Murdoch University Act 1973

The Senate consists of the following members —

the Chancellor;

the Vice‑Chancellor;

one person who is a member of the academic staff of the University and who is elected by the academic staff of the University in the manner prescribed by Statute;

one person who is a member of the non‑academic salaried staff of the University, and who is elected by the non‑academic salaried staff of the University in the manner prescribed by Statute;

2 persons who are students —

one of whom is an undergraduate student and who is elected by the undergraduate students in the manner prescribed by Statute; and

one of whom is a postgraduate student and who is elected by the postgraduate students in the manner prescribed by Statute;

2 persons who are graduates of the University and who are elected by the graduates of the University in the manner prescribed by Statute;

3 members appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the Minister;

not more than 5 persons co‑opted to serve as members of the Senate by an absolute majority of the other members;

the person for the time being the President of the Academic Council.

The fact that a person holds an elective office (for example, an elective office of the Guild) does not disqualify that person from being appointed or holding office under subsection (1).

The following persons are not eligible to be a member of the Senate under subsection (1)(f), (g) or (h) —

a full‑time member of the staff of the University;

a part‑time or casual employee of the University who works for at least 50% of the minimum time required to be worked by a full‑time member of staff;

a student.

Of the members of the Senate —

at least 2 must have financial expertise (as demonstrated by relevant qualifications and by experience in financial management at a senior level in the public or private sector); and

at least one must have commercial expertise (as demonstrated by relevant experience at a senior level in the public or private sector),

The Senate may, from time to time, appoint a committee or committees, which may comprise persons who are not members of the Senate, to advise the Senate on such matters relating to its functions as are referred by the Senate to a committee.

Subject to the requirements as to a quorum, the Senate or a committee has power to act notwithstanding any vacancy among its members or that any number of members has not been appointed or elected at the time of the proceedings.

All acts done at any meeting of the Senate, or a committee, shall notwithstanding that it is afterwards discovered that there was some defect in the election, appointment or qualification of a person purporting to be a member, be as valid as if that defect had not existed.

The quorum to constitute a meeting of the Senate may be prescribed by Statute but shall not be less than 8 persons.

Each member shall have a deliberative vote at any meeting of the Senate and, unless otherwise provided by Statute, where there is an equality of votes the person presiding has a casting vote as well as a deliberative vote.

Subject to this Act, and to any Statute, the Senate may determine its own procedure.