What is the Academic Board?
Deakin University's Academic Board is the principal academic authority within the University and has responsibility to Council for maintaining the highest standards in teaching and research. The Academic Board fulfils this responsibility in the following ways:
- it approves and reviews academic policies and monitors their compliance to ensure that they inform and guide academic activity within the University
- it approves new courses, ensuring the academic qualification standards of Deakin’s awards
- it provides advice of an academic nature to Council and the Vice-Chancellor
- it engages with the wider academic community and promotes debate on academic matters.
The Academic Board has established a number of standing committees. The committees undertake the detailed work of the Board and provide the Board with informed advice and/or recommendations on specific matters associated with their particular portfolios. The Chair of the Academic Board establishes ad hoc committees as and when necessary.
The membership of the Academic Board has recently been reviewed and from 1 August 2011 will consist of:
- officers of the Board
- members of the Executive, including Pro Vice-Chancellors
- the University Librarian and Director, Institute of Koorie Education
- professors
- Faculty academic staff
- general staff
- student members.
The importance of academic freedom and collegiality is often spoken about, both of which are integral to the core values that underpin the idea of a university – a commitment to the creation, advancement, transmission and application of knowledge and skills. The Academic Board conducts its meetings in an environment of mutual respect and is ‘the embodiment of collegiality’ within Deakin University. It is charged with supporting a University culture based on the highest academic quality and contributing to the upholding of the academic freedom of staff.
Chair, Academic Board
