Academic Board - Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Chair of the Academic Board do?
What is expected of an Academic Board member?
What does a student member do?
Can I attend Academic Board if I am not a member?
How do I become a member of an Academic Board committee or working party?How can I get an item on the Academic Board agenda?
What does the Chair of the Academic Board do?
The Chair of the Academic Board:
- is the formal point of contact between the Academic Board, academic community, the University Executive and Council as the most senior elected academic within the University*
- handles strategic conformance and risk management matters from an academic governance perspective
- carries out tasks shaped by government legislation, common law, University legislation and policy, Academic Board functions, expectations and contemporary practice
- chairs meetings of the Academic Board and the Academic Board Steering Committee
- reports to Council under five key components of governance: academic governance; academic strategy; academic risk; academic policy; and academic standards and quality
- actively promotes the Academic Board as a collegial representative body that encourages open exchanges of ideas and views on matters of academic importance.
*There are formal mechanisms that encompass the position of the Chair. These include being an ex officio member of Council, the University Executive Group, the Planning and Resources Committee, selection panels for Executive positions and all of the Standing Committees of the Academic Board.
What is expected of an Academic Board member?
Members of the Academic Board are required to:
- understand the role and responsibilities of the Academic Board and the way in which it contributes to the maintenance and monitoring of standards in teaching and research of the University
- act in the best interest of the University and not as a representative of any constituent group which may have elected or appointed the member
- prepare for meetings, participate in debate, collective decision making, fair judgement, show respect for others and share information after Board meetings
- contribute positively to the functioning of the Academic Board through attendance at meetings of the Board, membership of standing and ad hoc committees of the Board and membership of selection panels and other University committees as required.
What does a student member do?
Student members of the Academic Board:
- have the same responsibilities as officers and staff members (see FAQ - What is expected of an Academic Board member?)
- provide the student perspective when communicating to the Academic Board and its committees, which is an important element for the University's decision making
- must act in the best interest of the student population as a whole and not to express personal opinions or to use their positions for personal gain.
Can I attend Academic Board if I am not a member?
Staff and students of the University who are not members of the Academic Board may seek permission to attend meetings as a non-participating observer. Please contact the Secretary of the Academic Board at least 48 hours prior to the meeting if you wish to attend as an observer. Attendance will be approved by the Chair of the Academic Board. Academic Board meetings are not open to members of the general public.
How do I become a member of an Academic Board committee or working party?
If you are interested in becoming a member of a particular committee or working party you are invited to express your interest via email to either the Chair of the Academic Board or the Secretary. When memberships of these committees are reviewed or if vacancies occur, expressions of interest are beneficial.
How can I get an item on the Academic Board agenda?
If you have a matter that is relevant to the five key components of academic governance or the functions of the Academic Board such as teaching, research and academic governance that you would like the Academic Board to consider, please contact the Secretary. Such matters will be considered by the Chair of the Academic Board in the first instance. A decision will then be made on whether or not the matter should be referred to one of the Board’s Standing Committees for further discussion prior to consideration by the Board.
