University Council Terms of Reference

Terms of Reference (Act s16)

1. Subject to this Act the Council shall:
   1. perform any function or duty conferred or imposed upon the University under this Act;
   2. act in all matters concerning the University in such manner as appears to it best calculated to promote the objects and interests of the University; and
   3. control and manage the operation, affairs, concerns and property of the University.

Composition (Act s9)

1. 7 persons appointed by the Governor being persons with experience in education, the professions, industry or commerce and such other persons who are representative of the community;
   (aa) the person for the time being holding the office of chief executive officer of the department of the Public Service principally assisting the Minister charged with the administration of the Education Act 1928 in administering that Act or a person nominated in writing to the Minister by the chief executive officer of that department;
2. the person for the time being holding office as the chief executive officer of the University;
3. 2 persons who are members of the full time academic staff of the University who are elected by members of that staff in such manner as is prescribed by Statute;
4. 1 person who is a member of the full time salaried staff, other than academic staff, of the University, and who is elected by members of that staff in such manner as is prescribed by Statute;
5. 2 persons who are enrolled students of the University, and who are elected by the enrolled students of the University, in such manner as is prescribed by Statute;
6. 1 person who is elected by and from among the persons whose names are registered on the Register of Alumni maintained by the University;
7. the person for the time being holding the office of chairperson of the Bunbury Campus Advisory Board constituted under section 20;
8. the person for the time being holding the office of chairperson of the Board of the Academy ;
9. 3 persons appointed from time to time by cooption by the Council; and
10. if he is not already a member pursuant to one of the foregoing paragraphs of this subsection, the Chancellor.

Chairperson: Chancellor.

Footnotes:

1. Council 23 July 1987, resolution 46/27:
   'that when the Chairman of the Board of the Bunbury Institute is unable to attend a meeting of the College Council, he shall appoint an Acting Chairman to represent the Board of the Bunbury Institute, and that person shall have full rights as a member of Council'.
   (College Council is now University Council and the Bunbury Institute is now the Bunbury Campus following the redesignation of the former College as a university on 1 January 1991).
2. Council 23 July 1987, resolution 46/28:
   'that when the Chairman of the Academy of Performing Arts is unable to attend a meeting of the College Council, he shall appoint an Acting Chairman to represent the Board of the Academy of Performing Arts and that person shall have full rights as a member of Council.'
   (College Council is now University Council following the redesignation of the former College as a university on 1 January 1991).

Membership (subject to change without notice)

Refer to the University Council Home Page.

Members co-opted

None other than provided for in Composition above.

Observer/participants/s (as at 4/12/97)
(other than for matters taken in camera)

1. Deputy Vice-Chancellors
2. Pro Vice-Chancellor
3. Vice President, Resources
4. Chairperson, Academic Board
5. Manager, Equal Opportunity
6. Education Vice-President, Edith Cowan University Student Guild (as President is a member - see Note )
7. President, Academic Staff Association (unless otherwise a member)
8. President, Salaried Officer's Association (unless otherwise a member)
9. Director, Marketing and Development
10. Executive DIrector, Governance Policy and Planning

Note : Where in the event that the Student Guild President is also an elected student representative on Council the Guild representative with observer/participant rights be the Educational Vice-President of the Student Guild, and where in the event that the President and Educational Vice-President of the Student Guild are the elected student representatives the Guild representatives with observer/participant rights be the Financial Vice-President of the Student Guild.

Reporting

Council is the governing body of the University.

Other Matters

CONDITIONS APPLICABLE TO COUNCIL

Council has approved a number of matters relating to Council operations. Where appropriate these have been updated for University designation.

These are:

1. agenda arrangement

   That the arrangement of the agenda into sections A, B and C as at present should continue.

   (Council 11 September 1989 Resolution CC 63/3 (Report recommendation 5))

   That the agenda of the Council be prepared by the Secretariat in consultation with the Vice-Chancellor and settled by the Chancellor or, in his absence, the Pro-Chancellor.

   (Council 11 September 1989 Resolution CC 63/3 (Report recommendation 6))

   That resolutions of Council designated as policy resolutions carry the prefix "p" before the record of the resolution in the minutes.

   (Council 11 September 1989 Resolution CC 63/3 (Report recommendation 13))

2. digest of resolutions

   That each set of agenda papers include a digest list of Council resolutions in force requiring action to be taken whether by a committee of the Council, an officer of the University or otherwise and when action on a resolution is complete this be noted in the agenda for the next meeting of Council following that completion whereupon Council may resolve to delete the completed from the digest.

   (Council 11 September 1989 Resolution CC 63/3 (Report recommendation 9))

3. reports on activities

   That agenda papers routinely include a digest list of significant activities or projects under direct administrative control, including construction of buildings, the acquisition or disposal of land and the negotiation of relationships with external institutions. Staff appointments, promotions, resignations or dismissals should also be noted.

   (Council 11 September 1989 Resolution CC 63/3 (Report recommendation 11))

4. reports of Council committees

   That where a committee of Council has nothing to report there be a memo to this effect included in the agenda papers indication the date of the last meeting.

   (Council 11 September 1989 Resolution CC 63/3 (Report recommendation 7))

   That discussion on committee recommendations coming to Council usually should be led by the Chairperson or some other representative of the relevant committee.

   (Council 11 September 1989 Resolution CC 63/3 (Report recommendation 12))

5. reports of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, Bunbury Campus Advisory Board and Student Guild

   The Boards of the WA Academy of Performing Arts and the Bunbury Campus, and the Student Guild provide to each meeting of Council a brief report of their activities and decisions of significance since the previous Council meeting.

   (Council 11 September 1989 Resolution CC 63/3 (Report recommendation 10))

6. Vice-Chancellor's report

   That for each meeting of Council there be on the Agenda a written report from the Vice-Chancellor to Council including references to any matters of significance that have arisen since the previous council meeting and which have not been processed through the committee system. The report should include a brief account of any overseas or interstate travel undertaken on behalf of the University by the Vice-Chancellor, senior administrators or Heads of School, whether or recruiting staff, promoting the University, attending conferences or otherwise. A brief list of significant academic, political, or other visitors to the University should be incorporated in the report.

   (Council 11 September 1989 Resolution CC 63/3 (Report recommendation 8)

7. the duties of Council

   'Leadership - essentially this involves setting broad directions for the College.

   Promotion - it is the responsibility of the Council to present the College to the wider community, be that government, industry or prospective students. It is the interface between the College and the community where community and College representatives meet.

   Accountability - the Council has responsibility for financing and generally running the institution and providing its human and physical resources. It must acquire funds for the College and dispense these funds fairly within the College community. Thus, it is accountable to funding authorities for the wise expenditure of funds and to the College community for acquiring and dispensing these funds.'

   (Council 23 July 1987, resolution 46/7.)
   "That Council has a 'value added' role in the concept of engagement with community and the professions (as referred to in the presentation) and that in the forthcoming strategic planning review process it should be a platform of principle from which other issues will emerge."

8. meeting arrangements
   
   UC 92/12 (08.08.02)
   That the Practice of Council holding a biannual meeting at the ECU South West Campus (Bunbury) to ensure its strategic linkages with the people and communities in the South West be affirmed,...
   
9. issues and themes for Council's consideration
   
   UC 87/5 (04.10.01)
   That council, at the end of each year, identify major issues and themes for the next year.
   
   UC 80/6 (30.11.00)
   To request each Council committee to conduct an annual self review.

Chairperson: Chancellor
Elected/Nominee Date: 01/03/88.

Deputy Chairperson: Pro-Chancellor
Elected/Nominee Date: 12/06/03.

Secretary/Executive Officer Telephone: (08) 6304 2453.

Reference

Edith Cowan University Act 1984.

Statute No.5 The Council.

Observer/participants: Council 31/10/91, resolution UC7/4; see also 1/4/93, resolution UC 18/5 and 7/4/94, resolution UC 26/6, Pro Vice-Chancellor added, Guild representation varied 8/12/94, resolution UC 32/12.

File: 88/1511 (membership), 83/0770 (elections).