Programs and Awards Statute 2004

Overview

The Programs and Awards Statute 2004, enacted by the Council of The Australian National University under section 50 of the Australian National University Act 1991, was introduced to establish a structured framework for the administration of academic programs and the conferral of degrees, diplomas, and certificates by the University. This Statute provides the Council with the authority to make rules governing various aspects of academic programs, including admission criteria, program requirements, examinations, academic performance, and the granting of degrees and honours. The Statute also ensures that affected individuals have a right of review for decisions made under these rules. Additionally, the Statute facilitates the making of orders by specified authorities in relation to academic programs and awards, while ensuring that such orders do not conflict with the Statute itself or any rules made under it. By providing a comprehensive legislative framework, the Programs and Awards Statute 2004 aims to maintain the academic standards and operational efficiency of The Australian National University.

Scope and Application

The Programs and Awards Statute 2004 applies to the Australian National University, governing the conferral of degrees, diplomas, and certificates. It encompasses various aspects such as the admission of applicants to different levels of study and research, the requirements of academic programs, examinations, academic performance, and the granting of degrees, diplomas, certificates, and honours. Additionally, the statute addresses the granting of scholarships and provides a framework for the review of decisions affecting a person's candidature. The Council of the University is empowered to make Rules concerning these matters, which must include provisions for review, subject to any limitations specified in the Rules. Authorities within the University, such as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), Deans of Faculties, Heads of Research Schools, and Heads of University Centres, may make Orders as per the Rules, provided they do not conflict with the Statute or other Rules. The Statute also includes transitional provisions for existing Rules and repeals the Programs and Awards Statute 2002.

Key Provisions

The Programs and Awards Statute 2004 (section 1) empowers the Council to establish and regulate the degrees, diplomas, and certificates that the Australian National University can confer (section 2.1). The Council can make rules about the admission and enrolment of students into various programs (section 3(a)-(b)), the requirements of these programs (section 3(c)), examinations (section 3(d)), academic performance and its consequences (section 3(e)), the granting of degrees, diplomas, certificates, and honours (section 3(f)), and the awarding of scholarships (section 3(g)). Furthermore, if any of these rules affect a person's candidature, there must be provisions for a right of review (section 4.1). These review provisions can be subject to limitations as specified in the rules (section 4.2). The statute sets out the process for making orders concerning the programs and awards by designating specific authorities such as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), Deans of Faculties, Heads of Research Schools, and Heads of University Centres (section 5.1). These authorities can make orders in accordance with the rules made under section 3, provided they do not conflict with this statute or any rules made under it (section 5.2). The rules can also specify that certain orders need the approval of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) or that the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) must exercise their power with the advice of another specified authority (section 5.3-5.5). The statute explicitly includes associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates within its scope (section 6.1). The Council has the authority to make any rules that are necessary or convenient for the implementation of this statute, as long as they do not conflict with it (section 7.1). Rules that were in force under the previous statute continue to be in effect and can be amended or repealed as if they were made under this statute (section 8.1). The previous statute, Programs and Awards Statute 2002, is repealed (section 9.1). Under this statute, breaches of the rules or failure to comply with the orders made by the authorities may result in various consequences, depending on the specific nature of the breach. While the statute does not explicitly detail the offences or penalties, it is likely that breaches may be subject to the disciplinary procedures outlined in the university’s regulations or other relevant legislation. Depending on the severity of the breach, penalties could range from academic sanctions such as suspension or expulsion to more severe legal consequences if the breach also contravenes other laws. The exact penalties would depend on the specific breach and the context in which it occurs.