Faculty of Education

FACULTY GOVERNANCE AND STRUCTURE

1. FACULTY

1.1 MEMBERSHIP

(1) The membership of the Faculty is as prescribed in Clause 4 of Statute 8 which reads as follows:

'4.(1) Each faculty comprises:

(a) the academic staff in all schools, centres and institutes funded by the faculty; and

(b) as many academic staff from other schools, centres, and institutes which teach in the faculty's courses as the Academic Board determines;

(c) members in any other categories which the Academic Board approves; and

(d) any other persons which the members in paragraphs (a) to (c) appoint for specified periods.

(2) The following are ex-officio members of all faculties but are not counted for the purpose of determining whether a quorum is present at a meeting—

the Chancellor;

the Pro-Chancellor;

the Vice-Chancellor and all other members of the Executive;

the Chair of the Academic Board; and

any other officers of the University as determined by the Academic Board.

(3) A faculty is properly constituted even if any of the members required by its constitution to be elected or nominated have not as yet been elected or nominated.'

and comprises:

(a) the Dean of the Faculty;

(b) all academic staff in the Graduate School of Education, and in centres or institutes funded by the Faculty who hold full-time or 50 per cent or greater fractional appointments;

(c) the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences or nominee;

(d) the Dean of the Faculty of Life and Physical Sciences or nominee;

(e) the Dean of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences or nominee;

(f) the Dean of the Faculty of Business (UWA Business School) or nominee;

(g) the Head of the School of Sport Science, Exercise and Health or nominee;

(h) the Faculty Manager;

(i) the Faculty Administrative Officer;

(j) one member of the general staff, elected annually by and from the general staff of the Graduate School of Education, who holds a full-time or 50 per cent or greater fractional appointment;

(k) three students enrolled in the Faculty, one from the Bachelor of Education, one from the Graduate Diploma in Education and one from the postgraduate programmes;

(l) such postdoctoral staff, other than existing members of the academic staff, as the Faculty, may, from time to time, appoint, provided that they are engaged in academic research principally related to the interest of the Faculty and that they hold full-time or 50 per cent or greater fractional appointments of not less than two years' duration;

(m) such other persons, not exceeding five in number, as may be co-opted by the foregoing members from time to time, providing that each shall be co-opted for a period not exceeding two years and may be co-opted again at the end of a period of office.

(2) Student members referred to in (1)(k) may self-nominate and are elected by the student body for a period of one year.

1.2 POWERS

The powers of the Faculty are as set out in Clause 6 of Statute 8 which reads as follows:

'6.(1) A faculty, subject to the Statutes and regulations and to resolutions of the Senate, and within the constraints of University policies, has power to determine the administration of courses under its governance.'

1.3 MEETINGS

Meetings are held in accordance with Clause 7 of Statute 8 which reads as follows:

'7.(1) Meetings of a faculty are held—

(a) at least once in each academic year;

(b) within ten working days of the service on its Dean, of a requisition signed by at least six members of the Faculty and containing a statement of the matters to be discussed; and

(c) whenever the Dean sees fit.

(2) The Dean must ensure that, as far as is practicable, all members receive the agenda for a meeting of the Faculty at least three working days before the meeting.

(3) Meetings of the Faculty are chaired by the Dean or Deputy Dean but, in their absence, the members present shall determine which one of them will take the chair.

(4) All questions which are before a faculty are decided by a majority of the members present and voting.

(5) The chair of the meeting has an ordinary vote and a casting vote.

(6) Subject to the Statutes and regulations and to resolutions of the Senate, a faculty has the power to regulate its own procedures, but if a dispute arises, the standing orders of the Senate apply.'

1.4 QUORUM

(1) One third of the membership of the Faculty constitutes a quorum.

(2) In calculating the numbers required for a quorum members of the Faculty on approved leave from the University will be excluded.

2. FACULTY OFFICERS

2.1 DEAN

The role of the Dean is as prescribed by Senate Resolution 102/93 which states that:

'the ... Deans have:

(a) a Faculty executive role such that they will be bound by Faculty resolutions that cover research, teaching, academic structures and academic processes;

(b) delegated authority from the Vice-Chancellor to manage University resources and to implement Faculty plans, University policies and priorities.'

2.1.1 Reporting Procedures

In accordance with Senate Resolution 102/93:

(a) the Dean is required to report biennially to the Senate through the Academic Council, on the Faculty's achievements against the Faculty plan;

(b) the Dean's report is presented to the Faculty whose comments are submitted to Academic Council at the same time as the Dean's report.

2.2 DEPUTY DEAN

Clause 11 of Statute 8 states that—

'(11) the Vice-Chancellor, after taking appropriate advice, appoints for a specified period a deputy for each dean who performs the duties of the dean during the dean's absence.'

2.3 COURSE CO-ORDINATORS

Clause 12 of Statute 8 states as follows:

'(12) With the approval of the Academic Board, through its chair, a dean of a faculty may delegate any of the duties and responsibilities of the office to other officers or members of the Faculty for a specified period.'

2.3.1 Director of Teaching

The Dean has delegated to the Director of Teaching power to make decisions on matters relating to the Bachelor of Education and Graduate Diploma in Education and may delegate power to make decisions on other academic matters.

2.3.1.1 Responsibilities

The Director of Teaching has the following delegated responsibilities:

(a) providing advice on and administering student matters relating to—

(i) applications under the School of Education's credit policy;

(ii) applications for special consideration and deferred and supplementary examinations;

(iii) overloads/course variations;

(iv) cross-institutional enrolments;

(v) overseas student exchange schemes;

(vi) honours results calculations;

(vii) applications for financial assistance and bursaries; and

(viii) student academic problems.

(b) administering Faculty examination policies relating to—

(i) combined degree and Graduate Diploma in Education results and prizes for the mid-year and end-of-year meetings of the Board of Examiners; and

(ii) late submissions of results/amended results;

(c) assisting with the development of Faculty policy; and

(d) dealing with matters as delegated by the Dean.

2.3.1.2 Method of Appointment

The position of Director of Teaching is appointing by the Academic Board, through its Chair, on the recommendation of the Dean, and will normally be appointed for a period of two years.

2.3.2 Postgraduate Co-ordinators

2.3.2.1 Role

The role of the Postgraduate Co-ordinators is—

(a) to administer postgraduate student matters in relations to—

(i) prospective and enrolled postgraduate students; and

(ii) supervisory arrangements for research students;

(b) to report to the Faculty on the postgraduate programmes; and

(c) to act as Course Co-ordinator for specific postgraduate courses.

2.3.2.2 Method of Appointment

The Postgraduate Co-ordinators are appointed by the Faculty on the recommendation of the Dean normally for a period of two years.

2.4 FACULTY MANAGER

The Faculty Manager is accountable to the Dean and Deputy Deans on behalf of the Faculty for—

(a) the preparation and implementation of the strategic plan and operational systems to achieve the research, teaching, service and consulting aims of the Faculty;

(b) ensuring effective compliance with statutory requirements and other legal imperatives of University governance;

(c) the planning and maintenance of information systems covering projects, conferences, programmes, research, publications and industry reports.

2.5 FACULTY ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

The Faculty Administrative Officer is responsible for administering the Faculty's academic programmes including:

(a) ensuring Faculty compliance with, and providing advice as necessary on, external legislation, University legislation, policy and procedures and Faculty legislation, policies and procedures in academic administration;

(b) administering admission/selection processes in accordance with University and Faculty policies and specific course rules and ensuring that student enrolments comply with course rules;

(c) preparing detailed agendas and minutes for Faculty committees and forwarding minutes and other documentation to Academic Council/Legislative Committee in accordance with the written requirements of those bodies.

3. COMMITTEES OF THE FACULTY

3.1 BOARD OF EXAMINERS

3.1.1 Function

The Board of Examiners in Education makes all decisions on examination results and reports them to the Registrar and has powers delegated by the Faculty to make decisions on admission to honours, award of honours, student progress and sanctions, and prizes in accordance with Faculty policy.

3.1.2 Membership

(1) The Board of Examiners comprises:

(a) the Dean as Chair;

(b) the Deputy Dean;

(c) the Chair, Teaching and Learning Committee;

(d) the Director of Teaching; and

(e) two members of the Faculty appointed by the Faculty on the nomination of the Dean.

3.2 FACULTY APPEALS COMMITTEE

In accordance with the University's regulations governing appeals against academic assessment available at http://www.secretariat.uwa.edu.au/home/policies/appeals/, the Faculty will constitute a Faculty Appeals Committee as necessary with membership as set out in those regulations.

3.3 ADVISORY BOARD

3.3.1 Function

The role of the Advisory Board is to provide an external perspective on the Faculty's strategic direction including advice on:

(a) the directions and scope of the Faculty's community-related activities;

(b) the development and maintenance of links with external stakeholders;

(c) consulting and professional development opportunities;

(d) quality assurance; and

(e) any other issues identified from time to time by the Faculty.

3.3.2 Membership

The Advisory Board comprises:

(a) the Dean as Chair;

(b) the Deputy Deans;

(c) the Heads of Schools funded by the Faculty;

(d) the Minister of Education, or nominee;

(e) one representative of the WA Department of Education;

(f) one representative of the Catholic Education Office;

(g) one representative of the Association for Independent Schools of Western Australia; and

(h) up to five co-opted external persons chosen by the Faculty on the basis of their involvement, experience in professional, industry, community or government organisations relevant to the work of the Faculty including marketing both on- and offshore, sponsorship and fundraising.

3.3.3 Meetings

Meetings are held at least twice each year.

3.4 RESEARCH COMMITTEE

3.4.1 Function

The role of the Research Committee is to provide advice to the Faculty on:

(a) course planning for the doctoral degree courses and for the research component of master's and honours degree courses;

(b) admission, progress and examination for the research component of all research degree courses;

(c) research policy and practices;

(d) staff research programme development and activity; and

(e) staff research grant application development.

3.4.2 Membership

(1) The Research Committee comprises:

(a) one member of the academic staff appointed by the Dean, as Chair;

(b) the Dean;

(c) the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Research Training);

(d) the Associate Dean (Research);

(e) the Deputy Dean;

(f) the co-ordinator of the Doctor of Education programme;

(g) one representative of the School of Sport Science, Exercise and Health;

(h) two members elected by the Faculty;

(i) the Faculty Manager; and

(i) the Faculty Administrative Officer.

(2) The Committee may invite a student representative to attend a meeting to provide advice and feedback on specific agenda items but this representative has no voting rights and is not permitted to be present when examination reports are under consideration.

3.4.3 Period of Appointment

The members elected by the Faculty are normally appointed for a period of two years (one being elected for a one-year term in the initial year).

3.4.4 Method of Appointment

All members of the Faculty are invited to nominate for membership under 3.4.2(h). If there are more than two nominees a ballot is held.

3.4.5 Meetings

Meetings are held monthly or as required.

3.4.6 Quorum

The quorum for the committee is half the number of members, plus one.

3.5 PLANNING AND BUDGET COMMITTEE

3.5.1 Function

The functions of the Planning and Budget Committee are:

(a) academic and administrative planning;

(b) oversight of the research and teaching committees;

(c) budget preparation; and

(d) marketing and advertising

3.5.2 Membership

The Planning and Budget Committee comprises:

(a) a Dean, as Chair;

(b) the chairs of the Faculty standing committees;

(c) the Deputy Dean;

(d) the co-ordinators for doctoral, masters, pre-service teacher and transnational programmes;

(e) the Faculty Manager; and

(f) the Faculty Administrative Officer.

3.5.3 Term of Office

All members of the committee are appointed for the term of their current position.

3.5.4 Meetings

Meetings are held monthly or as required.

3.5.5 Quorum

The quorum for the committee is half the number of members, plus one.

3.6 TEACHING AND LEARNING COMMITTEE

3.6.1 Function

The functions of the Teaching and Learning Committee are:

(a) course planning for the initial teacher education courses and for the coursework component of master's degree courses; and

(b) recommending to the Faculty on teaching and learning policy and practice.

3.6.2 Membership

The Teaching and Learning Committee comprises:

(a) the Dean or the Dean's nominee as Chair;

(b) the Dean (if not the Chair of the Committee);

(c) the Deputy Dean;

(d) the Director of Teaching;

(e) the Master's Course Co-ordinator;

(f) the Faculty representative on the University's Teaching and Learning Committee;

(g) four members elected by and from the Faculty;

(h) the Faculty Manager; and

(i) the Faculty Administrative Officer.

3.6.3 Term of Office

(1) The term of office for the Chair, if not the Dean, is for two years.

(2) The Chair is eligible to be appointed for an additional term but must not serve for more than two consecutive terms.

(3) The term of office of members elected under 3.6.2(g) is normally two years. Members are elected annually, with two members being elected for a one-year term in the initial year.

3.6.4 Method of Appointment

(1) All members of the Faculty are invited to nominate for membership under 3.6.2(g).

(2) If there are more than two nominees a ballot is held.

3.6.5 Meetings

Meetings are held monthly or as required.

3.6.6 Quorum

The quorum for the committee is half the number of members, plus one.