THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
underGRADUATE handbook RULES 2006
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
1. Authority for making the instrument. Programs and Awards Statute 2006, s.8.
2. Purpose and operation of the instrument. The Rules provide for the Handbook to be published and for the Handbook to contain certain Orders dealing with undergraduate coursework programs and their content.
3. Documents incorporated in the instrument by reference. None.
4. Consultation process. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), on the advice of the University Education Committee, established two working parties in February 2006 to review all legislation governing coursework degrees (graduate and undergraduate) and research degrees, respectively. The memberships of the working parties included students and members of the academic and general staff of the University. The recommendations were considered by the University Education Committee. The new Rules, which form part of a suite of revised and rewritten student legislation, were considered and approved by the Council of the University.
Council and Boards Secretariat
11 December 2006.
Overview
The Australian National University Undergraduate Handbook Rules 2006 were enacted to establish a formal framework for the publication and content of the university's undergraduate handbook. This legislation was introduced to address the need for a clear, consistent, and accessible set of rules governing the undergraduate coursework programs offered by the university. The Rules were created under the authority of the Programs and Awards Statute 2006, section 8, which provides the legislative basis for the Australian National University to establish such regulations. The purpose of these rules is to ensure that the undergraduate handbook contains comprehensive Orders that accurately reflect the structure and content of the undergraduate programs, thereby providing students with a reliable and authoritative source of information.
The formulation of these Rules involved a thorough consultation process that included the establishment of two working parties by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), following advice from the University Education Committee. These working parties, which comprised students and representatives from both the academic and general staff, were tasked with reviewing the existing legislation governing both graduate and undergraduate coursework degrees, as well as research degrees. The recommendations from these working parties were then considered by the University Education Committee, and the subsequent new Rules were approved by the Council of the Australian National University. This legislative instrument is part of a broader suite of revised and rewritten student legislation aimed at enhancing the clarity and accessibility of the university's policies and procedures for students.
Scope and Application
The Rules, as outlined in the explanatory statement, pertain to the governance of undergraduate coursework programs within The Australian National University (ANU) as per the Programs and Awards Statute 2006. These rules, effective under section 8 of the statute, are instrumental in facilitating the publication and standardisation of the ANU Undergraduate Handbook, ensuring it includes comprehensive Orders governing undergraduate coursework programs and their academic content. The Rules apply to students, academic staff, and administrative bodies within the ANU, encompassing all aspects of undergraduate education and program delivery. The geographic reach of these Rules is confined to the ANU, and they do not extend beyond the institution's premises or its academic remit. There are no explicit exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds mentioned in the explanatory statement. The Rules themselves might be supplemented or further detailed through subordinate instruments or subsequent amendments, as necessary, to maintain alignment with educational standards and statutory requirements.
Key Provisions
The primary operative sections of the F2006L04123 Australian National University Undergraduate Handbook Rules 2006 detail the authority under which the instrument is made and its purpose (sections 1 and 2). Section 1 of the instrument cites the authority from the Programs and Awards Statute 2006, s.8, which empowers the University to establish these rules. Section 2 explicitly states that the Rules are intended to ensure the publication of a Handbook that contains certain Orders related to undergraduate coursework programs and their content. These provisions lay the foundation for the governance of undergraduate programs within the University.
The Australian National University Undergraduate Handbook Rules 2006 impose several obligations and requirements on the parties it governs. Most notably, it mandates that the Undergraduate Handbook be published and that it include specific Orders regarding undergraduate coursework programs and their content (section 2). These Orders are likely to cover a range of administrative and academic requirements that students and faculty must adhere to. The Rules also establish a structured process for the review and approval of these Orders, involving various committees and the University Council, ensuring a thorough and inclusive decision-making process.
The Rules also outline the consequences for non-compliance with the established provisions. Although the explanatory statement does not detail specific offences, penalties, or consequences, it is reasonable to infer that breaches of the Rules may lead to disciplinary actions or other administrative penalties. These could include the possibility of academic sanctions for students, such as failing grades or suspension, and professional repercussions for faculty. However, the exact nature and extent of these consequences are likely to be further defined by internal university policies and procedures that align with the overarching legislative framework.
In summary, the F2006L04123 Australian National University Undergraduate Handbook Rules 2006 sets out the legislative foundation for the publication and content of the Undergraduate Handbook. It mandates the inclusion of specific Orders related to undergraduate programs, and while it does not detail specific penalties, it implies a system of accountability and compliance. The Rules are designed to ensure that the academic and administrative aspects of undergraduate coursework are clearly defined and uniformly applied.