Academic Governance
Academic Senate
The Academic Senate is the principal academic body of the University. It has delegated authority from the Council to make and monitor academic policy.
The Senate has a membership of 21 comprising: two members of the professoriate elected by the Senate as the Presiding Officer and Deputy Presiding Officer; the Vice-Chancellor, the Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Deans of Faculty; Executive Director of Library Services; the Director, Indigenous Education; The Director of the Centre for Enhancing Learning and Teaching, the Pro Vice-Chancellors (Research and Graduate Training) as ex-officio members; two members of the professoriate nominated and elected by the professorial forum; one elected academic staff member of each Faculty; and two students nominated by the student associations.
The Senate meets five times each year and is assisted in its work by several committees.
Academic Programs Committee
The Academic Programs Committee advises the Senate on matters relating to undergraduate programs and postgraduate coursework programs and has delegated authority from the Senate to approve new and revised programs submitted to it by the Faculties.
Board of Graduate Studies
The Board of Graduate Studies advises the Senate on matters relating to higher degree research programs including professional doctorate programs and has delegated authority from the Senate to administer these programs.
Research Management Committee
The Research Management Committee advises the Senate on research development and management. The Committee also allocates research grants.
Other Committees of the Senate
The Senate has a number of other committees to perform specialist functions. These include: the Academic Appeals Committee which decides student appeals against exclusion and other academic decisions; the Learning and Teaching Committee which is responsible for advising Senate on matters relating to learning and teaching policy and planning for the University; the Standing Committee which has the authority to determine urgent matters; the Audit Committee which is responsible for auditing the practices and operation of the Academic Senate; and the University Medals Committee which awards University Medals to academically outstanding students.
Faculties and Schools
The University´s academic activities (teaching, research and consultancy) are the province of the Faculties of the University. Each Faculty is headed by a Dean who is responsible to the Vice-Chancellor through the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) for the management of the Faculty.
The Faculties, which are multi-campus, comprise campus-based Schools and, in a few cases, campus-based academic units. Each school is managed by a Head of School who is responsible to the Dean.
Faculties are responsible for the development and delivery of courses whereas Schools are responsible for the curriculum and the teaching of the subjects that comprise courses.
Faculty Boards
Each Faculty has a Faculty Board, chaired by the Dean, which is a committee of the Academic Senate and is responsible for the quality of the Faculty´s courses, research, consultancy and other academic activities. Each School of the Faculty is represented on the Faculty Board.
Committees of the Faculty Boards
The Faculty Boards have a number of committees to perform specialist functions on behalf of the Board. These include: a Courses Committee which approve the documentation for new and revised course proposals; an Assessment Committee which approves the awarding of grades; Faculty Research and Graduate Studies Committees which monitor the Faculty´s research and consultancy endeavours and graduate programs; and a Standing Committee to handle urgent issues.
School Boards
Each School has a School Board, chaired by the Head of School, which is responsible for the quality of the teaching and assessment of the School´s subjects and the other academic activities of the School.
Course Coordinators
Each Faculty course is managed by a course coordinator who is a member of the academic staff of the Faculty. The course coordinator is responsible for ensuring that students in a course meet all the requirements of the course required for graduation and abide by the regulations and other policies approved by the Senate.