a modernisation of the legislation governing the University and which is scheduled to come into force during 2010.
Pursuant to the Act, the primary responsibilities of the Council, as the governing body, include—
(a) appointing and monitoring the performance of the Vice-Chancellor and Principal as chief executive officer of the University;
(b) approving the mission and strategic direction of the University and its annual budget and business plan;
(c) overseeing and reviewing the management of the University and its performance;
(d) establishing policy and procedural principles for the operation of the University consistent with legal requirements and community expectations;
(e) approving and monitoring systems of control and accountability of the University, including those required to maintain a general overview of any entity controlled by the University in accordance with section 50AA of the Corporations Act;
(f) overseeing and monitoring the assessment and management of risk across the University, including commercial undertakings;
(g) overseeing and monitoring the academic activities of the University;
(h) approving any significant commercial activities of the University.
Objectives of the University
Section 4A of the Melbourne University Act 1958 states that: The objectives of the University include—
(a) to provide and maintain a teaching and learning environment of excellent quality offering higher education at an international standard;
(b) to undertake scholarship, research and research training of international standing and to apply that scholarship and research to the advancement of knowledge and to the benefit of the well-being of the Victorian, Australian and international communities;
(c) to equip graduates of the University to excel in their chosen careers and to contribute to the life of the community;
(d) to serve the Victorian, Australian and international communities and the public interest by—
(i) enriching cultural and community life;
(ii) elevating public awareness of educational, scientific and artistic developments;
(iii) promoting critical enquiry, informed intellectual discourse and public debate within the University and in the wider society;
(e) to confer degrees and grant diplomas, certificates and other awards.
UNIM0020_AR09_23-04-2010_13a
Page 70
GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE
semi-aUtOnOmOUs bOdies Asialink
Ian Potter Museum of Art International House Kendall Hall Medley Hall
Melbourne Theatre Company Melbourne University Sport MU Bookshops
Veterinary Clinic and Hospital
sUbsidiary COmPanies Australian International Health Institute Australian Music Examinations Board (Vic) Ltd Australian National Academy of Music Ltd Melbourne University Publishing Ltd MU Student Union Ltd
UMEE Ltd
Other aCademiC Units Bio 21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute Melbourne Business School Nossal Institute for Global Health School of Melbourne Consulting and Custom Programs
COUnCil
COUnCil standing COmmittees*
aCademiC bOard*
COmmittee Of COnvOCatiOn
faCUlties &
gradUate sChOOls*
semi-aUtOnOmOUs bOdies
Other aCademiC Units
sUbsidiary COmPanies
*Details provided in following pages
Page 71 University Governance
AUDIT AND RISK COMMITTEE
The Audit and Risk Committee advises Council and its Finance Committee on the policy direction and effectiveness of both internal and external audit investigations and reviews;
on the effectiveness and efficiency of internal control systems; and on risk and processes relating to the governance and management of risk.
The Committee consists of six members appointed by Council, at least three of whom are members of Council and at least five of whom must be external members. Any non-Council members are selected for their expertise in audit and/or risk management.
The Director, Internal Audit is in attendance and representatives of the Victorian Auditor General’s Office are invited to attend meetings of the Committee. The chairperson is appointed by Council from among the members of Council.
Membership at 31 December 2009 comprised:
THE HON. DAVID WHITE (Chairperson)
BCom LLB Melb. FCA FCPA
PROFESSOR PETER DAWKINS
BSc (Hons) Lough. MScEcon Lond. PhD Lough. FASSA
MR TONY PEAKE
BBus RMIT FCA
MS MARGARET CROSSLEY
FCA CPA
MR PAUL BARKER
BBus RMIT DipAcc Swinburne FCA ACIS
MS ALISON KITCHEN
BA (Hons) Sheff. FCA CPA
MR MARTIN WARWICK
MBA Melb. [Co-opted member]
BUILDINGS AND ESTATES COMMITTEE The Buildings and Estates Committee exercises governance responsibilities on behalf of Council in the oversight of the planning, development and stewardship of the University’s buildings, infrastructure and open spaces on all of the University’s campuses.
COMMITTEE OF CONVOCATION The Committee of Convocation represents graduates of the University and consists of up to 40 members, elected in proportion to the number of graduates in each faculty.
President
MS LESLEY BOSTON
BA BEd Melb. MACE
Re-elected President of Convocation in December 2009.
Deputy President DR LAURENCE SIMPSON
MD BS Melb. FCCP FRACS
COUNCIL NOMINATIONS AND GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
The Council Nominations and Governance Committee advises Council on the overall governance of the University and on matters relating to the selection and appointment of members of Council, as well as considering proposed amendments to the University Act.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
The Finance Committee exercises governance responsibilities in respect of the University’s financial and business affairs, including monitoring the financial risk and performance of the University’s subsidiaries and commercial ventures. Within delegated authority, it acts on behalf of Council in those matters. The Investment Management Committee reports to Council through the Finance Committee.
HONOURS COMMITTEE
The Honours Committee nominates, considers and recommends, on behalf of Council, candidates for honorary degrees, medals for exceptional service and the appointment of eminent scholars. It also advises on other honours and awards in recognition of service to the University or the community generally.
LEGISLATION AND TRUSTS COMMITTEE The Legislation and Trusts Committee advises Council on the appropriate form for draft Statutes and Regulations of Council and oversees the University’s stewardship of endowments and trusts. The Committee includes three members of Council, one of whom is appointed chairperson.
REMUNERATION AND EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS COMMITTEE
The Remuneration and Employment Conditions Committee exercises governance responsibilities in the oversight of
remuneration, staff conditions and benefits, and other matters relating to employment policy. Within its delegated authority, the Committee also acts on behalf of Council in those matters.
VCA INTEGRATION COMMITTEE
Established by a Heads of Agreement dated January 2007, the VCA Integration Committee reviews and advises the Council at least annually on whether the integration between the University and the Victorian College of the Arts is proceeding in accordance with the Heads of Agreement. It is chaired in alternate years by a member of the Council of the University and a member of the VCA Advisory Board. In 2009, it was chaired by a member of the VCA Advisory Board.
UNIM0020_AR09_23-04-2010_13a
Page 72
remUneratiOn
& emPlOyment COmmittee The Hon A Chernov Chancellor (Chairperson) legislatiOn &
trUsts COmmittee Justice S Crennan Member of Council (Chairperson) indigenOUs
affairs advisOry COmmittee Judge I Lawson Member of Council (Chairperson) hOnOUrs
COmmittee The Hon A Chernov Chancellor
(Chairperson) vCa integratiOn
COmmittee Mr N Turnbull*
Member of Council (Chairperson) COUnCil
The Hon A Chernov Chancellor (Chairperson) COUNCIL AND ITS COMMITTEES
COUnCil nOminatiOns
& gOvernanCe COmmittee The Hon A Chernov Chancellor (Chairperson)
finanCe COmmittee Ms E Alexander Member of Council (Chairperson) bUildings & estates
COmmittee Mr R Johanson Member of Council (Chairperson) aUdit & risk
COmmittee The Hon D White Member of Council (Chairperson)
COUNCIL MEMBERS’ ATTENDANCE AT COUNCIL DURING 2009
COUnCil member COUnCil meetings
ELIGIBLE TO ATTEND ATTENDED
Ms E Alexander 12 11
Ms O Bishop 12 8
Professor G Bowes 12 10
The Hon A Chernov 12 12
Mr M Coyle 12 9
Justice S Crennan 9 5
Professor G Davis 12 12
Professor P Dawkins 12 9
Dr M Doig 12 11
Mr R Johanson 12 10
Ms T Jonas 11 7
Associate Professor M Joshi 12 12
Judge I Lawson 12 6
Dr V Mansour 12 8
Mr M Myer 10 10
Mr A Peake 9 9
Ms E Ritchie 12 12
Professor G Stevens 12 11
Ms R Storelli 12 12
Mr N Turnbull* 6 4
The Hon D White 12 11
INDEMNITY FOR COUNCIL
Pursuant to Section 16A of theMelbourne University Act 1958, the University indemnifies members of Council and University committees in respect of acts or omissions in good faith in the exercise of their powers or duties.
Page 73 University Governance
aPPeals COmmittees
researCh higher degrees
COmmittee teaChing &
learning qUality assUranCe COmmittee COUrseWOrk
sChOlarshiPs
& aWards COmmittee
libraries &