This University has been long governed by statutes, or bye-laws, originated by the university authorities, and confirmed by the charters of the kings of England. Those at present in force were drawn up in 1629, and confirmed by a charter from King Charles L, in 1635. The corporation of the University is styled 'the chancellor, masters, and scholars of the University of Oxford.' The highest officer is the chancellor, who is elected by the members of convocation. At first the election was for one, two, or three years; but afterwards for life. The person chosen was a resident member of the University, and always an ecclesiastic until the time of Sir John Mason, in 1553, who was the first lay-chancellor. Since the time of Archbishop Sheldon, in 1667, it has only been conferred upon noblemen of distinction who have been members of the University. The vice-chancellor is elected for foul) years, by annual nomination. He is always a resident member of the University, and president of one of the colleges. The other principal officers are the seneschallns, or high steward ; two proctors, whose duty is to Inspect the conduct of the members of the University as to all matters of discipline and good order; four pro-proctors; a deputy steward ; a public orator; an assessor; a registrar ; librarians of the Bodleian and Radcliffe libraries ; keepers and curators of the theatre, museums, galleries, &c.; and six commissioners of the markets.
The constitution of the University differs scarcely at all from that of Causarocis. There are 10 colleges and five halls at Oxford. As at Cambridge the colleges are corporate bodies; but at Oxford the halls are not incorporated, and consequently whatever estates or other property they possess are held in trust by the University ; in all other respects they possess equal privileges. Previous to the Act 17 and 18 Viet. cap. 81, passed August 7th, 1854, every student at the University was obliged to have his name entered on the books of some college or hall, but by the 25th motion of that Act the vice-chancellor is em powered to license Members of Convocation to open their residences, if within a mile and a half of Carfax, for the reception of students who shall be matriculated, and admitted to all the privileges of the university, without being entered as members of any college or hall. The Act also provides that after the first day of Michaelmas term 1954 no oath is to be taken or declaration made on matriculating, or on taking the degree of B.A. Each of the colleges and halls furnishes members both for the legislative and executive branch of university government The whole business of the University Is transacted in two distinct assemblies, termed 'Houses,' namely, the House of Con gregation, and the House of Convocation, which are constituted much like the regent and nou-regent houses at CAMBRIDGE. The chancellor,
or vice-chancellor, or, In his absence, one of his four deputies, and the two proctor., or, In their absence, their respective deputies, preside in both houses, where their presence is necessary on all occasions. The business of the congregation includes the reception of statutes framed by the hebdomadal council, and their transmission, if approved, to the house of convocation. The power of convocation extends to all subjects which are connected with the affairs of the University. In the enacting of new or the explaining of old statutes, some restriction is imposed. If the statute to be explained be a royal, or, as it is commonly called, a Caroline statute', the royal permission is first to be obtained. As in congregation, so also in convocation, the chan cellor or vice-chancellor singly, and the two proctors jointly, are officially invested with an absolute negative upon all proceedings except in elections. In both houses, when the negative of the vice chancellor, or of the proctors, is not interposed (an interposition almost as rare as the royal veto in parliament), every question is decided by the majority. For the better government of the University, there is an hebdomadal council, consisting under the provisions of the Act of 1854, of the chancellor, vice-chancellor, the provosts, six heads of colleges or halls, six professors of the university, and six members of convocation of not leas than five years' standing. This council deliberates upon matter. relating to the privileges and liberties of the Universitssand inquires into and consults respecting the due observance of statute; and customs. All the letters of the chancellor, in the caae of dispensations, which are addressed to convocation, must be sanc tioned by the hebdomadal meeting before they are recited in the house. By the Act of 1854 the various colleges and hells are em powered to revise and if deemed requisite to propose alterations in the statutes referring to headships, fellowships, and other college emoluments; in default of the colleges or halls attending to these matters within • specified time, the university commissioners are empowered to do so ; any alterations proposed being submitted to the Queen in Council for approval. The University is empowered to prop/Se such alterations as it may deem expedient in reference to any gift or endowment of more than fifty years' standing.
In 1603 King James L, by diploma dated March 12th, granted to the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge the privilege of choosing two representatives In parliament. The members are chosen by the rice-chancellor, doctors, and regent and non-regent masters in convocation.