Governance
Introduction to Council
About Council
Council is Deakin University's governing body. The Council is, in some ways, like a board of trustees and in some ways like a corporate board. It is not, however, a management committee. Council does not make or implement management decisions and to do so would detract from its governance role. Separation of the University's governance and management functions serves as a safeguard, ensuring that the University's strategic decision making is well informed, objective, and transparent and accountable.
The Deakin University Act sets out Council's powers, its role, composition, responsibilities and other operational matters. Pursuant to the Act, Council is responsible for the 'entire direction and superintendence of the University'. Council's role can be summarised as satisfying itself that those things which ought to be done are being done effectively.
Functions of Council
Council has established nine key functions for itself, and these are reflected in an annual schedule of Council business (see the current schedule in Appendix I).
In summary, Council's functions are:
- The strategic direction - shaping, approving and reviewing the University's mission and strategic and operational plans and monitoring progress against agreed goals; determining the future development of the University's campuses.
- The Vice-Chancellor - appointing the Vice-Chancellor as the chief executive officer of the University and overseeing the review of his or her performance and remuneration.
- Key policies, legislation and compliance - overseeing the establishment and effective operation of legislation and key University policies and monitoring University compliance.
- Risk management - overseeing risk management and protection and enhancement of the University's reputation.
- Control and accountability - approving and monitoring performance against budgets and financial plans, overseeing asset management and overseeing the sound management of the University.
- Commercial activities and controlled entities - approving major commercial ventures, including incorporated entities, and overseeing their performance.
- Academic standards - ensuring adequate procedures for the maintenance and monitoring of academic standards in teaching, assessment and research.
- University culture - satisfying itself that the University is fulfilling its obligations to students and staff and that the University culture is consistent with its mission and core commitments, that it upholds academic freedom and that it encourages links with the wider community.
- Council's own affairs - establishing procedures to meet Council's own responsibilities, ensuring clear delegations to the Vice-Chancellor, Academic Board and others and managing Council's own operations, including performance.
Full text of the Functions of Council is set out as Appendix C.
Council assesses its performance against these functions every two years.
Council powers and obligations are described in Appendix E and Council members' duties and responsibilities in Appendix J.
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Council operations
The Act
Division 2 of the Deakin University Act establishes Council as the governing body of the University and provides for:
- Council composition (including categories of membership)
- terms and conditions of office (appointment, term of office)
- removal from office and vacation of office
- elections
- decision-making, including passage of resolutions without meetings
- communication methods for Council meetings
- constitution of Council Committees and delegation of powers
- indemnification of Council members.
These provisions are reflected in the Council Operating Provisions, included as Appendix D.
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