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Oxford
University Archives
A history of
Congregation and Convocation
6. The Franks
Commission
The recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry (Franks Commission),
which reported in 1966, made significant changes to this structure.
The Franks Report redefined the position of Hebdomadal Council as the
chief administrative body of the University. Council had, over the years,
become the pre-eminent administrative body of the University. Although not
a body capable of decisions itself (only to discuss and formulate
legislative proposals to be placed before Congregation) it had assumed
leadership and initiative in matters of policy. The report of the
Commission acknowledged that despite not being a governing council whose
decisions were effective, Hebdomadal Council had become the chief
administrative body of the University, responsible for the formulation and
co-ordination of University policy. It was answerable to Congregation, but
not all matters were actually put to Congregation. It proposed that
Congregation should elect members of Council and the other main
administrative bodies; make, amend or repeal statutes; debate resolutions
submitted by Council and the floor; ask questions; and resolve disputes
between major bodies in the administration. It was also to elect 18 members
of Hebdomadal Council in order to give it some influence on that body.
The Commission was anxious to 'save Congregation from going the way in
which Convocation has gone in the last century'. Its recommendations were
designed to define the areas in which Congregation was 'competent to
speak', ie to
deal with essential rather than with trivial and routine matters. It was
believed that this 'would mean a resurgence of the power of Congregation' (Report of the Commission of
Inquiry vol I, pg 535).
The Commission effectively removed from Convocation the last vestige of
its ancient powers and significance. Convocation was deprived of all
jurisdiction over statutes and of its power to confer honorary degrees and
degrees by diploma. Decisions regarding the latter were now to take place
in Congregation, conferred by a 'Special Act of Congregation'. Despite
opposition from some members of the University to this drastic reduction in
Convocation's functions, the recommendations of the Report were enacted as
it was felt that (as the Asquith Commission had thought) responsibility for
governing the University should rest with those who would have to live with
the results of the decisions. Convocation's powers were now limited to the
election of the Chancellor, the election of the Professor of Poetry, and
the performance of such other duties as Congregation might decide.
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