Faculty and Faculty Board (Research School of Physical Sciences and Engineering) Rules 2005

Administered by Department of Education, Science and Training

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THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY

 

 

FACULTY AND FACULTY BOARD (RESEARCH SCHOOL OF PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND ENGINEERING) RULES 2005

 

The Council of the Australian National University makes these Rules under section 9 of the  Faculties and Faculty Boards (Institute of Advanced Studies) Statute.

 

Dated: 10 December 2004.

 

 

 

 

Peter Baume AO

Chancellor

_______________________________________________________________________________

Name of Rules and commencement

1. (1) These Rules are the Faculty and Faculty Board (Research School of Physical Sciences and Engineering) Rules 2005.

(2) These Rules commence on 31 December 2004, immediately after the commencement of the Rules (Repeal) Rules 2004.

Definitions

2. In these Rules, unless the contrary intention appears:

Faculty means the Faculty of the Research School;

Faculty Board means the Faculty Board of the Research School;

HR Manager means the Human Resources Manager located in the Research School;

Research School means the Research School of Physical Sciences and Engineering;

Statute means the Faculties and Faculty Boards (Institute of Advanced Studies) Statute.

Membership of Faculty

3. (1) The following persons are, for the purposes of sub-section 3(2) of the Statute, members of the Faculty:

 (a) visiting and honorary fellows in the Research School whose appointments are for not less than 6 months;

 (b) such number of research students of the Research School elected in such manner and for such terms of office as the Faculty, by resolution, determines;

 (c) such members of the University who are not otherwise members of the Faculty as are appointed in such manner and for such terms of office as the Faculty by resolution determines.

(2) A person who is appointed or elected as a member of the Faculty under paragraph (1)(b) or (c) may at any time, by notice in writing given to the HR Manager resign from membership of the Faculty.

Chair

4. (1) There is to be a Chair of the Faculty, who is to be elected by the members of the Faculty from their number in an election conducted by the HR Manager in such manner as the Faculty, by resolution, determines.

 (2) The Chair of the Faculty holds office for a period of 2 years commencing on the day of his or her election.

 (3) However, the Chair of the Faculty may, at any time, by notice in writing given to the HR Manager, resign from the office of Chair.

 (4) If the office of the Chair of the Faculty becomes vacant, due to the resignation of the Chair or for any other reason, a Chair is to be elected by the members of the Faculty from their number in an election conducted by the HR Manager to serve for the unexpired portion of the period of office of the first-mentioned Chair.

 (5) The Chair of the Faculty must preside at all meetings of the Faculty at which he or she is present, and, if the Chair is absent from a meeting of the Faculty, the members of the Faculty present at the meeting must elect 1 of their number to preside at the meeting.

 (6) The person presiding at a meeting of the Faculty must report to the meeting on the matters within the purview of the Faculty that were dealt with by the Faculty Board since the last preceding meeting of the Faculty.

 (7) However, the person presiding at a meeting of the Faculty may invite other members of the Faculty Board to make reports in substitution for, or in addition to, the report required to be given under sub-rule (6).

Membership of Faculty Board

5. (1) The following persons are, for the purposes of sub-section 4(2) of the Statute, members of the Faculty Board:

 (a) the Chair of the Faculty, if not otherwise a member of the Faculty Board;

 (b) the prescribed number of elected members, being persons elected by the Faculty, in an election conducted by the HR Manager in such manner as the Faculty, by resolution, determines, from among such of the academic staff (Academic Levels A to E) of the Research School as are not otherwise members of the Faculty Board;

 (c) 1 postgraduate student elected by the students of the Research School in a manner determined by the Faculty Board;

 (d) 1 person appointed as a non-voting member by the Director of the Research School to have special responsibilities for postgraduate students in the School;

 (e) the Associate Director (Academic) of the Research School;

 (f) the Research School Manager;

 (g) the Technical Resources Manager of the Research School;

 (h) the Finance Manager of the Research School;

 (i) the HR Manager;

 (j) 1 other member of the general staff nominated by the Faculty Board.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b), the prescribed number is one-half of the number of departments comprised in the Research School or, if that number if not a whole number, the next higher whole number.

(3) However, if the Chair for the time being of the Faculty is a member of the Faculty Board by virtue of paragraph (1)(a), the prescribed number ascertained in accordance with sub-rule (2) is reduced by 1.

 (4) An elected member holds office for such term, not exceeding 2 years from the date of his or her election, as the Faculty, by resolution, determines.

 (5) However, a member elected for the purposes of paragraph (1)(c) holds office for one year.

 (6) The person nominated under paragraph (1)(j) holds office for a period of 2 years commencing on the day of his or her nomination.

 (7) An elected member who ceases to hold an office of a kind specified in paragraph (1)(b) and does not, upon ceasing to hold that office, become the holder of another office of such a kind, unless the Faculty, by resolution, otherwise determines, ceases to be a member of the Faculty Board upon so ceasing to hold the first-mentioned office.

 (8) If a casual vacancy in the office of an elected member occurs, that office must be filled by a person elected by the Faculty, in an election conducted by the HR Manager in such manner as the Faculty, by resolution, determines, from among the persons referred to in paragraph (1)(b), and the person so elected holds office for the unexpired portion of the period of office of the member in whose place the person was so elected.

 (9) A person is not eligible for election to the Faculty Board under paragraph (1)(b) or sub-rule (8) for more than 2 successive terms.

 (10) A member of the Faculty Board elected under paragraph (1)(b) or sub-rule (8) may, at any time, by notice in writing given to the HR Manager, resign from the Board.

 (11) The Faculty Board may elect one of the members referred to in paragraph (1)(b) who is not otherwise a member of the Board of the Institute to be the elected representative of the Faculty on the Board of the Institute.

Meetings

6. (1) For the purposes of sub-section 5(2) of the Statute:

 (a) the prescribed number of members of the Faculty is 12; and

 (b) the prescribed number of members of the Faculty Board is 4.

(2) For the purposes of sub-section 5(5) of the Statute:

 (a) the quorum at a meeting of the Faculty is 30 members of the Faculty; and

 (b) the quorum at a meeting of the Faculty Board is such number of members of the Faculty Board as is equal to three-quarters of the total number for the time being of the Faculty Board or, if that fraction is not a whole number, the next higher whole number.

 

Overview

The Faculty and Faculty Board (Research School of Physical Sciences and Engineering) Rules 2005 were enacted by the Council of the Australian National University under the authority of the Faculties and Faculty Boards (Institute of Advanced Studies) Statute. These Rules were introduced to establish the governance structure for the Faculty of the Research School of Physical Sciences and Engineering, ensuring that it operates effectively and in accordance with the Statute. The primary objective of these Rules is to delineate the membership, roles, and operational procedures for both the Faculty and the Faculty Board within the Research School. This governance framework is intended to support the academic and administrative functions of the Research School, facilitating its contribution to the broader objectives of the Australian National University. The enactment of these Rules by the Council of the Australian National University underscores the importance of having a structured and clear governance model for the Research School of Physical Sciences and Engineering. By specifying the composition, election processes, and terms of office for members of the Faculty and Faculty Board, the Rules aim to provide stability and continuity in the School’s academic and administrative leadership. The Rules also establish the mechanisms for addressing vacancies and ensuring that the governance structures remain effective and responsive to the needs of the School and its stakeholders.

Scope and Application

The Faculty and Faculty Board (Research School of Physical Sciences and Engineering) Rules 2005 apply specifically to the Faculty of the Research School of Physical Sciences and Engineering within the Australian National University. These Rules are made under the Faculties and Faculty Boards (Institute of Advanced Studies) Statute and commenced on 31 December 2004. The Rules define membership of the Faculty and the Faculty Board, outlining the composition, election, and resignation processes for these positions. The Chair of the Faculty is elected by the members and holds office for two years, while the Faculty Board includes the Chair, elected academic staff, postgraduate students, and various administrative and managerial staff. The Rules also specify the number of members required for a quorum at Faculty and Faculty Board meetings, ensuring proper governance within the Research School. While the Rules are specific to the Research School of Physical Sciences and Engineering, they are part of a broader framework that may extend or restrict their application through subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Faculty and Faculty Board (Research School of Physical Sciences and Engineering) Rules 2005 include the definitions of key terms (section 2), the membership of the Faculty (section 3), the appointment and duties of the Chair (section 4), the membership of the Faculty Board (section 5), and the conduct of meetings (section 6). These sections detail who can be a member of the Faculty and Faculty Board, how members are elected or appointed, the terms of their office, and the quorum requirements for meetings. The rules also specify the manner in which the Human Resources Manager is to conduct elections. The Act imposes several obligations on the parties it governs. It requires the Faculty to determine the terms of office for elected members through resolution. Members of the Faculty or Faculty Board can resign by giving notice in writing to the HR Manager. The Faculty Board must ensure that elected members do not serve more than two successive terms. Furthermore, the HR Manager is responsible for conducting elections for the Faculty and Faculty Board in accordance with the Faculty's resolutions. The Chair must preside over meetings and report on Faculty Board activities, and if absent, a presiding member must be elected. There are no explicit offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences outlined for breaches of these rules. However, failure to comply with the provisions for elections, terms of office, or resignation procedures could lead to disputes or challenges regarding the legitimacy of meetings or decisions made by the Faculty or Faculty Board. Such breaches might result in internal administrative reviews or recommendations by the Faculty or the University Council, though specific penalties are not detailed in the rules themselves.

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Corporate Law & Governance
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Legislative Instrument
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Definitions & Interpretation
Membership of Faculty
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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.