THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
UNIVERSITY SEAL RULES 2005
The Council of the Australian National University makes these Rules under section 7 of the University Seal Statute 2002.
Dated: 10 December 2004.
Peter Baume AO
Chancellor
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1 Citation and commencement
1.1 These Rules are the University Seal Rules 2005.
1.2 These Rules commence on 31 December 2004, immediately after the commencement of the Rules (Repeal) Rules 2004.
2 Interpretation
2.1 In these Rules, unless the contrary intention appears:
Statute means the University Seal Statute 2002.
3 Custodian
3.1 For the purposes of section 3 of the Statute, the custodian of the seal of the University is the Vice-Chancellor or his or her nominee.
4 Attestation of fixing of seal
4.1 The affixing of the seal of the University to any document must be attested by the Vice-Chancellor and:
(a) in the case of a document of a kind referred to in paragraph 4.1 (a) of the Statute — by the Chancellor; and
(b) in any other case — by a Deputy Vice-Chancellor.
4.2 In spite of subrule 4.1, if a printed facsimile of the signature of the Chancellor or Vice-Chancellor appears on a document referred to in paragraph 4.1 (a) of the Statute, the holder of that office is not required to provide an original signature for the purposes of attestation of that document.
Overview
The University Seal Rules 2005 were enacted by the Council of the Australian National University under section 7 of the University Seal Statute 2002. These rules were introduced to formalise the procedures for the use of the university's official seal in the execution of documents, ensuring that the seal is only affixed under appropriate circumstances and by the proper authorities. The rules address the need for clear and consistent governance in the use of the university seal, which is a symbol of the institution’s authority and authenticity. The policy objective is to maintain the integrity of the university's official documents by specifying who is authorised to attest to the seal's affixing. These rules commenced on 31 December 2004, following the Rules (Repeal) Rules 2004, and outline the roles of the Vice-Chancellor, the Chancellor, and Deputy Vice-Chancellors in the attestation process.
Scope and Application
The University Seal Rules 2005, made under the University Seal Statute 2002, govern the use and custody of the seal of the Australian National University. These Rules apply to the Vice-Chancellor, Chancellor, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the university, who are responsible for the proper affixing of the university's seal to official documents. Specifically, the Vice-Chancellor or their nominee is designated as the custodian of the seal. The affixing of the seal to documents must be attested by the Vice-Chancellor and either the Chancellor or a Deputy Vice-Chancellor, depending on the nature of the document. However, if a printed facsimile of the signature of either the Chancellor or Vice-Chancellor appears on certain types of documents, an original signature is not required for attestation. These Rules commenced on 31 December 2004, following the Rules (Repeal) Rules 2004, and their application is limited to the ANU and its officers as specified.
Key Provisions
The Australian National University University Seal Rules 2005 (Rule 1.1) establish the framework for the use and management of the University's seal. These Rules came into effect on 31 December 2004, following the commencement of the Rules (Repeal) Rules 2004 (Rule 1.2). According to Rule 3.1, the custodian of the University's seal is the Vice-Chancellor or their nominee, as per section 3 of the University Seal Statute 2002. The affixing of the University's seal to any document is subject to specific attestation requirements outlined in Rule 4.1. The seal must be affixed by the Vice-Chancellor and, depending on the type of document, by either the Chancellor or a Deputy Vice-Chancellor. For documents specified in Rule 4.1(a) of the Statute, the Chancellor must attest, while for other cases, a Deputy Vice-Chancellor is required. However, Rule 4.2 provides an exception where a printed facsimile of the signature of the Chancellor or Vice-Chancellor appears on a document. In such instances, the original signature is not required for attestation.
The Rules impose clear obligations on the Vice-Chancellor, Chancellor, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor regarding the affixing and attestation of the University's seal. The Vice-Chancellor, as the custodian, must ensure that the seal is only affixed to authorised documents and is appropriately attested. The Chancellor must personally attest to the seal on certain specified documents, while Deputy Vice-Chancellors are required for other types of documents. This division of responsibility ensures that the seal is used correctly and that the appropriate authorities are involved in its use. The Rules also require that any facsimiles of signatures used for attestation must be accurate and authorised representations of the signatories' signatures.
Failure to comply with the requirements set out in the Australian National University University Seal Rules 2005 could result in legal consequences. Although the Rules themselves do not explicitly outline penalties or consequences for non-compliance, breaches may be subject to the provisions of the University Seal Statute 2002 or other applicable laws. Such breaches might involve administrative or disciplinary actions, potentially leading to legal proceedings if the misuse of the seal affects the University's legal standing or reputation. The precise consequences would depend on the nature and impact of the non-compliance.