College will hold a town hall meeting to discuss changes to governance of Trinity in line with the HEA Act 2022.
In an email to staff and students, College Secretary John Coman said the meeting, which is to take place on Monday, November 7, will discuss the procedures by which Board members shall be appointed in line with changes made by the Act.
The town hall meeting will form part of a consultation process, which will also invite students and trade unions, staff associations, the Fellows and the Visitors “to make submissions on future procedures”.
“All feedback will be considered and will inform the deliberations of the Board in the coming months”, the email said.
The HEA Act 2022 was signed into law by the President of Ireland on October 12, giving higher education institutions (HEIs) 12 months to adapt to the provisions of the legislation.
One of the most significant changes made by the Act is the restructuring of governing authorities in colleges and universities.
While the membership of governing authorities in most universities will be set at 19, special provisions are made for Trinity which allow for 25 members of Board, a reduction of just two members from the previous 27.
These provisions are made to ensure a place for Fellows on Board, with respect to Trinity’s unique history and governance structures.
Total membership of College Board will consist of a chairperson, the Provost, six Fellows, five internal (College) members, three students’ union representatives, and nine external (non-College) members, three chosen by Board and six chosen by the Minister for Further and Higher Education.
In May, College held a town hall as part of the process of drafting a supplemental charter with regard to the changes that would be made by the HEA Act 2022.
The supplemental charter allows College to uphold the principle that only itself has the power to amend its charter. By amending the charter before the HEA Act comes into force, it avoids being overruled by Government authority.
