President:
Professor Caroline Spurgeon, Doc. Univ. Paris,
Hon. Litt.D. (Michigan).
The British Federation of University Women was formed in 1910, for the purpose of furthering the interests of University women.
Aims of the Federation.
1. To create an organisation which shall represent University women in all professions, and enable them to take concerted action on matters affecting their interests in public and private life.
2. To promote co-operation between the University women of Great Britain, and to stimulate friendship between University women throughout the world.
3. To encourage independent research work by University women.
4. To stimulate the interest of University women in municipal and public life.
5. To keep a Register of University women and to notify them of suitable appointments.
Constitution.
The British Federation is composed of Local Associations of University women, the country being divided for this purpose into areas around different large centres. Local Associations have been formed in eleven areas, the centre in each case being a University town. Twenty members is the minimum required to form a Local Association. These Associations are free to adopt any objects which are in accord with the "Aims of the Federation."
Membership.
Membership is restricted to women who hold a University degree or its equivalent. Registered medical women or registered dentists are qualified for membership.
In addition to regular members the Federation admits as associates, in certain cases, women who have studied for not less than two years regularly at a University. Students in their last year may be admitted as temporary associates, at the discretion of the Local Association, on the understanding that they become members after taking their degree.
Women who have not studied at a University, but who have advanced the higher education and the interests of women, may be admitted by the Local Associations as honorary members.
Neither associates nor honorary members have voting power.
Annual Meeting.
An Annual Meeting of the General Committee is held during the summer term for the election of the officers of the Federation and other business. This General Committee is composed of the members of the Executive Committee and delegates from each Local Association.
Special meetings may also be called at the request of the delegates of any three branches.
Executive Committee.
The Executive Committee consists of the President, Hon. Secretaries, Hon. Treasurer, the Chairman of the Committee on International Relations, the Secretaries of the British Federation and of the Committee on International Relations, eight members elected by the General Committee at the Annual Meeting, and representatives of each Local Association. The Executive may co-opt four additional members.
The President may not hold office for more than five years, and the eight elected members of the Executive retire annually. No member of the Executive Committee, other than the officers, may hold office for more than four consecutive years.
Finance.
Members are admitted to Local Associations on payment of a small entrance fee (6d.) and either an annual subscription, varying slightly within the different Associations, or a uniform life membership subscription of £3 10s. Annual subscriptions are paid to the local secretaries or treasurers. Life subscriptions are paid to the central Treasurer. Each Local Association contributes out of its annual subscriptions a minimum capitation fee of 4s. per member to the general funds of the Federation. The financial year runs from June 1st to May 31st.
The Central Office of the Federation is at 73, Avenue Chambers, Vernon Place, Southampton Row, London, W.C.1.
Printed by John Roberts Press Ltd., 14 Clerkenwell Green, London, E.C.1.
The first Conference of the Federation was held at Bedford College for Women, London, in July, 1920. Fifteen countries were represented. Articles of a constitution and bye-laws were adopted which are calculated to provide effective machinery for ensuring co-operation between the national associations of University women in the various parts of the world. An account of the Conference, including full reports of speeches by Professor Caroline Spurgeon, Dean Virginia C. Gildersleeve, President M. Carey Thomas and other speakers, together with reports on the higher education of women in the countries represented and the text of the constitution and bye-laws, will be found in the Report, Bulletin No. 1. Copies may be obtained from the Secretary (price 1s., postage 3d.). In the United States copies may be obtained from Miss Virginia Newcomb, Institute of International Education, 419, West 117th Street, New York.
Transcriber's Note:
Possible printer errors have been changed.