Article 14 of the Saudi Law of Universities

المادة 14 من نظام الجامعات · الفصل الثالث: مجالس الأمناء

The article regulates meetings of the university board of trustees at least once every three months with a quorum of two thirds including the chair or deputy, and makes its decisions effective fifteen days after the meeting date.

Official text (Arabic)

This article has not been amended since the law was issued.

يجتمع مجلس أمناء الجامعة مرة كل ثلاثة أشهر على الأقل في العام الدراسي، وللرئيس أن يدعو المجلس للاجتماع إذا دعت الحاجة إلى ذلك، ولا تصح اجتماعات المجلس إلا بحضور ثلثي أعضائه على الأقل، على أن يكون من بينهم رئيس المجلس أو نائبه، وتصدر قراراته بأغلبية أصوات الأعضاء على الأقل، وعند التساوي يرجح الجانب الذي صوت معه رئيس الاجتماع، وتكون قراراته نافذة بعد خمسة عشر يوماً من تاريخ انعقاد الاجتماع الذي صدرت فيه.

This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers

Article 14 explained in plain English

This article sets out the working rules of the university board of trustees:

First: meeting times

The board meets at least once every three months during the academic year.
Its chair may call it to meet when need arises.

Second: the quorum

Meetings are valid only if at least two thirds of the members attend, including the chair of the board or his deputy.

Third: decisions

They are issued by at least a majority of the votes of the members.
In case of a tie, the side with which the chair of the meeting voted prevails.

Fourth: effectiveness of decisions

Decisions take effect fifteen days after the date of the meeting at which they were issued. The board's decisions are therefore not implemented as soon as they are issued, but after this period has passed. This article does not state what happens during this period.

This article is linked to Article 13, which sets out the board's tasks, such as approving the university's vision, policies, organizational structure and budget. It is also linked to Article 15, which allows the board to choose from the university's staff a person to act as its secretary, in coordination with the university president, and regulates filling vacant posts on it by appointing a replacement for the remaining term under the appointment procedures.

A person affected by a decision of a board of trustees who wishes to know when it takes effect may consult a lawyer specialized in administrative cases.

Practical example

The board of trustees of a university in the Eastern Province held a meeting at which it approved new rules for appointing heads of departments. Under this article, these rules do not take effect until fifteen days have passed from the date of that meeting.

Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.

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