Section 5: University Governance and Management Structures, and Accountability Framework

1

UNIVERSITY COMMITTEE STRUCTURE

The Council is the governing body of the University and has responsibilities as set out in the University Act (see Section 1).

The standing committees of Council are:

* Academic Senate;

* Resources Committee;

* Audit Committee;

* Senior Staff Remuneration Committee;

* Awards Committee.

The composition and terms of reference of the standing committees, as determined by Council, are set out in Appendix 7, as are delegations to the standing committees made by Council under the provisions of Section 19A of the University Act.

The Council refers matters to its standing committees in accordance with their terms of reference.

If Council is unable to approve a recommendation from a standing committee it will refer that recommendation back to the committee for reconsideration, together with advice about the concerns expressed at the Council meeting.

A chart showing the University's central committee structure forms Appendix 6.

In addition to the central committee structure, each Faculty has a Faculty Board, established in accordance with Statute 4.3: The Faculties.

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OFFICERS OF THE UNIVERSITY

The Officers of the University are as follows:

Chancellor

Deputy Chancellors

Vice-Chancellor and President

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research)

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International)

Executive Director of Administration

Registrar

The Officers of the University are identified in Appendix 8.

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ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE

The administrative structure of the University comprises the

Faculty of Education, Humanities, Law and Theology

Faculty of Health Sciences

Faculty of Science and Engineering

Faculty of Social Sciences

University Library

Central Administration.

A chart of the administrative structure forms Appendix 9.

A list of senior executive staff and senior managers is shown Appendix 10. On the web their contact details can be found at the staff directory.

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MECHANISMS TO ENSURE ACCOUNTABILITY TO COUNCIL

Council has a responsibility for prudential management and oversight of the business of the University. Specifically, it has a responsibility to ensure that the University has in place policies and procedures for the administration of the University's affairs and the conduct of day-to-day business. It also has a responsibility to ensure that there is a system in place whereby Council can supervise the effectiveness of the management of the University.

Accountability is provided for through:

* reports from the Vice-Chancellor on the management of the University;

* reports from major University committees;

* the University's policy framework (published on the University's web site);

* planning and monitoring processes which are subject to consideration and approval by Council.

The University is subject to internal and external audit processes, and its own risk management processes. The University is also subject to auditing by the Australian Universities Quality Agency.

The processes and time-lines for reporting to Council on the principal accountability mechanisms are summarised below.

Item

When

Annual Progress Report on Flinders Strategic Priorities and Future Directions

First half of each year

* report on achievements against targets

* report on proposed modifications

Regular reports from the Vice-Chancellor on major developments and strategic initiatives

All meetings

Regular reports from the Resources Committee

Following each meeting of the Committee

Reports from the Resources Committee on the University Budget and the University's financial performance

Quarterly

Regular reports from the Audit Committee

Following each meeting of the Committee

Regular reports from the Academic Senate on major

Following each meeting of

policy matters and academic developments, relating

the Committee

to education and research

Reports from Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Executive Deans and University Librarian on their major areas of activity

Annually

Council review of its own operation and the operation of

Annually

its major committees

Annual report by the Vice-Chancellor on the overall management of the University

December

Annual review of the Vice-Chancellor's performance by the Chancellor and Deputy Chancellors

December

5

MEETING DATES AND KEY UNIVERSITY DATES

Meeting dates for Council and its standing committees can be found Appendix 7 (on the web site at: Committees), and key University dates form Appendix 11.