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Terms of reference

• The UniSA Foundation Committee
• Academic Board terms of reference
• Finance Committee terms of reference
• Audit and Risk Management Committee  
• Governance Legislation Committee
• Teaching and Learning Committee (TALC)
• Academic Policy and Program Review Committee (APPRC)
• Research Policy Committee (RPC)
• Research Degrees Committee (RDC)
• Student Services Sub-Committee
• Note.

 

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The UniSA Foundation Committee

The Foundation Committee is a sub-committee of the Council of the University of South Australia and is responsible for oversight of University philanthropy policies and management and administration of funds received.

The University of South Australia values the philanthropic support and relationships of many individuals and organisations who contribute to the education outcomes and life and culture of the institution.  The University is committed to ensuring that these community contributions are appropriately recognised and managed.

• View the UniSA Foundation Committee terms of reference

 

Academic Board terms of reference

Reporting relationships

• to report to University Council on each of its meetings
• to consider matters referred to it by University Council
• to receive reports from (i) Division Boards (ii) Centre for Regional Engagement Academic Committee - CREAC (iii) Sub-Committees of Academic Board and any other committees that are from time to time established
• to provide advice to other committees of Council as required.

Delegations

• to delegate certain functions to its Sub-Committees, to Division Boards, Centre for Regional Engagement Academic Committee - CREAC or such other committees as it shall from time to time propose
• to perform functions delegated to it by University Council.

Role and functions

• to act as a forum for the debate of University-wide academic issues
• to foster excellence in teaching, learning and research in the University
• to oversee quality assurance and the administration of academic matters
• to approve proposals for the development of undergraduate and postgraduate courses
• to approve policies and procedures related to teaching, learning, research and student administration
• to provide advice on the development of the annual Educational Profile and associated matters
• to provide formal input into the corporate planning process through the review of priorities and parameters for the annual Corporate Plan.

 

Finance Committee terms of reference

Reporting relationships

Finance Committee is to provide expert advice to the Council both on the University’s financial performance in the current year and also the financial implications of any future plans.

1. Review and monitor the University’s performance against financial benchmarks established by Council.
2. Review and advise Council on the University’s budget.
3. Review regular financial reports and, where appropriate, provide advice to Council on the implications of these.
4. Consider and make appropriate recommendations to Council on any matters having a significant financial impact on the University.
5. Advise Council on the short, medium and long term financial implications of the University’s Plans.
6. Advise Council in relation to:
       (i) the extent and adequacy of the University's insurance coverage (at least annually);
       (ii) the general investment policy of the University (on a regular basis)
       (iii) the University's borrowing program (on a regular basis)
7. Advise Council in relation to the capital program
8. Receive the annual reports and financial statements of the University’s controlled and associated entities.
9. Receive reports on any significant contracts for service to third parties into which the University or its controlled entities enter.
10. ToR 10 disestablished by University Council 19th June 2007
11. Exercise authority delegated to it by Council.
12. Consider any matters referred to it by Council or the Vice Chancellor.

Membership

• 3 community members of Council with financial expertise
• 1 external members of the community with financial expertise
• Ex officio Vice Chancellor
• Executive Director: Finance and Resources.

Established 2000; revised June 2007.

 

Audit and Risk Management Committee

The charter

A committee of Council will be known as the Audit and Risk Management Committee. This charter establishes the responsibilities of the Audit and Risk Management Committee within the governance system of the University of South Australia.

View the Audit and Risk Management Committee Charter (revised 2005)(PDF 73KB).

View the Internal Audit Charter (approved Council 15 June 2004)(PDF 87.1KB)

Primary function

The primary function of the Audit Committee is to assist the Council in exercising due care, diligence and skill in discharging its oversight and monitoring responsibilities.

Committee structure

The Audit Committee shall consist of the following members:

• three external members of Council, one of which shall be appointed by Council as Chair 
• a member of the academic staff preferably with qualifications in business administration/economics/accounting, appointed by Council.

In attendance

• Vice Chancellor
• Executive Director: Finance and Resources 
• Director: Planning and Assurance Services 
• the Chancellery will provide secretarial support as required to the Committee.

Observer

• A Senior Auditor of the Auditor General’s Department responsible for audit of the University will be invited to be an observer to the meetings of the Committee.
• The Committee may invite members of management or others to attend the meetings.
• A quorum is reached if 2 of the 3 external members of Council are present.
• Terms of Council appointments will be as determined by Council.
• The Committee is authorised to obtain all pertinent information from management.

General responsibilities 

The Audit Committee provides open lines of communication between Auditors and Council. It shall meet at least 4 times per year. The Chair has the power to call a meeting whenever necessary.

Audit Committee should report to Council after each meeting. The report should cover the following:

• the Committee’s minutes 
• any formal resolutions or decisions of the Committee 
• information about the audit process and significant recommendations and results from audits on major issues of which the Committee believes Council should be informed.

Audit Committee has the power to conduct or authorise investigations into matters within the Committee’s scope of responsibilities as defined below. The Committee is authorised to retain independent counsel where required to assist in its investigations.

Audit Committee may undertake any matters as directed by Council.

Responsibilities of auditors 

Audit Committee will select the external auditor for the University financial statements, where this is not provided for by legislation. The Committee’s selection is subject to approval by Council. The Committee will review external audit fees, and review and approve any dismissal of external auditors.

The Director: Planning and Assurance Services shall be subject to appointment by resolution of Council and any questions of appointment, dismissal, replacement, or reassignment shall be determined by resolution of Council on the recommendation of the Audit Committee.

Audit Committee will confirm and assure the independence of internal and external audit.

Audit Committee will obtain an understanding, through consultation with the external auditor, of the audit scope and broad plans for the external audit.

Audit Committee will review and approve the scope of the internal audit plan and work program, and will review plans for the resourcing of the work program.

Audit Committee will consider the coordination of the internal and external audits. The purpose of coordinating these efforts is to assure completeness of coverage, reduce redundancy, and use audit resources effectively.

Audit Committee will consider and review with management and the Director: Planning and Assurance Services:

• any changes to the planned scope of the internal audit work plan the Committee thinks advisable 
• the Internal Audit Function Charter 
• whether the internal audit function complies with the Institute of Internal Auditing’s Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing.

Responsibilities for risk management and reviewing audit reports and management letters

Council has established a Risk Management Policy, with the following responsibilities assigned to the Committee:

• Audit Committee will be responsible for oversight of the processes for the identification and assessment of the general business risk, reviewing the outcomes of programmed risk assessments, and advising Council as necessary
• Audit Committee will review the adequacy of the University’s system of internal control with management, the Director: Planning and Assurance Services and the external auditors. The Committee will prepare a periodic report to Council on the adequacy of the internal control system
• Audit Committee will review any significant risks, findings and recommendations made by external or internal auditing, together with management’s responses to them.

Responsibility for annual financial statements

Shortly after the annual examination is completed, the Committee will review the following with management and the external auditor: 

• the University’s annual financial statement and the related notes
• the external auditor’s audit of and report on the financial statements
• the external auditor’s qualitative judgement about the appropriateness of accounting principles and disclosures
• any serious difficulties or disputes with management encountered during the course of the audit.

Periodic responsibilities

• Review annually the Committee’s charter and recommend update where necessary
• Provide the opportunity for external Council members on the Audit Committee to meet with external and internal auditors without management personnel being present at least once a year
• Report annually to Council on the Committee’s performance and compliance in relation to this charter.

 

Governance and Legislation Committee

Terms of reference

• To provide advice, enabling periodic review, on the following matters:
• The role and responsibilities of the Council, its organisation and committee structures and rules for conduct of meetings;
• The composition of Council, incorporating skills and attributes requires by members to achieve good governance and  including succession planning;
• Make recommendations to Council in relation to candidates for (re) appointment to Council, including terms of appointment;
• Conduct searches for Chancellor, Deputy Chancellor and Pro Chancellors and make recommendations to Council on candidates for appointment;
• Conduct and behaviour of members, to act in good faith, honestly and for a proper purpose and to avoid conflict of interest;
• The performance of Council and its committees;
• The development of members, including induction, professional development, education and on-going training;
• Make recommendations to Council on amendments to legislation, statutes and by-laws.

 Membership

• Chancellor
• Vice Chancellor
• Deputy Chancellor
• 3 Community members of Council
• 1 Academic staff member of Council
• General staff nominee
• Student nominee

 

Teaching and Learning Committee (TALC) 

Terms of reference

• Initiate strategies to improve teaching and learning
• Monitor quality of teaching performance across the University
• Provide a forum for the discussion of teaching and learning issues
• Oversee processes to allocate teaching awards and grants
• Consider structures and strategies for the support of teaching and learning
• Contribute to corporate planning and review processes
• Report at least twice a year to Academic Board on its work
• Refer issues to Academic Board and provide advice on teaching and learning policy matters
• Receive reports and recommendations from and disseminate information to Division Teaching and Learning Committees
• Receive reports and advice from University Equity Working Group and consider issues of equity and social inclusion consistent with the University’s mission.

Membership

• Pro Vice Chancellor: Academic (Chairperson)
• 4 Deans: Teaching and Learning
• Deputy Dean: Whyalla
• Director: Student and Academic Services (or nominee)
• Director: Flexible Learning Centre (or nominee)
• Director: Information Strategy and Technology Services (or nominee)
• University Librarian (or nominee)
• 1 Head of School (nominated from the Head of School Group)
• Director: Indigenous Support Unit
• 4 academic staff members (nominated by Divisional Executives)
• 2 student representatives nominated by UniSA Student Association
• Executive Officer (non-voting).

In attendance

Dean of Students: Education, Arts and Social Sciences.

 

Academic Policy and Program Review Committee (APPRC)

Terms of reference

• To recommend to Academic Board approval of new coursework programs and amendments to existing coursework programs at undergraduate and postgraduate levels on the basis of: 
  - the identified program profile of the University
  - the business case for the establishment and sustained operation of the program
  - the quality of academic outcomes as expressed through the qualities of a UniSA graduate
  - demonstrated support for the program from key stakeholders
• To establish, as required, expert review panels to assist with the conduct of business
• To carry out the development and review of quality assurance and improvement policies in relation to undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs and to provide recommendations on such policies to Academic Board
• To consult with Teaching and Learning Committee (TALC) on teaching and learning issues
• To foster course and program development within the strategic directions of the University
• To report to Academic Board at least twice a year
• To receive reports from the Divisions in relation to:
  -devolved aspects of the program amendment processes
  - summaries of program evaluation activity
• To review annually the work and processes of APPRC.

Membership

For APPRC to discharge its proposed responsibilities, it requires members who will provide disinterested intellectual rigour, and expert advice or have the ability to secure such advice. Broad, representational, membership will not achieve this. APPRC membership needs to encompass knowledge, understanding and experience about:

• the University’s strategic intent and priorities
• academic profile and policy issues, standards and their assurance frameworks
• factors impacting on the viability of programs and their impact on university resources and services
• relevant policies, procedures and information resources.

In order to meet the range of expertise the membership is as follows:

• PVC: Academic (Chair)
• 1 senior academic staff member from each Division
• Director: Student and Academic Services (or nominee)
• Director: Flexible Learning Centre (or nominee)
• University Librarian
• President of UniSA Student Association (or nominee)
• Executive Officer (non voting).

In order to maintain the balance of expertise, alternates must have similar expertise and standing as the person they are replacing.

Academic or administrative staff with additional expertise in, for example, finance, transnational operations, flexible delivery, online education may also be invited to attend, depending on committee business.

Membership of academic staff is by invitation of the Vice Chancellor, on the recommendation of the Chair of Academic Board in consultation with the Pro Vice Chancellor: Academic. Suggestions for membership on the basis of criteria which stress the demonstrable commitment, leadership and credentials in academic/education evaluation and quality assurance. These are likely to be senior staff. However, for capability building in the University, other staff should also be considered. For continuity, membership will be for up to 2 years, with 50 per cent of the invited academic members retiring from the Committee after 1 year and 50 per cent after 2 years. All may be re-invited to be members, on a performance basis.

 

Research Policy Committee (RPC)

Terms of reference

• to foster scholarship, research capability and excellence in the University
• to develop and review policies on academic activities involving research and commercialisation of research outcomes and to provide recommendations on such policies to Academic Board.
• to advise Academic Board on national and international research policies and strategies and their likely effect on the University.
• to allocate funds to research programs which enhance the University’s research quality and performance.
• to monitor and enhance the quality of research performance across the University.
• to provide input into the corporate planning and review processes.
• to contribute to the effective administration of research policies and the achievement of the University’s strategic research objectives.
• to consider and respond to matters referred to RPC by other University Committees such as Academic Board and Divisional Research Management Committees (or their equivalent).
• to report to Academic Board at least twice a year.

Membership

• Chair: Pro Vice Chancellor: Research and Innovation
• Dean of Graduate Studies
• Director: Research and Innovation Services
• Representatives from:
  - Divisions (4) Deans: Research
  - Whyalla (1) Associate Dean:
  - Institutes (6) Directors

In Attendance

• Director: Library Services
• Chair of the Research Career and Leadership Development Committee

 

Research Degrees Committee (RDC)

The Research Degrees Committee, a sub-committee of Academic Board, maintains oversight of all the University’s research degree programs. The Committee’s central role is to develop policy and monitor academic quality and standards in research degrees.

While maintaining a central monitoring of research degrees, UniSA has moved to devolve much research degrees administration to Division and Institute Research Management Committees through the Deans, Research Education or equivalent.

Terms of reference

Policy and context

• To be responsible to the Academic Board for the conduct of all matters pertaining to higher degrees by research
• To advise the Academic Board on the development and modification of the policies governing research degrees.
• To perform functions and consider matters referred to it by the Academic Board.

Research program development

• To consider proposals and submissions from Divisions and Institutes for developing new research degree programs and to make recommendations thereon to Academic Board.
• To consider proposals and submissions from Divisions and Institutes for amendments to research degree programs and to make recommendations thereon to Academic Board.

Quality assurance

• To manage and monitor quality assurance standards under Policy RES15.0 Quality Assurance Framework for Research Degrees.
• To develop and monitor supervisor capacity and supervision standards.
• To approve recommendations for admission to and removal from membership of the Register of Postgraduate Research Degree Supervisors.
• To monitor issues of equity and social inclusion consistent with the University’s mission.

Research student administration

• To approve the distribution of postgraduate research scholarships.
• To review the progress of research students annually, including monitoring attainment of the Research Degree Graduate Qualities.
• To approve examination processes and monitor completions.
• Under authority delegated by the Academic Board:

1. to certify to the Council the completion of the requirements for research degrees;
2. to recommend to the Council that the appropriate awards be conferred; and
3. to notify the Academic Board of the completion of the requirements for research degrees.

Reporting

To report to the Academic Board at least twice each year on RDC’s work plans.

Frequency of Meetings

RDC will meet monthly between February and December.

Membership

• Dean of Graduate Studies (Chair)
• Deputy-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation)
• Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), or nominee
• Divisional Deans, Research Education (or equivalent)
• Two representatives from the University’s Research Institutes
• Equity representative nominated by the Vice Chancellor.
• Two research students nominated by UniLife
• Associate Dean (Research) Whyalla, or nominee

In attendance

• Director, Research & Innovation Services, or nominee
• Director, Student and Academic Services, or nominee
• Director, Learning & Teaching Unit, or nominee
• University Librarian, or nominee

Working panels

• Scholarships Panel
• Examinations Panel
• Program Amendment and Approval Panel
• Admissions Panel for PhD (Portfolio of Publications)
• Research Education Program Steering Group
• Working parties, as required

Administrative arrangements

• The Executive Officer (non-voting) will be a member of the Graduate Studies Office.
• The term of membership for elected members will be two calendar years and may be renewed once.

 

Student Services Sub-Committee

Terms of reference

The role of the Sub-Committee is to

• Receive, consider and provide feedback to the Students’ Association, and advice when required to Finance Committee and Council, on USASA’s annual corporate plans, Operating Budget, Annual Financial Statements and any proposed new service developments
• Receive and make recommendations, through the Finance Committee to Council, on the annual level and disbursement of student amenities fees for each new year
• Consider and report when appropriate on other matters related to improving the quality of service to students, including areas for potential collaboration in the provision of services.

Membership

• PVC: Academic Chair
• Director Finance
• Director Property
• Director Services
• Director SAS
• USASA President
• USASA General Manager
• EO to PVC: Academic (EO).

Frequency of Meetings

The Sub-Committee will normally meet quarterly.

 

Note

Terms of reference and membership of major committees of Council and Academic Board are current as at December 2003. These are currently being reviewed (see Sections 3.1.6 and 3.4) and will result in changes to terms of reference and membership in 2004.

 

 

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