Policies and procedures
POLICY NO: A-38.6
DATE OF APPROVAL: AB Resolution 2004/3/69
AMENDMENTS: AB Resolution 97/10/190
Registrar - August 1998
AB Resolution 99/8/136
Registrar - January 2001
REFERENCE AUTHORITY: Deputy Vice Chancellor and Vice President: Academic
CROSS-REFERENCES: Quality Assurance and Improvement:
Programs, Courses and Teaching Arrangements
EFFECTIVE DATE: 15 June 2004
1 The University of South Australia's core business is educating professionals, creating and applying knowledge, and serving the community. Strong external relationships enable the University to receive current advice in order to maintain and improve the quality of its teaching, research, professional practice and service to the community. This policy provides a framework for establishing Division and Institute structures that provide advice from representatives of business, the professions, the not-for-profit sector, and the general community. It recognises that advisory structures may vary across the Divisions and Institutes because of differences in the nature of core business across the University, and in the appropriate consultation processes with relevant external organisations.
1 Division Pro Vice Chancellors, the Director for Regional Engagement/Dean: Whyalla, and Directors of Research Institutes will establish and maintain a coherent, efficient and effective approach to obtaining regular, reliable and timely advice about their core business from external stakeholders. Divisions and Institutes will report annually to Academic Board on the activity undertaken by their advisory structures.
1 Advisory structures may include established advisory groups and occasional meetings with stakeholders about particular issues.
2 Advisory structures provide:
2.1 independent expert external advice to individuals and groups responsible for decisions about educational and research programs;
2.2 advice about relevant trends in the demand for graduates and the graduate qualities required by employers and the community;
2.3 comment on the structure and content of existing programs that are under review and on proposed new programs; and
2.4 advice on research trends and strategic opportunities for research.
3 Advisory structures will take account of the particular requirements and business of the Division or Institute and will ensure that participation in advisory groups by external representatives is not unduly onerous.
4 The activity of advisory structures will be reported annually to Academic Board through the relevant Pro Vice Chancellor and will include:
4.1 an outline of the advisory activities of the previous year; and
4.2 current membership of all established advisory groups.
5 All costs associated with the administration of advisory groups or the convening of advisory meetings will be borne by the Divisions and Institutes.
6 Advisory groups will report annually to the relevant Pro Vice Chancellor.
7 The chair of an advisory group should normally be an external member.
8 In general, membership of advisory groups should not exceed 15. Members will be appointed for an initial term of three years and may be reappointed at the end of this term.
9 Advisory groups are expected to meet regularly, and at least twice a year.
10 Divisions/Institutes/Centres and Whyalla Campus will specify the membership of advisory groups on their websites.
11 With the exception of matters covered in this policy, advisory groups may determine their own procedures.
12 Each Research Institute will establish an advisory group which will report at least annually to Academic Board through Research Policy Committee and the Deputy Vice Chancellor: Research and Innovation.
13 The composition and membership of Institute advisory groups will be approved by, and reported annually to, Academic Board through the Deputy Vice Chancellor: Research and Innovation.
14 Composition of Research Institute advisory groups will include:
14.1 senior representatives of the relevant profession, industry, research partners, community organisations and government;
14.2 Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and Innovation or nominee;
14.3 Director of the Research Institute; and
14.4 a distinguished academic from an external Research Centre or Research Institute in a related field.
15 Other staff members may be in attendance at meetings from time to time at the invitation of the Chair of the group.
16 In consultation with the Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and Innovation and the relevant Division Pro Vice chancellor, each Research Centre will establish an advisory group which will report at least annually to Research Policy Committee and the Divisional Pro Vice Chancellor.
17 The composition and membership of Research Centre advisory groups will be approved by Division Board and reported to Academic Board annually through the relevant Pro Vice Chancellor.
18 The composition of Research Centre advisory groups will include:
18.1 senior representatives of the relevant profession, industry, research partners, community organisations, and government;
18.2 Dean: Research of the host or major Division;
18.3 Pro Vice Chancellor of the host or major Division;
18.4 Director of the Centre; and
18.5 a distinguished academic from a Research Centre in a related field.
19 Other staff members may be in attendance at meetings from time to time at the invitation of the Chair of the group.
20 Divisions will establish advisory groups which reflect the range of disciplines involved and the external organisations consulted. They may include:
20.1 Division advisory group;
20.2 School advisory groups;
20.3 program advisory groups;
20.4 campus advisory group (Whyalla);
20.5 Research Centre advisory groups (see above); and/or
20.6 advisory groups to support other activities.
21 Each Division will document its approach for approval by Academic Board.
22 The composition and membership of Division advisory groups (other than for Research Centres, as defined above) will be approved by Division Board and reported to Academic Board annually through the relevant Pro Vice Chancellor.
23 The composition and membership of advisory groups at Whyalla Campus will be approved by, and reported annually to Academic Board through the Pro Vice Chancellor: Strategy and Change.
24 Composition of Division advisory groups will include:
24.1 senior representatives of the relevant profession, industry, research partners, community organisations and government;
24.2 alumni; and
24.3 Pro Vice Chancellor/Head of School/Program Director or nominee of the Head of School as the only University staff member (ex officio) for Division, School or program advisory groups respectively.
25 Other staff members may be in attendance at meetings from time to time at the invitation of the Chair of the Group.
26 Divisions or Institutes may convene specific meetings with stakeholders to seek advice about particular matters.
27 Advisory meetings will be convened by an appropriate member of University staff. Invitations will be extended to a representative range of stakeholders who will be provided with relevant documentation about the issue under consideration. Outcomes of the meetings will be formally documented and reported to the Division Pro Vice Chancellor or the Director of the Institute.
