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Terms of reference

Introduction

The Faculties of Law, Arts & Social Sciences, and Education & Social Work and the Koori Centre (the constituent faculties) have agreed to promote mutual accountability in respect of their University activities through a divisional structure governed by a Board.

These Terms of Reference set out the principles and rules upon which the Board shall promote its objectives.

Objectives

The objectives of the Board are to promote mutual accountability among the three constituent Faculties and their Schools, Departments, Centres and Institutes in respect of their research, teaching, curriculum and budget. It is intended that the Board will facilitate:

  • Development of strategic direction for the Division as a whole, taking into account the strategic plan of the University and having regard to the financial and academic sustainability of the activities of constituent faculties.
  • Identification of research priorities and cross-disciplinary collaboration
  • Cross-disciplinary teaching and curriculum development within and between the constituent faculties.
  • Agreement upon research and teaching ‘compacts’ with the University as envisaged by the Strategic Plan.
  • Approving, through the Chair of the Board, new academic appointments to ensure that the constituent faculties recruit the ‘brightest researchers’.
  • Budgetary responsibility of the Division for the constituent faculties.
  • Administrative responsibilities, efficiencies and avoidance of duplication of services under the principles of the University Economic Model.
  • Development of a risk register for the Division, within the context of the University’s Risk Framework
  • Integration of the Division with the governance structures and procedures of the University as a whole.

Principles

The Board shall act consistently with the following principles:

  • Mutual respect and support for the integrity and autonomy of each of the constituent faculties within the Division.
  • Each constituent faculty is responsible for establishing and implementing their budgets in accordance with their strategic plan and, where appropriate, the agreed divisional strategic plan.
  • Good faith commitment to achieving the objectives of the Board
  • Collaboration among the Faculties in respect of all matters within the mandate of the Board.
  • All day-to-day operational responsibility for each Faculty remains with the respective Faculty.

Powers and Functions

The powers and functions of the Board are to:

  • Develop initiatives, where appropriate through sub-committees and working groups, to promote the objectives of the Board.
  • Make recommendations to the Senior Executive Group and its sub-committees to achieve the objectives of the Board.
  • Ensure that relevant information is shared across the constituent faculties on a regular basis.

Membership of the Board

The Board shall comprise the Deans of the constituent Faculties and the following additional members:

  • In respect of the Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences, the five heads of school
  • In respect of both the Faculties of Law and Education and Social Work, four members of their academic staff as nominated by the respective Dean.
  • Director, Koori Centre

There shall be no delegation of membership of the Board to another person from a constituent Faculty in the event that a Member is not able to attend a meeting, except the Director of the Koori Centre.

Observers may be invited to join meetings of the Board where the Board believes they would be helpful to its deliberations.

The Provost is also an ex officio member of the Board.

Chair of the Board

The Chair of the Board shall be appointed by the Vice-Chancellor. The Chair has no deliberative vote on the Board, and shall exercise a casting vote where any vote of members of the Board is evenly divided. The constituent faculty from which the Chair has been appointed will nominate an extra member to represent the Dean on the Board.

The Chair shall be responsible for:

  • Ensuring that the activities of the Board are at all times consistent with the Principles and Objectives.
  • Calling all meetings
  • Preparing the agenda, related papers and draft Recommendations
  • Ensuring that the minutes of Board meetings are recorded
  • Forwarding Recommendations to SEG and liaising with the relevant committees of SEG
  • Reporting to SEG on an annual basis
  • Liaising where appropriate on behalf of the Board with the Provost and Vice-Chancellor of the University.

Voting

All Recommendations to SEG and its sub-committees shall be by a majority vote and each Member of the Board shall be entitled to one vote. Invited observers are not entitled to vote.

Where any Dean is not in agreement with a Board Recommendation in respect of matters considered by him/her to be of core importance for their Faculty, the matter shall be referred to SEG for resolution.

Sub-Committees

Sub-Committees and Working Groups may be established at the discretion of the Board. Precise terms of reference shall be established for each such committee or group, including duration, outcomes and objectives.

Administration

Secretarial and administrative support is to be provided through University secretariat services.

Evaluation of Board performance

The performance of the Board shall be reviewed regularly and at least every two years to assess whether and to what extent the Board is meeting its objectives and performing its functions.

Dispute Resolution

Any disputes and appeals against Recommendations of the Board may be referred to SEG.

Frequency of meetings

The Board shall meet six times per year.