Council and Statutory Elections are conducted on an annual basis to fill vacancies within the following University bodies. Staff and students considering nominating for a position are encouraged to read the following information regarding the roles, responsibilities and time commitments. 

  • University Council 
  • Academic Senate 
  • UniSuper Consultative Committee 
  • Swinburne Student Life Board 
  • School Academic Committees
  • Vocational Education Teaching and Learning Committee.

University Council 

Role of Council 

The role of the University Council (Council) is set out in the Swinburne University of Technology Act and the University’s Governance Framework, which has been approved by Council. 

Council has the general direction and superintendence of the University and may exercise all the powers, functions and duties of the University. 

The primary responsibilities of the Council include: 

  • appointing and monitoring the performance of the Vice-Chancellor 
  • approving the mission and the strategic direction of the University and the annual budget and business plan 
  • overseeing and reviewing the management of the University and its performance 
  • establishing policy and procedural principles, consistent with legal requirements and community expectations 
  • approving and monitoring systems of control and accountability, including general overview of any controlled entities 
  • overseeing and monitoring the assessment and management of risk across the University, including commercial undertakings 
  • overseeing and monitoring the academic activities of the University 
  • approving significant commercial activities of the University 
  • sections 9 and 10 of the Act also list specific powers and functions of Council. These include, consistent with TEQSA Provider Standard 3.1, conferral of higher education awards. 
Council Members
 Time Commitment
Council
  • Five meetings per year
  • Five-hour meeting duration
  • Five hours pre-reading and analysis per meeting
Other
 Time Commitment
Council New Member Induction (on commencement)
 One-hour meeting duration with the:
  • Chancellor;
  • Vice-Chancellor;
  • Chief Financial Officer; and
  • University Secretary
Governance in the University Sector – Foundations of University Governance’ course – Australian Institute of Company Directors
  • Three days
Attend Graduation Ceremonies (March, August or December), Prize Ceremonies and other Alumni Events in an official capacity
  • Occasionally

Council members are expected to attend all Council meetings; most meetings are held at the Hawthorn campus or as virtual meetings. Council members are encouraged to attend events as an official guest pending availability.

Governance unit 

elections@swinburne.edu.au

Academic Senate 

Role of Academic Senate 

The role of Academic Senate is to have oversight of all academic programs at Swinburne on behalf of Swinburne Council. Its responsibilities reach across all courses offered by the university, including vocational education, higher education and research. 

Academic Senate Members 
 Time Commitment 

Academic Senate

Eleven elected staff members and three elected students sit on the Academic Senate.

  • Six meetings per year 

  • Three-hour meeting duration 

  • Usually three hours pre-reading per meeting 

  • Occasional circulatory resolution by email 
Sub-Committees Members 
 Time Commitment

Academic Senate Courses Committee 

Five elected Academic Senate staff members are allocated to sit on the Academic Senate Courses Committee. 

  • Six meetings per year 

  • Usually two-hour meeting duration 

  • Usually two hours pre-reading per meeting 

  • Occasional circulatory resolution by email 

Academic Policy and Quality Committee 

Three elected Academic Senate staff members are allocated to sit on the Academic Policy and Quality Committee. 

  • Five meetings per year 

  • Usually two hour meeting duration 

  • Usually two hours pre-reading per meeting 

  • Occasional circulatory resolution by email 

Research Policy and Quality Committee 

Three elected Academic Senate staff members are allocated to sit on the Research Policy and Quality Committee.
One HDR student will be appointed to sit on the Research Policy and Quality Committee.

  • Three meetings per year 

  • Usually two-hour meeting duration 

  • Usually two hours pre-reading per meeting 

  • Occasional circulatory resolution by email 
Other
 Time Commitment
Academic Senate New Member Induction (on commencement)

  • One-hour induction 

  • Thirty minutes pre-reading 

  • Fifteen-minute brief following meeting one
Professional Development Sessions (optional) 

Academic Senate and Committee members are expected to attend all meetings. Meetings are held at the Hawthorn campus or as virtual meetings.

Governance unit 

elections@swinburne.edu.au

UniSuper Consultative Committee 

Role of UniSuper Consultative Committee 

The UniSuper Consultative Committee is the voice of UniSuper’s members. It reviews and approves changes to the Trust Deed. 

Shareholder universities each appoint up to four members to the Consultative Committee, two of which are elected academic and non-academic staff.

UniSuper Consultative Committee Members
 Time Commitment
UniSuper Consultative Committee 

  • Annual meeting in Melbourne each November to vote on proposed Trust Deed changes

  • Full day meeting duration 

  • Three to four hours pre-reading and analysis

UniSuper Consultative Committee members are expected to attend all committee meetings.

Governance unit 

elections@swinburne.edu.au

Swinburne Student Life 

Role of Swinburne Student Life 

Swinburne Student Life provides independent services and support to students including advocacy and legal advice, activities, clubs, discounts and more. 

Swinburne Student Life Directors 
 Time Commitment
Swinburne Student Life Board

  • Four meetings per year

  • Two-hour meeting duration

  • Two hours pre-reading and analysis per meeting

  • Occasional circulatory resolution by email
Other 
 Time Commitment
Governance briefing

  • One hour
Briefing with Chair prior to first board meeting

  • One hour
‘Foundations of Directorship: Governance for Directors’ course - Australian Institute of Company Directors • One day

  • One day

Swinburne Student Life directors are expected to attend all board meetings. Most meetings are held at the Hawthorn campus or as virtual meetings.

Governance unit 

elections@swinburne.edu.au

School Academic Committees (SACs)

Role of the School Academic Committees

Each of the six School Academic Committees provide advice to their relevant Head of Academic Unit on academic issues in relation to coursework programs, including course and unit accreditation, academic quality, learning and teaching plans, policy and procedural compliance. 

School Academic Committee members Time Commitment

For each of six School Academic Committees 

(SoBLE, SoDA, SoE, SoSCET, SoHS and SoSSMFE)
 
  • Seven to ten meetings per year
  • Up to three-hour meeting duration
  • Two-hour pre-reading per meeting
  • Occasional circulatory resolution by email
Other Time Commitment
Professional Development Sessions (optional)

  • Various

School Academic Committee members are expected to attend all meetings; most meetings are held at the Hawthorn campus or as virtual meetings.

Governance unit 

elections@swinburne.edu.au

Vocational Education (VE) Teaching and Learning Committee

Role of the Vocational Education Teaching and Learning Committee

The Vocational Education Teaching and Learning Committee is a Management Committee. Its focus is on strategic priorities, academic policies, academic risk, quality, standards and integrity in teaching and learning. The committee provides timely updates to Swinburne’s Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer (Vocational Education and Training).

VE Teaching and Learning Committee members Time Commitment

VE Teaching and Learning Committee
  • Six meetings per year
  • One to two-hour meeting duration
  • One to two-hour pre-reading per meeting
  • Occasional circulatory resolution by email
Other Time Commitment
Professional Development Sessions (optional)

  • Various

Vocational Education Teaching and Learning Committee members are expected to attend all meetings; most meetings are held at the Hawthorn campus or as virtual meetings.

Governance unit 

elections@swinburne.edu.au

Keep on exploring

Need to contact us?

Email the Returning Officer, University Elections via elections@swinburne.edu.au.  

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