Policy overview
1 Purpose
To provide information and guidance on the election of members of the University Council and other committees at the University with elected members, including the Academic Board.
2 Scope
This policy applies to all University Members.
This policy and associated procedure apply to elections for the categories of elected members of the Council pursuant to s.15(2) of the University of Southern Queensland Act 1998 (the Act).
This policy and procedure do not apply to appointments made by the Council to fill a casual vacancy in accordance with s.20A(2) and s.20A(5) of the Act.
This policy and associated procedure may also be applied to election of members of other committees at the University including the Academic Board.
3 Policy Statement
Prior to the existence of this policy, the University conducted all its Council elections using the University of Southern Queensland (Conduct of Council Elections Statute) 2010. Following changes made in 2017 to all the Acts of Queensland universities, each university is required to have an election policy with function and form as stipulated in the relevant Act. The University of Southern Queensland Act 1998 (the Act) requires that the Council must make a policy about the conduct of elections for its categories of membership including elected academic Employees, general (professional) Employees, and Students. Under the Act, the Council Election Policy is to be published on the University's website. The Policy takes effect on the day it is published on the University's website, or any later date as stated in the Policy, pursuant to s.26AA(4) of the Act.
4 Principles
Elections will be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Act and principles commonly associated with democratic elections including independence, fairness, transparency, integrity, privacy and competence.
5 References
This policy is informed by the University of Southern Queensland Act 1998, the University Legislation Amendment Act 2017, and University of Southern Queensland (Conduct of Council Elections Statute) 2010 (repealed) which this policy and associated procedure replace.
Department of Education. University of Southern Queensland Act (1998). Queensland.
Office of the Parliamentary Council. University Legislation Amendment Act (2017). Queensland.
6 Schedules
This policy must be read in conjunction with its subordinate schedules as provided in the table below.
7 Policy Information
| Accountable Officer | Vice-Chancellor |
| Responsible Officer | University Secretary |
| Policy Type | Governance Policy |
| Policy Suite | |
| Subordinate Schedules | |
| Approved Date | 9/7/2018 |
| Effective Date | 1/8/2018 |
| Review Date | 27/6/2027 |
| Relevant Legislation | University Legislation Amendment Act 2017 University of Southern Queensland Act 1998 University of Southern Queensland (Conduct of Council Elections) Statute 2010 (repealed) |
| Policy Exceptions | |
| Related Policies | |
| Related Procedures | |
| Related forms, publications and websites | |
| Definitions | Terms defined in the Definitions Dictionary |
| Council means the governing body, the University of Southern Queensland Council....moreCouncil means the governing body, the University of Southern Queensland Council. A person employed by the University and whose conditions of employment are covered by the Enterprise Agreement and includes persons employed on a continuing, fixed term or casual basis. Employees also include senior Employees whose conditions of employment are covered by a written agreement or contract with the University....moreA person employed by the University and whose conditions of employment are covered by the Enterprise Agreement and includes persons employed on a continuing, fixed term or casual basis. Employees also include senior Employees whose conditions of employment are covered by a written agreement or contract with the University. A person who is enrolled in a UniSQ Upskill Course or who is admitted to an Award Program or Non-Award Program offered by the University and is: currently enrolled in one or more Courses or study units; or not currently enrolled but is on an approved Leave of Absence or whose admission has not been cancelled....moreA person who is enrolled in a UniSQ Upskill Course or who is admitted to an Award Program or Non-Award Program offered by the University and is: currently enrolled in one or more Courses or study units; or not currently enrolled but is on an approved Leave of Absence or whose admission has not been cancelled. The term 'University' or 'UniSQ' means the University of Southern Queensland....moreThe term 'University' or 'UniSQ' means the University of Southern Queensland. Persons who include: Employees of the University whose conditions of employment are covered by the UniSQ Enterprise Agreement whether full time or fractional, continuing, fixed-term or casual, including senior Employees whose conditions of employment are covered by a written agreement or contract with the University; members of the University Council and University Committees; visiti...morePersons who include: Employees of the University whose conditions of employment are covered by the UniSQ Enterprise Agreement whether full time or fractional, continuing, fixed-term or casual, including senior Employees whose conditions of employment are covered by a written agreement or contract with the University; members of the University Council and University Committees; visiting, honorary and adjunct appointees; volunteers who contribute to University activities or who act on behalf of the University; and individuals who are granted access to University facilities or who are engaged in providing services to the University, such as contractors or consultants, where applicable. | |
| Definitions that relate to this policy only | |
| Keywords | |
| Record No | 18/731PL |