Composition

Committee Leadership (full rights)

• Chairperson (appointed by Council)
• The Vice-Chancellor and President will nominate a member from amongst the academic community on the Academic Board as Deputy Chairperson of the Board for a two-year term.

Members ex officio (full rights)

• Vice-Chancellor and President
• Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)
• Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation)
• Chairperson, Education Committee
• Chairperson, Research Committee
• Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education)
• Pro Vice-Chancellor (Global and Engagement)
• Pro Vice-Chancellor (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategy)
• Dean of Graduate Research and Researcher Development
• Deans of Schools
• Principal and Academic Directors of any managed campus

Appointed members (full rights)

• One undergraduate coursework student, one postgraduate student, one international student and one Indigenous identifying student of the University who are not members of staff of the University with a staff appointment of 0.5 FTE or more, appointed by the Chairperson of Academic Board following a request for expressions of interest in serving on the Board. Student appointments will include representation from at least two UniSC locations and schools.
• Up to two members of professional staff appointed by the Chair, in consultation with the Vice-Chancellor and President.
• Up to two additional members co-opted by the Chairperson for a specified term.

Elected members (full rights)

• Two academic staff members at level B or C.
• Four academic staff members at level D or E (of which a minimum of 2 at level E).

The Chair will consider the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion when appointing members to the Committee, to pursue a composition that represents the University.

Staff appointed in this category must hold a staff appointment of 0.5 FTE or more for the duration of their term as a member of Academic Board.

In attendance (having participatory, but not voting, rights)

• Any person approved by the Chairperson, including Directors and Heads of Organisational Units
• Chairperson of the University Academic Appeals Committee
• Secretary

Invited to attend as appropriate (having participatory, but not voting, rights)

• Director, Governance and Risk Management
• Any visitors with the approval of the Chairperson

Observers (no rights)

• Any person with the approval of the Chairperson

Terms of Reference

1. To define and monitor USC academic standards to assure the quality of teaching, research and research training. (HESF 4.1, 4.2, 5.3.4, 6.3.1, 6.3.2) (University Act 40 (3) (C))
2. To monitor academic integrity and develop responses to risks.(HESF 5.2.1, 5.2.2, 5.3, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3.1) (Strat 6.5)
3. To foster informed and open discussion on university wide academic issues particularly those related to the Higher Education Standards.(HESF 5.2.1, 6.2.1, 6.3.2)
4. To consider, approve and amend academic policy. (HESF 6.2.1, 6.3.2) (Strat 6.5)
5. To consider the health, safety and wellbeing of staff and students in relation to academic matters. (HESF 2.3) (Strat 6.5)
6. To foster excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, scholarship and research through critical evaluation of proposals for quality and effectiveness.(HESF 3.1.1, 6.3.2) (Strat 2.1) (University Act 40 (3) (a))
7. To formulate and enact, where appropriate, recommendations on the academic strategic directions, scholarship and research matters and practices of the University, and to advise Council of any identified significant academic risks. (HESF 6.3.1, 6.3.2) (Strat 6.5) (University Act 40 (3) (a))
8. To critically evaluate and accredit new programs and approve significant program amendments as defined in academic policy.(HESF 5.1.1, 5.1.2, 6.3.2) (Strat 2.1)
9. To provide effective oversight of the activities of its standing committees and monitor the roles and outcomes of School Boards and Appeals Committees related to Academic Governance and the HESF.(HESF 2.4, 6.1.3, 6.3) (Strat 6.5)
10. To review and confirm implementation of academic delegations.(HESF 6.1, 6.3.2) (Strat 6.5)
11. To confer academic awards of the University, other than Honorary awards. (HESF 1.5.11)
12. Monitor delivery with other parties; verifying continuing compliance and ensuring the quality of work integrated learning, placements, research training and supervision. (HESF 5.4)
13. To conduct a self-review of performance on an annual basis, considering alignment to and compliance with the Higher Education Standards Framework (HESF 6.3.2)

 
Tenure and Frequency of Meetings

There will be at least four meetings of the Academic Board each year.

Elected academic staff members will serve for a period of two years.

Members appointed by the Vice-Chancellor and President, other than student members, will serve for a of period of two years.

Student members will serve for a period of one year, with a maximum of two consecutive terms of office.

Last Revised: Approved by Council on 5 December 2024