1 Faculty Advisory Committees

1.1 Policies

1. A Faculty shall establish a Faculty Advisory Committee as a formal mechanism for it to receive high level advice from key external stakeholders when developing strategic plans or other major submissions, or as part of a review.

2. A Faculty may establish one or more School, Department, or Discipline Advisory Committees to facilitate the provision of advice from external stakeholders on accreditation submissions, curriculum design, program portfolios, strategic plans and other matters.

1.2 Faculty Advisory Committees

1.2.1 Role

The Faculty Advisory Committee shall provide high-level strategic advice to the Faculty to assist the Faculty in positioning itself to create a sustainable future. The Committee shall report to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Scholarship), and to the Council through the Academic Board.

1.2.2 Functions

The functions of a Faculty Advisory Committee shall be:

1. to provide strategic advice to the Faculty as part of the Faculty’s annual strategic planning process;

2. to assist the Faculty in identifying needs and opportunities in teaching and research, and making timely responses to changes in industry, the professions or the community;

3. to provide advice, and comment, on Faculty reviews and other major reports;

4. to report annually to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Scholarship), and to the Council through the Academic Board, on its activities.

1.2.3 Membership

The membership of a Faculty Advisory Committee shall be:

1. A member external to the staff of the University (category 3.4) shall be elected by the members of the Committee as Chair subject to the endorsement of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Scholarship)

2. Dean of Faculty;

3. One other academic staff member of the Faculty nominated by the Dean;

4. At least six persons external to staff of the University who would broadly reflect the interests of potential employers of graduates from the Faculty, the professional or other relevant associations, practitioners in the relevant areas, academic expertise in the relevant field and, where appropriate, the broader community. Membership should be such as to facilitate achievement of the functions of the Committee as outlined above

5. Two enrolled students of the Faculty.

The membership of a Faculty Advisory Committee and variations to it shall be approved by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Scholarship) and reported to the Academic Board.

The Committee may co-opt advisers when specialist expertise may be required.

The term of office of each Committee shall be the same as that of Academic Board. Members shall be eligible for reappointment.

1.2.4 General

Each Faculty Advisory Committee shall meet at least annually. At each of its meetings the Committee shall be provided with appropriate documents for its consideration, including:

1. the Faculty Strategic Plan;

2. the Faculty Portfolio Plan and Annual Assessment ;

The Faculty Administration Officer or such other person appointed by the Dean shall be the secretary of each Faculty Advisory Committee.

1.3 School, Department, and Discipline Advisory Committees

1.3.1 Role

A Faculty may, at its discretion, establish one or more School, Department, or Discipline Advisory Committees whose role it shall be to provide advice to the School, Department, or Discipline about its strategic direction. The Committee shall report to the Dean and the Faculty Advisory Committee.

1.3.2 Functions

The functions of a School, Department, or Discipline Advisory Committee shall be:

1. to provide strategic advice to the School, Department, or Discipline as part of the annual strategic planning process;

2. to assist the School, Department, or Discipline in identifying needs and opportunities in teaching and research, and identifying issues relating to that part of the Faculty Portfolio Plan and Annual Assessment that relates to the School, Department, or Discipline.

3. to provide advice on accreditation matters, curriculum, courses and programs

4. to provide advice, and comment on, School, Department, or Discipline reviews and other major reports

1.3.3 Membership

The membership of a School, Department, or Discipline Advisory Committee shall be:

1. A member external to the staff of the University (category 3.4) shall be elected by the members of the Committee as Chair;

2. The Head of Department/Discipline/School;

3. Two academic staff members of the Department/Discipline/School nominated by the Dean to provide advice on issues before the Committee;

4. A minimum of four people external to the staff of the University broadly reflecting the fields in the discipline;

5. Two enrolled students of the Department/Discipline/School.

1.3.4 Meetings

The Committee shall meet annually as part of the School, Department, or Discipline planning process.

2 Other Policy Information