Council
5 Council
The Council has the powers, authorities, duties and functions conferred and imposed on the Council by or under this
Act.
The Council is the governing body of the University and has the following as its primary responsibilities:
appointing the Vice-Chancellor as the chief executive officer of the University, and monitoring his or her performance;
approving the mission and strategic direction of the University, as well as the annual budget and business plan;
overseeing and reviewing the management of the University and its performance;
establishing policy and procedural principles, consistent with legal requirements and community expectations;
approving and monitoring systems of control and accountability, including general overview of any entities controlled by the University (within the meaning of section 50AA of the Corporations Act 2001);
overseeing and monitoring the assessment and management of risk across the University, including commercial undertakings;
overseeing and monitoring the academic activities of the
University;
approving significant commercial activities of the
University.
The Council must in all matters endeavour to advance the interests of the University.
The Council will consist of the following members:
the Chancellor and the Vice-Chancellor who will be members of the
Council ex officio;
the presiding member of the Academic Senate who will be a member of the Council ex officio or, if the Vice-Chancellor is the presiding member of the Academic Senate, a member of the Academic Senate who is a member of the academic staff of the University elected by the Academic Senate (but that person cannot be a student of the University);
8 persons appointed by the Council, on the recommendation of a selection committee (which consists of the Chancellor and 6 other persons appointed by the Chancellor in accordance with guidelines determined by the
Council);
if the Council so determines, 1 person co-opted and appointed by the Council;
1 member of the academic staff, elected by the academic staff;
1 member of the general staff, elected by the general staff;
2 students of the University (not being persons in the full time employment of the University), 1 of whom must be a postgraduate student and 1 of whom must be an undergraduate student, appointed or elected in a manner determined by the Council.
Where a person is appointed to the Council, the appointing authority must recognise that the Council is, as far as practicable, to be constituted of equal numbers of men and women who—
have a commitment to education and, in particular, to higher education; and
have an understanding of, and commitment to, the principles of equal opportunity and social justice and, in particular, to access and equity in education.
Of the members of the Council appointed on the recommendation of the selection committee, at least 2 must have financial management expertise and at least 1 must have commercial expertise (demonstrated by relevant qualifications or relevant experience at a senior level in the public or private sector).
A member of the academic or general staff or student of the
University is not eligible to be appointed to the Council by the
Council.
A selection committee established for the purpose of making an appointment under subsection (3)(d) cannot recommend 1 of their number for appointment.
A member of the Council is not, in the exercise of his or her powers or functions as such, subject to the direction of any person or body of persons.
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