Faculty and Faculty Board (Research School of Social Sciences) Rules 2005

Overview

The Faculty and Faculty Board (Research School of Social Sciences) Rules 2005 were enacted to provide a framework for the governance of the Research School of Social Sciences within the Australian National University. These rules were introduced to ensure effective management and oversight of the research school's activities, aligning with the broader objectives of the Faculties and Faculty Boards (Institute of Advanced Studies) Statute. Enacted by the Council of the Australian National University under section 9 of the Statute, the rules establish the composition, membership, and operational procedures of both the Faculty and the Faculty Board of the Research School of Social Sciences. The aim is to facilitate the integration of various stakeholders, including visiting fellows, staff members, research students, and external appointees, to foster a collaborative and academically rigorous environment. The rules also delineate the roles and responsibilities of the Chair and the Associate Director, ensuring that the leadership structure supports the school's research and educational goals.

Scope and Application

The Faculty and Faculty Board (Research School of Social Sciences) Rules 2005 apply to the Research School of Social Sciences within the Australian National University, governing the structure, membership, and operations of the Faculty and Faculty Board. These Rules define the composition of the Faculty, which includes visiting fellows with appointments of six months or more, staff members appointed by the Faculty, a determined number of research students, and individuals appointed by the Council upon recommendation by the Board of the Institute. The Faculty Board comprises heads of programs and centres, the Associate Director, up to two elected academic staff members, and any additional persons appointed by the Council based on Institute Board recommendations. The Director of the Research School serves as the Chair of the Faculty, with the Associate Director presiding in their absence, and if both are absent, the Faculty elects a presiding member. These Rules establish a quorum for meetings of the Faculty at 20 members and for the Faculty Board at half the total number of members, rounded up to the next whole number if necessary. These provisions ensure the effective administration and governance of the Research School of Social Sciences within the Australian National University.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of these Rules establish the structure and membership of the Faculty and Faculty Board of the Research School of Social Sciences at the Australian National University. According to section 3, the Faculty consists of visiting fellows with appointments of at least six months, certain University staff members appointed by the Faculty, a number of research students determined by the Faculty, and other persons appointed by the Council based on recommendations from the Board of the Institute. Section 4 designates the Director of the Research School as the Chair of the Faculty, with the Associate Director acting as presiding officer in the Chair's absence. Section 5 defines the composition of the Faculty Board, which includes the heads of programs and centres, the Associate Director, two members elected by the Faculty from the academic staff, and other persons appointed by the Council upon recommendation by the Board of the Institute. The obligations imposed on the parties governed by these Rules include the requirement for the Faculty to appoint certain staff members and research students to its ranks (section 3) and to elect two members from the academic staff to the Faculty Board (section 5(2)). The Faculty must also determine the term of office for appointed members (section 3(2)) and the manner of election for Faculty Board members (section 5(2)). The Faculty Board must adhere to the prescribed membership numbers, with a quorum defined as one-half of its total members or the next higher whole number if the fraction is not a whole number (section 6(2)). Additionally, the Council is tasked with appointing members to the Faculty based on recommendations from the Board of the Institute (section 3(1)(d)). There are no explicit offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences outlined in these Rules for breach of their provisions. Instead, the Rules focus on establishing the structural framework and membership criteria for the Faculty and Faculty Board of the Research School of Social Sciences. However, it is reasonable to assume that any failure to comply with the provisions of the Statute or any related legislation could result in disciplinary action or other consequences as determined by the University's governing bodies.