Faculty Research Higher Degrees Committee

Terms of Reference

• to advise the Faculty Board on issues concerning research higher degrees and, through the Faculty Board, to make recommendations to the University Higher Degrees Committee on the development of new or amended policies, statutes and rules with respect to research higher degrees as appropriate;
• to advise the Faculty Board on strategies for maintenance of academic quality and standards in research higher degrees and the strategic management and planning of research higher degrees;
• within policies and procedures agreed by the University and/or the Faculty Board, to exercise the delegated powers and functions of the Faculty Board as prescribed by the University's Research Higher Degree Policies and Procedures:
  (i) admission of candidates to research degree programs;
  (ii) appointment of supervisors;
  (iii) variations to candidature;
  (iv) monitoring of student progress and action arising therefrom;
  (v) appointment of examiners for theses;
  (vi) matters arising from consideration of examiners' reports, including the decision as to whether a candidate has fulfilled all the conditions prescribed for the award of the degree and that the degree should be awarded;
• to exercise powers and functions with respect to higher doctorates delegated to the Faculty Higher Degrees Committees by the Council;
• to report periodically to the Faculty Board on decisions made in the exercise of the delegated powers and functions;
• to monitor the provision of induction programs, supervision workshops and similar activities relating to research training within the Faculty;
• in conjunction with the Faculty Research Executive, to take such steps as are appropriate and within budget to attract research students of high calibre to the University;
• to provide the University Scholarships Committee with (i) a permanent Faculty representative, who will be the Chairperson of the Faculty Higher Degrees Committee or nominee, normally appointed from the Committee, and (ii) an occasional Faculty representative, normally appointed from the Committee, providing broad Faculty representation on the University Scholarships Committee.

Delegation to Chairperson
The Chairperson or, in his/her absence, the Deputy Chairperson, may act with executive authority of the Committee between meetings where necessary in:

• approving applications for higher degree candidature which are of a routine nature;
• approving minor variations to candidature, such as intermissions or extensions of up to 12 months, transfers between full-time and part-time status, and changes in field of study;
• approving the award of higher degrees in cases where the examiners are agreed, and where either no amendments were required or those that were required were of a minor nature and were undertaken to the satisfaction of the candidate's supervisor; and
• resolving other specific matters which may be referred to the Chairperson for action from time to time.

Any decisions taken executively by the Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson shall be reported to the next meeting of the Committee.

Membership
Chairperson (appointed by Faculty Board on the recommendation of the Executive Dean)
Assistant Dean (Research Higher Degree Programs) (or nominee) of the School of Medicine
Associate Dean (Higher Degree Programs) (or nominee) of the School of Nursing and Midwifery
Assistant Dean (Research) (or nominee) School of Medicine
Associate Dean (Research) (or nominee) of the School of Nursing and Midwifery
Chairperson (or nominee), School of Medicine Honours Committee
Coordinator (or nominee), School of Nursing and Midwifery Honours Program
Two academic staff members, one from each School (appointed by Faculty Board on the recommendation of the respective Deans
Two research higher degree students, one from each School, elected by and from the postgraduate research students of the School
Two Deputy Executive Deans
Executive Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences

In the event that the Chairperson is one of the ex officio members from either School, there will be no alternative member.
The Committee shall appoint a Deputy Chairperson from amongst its membership who shall act in the absence of the Chairperson, normally the Assistant Dean or Associate Dean responsible for higher degree matters in the School other than that from which the Chairperson is drawn.
The term of appointment of the Chair and elected members of the Committee will normally be for two years. Members will be eligible for re-appointment.

Meetings
The Faculty Higher Degrees Committee is a committee of the Faculty Board. It will normally meet monthly from February to December and, if necessary, in January. At the discretion of the Chairperson, additional meetings may be called as and when necessary.

The Committee will be serviced by an Administrative Officer (Academic) from the Faculty Office who will produce formal agendas and minutes and provide executive support to the Committee and its Chairperson.

2008 Meeting Dates
7 February
6 March
3 April
1 May
5 June
3 July
7 August
4 September
2 October
6 November
4 December

Contact
Patricia Berry, Secretary
Phone: +61 8 8201 5470
Fax: +61 8 8201 3905
Email: patricia.berry@flinders.edu.au