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Council Procedure 5 - Appointment of the Chair of University Academic Board

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Section 1 - Chair of University Academic Board

Requirements of the Queensland University of Technology Act 1998

(1) The Queensland University of Technology Act 1998 (the QUT Act) provides for the chair of the academic committee to be one of three official members of QUT Council [section 13(c)]. QUT’s academic committee is known as University Academic Board.

Governance, Nominations and Remuneration Committee

(2) Governance, Nominations and Remuneration Committee on delegated authority from Council, is responsible for nominating prospective members of Council to relevant appointment authorities.

Eligibility

(3) A person eligible for the role of Chair of University Academic Board is a member of the Professoriate of the University (Level D or E), and excludes the elected academic staff members on Council.

(4) An existing Chair of University Academic Board is eligible to express a further interest in the role at the conclusion of their current term, for a maximum of two terms.

(5) The requirements of section 23(2) of the QUT Act setting out a maximum term for Council members should be taken into account as part of the eligibility criteria.

(6) Council has determined the characteristics and attributes sought for the role of Chair of University Academic Board, as set out in the role statement at section 3 of this procedure.

Term of Office

(7) The term of office for the Chair of University Academic Board will be not more than four years.

Chair of University Academic Board Selection Panel

(8) Council will establish a Chair of University Academic Board Selection Panel:

  1. a minimum of 90 days before the incumbent’s term is due to expire; or
  2. if the incumbent has resigned or the position becomes vacant due to unforeseen circumstances, at the meeting of Council at which the resignation or reasons for the vacancy is noted.

(9) The Panel will normally consist of:

  1. an external member of Council appointed by Council as chair;
  2. the Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research);
  3. the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic);
  4. the two elected academic staff members on Council; and
  5. an external member may be appointed by the chair.

(10) The Secretary to Council will be the Secretary to the Chair of University Academic Board Selection Panel.

Candidate Search

(11) The Chair of University Academic Board Selection Panel is responsible for identifying a suitable candidate.

(12) The Panel will determine a shortlist of candidates based on the initial university-wide expression of interest process set out in clause (15) of this Procedure.

(13) The Panel will meet with the shortlisted candidates to determine their interest, and provide information on the role and the level of commitment required. Candidates should be invited to respond to the chair of the Panel within two weeks to indicate their availability.

(14) The Panel will then select a preferred candidate for confirmation of appointment by Council.

Expression of Interest

(15) An initial university-wide expression of interest process will be conducted.

(16) Expressions of interest for the role of Chair of University Academic Board are formally called by the Secretary to Council by email to the Professoriate (Levels D and E), as soon as practicable after any vacancy occurs. In case of a vacancy which will arise due to the conclusion of the incumbent’s term, expressions of interest should be called a minimum of 90 days prior to the expiration of the term.

(17) An expression of interest of an eligible person as a candidate for appointment by Council must:

  1. be in writing;
  2. include detailed information about how the person is considered to meet the characteristics and attributes for the role of Chair of University Academic Board; and
  3. be submitted to the Secretary to Council by the date specified for the close of expressions of interest.

(18) Expressions of interest remain open for a minimum of 14 days.

(19) The Chair of University Academic Board Selection Panel will select a preferred candidate for confirmation of appointment by Council identified by the Panel’s selection process.

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Section 2 - Deputy Chair of University Academic Board

Requirements for the Deputy Chair

(20) The Deputy Chair carries out on behalf of the Chair of University Academic Board, or assists the Chair to carry out, such functions as University Academic Board or the Chair may determine.

(21) Whenever the Chair of University Academic Board is unable to carry out the role, or if there is a vacancy in the Chair, the Deputy Chair is deemed to have been appointed to act in the role and will discharge all the functions of the Chair as described in section 3.

Process for Election of a Deputy Chair

(22) Members of the University Academic Board will elect a Deputy Chair of University Academic Board from current elected Faculty academic professoriate members for a term up to three years in accordance with Council Procedure 7 – Conduct of Elections.

(23) The Deputy Chair is elected following the reconstitution of the elected Faculty academic staff. Where there is a vacancy in the position it will be filled in accordance with Council Procedure 1 – Committees, Casual and continuing vacancies.

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Section 3 - Role Statement for the Chair of University Academic Board

(24) The Chair of University Academic Board is responsible for the efficient operation of University Academic Board and for providing academic leadership to ensure it carries out its academic governance responsibilities in an effective manner, specifically:

  1. Bringing commitment, competence and skill to their role as Chair of University Academic Board and to the pursuit and protection of the University's values and interests;
  2. Acting with integrity and professionalism and avoiding any improper use of information or their position;
  3. Maintaining confidentiality and not disclosing confidential and/or commercially sensitive information;
  4. Declaring any actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest with the business of, or their role on the Board;
  5. Regularly reporting academic governance matters considered by University Academic Board to Council, providing assurance that academic governance is effective, that academic standards are upheld, and that risks associated with the University’s academic activities have been identified and mitigated;
  6. Attending University graduations and other University functions; and
  7. Adhering to the relevant rules and requirements required by law and QUT.

(25) The specific duties of the Chair of University Academic Board include, but are not limited to:

  1. Managing the efficient organisation and conduct of the University Academic Board's functions and meetings as Chair;
  2. Developing and approving the agenda for University Academic Board meetings;
  3. Ensuring that the University Academic Board has the resources and support, necessary to fulfil its functions in an effective and efficient manner;
  4. Facilitating the effective contribution of all University Academic Board members;
  5. Disseminating information about the University Academic Board's activities and decisions to the wider University community;
  6. Undertaking the biennial review of the University Academic Board's performance against its charter, and other relevant benchmarks using the appropriate evaluation instruments;
  7. Chairing the University Academic Board Advisory Group; and
  8. Serving as an official member of Council as prescribed in the QUT Act [section 13(c)].