Instatement manual for SUPRA council

University governance

The Senate

The Senate is the governing body of the University of Sydney. It oversees all major decisions concerning the conduct of the University, including:

• staff appointments and welfare
• student welfare and discipline
• financial matters
• the physical and academic development of the University.

It awards all degrees and diplomas and is responsible to the Parliament of New South Wales.

The Senate has 22 members, known as Senate Fellows. The Vice Chancellor and the Chair of the Academic Board report to the Senate. The student community is represented by the undergraduate fellow and the postgraduate fellow, who are both elected for a two-year term.

More information:

• The Senate.

Academic Board

The Academic Board is the most important University committee for SUPRA. It is responsible for:

• overseeing the development of all academic activities of the University
• formulating and reviewing policies, guidelines and procedures in relation to academic matters
• assuring the quality of teaching, scholarship and research at the University.

Academic Board meetings will consider recommendations from the University committees. These will be debated and must be endorsed by the board before going to Senate for final ratification.

The Academic Board is made up of academic staff from each faculty, as well as the Vice-Chancellor, University Librarian, the Deans, the Presidents of the SRC and SUPRA, and undergraduate and postgraduate students from each University faculty and school.

The Academic Board also has several standing committees, of which the most important are:

• Academic Standards and Policy Committee (ASPC)
• Graduate Studies Committee (GSC)
• Academic Quality Committee (AQC).

The SUPRA President or their nominee sits on each of the above committees.

More information:

• Academic Board.

The University executive and committees

The University Executive (UE), chaired by the Vice-Chancellor, makes major management decisions affecting the University and is accountable to the Senate for the academic and financial health of the University. This work is assisted by consultative committees made up of academics, senior University officers, and student representatives.

More information:

• University Executive (UE).

Education Committee (UE EC)

The UE EC is responsible for developing quality education strategies. It oversees all teaching, learning, and assessment matters. The committee is chaired by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) and members include faculty Associate Deans (education), and the Presidents (or their nominees) of SUPRA and the SRC.

More information:

• Education Committee (UE EC).

Research Committee (UE RC)

The UE RC is responsible for developing a comprehensive, detailed and evidence-based understanding of the University’s research. It provides advice on all research matters, including strategy, policy, support processes, resource allocation and research integrity. The committee is chaired by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) and members include faculty Associate Deans (Research), and a HDR student representative from SUPRA.

The HDR Examinations, the HDR Scholarships Subcommittee, and the Research Education Subcommittee report to the Research Committee.

More information:

• Research Committee (UE RC).

Research Education Subcommittee (RC RES)

The RC RES reports to UE RC and advises on strategies, policies and procedures related to higher degree by research activities across the University. It provides strategic advice and oversight of the in-development Graduate Research School. The committee is chaired by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Training) and members include Associate Deans (Research Education), and a HDR student representative from SUPRA.

More information:

• Research Education Subcommittee (RC RES).

Student Consultative Committee (SCC)

The SCC is a forum for the exchange of views on topics across the broad spectrum of student matters. SCC is a direct connection between SUPRA, other student organisations, and the senior administration of the University. SCC is chaired by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), and members include the Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Vice Chancellor, and representatives from Student Services, Student Support Services, and Campus Infrastructure and Security. Student members include representatives from the SRC, SUPRA, USU, SUSF, Sydney Arts Students’ Society and the Conservatorium of Music Student Association. The Senate undergraduate and postgraduate fellows also attend.

More information:

• Student Consultative Committee (SCC).