculty boards and departments.
Administrative responsibilities lie with the Principal, the Vice-Principals, the Deans, and the Department Heads, although in practice they are still more widely delegated.
Policy-making and administration are of course not entirely separate: administrative officers participate in policy-making through their ex-officio membership (but as a minority) in the policy-making bodies. Also participating in policy-making bodies, to various degrees according to the function of the body, are the university's other main constituencies: academic staff, students, support staff, and alumni.
For more details, refer to the document "Governance of ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥," written by former Principal Ronald Watts and the late Dean of Law William Lederman. The document is available through the Office of the University Secretariat.
See also: