The 'Regent House' is the name given to the official governing body of the
University of Cambridge. It consists of most
academic and academic-related staff of the University's
colleges and departments, and currently has over 3000 members.
Meetings of the Regent House are known as
congregations, and are chaired by the
Chancellor, the
Vice Chancellor, or the master of one of the colleges. In recent times, very few Congregations have actually been held, with most important business conducted by postal ballot of its members. The main exceptions are those to award degrees, with the largest being held at the end of
Easter term when undergraduates receive their degrees in sessions spread over three days known as ''General Admission''.
Such Congregations are held in the University's
Senate House.