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Senate elections

Election of Fellows of Senate
Election of Chancellor and Deputy Chancellor
Election of Fellows to Committees and Chairs of Committees
Governance of elections
Nomination of Fellows of Senate
Contact

Election of Fellows of Senate

Elections are held every two years, in alternating years, for the following Senate Fellow positions:

  • a Fellow elected by and from the undergraduate students of the University
  • a Fellow elected by and from the postgraduate students of the University
  • Fellows elected by and from the academic staff of the University
  • a Fellow elected by and from the professional staff of the University


The election for Staff Fellows of Senate was held in Semester 1, 2017 for a term of office to commence on 1 June 2017 in the following categories:

  • two Fellows of Senate by and from the academic staff
  • one Fellow of Senate by and from the professional staff


For information on the Staff Fellow of Senate elections click here

The next election of student Fellows to Senate will take place in Semester 2, 2018.

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Election of Chancellor and Deputy Chancellor

The Secretariat conducts elections as required for the Chancellor and Deputy Chancellor:

  • the Chancellor elected by Senate - an existing Fellow of Senate or an external person is elected to this position for a four year term of office.
  • the Deputy Chancellor elected by Senate - a Fellow of Senate is elected to this position for a two year term of office.


The next election of the Deputy Chancellor will take place in December 2017.

The next election of the Chancellor will take place in February 2021.

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Election of Fellows to Committees and Chairs of Committees

The Secretariat conducts elections as required for the following Fellows of Senate to Committees and Chairs of Committees:

  • the Chair, Buildings & Estates Committee elected by Senate - a Fellow of Senate is elected to this position for a two year term of office.
  • the Chair, Finance & Audit Committee elected by Senate - a Fellow of Senate is elected to this position for a two year term of office.
  • the Chair, Investment & Commercialisation Committee elected by Senate - a Fellow of Senate is elected to this position for a two year term of office.
  • the Chair, Safety & Risk Management Committee elected by Senate - a Fellow of Senate is elected to this position for a two year term of office.
  • two Fellows elected by Senate to membership of the Nominations & Appointments Committee - for a two year term of office.


The next election of Senate Fellows to Committees and Chairs of Committees will take place in May 2017.

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Nomination of Fellows of Senate

The nominations period for external Fellows for terms to begin on 1 December 2017 has now closed.

Senate will next seek nominations for external Fellows in 2019.

Information about Senate's role and responsibilities is on this nominations page, and on the Senate tab, above.

A Nominations Pack for interested nominees (including a Letter from the Secretary to Senate, the Nomination Form, Senate Fellows Role Statement and Skills Matrix, and detailed instructions for submitting a nomination) will be available during the next nominations period in 2019.

Primary responsibilities of Senate

As the governing body, Senate has the functions conferred on it by the University of Sydney Act 1989 (NSW). Senate's primary responsibilities are:

  1. appointing the Vice-Chancellor as the principal executive officer of the university, and monitoring his or her performance;
  2. approving the mission and strategic direction of the university, as well as the annual budget and business plan;
  3. overseeing and reviewing the management of the university and its performance;
  4. establishing policy and procedural principles, consistent with legal requirements and community expectations;
  5. approving and monitoring systems of control and accountability, including general overview of any controlled entities;
  6. overseeing and monitoring the assessment and management of risk across the university, including commercial undertakings; and
  7. overseeing and monitoring the academic activities of the university.

The role of a Senate Fellow

Being a Senate Fellow is a richly rewarding experience, however, as an unremunerated role, it requires a significant donation of time and energy to the University.

To find out more, download the Nominations Pack (when available), which includes:

  • a Nominations Form with instructions on how to submit your nomination
  • the Senate Fellows Role Statement, describing the duties, commitments and expectations of a Senate Fellow
  • the Senate Fellows Skills Matrix, describing the key skills and experience required of a Senate Fellow, and which Senate will use when considering nominees


For additional background about the University, you may be interested in reviewing the University’s 2015 Annual Report website and 2016-2020 Strategic Plan website.

Key dates for nominations

  • Will be published during the next nominations period in 2019.


Once lodged, nominees will receive an acknowledgement of their application.

Nominations inquiries

If you have any further queries about the process of nomination or the role of Senate and Senate Fellows, please contact:

Secretary to Senate
David Pacey
T +61 2 9351 4839
E .

All inquiries will remain confidential.

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Governance of elections


All elections to Senate are conducted in accordance with statutory requirements of the University of Sydney By-law 1999 (NSW) and relevant resolutions of Senate.

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Contact

For more information about Senate elections, please contact the Executive Officer to Senate:

Executive Officer to Senate
Mark Smith
T +61 2 9351 4260
E