Board member commitments
Understand the roles, responsibilities and time commitments expected of all staff and students considering a position within one of the bodies here at Swinburne.
Council and Statutory Elections are conducted on an annual basis to fill vacancies within the following University bodies. Staff and students considering nominating for a position are encouraged to read the following information regarding the roles, responsibilities and time commitments.
- University Council
- Academic Senate
- UniSuper Consultative Committee
- Swinburne Student Life Board
- Student Consultative Committees
University Council
Role of Council
The role of the University Council (Council) is set out in the Swinburne University of Technology Act and the University’s Governance Framework, which has been approved by Council.
Council has the general direction and superintendence of the University and may exercise all the powers, functions and duties of the University.
The primary responsibilities of the Council include:
- appointing and monitoring the performance of the Vice-Chancellor
- approving the mission and the strategic direction of the University and the annual budget and business plan
- overseeing and reviewing the management of the University and its performance
- establishing policy and procedural principles, consistent with legal requirements and community expectations
- approving and monitoring systems of control and accountability, including general overview of any controlled entities
- overseeing and monitoring the assessment and management of risk across the University, including commercial undertakings
- overseeing and monitoring the academic activities of the University
- approving significant commercial activities of the University
- sections 9 and 10 of the Act also list specific powers and functions of Council. These include, consistent with TEQSA Provider Standard 3.1, conferral of higher education awards.
Council Members |
Time Commitment |
---|---|
Council |
|
Student Representative Council (SRC) Members | Time Commitment |
Student elected to University Council, Academic Senate, Swinburne Student Life and Student Consultative Committees collectively form the SRC. |
|
Other |
Time Commitment |
Council New Member Induction (on commencement) |
One-hour meeting duration with the:
|
Governance in the University Sector – Foundations of University Governance’ course – Australian Institute of Company Directors |
|
Attend Graduation Ceremonies (March, August or December), Prize Ceremonies and other Alumni Events in an official capacity |
|
Council members are expected to attend all Council meetings; most meetings are held at the Hawthorn campus or as virtual meetings. Council members are encouraged to attend events as an official guest pending availability.
Section 4 of the Governance Framework for information regarding roles and responsibilities
Ms Emma Lincoln
University Secretary and Director, Governance & Assurance
+ 61 3 9214 5073
elincoln@swinburne.edu.au
Academic Senate
Role of Academic Senate
The role of Academic Senate is to have oversight of all academic programs at Swinburne on behalf of Swinburne Council. Its responsibilities reach across all courses offered by the university, including vocational education, higher education and research.
Academic Senate Members |
Time Commitment |
---|---|
Academic Senate Eleven elected staff members and three elected students sit on the Academic Senate. |
|
Sub-Committees Members |
Time Commitment |
Academic Senate Courses Committee Five elected Academic Senate staff members are allocated to sit on the Academic Senate Courses Committee. |
|
Academic Policy and Quality Committee Three elected Academic Senate staff members are allocated to sit on the Academic Policy and Quality Committee. |
|
Research Policy and Quality Committee Three elected Academic Senate staff members are allocated to sit on the Research Policy and Quality Committee. |
|
Student Representative Council (SRC) members | Time Commitment |
Students elected to University Council, Academic Senate, Swinburne Student Life and Student Consultative Committees collectively form the SRC. |
|
Other |
Time Commitment |
Academic Senate New Member Induction (on commencement) |
|
Student Representative Council Induction Session (on commencement) |
|
Professional Development Sessions (optional) |
|
Academic Senate and Committee members are expected to attend all meetings; meetings are held at the Hawthorn campus or as virtual meetings.
Mr Andy Campbell
Academic Senate Executive Officer
+ 61 3 9214 4541
andycampbell@swinburne.edu.au
UniSuper Consultative Committee
Role of UniSuper Consultative Committee
The UniSuper Consultative Committee is the voice of UniSuper’s members. It reviews and approves changes to the Trust Deed.
Shareholder universities each appoint up to four members to the Consultative Committee, two of which are elected academic and non-academic staff.
UniSuper Consultative Committee Members |
Time Commitment |
---|---|
UniSuper Consultative Committee |
|
UniSuper Consultative Committee members are expected to attend all committee meetings.
Ms Emma Lincoln
University Secretary and Director, Governance & Assurance
+ 61 3 9214 5073
elincoln@swinburne.edu.au
Swinburne Student Life
Role of Swinburne Student Life
Swinburne Student Life provides independent services and support to students including advocacy and legal advice, activities, clubs, discounts and more.
Swinburne Student Life Directors |
Time Commitment |
---|---|
Swinburne Student Life Board |
|
Student Representative Council members |
Time Commitment |
Students elected to University Council, Academic Senate, Swinburne Student Life and Student Consultative Committees collectively form the SRC. |
|
Other |
Time Commitment |
Student Representative Council Induction Session (on commencement) |
|
Governance briefing |
|
Briefing with Chair prior to first board meeting |
|
Online Board Induction Course - Tertiary Access Group |
|
Swinburne Student Life directors are expected to attend all board meetings; most meetings are held at the Hawthorn campus or as virtual meetings.
Ms Emma Lincoln
University Secretary and Director, Governance & Assurance
+ 61 3 9214 5073
elincoln@swinburne.edu.au
Student Consultative Committees (SCC)
Role of the Student Consultative Committees / Student Representative Council
Student Consultative Committees (SCC) facilitate collaboration and consultation between school leaders and their student representatives. There are SCCs for all six schools at Swinburne. Each SCC has four student representatives and every member of the SCCs has a position on the Student Representative Council (SRC).
They meet several times a year to discuss issues and work together towards improving the Swinburne student experience.
Student Consultative Committee members |
Time Commitment |
---|---|
Student Consultative Committee |
|
Student Representative Council members |
Time Commitment |
Students elected to University Council, Academic Senate, Swinburne Student Life and Student Consultative Committees collectively form the SRC. |
|
Other | Time Commitment |
Student Representative Council Induction Session (on commencement) |
|
Professional Development Sessions (optional) |
|
Student Representative Council members are expected to attend all board meetings; most meetings are held at the Hawthorn campus or as virtual meetings.
Ms Ella Scorringe
Associate Director, Student Experience, Swinburne Student Life
+61 3 9214 8172
escorringe@swinburne.edu.au
Keep on exploring
-
Elections
Elections here at Swinburne University of Technology are held online, usually in the third quarter of each academic year.
-
Vice-Chancellor and President of Swinburne
Professor Pascale Quester guides Swinburne’s vision to be a world-class university creating social and economic impact through science, technology and innovation.
-
Executive team
Meet our executive team and Pro-Vice Chancellors and discover their expertise in education and their fields of specialisation.
Need to contact us?
Email the Returning Officer, University Elections via elections@swinburne.edu.au.