Article 22 of the Saudi Law of Universities

This article sets out the rules for meetings of the scientific council:

First: frequency

It meets at least once a month during the academic year, on the invitation of its chair or the council member he designates.

Second: calling it outside the regular schedule

The chair may call the council to meet in the following cases:

• If need arises.
• If at least one third of the members submit a written request.
• On a request from the university president.

Third: the role of the university president

• He may request that a matter he sees fit be included in the agenda.
• He may chair the council if he attends.

The university president therefore takes the chair of the scientific council whenever he attends its meeting.

Fourth: the quorum

A meeting is valid only if at least two thirds of the members attend, including the chair of the council or his deputy.

This article is linked to Article 21, which gives the scientific council oversight of the scientific affairs of faculty members and matters of research, studies and publication, including approving academic promotion. The way decisions are issued is addressed by Article 23, which provides that the scientific council's decisions are by at least a majority of the votes of the members present, with the side of the chair of the meeting prevailing in a tie, and treats them as effective unless the university president objects within twenty days of their reaching him.

A person whose interest depends on a decision of the scientific council may consult a lawyer specialized in administrative cases.