Membership of the Council (Heads of Faculties and Research Schools) Rules 2014

Overview

The Australian National University Membership of the Council (Heads of Faculties and Research Schools) Rules 2014 were enacted to ensure the effective governance and administration of the Australian National University by clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of the heads of its faculties and research schools. This legislative instrument was made under the authority of section 12 of the Membership of the Council Statute 2010, and it operates to provide clarity and consistency in the recognition of faculties and research schools within the university. The rules were developed and adopted by the Council of the University during its meeting on 21 February 2014, with the aim of streamlining the administrative functions and ensuring that the appropriate individuals are recognised as deans or heads of their respective faculties or research schools. This helps to maintain the integrity of the university’s governance structure and supports the overarching policy objectives of the Membership of the Council Statute 2010.

Scope and Application

The Australian National University Membership of the Council (Heads of Faculties and Research Schools) Rules 2014 applies to the internal governance structure of the Australian National University (ANU), specifically relating to the membership of the Council and the roles of heads of faculties and research schools. The Rules are made pursuant to the Membership of the Council Statute 2010, and they delineate the specific roles and recognition of certain bodies as faculties or research schools within the university, as well as the designation of their respective heads. This legislation is confined to the internal operations and governance of ANU, and it does not extend beyond the university's jurisdiction. The Rules were established through the Council of the University at its meeting on 21 February 2014 and incorporate no external documents by reference. The Council's decision was finalised by the Corporate Governance and Risk Office on 24 February 2014, ensuring that the Rules are in line with the statutory requirements and internal governance standards of the university.

Key Provisions

The Australian National University Membership of the Council (Heads of Faculties and Research Schools) Rules 2014 (the "Rules") are intended to clarify the governance structure of the institution by defining the roles and responsibilities of the heads of faculties and research schools. Section 12 of the Membership of the Council Statute 2010 grants the authority to make these Rules, which aim to provide clarity for paragraph 10(1)(k) of the Act and Part 2 of the Membership of the Council Rules. These provisions specify that certain bodies are to be considered faculties or research schools, and that the person holding the office related to these bodies is to be regarded as the dean or head of the respective faculty or research school. The Rules impose several obligations and requirements on the parties they govern. Firstly, the heads of faculties and research schools must adhere to the definitions and roles specified within the Rules, ensuring that they act in accordance with their designated positions. These roles likely include academic leadership, management of faculty or research school activities, and representation within the university’s council. The Rules also mandate that the Council of the University, which is responsible for the administration and governance of the institution, recognises and respects the defined roles and responsibilities of the heads of faculties and research schools. Breaching the obligations set out in the Rules may result in various consequences. While the Rules themselves do not explicitly detail specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for non-compliance, such breaches could potentially lead to disciplinary actions or other forms of redress within the university's internal governance framework. The university may take measures to enforce adherence to the Rules, including internal reviews or hearings to address any misconduct or failure to comply with the designated roles and responsibilities. Given that the Rules are intended to clarify existing governance structures, their primary aim is to prevent ambiguity and ensure smooth operation of the university’s council, rather than to impose strict penalties for breaches. However, significant non-compliance could result in the university taking appropriate action to rectify the situation, which might include reassignment or removal of the individual from their position.