Organisation and operating rules for Reykjavik University

1. Role

Reykjavik University (RU) is an academic institution responsible for advanced education, research and scientific projects. The role of RU is to create and disseminate knowledge to improve competitiveness and quality of life for individuals and society with morality, sustainability and responsibility as guiding principles.

The operations of RU do not return a profit to the University's owners or supporters. All operating profits are used to develop and strengthen the operations.

RU provides education at all levels of university studies, preliminary study programmes according to Paragraph 4 of Article 19 in the Higher Education Institutions Act no. 63/2006, and professional continuing education. All studies at RU shall be accredited by the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture in accordance with Act no. 63/2006.

2. Organisational structure

2.1 University Council

The University Council is a forum for discussion on the strategy of the University regarding studies, teaching and research, as well as the ties between the University and the business community. The University Council formulates the primary strategy of the University in consultation with the Board of RU. The University Council is furthermore responsible for reviewing the Organisational and Operating Rules of RU, decides on the establishment of new departments pursuant to a proposal by the Board and determines the overall operating procedures of the University. The University Council shall monitor that the internal quality control of the University is well attended to; the University Council shall, for example, discuss the results of internal assessment at least annually and external appraisals as appropriate.

The University Council holds meetings 3–4 times a year and meetings are summoned by the chair of the Council who also serves as chair of the RU Board. The University Council is composed of 10 representatives, who are appointed by the owners of the University at the annual meeting, generally for a term of two years at a time. An effort shall be made to have viewpoints from various parts of society and industry, as well as experience of higher education work in Iceland and abroad, reflected in the University Council. The Articles of Association for Reykjavik University ehf. contain further provisions on the role of the annual meeting and the appointment of the University Council. Members of the University Council shall not serve for longer than eight consecutive years.

The President attends meetings of the University Council and handles their preparation in consultation with its chair. School Deans, Department Chairs and the chair of the RU Student Organisation also attend the meetings of the Council.

2.2 Board

The Board of RU shall be composed of five members appointed at the annual meeting for a term of two years at a time. The members of the Board divide tasks among themselves. The Articles of Association for Reykjavik University ehf. contain further provisions on the annual meeting and appointment of the Board.

The Board appoints RU's President and decides on the President's terms of employment. It also assigns powers of procuration on behalf of the organisation. The Board attends to conventional board work and is thus responsible for strategy formulation, organisational structure, finances, including determination of tuition fees, and general operations. The Board shall adopt rules of procedure, which shall further provide for the execution of its work. The Board endorses the University's operational schedule and investment plan as well as its annual financial statements.

The President attends Board meetings.

2.3 President

Article 2.2 covers the appointment of the President.

The President represents the University, is in charge of its day-to-day activities and is responsible for its operations to the Board. Day-to-day activities do not include exceptional or extensive decisions or measures. The President may only take such measures if they have been authorised by the Board, with the exception of circumstances when waiting for the Board's authorisation may severely impede the University's operations. The Board shall, though, be notified of all such instances without delay.

The President submits the RU budget annually to the Board for its endorsement. The President puts forth to the Board and University Council the results of the internal quality assessment, as well as the results of the external assessment when appropriate. The President is responsible for the quality of RU's operations and the execution of internal assessment. Furthermore, the President is responsible for the annual publication of a report on the operations of the University.

The President appoints School Deans, Executive Directors and other University personnel who report directly to the President, but the President consults with the Board as regards their selection and primary tasks.

The President shall hold a staff meeting at least once every semester where employees are informed about the position of the University, strategy and emphases of the President and Board of the University.

2.4 Executive Council

The Executive Council of Reykjavik University is composed of the President, who is also the chair, School Deans, Department Chairs, Executive Directors, chairs of the Curriculum Council and Research Council and other key personnel as decided by the President. The student representative attends meetings of the Executive Council with the right to speak and propose motions. It is permissible to have the student representative leave a meeting if requested by the Executive Council.

The Executive Council shall approve rules of the University and other strategic documents. The Executive Council shall furthermore discuss the annual operating plan of the University, operating results and internal and external assessment results.

The Executive Council shall adopt rules of procedure, which shall further provide for the execution of its work.

2.5 Schools and Departments

2.5.1. Deans of Schools

The Dean of a School is appointed by the President in consultation with the Board, following an evaluation committee report.

Deans of Schools and the President initiate strategic planning for the University and supervise strategy implementation.

Deans of Schools, in consultation with the President, represent the University internally and externally to parties outside RU. The Dean of a School acts as a substitute for the President.

Deans of Schools are, for example, responsible for the following:

• Long-term and annual budget for the School and its Departments
• Consistency between the strategy of RU, the School and Departments within the School
• That operations within the School are consistent with the strategy of the University
• Quality of teaching and research in the School

The President can assign to School Deans further responsibilities and roles in the management of the University.

2.5.2 Department Chairs

A Department Chair is hired by a School Dean, following an evaluation committee report.
Chairs of Departments are responsible for their academic management and shall initiate strategic planning for their Department. Department Chairs carry an operational and financial responsibility for their Department towards the School Dean.

Department Chairs are, for example, responsible for:

• The Department's administrative structure in accordance with the strategy of Reykjavik University and shall ensure the participation of academic personnel and students in the Department's administration.
• Preparation and publication of organisational and operating rules for the Department.
• Preparation of a budget for the Department, in consultation with the School Dean.
• Management of the Department and follow-up to the budget.
• Information dissemination to the Department's staff members and students.
• Hiring of permanent employees to the Department, in consultation with the School Dean.
• Staffing of courses.
• Connection between the organisation of study programmes to the National Qualification Framework for higher education.
• Regular review and updating of study programmes, with consideration given to the needs of the business community and development of similar studies abroad.
• Preparation and publication of the course catalogue for the Department.
• Annual internal quality assessment of the Department.
• Organisation and participation of the Department in external assessment according to the criteria of the Quality Board for Higher Education.
• Formulation of a future vision and strategy for the Department, in context with the strategy of the University and other Departments.

At least twice each semester, the Department Chair shall summon to Department meetings all permanent employees engaged in research and/or teaching at the Department. At Department meetings, everyone is permitted to address issues concerning organisational structure and management of the Department, as well as other issues related to the Department as a whole.

Department Chairs can assign to Department employees roles in managing the Department in consultation with the School Dean.

Department offices handle general administration of studies and teaching under the auspices of a Department, in addition to other projects assigned to them by RU administrators.

2.5.3. Councils of Departments

The organisation of Departments shall be clear and visible in the organisational and operating rules of Departments.

Each Department shall have a Department Council, Curriculum Council (one or more) and Research Council. Councils are appointed by the Department Chair.

Department Council: The Department Chair and chairs of the Research Council and Curriculum Council serve on the Department Council. In other respects, the Department Chair decides on the appointment of the Department Council. The role of the Department Council is to discuss subjects related to the administration of the Department as well as all weightier decisions regarding teaching and research, in addition to proposing changes to Department regulations.

Curriculum Councils in Departments participate in the development of teaching and act in an advisory role to the Department Chair as regards development of studies, including development of learning outcomes for courses and study programmes. There can be one or more Curriculum Councils in a Department. Annually, the course catalogue for each study programme is presented to the appropriate Curriculum Council for discussion and approval, with participation from students. The Councils are also involved in the preparation, execution and follow-up of quality assessment, also with participation from students. The Curriculum Council is composed of permanent Department employees appointed by the Department Chair for a term of two years at a time. The chair(s) of the Curriculum Council(s) of a Department are appointed by the Department Chair.

The Research Council of a Department shall advise the Department Chair on the preparation of the Department's research plan and support the progress of the plan. The Research Council shall actively participate in internal and external assessment related to research. The Research Council shall support the organisation and implementation of doctoral studies at the Department. The Research Council is composed of permanent Department employees appointed by the Department Chair for a term of two years at a time. The chair of the Research Council of a Department is appointed by the Department Chair.

2.6 Executive Directors and support services

The Executive Directors of RU are appointed by the President. Executive Directors are responsible for the organisation and operations of RU's support services and serve in defined roles according to a decision by the President.

Executive Directors are, for example, responsible for the following aspects of work:

• Staffing and daily operations, including hiring of Directors
• Strategy formulation and goal setting in accordance with the strategy and needs of RU
• Consultation with Departments and other RU units on development of support services
• Dissemination of information on support services to employees and students

The President defines the roles and tasks of support services in accordance with the needs of the University at each time.

2.7. Curriculum Council of RU

The Curriculum Council of RU is composed of representatives from Academic Departments and the Preliminary Studies Department, in addition to the chair who is appointed by the President for a term of two years at a time. Teaching Affairs provides the Council with a registrar. The student representative, appointed by the RU Student Organisation, attends meetings of the Curriculum Council with the right to speak and propose motions. The Curriculum Council can request that the student representative leave a meeting.

The Curriculum Council addresses issues related to studies and teaching at RU.

The Curriculum Council is responsible for developing the Teaching Strategy of the University and advise the President on issues related to teaching, in addition to acting strategically in quality and appraisal issues.

The Curriculum Council is asked to comment on:

• all applications of the University for accreditation of new academic fields and study programmes
• reports relating to the internal and external quality system of the University
• new rules and changes to rules relating to teaching or the human resources of the UniversityThe Curriculum Council's areas of responsibility are discussed in more detail in the Curriculum Council's letter of appointment issued by the President and approved by the Executive Board.

2.8. Research Council of RU

The RU Research Council is composed of representatives of Departments, in addition to a chair appointed by the President for a term of two years at a time. Research Services provides the Council with a registrar. The student representative, appointed by the RU Student Organisation, attends meetings of the Research Council with the right to speak and propose motions. The Research Council can request that the student representative leave a meeting.

The role of the Research Council is, for example, to:

• address issues relating to research at RU
• be responsible for developing the strategy of the University in the field of research
• comment on issues concerning research and development of a research culture at RU
• actively participate in the internal and external assessment of the University

The Research Council's areas of responsibility are discussed in more detail in the Research Council's letter of appointment issued by the President and approved by the Executive Council.

2.9 Ethics Committee

The Ethics Committee of the University is composed of six representatives, appointed by the President: chair from the support services of the University, two representatives of academic personnel from each School and one student representative appointed by the RU Student Organisation.

The role of the Ethics Committee is to review observations concerning breaches to the Code of Ethics and take a stance on whether the Code of Ethics has been breached and on the severity of breaches. The RU Ethics Committee operates according to the Appointment and Operating Procedures of the Ethics Committee, which are issued by the President and approved by the Executive Council of RU.

2.10 Equality Board

The Equality Board of RU is composed of 7–10 representatives, two from the support services of the University, at least two representatives of employees from each School and one student representative, appointed by the RU Student Organisation.

The role of the Equality Board is, for example, to advise senior management and the President of the University on equal rights issues and take the initiative in important equal rights issues being discussed, following up on and reviewing the Equality Programme of RU in cooperation with Human Resources and organising instruction on equal rights issues. The Board does not discuss matters concerning individual employees, but employees and units can contact the Board for advice and, depending on circumstances, the Board will relay enquiries to the appropriate parties.

The RU Equality Board operates according to the Appointment and Operating Procedures of the Equality Board, which are issued by the President and approved by the Executive Council of RU.

3. Academic employees

Employees engaged in teaching and research are called academic employees. The following position titles are used to refer to academic employees:

• Professor
• Associate Professor
• Assistant Professor
• A professor of the practice is a business leader in a specific field who has attained prominence for outstanding achievement as well as recognition for having made an impact in the field. This individual shall also have demonstrated undisputable teaching abilities at university level.
• A specialist is a permanent employee mainly engaged in research.
• An adjunct is either a full-time or part-time permanent employee mainly engaged in teaching activities.
• A lecturer is a temporary academic employee engaged in teaching activities at Reykjavik University.
• A post-doctoral researcher is a recent PhD graduate hired on a temporary basis to engage in research and possibly teaching.

In order to attain the position of assistant professor, associate professor or professor, the individual in question must have undergone a performance evaluation. Criteria, assessment of qualifications and appointments to positions based on promotion are discussed in rules on appointments and promotion. The President shall submit those rules for comment by both the Curriculum Council and Research Council and for approval by the Executive Council. Departments are permitted to establish more detailed rules on promotion.

Special rules apply to appointment and assessment of qualifications for the position of professor of the practice. The Department Chair makes decisions on appointments and job titles for other academic positions as appropriate.

4. Study programmes, teaching, assessment and admittance requirements

4.1 Study programmes

The study programmes of the University shall be defined in accordance with the instructions specified in the Higher Education Institutions Act no. 63/2006 and announcement no. 530/2011 on issuing of the National Qualification Framework for higher education.

The Department Chair submits a proposal for new studies and/or study programmes to the School Dean and President for approval after discussion and comments by Department and University Curriculum Councils and Research Councils. Rules on approval of new study programmes approved by the Executive Board shall be adhered to.

4.2 Studies and teaching

Teaching at RU takes place in defined study programmes built on courses that are evaluated for credit and organised according to announcement no. 530/2011 on issuing of the National Qualification Framework for higher education.

Full-time studies generally consist of 60 credits (ECTS) per academic year, reflecting all work completed by students, attendance and exams.
Teaching methods shall generally be diverse and shall take into account the learning outcomes of the course and study programme.

Course assessment shall generally be diverse and shall take into account the learning outcomes for each course. Criteria on teaching methods and course assessment shall be described in further detail in the Teachers' Handbook and Teaching Strategy of RU. In addition, special Study and Assessment Rules shall be in place where student work and factors related to assessment are covered.

4.3 Admittance requirements

Rules on admittance requirements are in accordance with Article 19 in the Higher Education Institutions Act no. 63/2006. A Department is permitted to decide on special additional requirements that are defined as the admittance criteria of the Department, as well as being permitted to administer admittance or placement tests. Such criteria shall be published on the website of the Department. A Department is also permitted to depart from the requirement for a matriculation examination or equivalent, on the condition that the student possesses equivalent maturity and knowledge in the estimation of the Department. A Department may decide that studies pursued by a student outside the Department, including at other domestic universities or at foreign universities, shall be evaluated for credit transfer according to more detailed rules set by the Department. RU shall maintain consistency and equality in the processing of applications.

5. Rights and obligations of students

RU shows students fairness, flexibility and respect. Decisions concerning the rights and obligations of students shall, as applicable, keep to the provisions of administrative law and good administrative practices.

5.1 Studies

Article 19 in the Higher Education Institutions Act no. 63/2006 shall apply to the admission of students. This issue is also covered in Article 4.3 in these Organisational and Operating Rules.

Students are responsible for their own studies. They shall adhere to RU's Rules on Study and Assessment, the RU Code of Ethics and other rules that may apply to each study programme.

The rights detailed in Rules on the University Student Complaints Committee no. 1152/2006 apply to the RU student body. Rights of students to object to the results of course assessment are covered in further detail in RU's Rules on Study and Assessment.

Department Chairs have the ultimate decision power in cases concerning the rights and obligations of students. The procedure for such cases is governed by the Rules on Study and Assessment and rules on the appointment and purview of the Ethics Committee.

5.2 Management

RU students shall have a representative on the University Council, Executive Council and Curriculum and Research Councils at RU, and they shall at minimum have the right to speak and propose motions.

RU students shall have representatives at Department meetings and they shall at minimum have the right to speak and propose motions.

Student representatives shall always have as a guiding principle the long-term interests of students and the development of RU.

6. General provisions

These Organisational and Operating Rules are set on the basis of the Higher Education Institutions Act no. 63/2006 and enter into force upon confirmation by the University Council.

The Organisational and Operating Rules of RU shall be set in accordance with the Articles of Association for Reykjavik University ehf.

The Organisational and Operating Rules of RU shall be reviewed at least every three years. The review shall take into account the assessment conducted of the University's operations and the changes proposed by the government regarding the arrangement of university education.


Approved in a meeting of the University Council on 2.9. 2019