In an article in the upcoming edition of The Pelican, alumnus Simon Heffer describes Dr Charles Read as "doing the work of several people". Charles, who has been a Fellow of Corpus since 2018, has now taken on a new role as Junior Proctor of the University.

Charles was nominated for the position of Junior Proctor by the Master and Governing Body of Corpus. By signing the University Statutes Book of 1785 this week, Charles accepted the role for one year, adding it to his responsibilities at Corpus, which include Tutor, Director of Studies, Editor of The Record, and Director of the Bridging Course.

The previous Junior Proctor nominated by the College was Paul Beattie in 2008; before that, Oliver Rackham held the post in 1996.

About the University Proctors

Each year two Proctors are elected in Congregation by the Regent House, the University’s governing body, on 1 October to serve for one year. The candidates are nominated by each Colleges once every 15 years, and must have been members of the Senate for at least three years. Whichever has been a member of the Regent House longest is designated as Senior and the other as Junior. They are of equal standing, but by regulation or custom have some different areas of responsibility.

Proctors have a number of responsibilities involved with the Governance of the University. They oversee examinations and generally maintain good order in the University, especially among the junior members, the students. They maintain the right to free speech in the University, serve on University bodies such as the Examination and Assessment Committee, the Board of Scrutiny and the Societies' Syndicate. They attend as observers at meetings of the University Council and discussions of University business at meetings of the Regent House. They oversee the counting of ballots at elections, administer the registration of University Societies and Clubs, and their presence is essential at Congregations of the Regent House, the University's governing body, for the conferring of degrees.