Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

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 ¹ 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 Chancellor, Pro-Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Pro Vice-Chancellors, Chair of the Academic Board, Registrar and any other officers of the University which the Academic Board declares, are ex-officio members of all faculties but are not counted for the purpose of determining whether a quorum is present at a meeting.

(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.'

¹ As defined in Statute 8, 'academic staff' means those staff members holding academic appointments on a full-time or 50 per cent or greater fractional basis other than those holding emeritus, visiting, adjunct, clinical or honorary appointments.

and comprises:

(a) the Dean of the Faculty as Chair;

(b) the Dean or nominee from each of the University's other faculties which are involved with the Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics in offering combined courses;

(c) the Deputy Dean of the Faculty;

(d) the Associate Deans of the Faculty;

(e) the Sub-Dean of the Faculty;

(f) the academic staff ¹ as defined in Clause 1 of Statute 8 in all schools and centres funded by the Faculty;

(g) the general staff in all schools and centres funded by the Faculty and in the Faculty Office who hold appointments on a full-time or 50 per cent or greater fractional basis;

(h) the Faculty Manager;

(i) the Senior Faculty Administrative Officer;

(j) the Marketing and Public Relations Manager;

(k) the School Managers;

(l) two students elected by and from the students enrolled in a single or combined course leading to the Bachelor of Computer and Mathematical Sciences or Bachelor of Computer Science;

(m) two students elected by and from the students enrolled in a single or combined course leading to the Bachelor of Engineering;

(n) two postgraduate students enrolled in the Faculty elected annually by and from the Postgraduate Students' Association;

(o) up to ten other persons co-opted by the foregoing members of the Faculty, each for a period not exceeding two years.

(2) A person co-opted to membership of the Faculty under (1)(o) may be co-opted again at the end of a term of office.

¹ As defined in Statute 8, 'academic staff' means those staff members holding academic appointments on a full-time or 50 per cent or greater fractional basis other than those holding emeritus, visiting, adjunct, clinical or honorary appointments.

1.2 POWERS

The powers of the Faculty are 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; and

(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 its 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 a faculty are chaired by the dean but, in the absence of the dean, the members present 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 unless the faculty determines otherwise in its governance document.

(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

One third of the membership of the Faculty or 25 members, whichever is the lesser, constitutes a quorum.

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

By 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

(1) The Deputy Dean is appointed in accordance with Clause 11 of Statute 8 which states that:

'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) A Deputy Dean is normally appointed for a period of at least one academic year.

2.3 ASSOCIATE DEANS

(1) Clause 12 of Statute 8 states that:

'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) The Faculty has three Associate Deans to whom certain duties and responsibilities of the Dean have been delegated in accordance with Clause 12 of Statute 8.

(3) The Associate Deans in the Faculty are appointed by the Academic Board through its chair on the recommendation of the Dean following consultation with the Faculty Board and each holds office for a period of two years with delegated responsibilities as follows:

2.3.1 Associate Dean (Academic)

(1) The role of the Associate Dean (Academic) is to—

(a) make decisions on student matters, both postgraduate and undergraduate;

(b) represent the Faculty on academic matters in terms of University and Faculty Rules; and

(c) chair the Boards of Examiners, the Postgraduate Teaching and Learning Committee and the Undergraduate Teaching and Learning Committee.

(2) With the approval of the Dean, the Associate Dean (Academic) may further delegate to the Sub-Dean.

2.3.2 Associate Dean (International)

The role of the Associate Dean (International) is to—

(a) chair the Faculty International Committee; and

(b) represent the Faculty on international matters.

2.3.3 Associate Dean (Research)

The role of the Associate Dean (Research) is to—

(a) chair the Faculty Research Committee;

(b) represent the Faculty on research matters; and

(c) manage Faculty ranking of scholarship applications.

2.4 SUB-DEAN

(1) The role of the Sub-Dean is to—

(a) provide advice to students and prospective students on a wide range of matters relating to admission, enrolment and examination;

(b) provide general advice to students on study problems, and other problems affecting their capacity to benefit from their University studies and/or refer them for appropriate professional help; and

(c) make decisions on particular student cases, within University and/or Faculty policy, on such matters as credits and deferred examinations.

(2) The Sub-Dean is appointed in accordance with the University's standard procedures for the selection of academic staff.

2.5 FACULTY MANAGER

(1) The Faculty Manager has delegated responsibility for the overall administration of the Faculty including, in particular, responsibility to—

(a) assist the Dean in the execution of his/her duties;

(b) ensure that there is an effective interface between the Faculty and the Central Administration and committee system; and

(c) provide supervision of, and training for, Faculty Office staff; and

(d) ensure effective compliance with statutory requirements and other legal imperatives of University governance.

(2) The Faculty Manager is appointed in accordance with the University's standard procedures for the selection of administrative staff.

2.6 SENIOR FACULTY ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

(1) The Senior Faculty Administrative Officer has delegated responsibility to administer 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) responsibility for the preparation of detailed agendas and minutes for Faculty committees and the forwarding of minutes and other documentation to the Academic Council/Legislative Committee in accordance with the written requirements of those bodies.

(2) The Senior Faculty Administrative Officer is appointed in accordance with the University's standard procedures for the selection of administrative staff.

3. FACULTY BOARD

By R104/93 the Senate resolved—

'(a) that faculties have faculty boards which shall be responsible to the Faculty for the conduct of all Faculty business (except constituting the Faculty Board);

(b) that resolutions of the Faculty Board that relate to research, teaching, academic structures and academic processes, be binding on the Dean, and that the Faculty Board be advisory to the Dean on resource matters;

(c) that the composition of the Faculty Board be determined by Senate on the recommendation of the Faculty to Academic Council.'

3.1 FUNCTIONS

In terms of Senate Resolution 104/93 the Faculty Board has the delegated powers of the Faculty and is the Faculty's major decision-making committee.

3.2 MEMBERSHIP

(1) The Faculty Board comprises:

(a) the Dean as Chair;

(b) the Deputy Dean;

(c) the Associate Deans;

(d) the Sub-Dean;

(e) the Head of each School in the Faculty, or, in the absence of the Head, a nominee;

(f) two representatives from each of the schools in the Faculty elected by the Schools;

(g) an undergraduate student elected by and from the students enrolled in a single or combined course leading to the Bachelor of Engineering;

(h) a postgraduate student enrolled in the Faculty elected annually by and from the Postgraduate Students' Association;

(i) a student elected by and from the students enrolled in a single or combined course leading to the Bachelor of Computer and Mathematical Sciences or Bachelor of Computer Science;

(j) the Faculty Manager;

(k) the Senior Faculty Administrative Officer;

(l) the Chair of the Mechatronics Discipline Group or nominee; and

(m) a maximum of two co-opted members.

(2) A school may nominate an alternate to an elected member appointed under 1(f) to attend meetings in the member's absence.

3.3 QUORUM

One third of the Faculty Board members constitutes a quorum.

3.4 TERMS OF OFFICE

(1) Academic staff members, other than those holding ex-officio positions, have a two year term of office and are eligible for re-election for one further term of two years.

(2) Student members have a one year term of office and are eligible for re-election for two further one year periods.

3.5 SAFEGUARDS

(1) Advice regarding the availability of agendas and minutes (on the web) is sent to Faculty members at the same time as to the Faculty Board.

(2) Faculty members may make a submission to the Faculty Board, in writing or in person, on any matter listed in the agenda.

(3) If six Faculty members request the Dean to hold a full Faculty meeting, this must be held within ten working days in accordance with Clause 7(1)(b) of Statute 8.

4. COMMITTEES OF THE FACULTY BOARD

4.1 POSTGRADUATE BOARD OF EXAMINERS

4.1.1 Function

The Postgraduate Board of Examiners in Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

(a) makes all decisions on postgraduate examination results and reports them to the Registrar;

(b) has powers delegated by the Faculty to make decisions on postgraduate student progress and award of prizes in accordance with Faculty policy;

(c) may delegate its decision making powers to an Executive Committee, comprising the Associate Dean (Academic) and the Senior Faculty Administrative Officer.

4.1.2 Membership

(1) The Postgraduate Board of Examiners comprises:

(a) the Associate Dean or nominee as Chair;

(b) the Deputy Associate Dean (Academic and Structure);

(c) the Head of each School in the Faculty or nominee;

(d) one representative from each School in the Faculty; and

(e) any other examiners co-opted by the board for consideration of specific results.

(2) Examiners must be available to be consulted by the Board and, at the discretion of the Board, any examiner in the Faculty may attend meetings of the Board as an observer.

4.1.3 Quorum

The quorum for a meeting of the Board is at least eight members including the Chair.

4.2 UNDERGRADUATE BOARD OF EXAMINERS

4.2.1 Function

The Undergraduate Board of Examiners in Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

(a) makes all decisions on undergraduate examination results and reports them to the Registrar;

(b) has powers delegated by the Faculty to make decisions on admission to honours courses, award of honours, undergraduate student progress and prizes in accordance with Faculty policy;

(c) may delegate its decision making powers to an Executive Committee, comprising the Associate Dean (Academic), the Sub-Dean and the Senior Faculty Administrative Officer.

4.2.2 Membership

(1) The Undergraduate Board of Examiners comprises:

(a) the Associate Dean (Academic) as Chair;

(b) the Sub-Dean;

(c) the Head of each School in the Faculty or nominee;

(d) one representative from each School in the Faculty;

(e) any other examiners co-opted by the board for consideration of specific results.

(2) Examiners must be available to be consulted by the Board and, at the discretion of the Board, any examiner in the Faculty may attend meetings of the Board as an observer.

4.2.3 Quorum

The quorum for a meeting of the Board is at least eight members including the Chair.

4.3 POSTGRADUATE TEACHING AND LEARNING COMMITTEE

4.3.1 Functions

The Postgraduate Teaching and Learning Committee—

(a) provides advice to the Faculty Board on curriculum matters and matters relating to teaching and learning in postgraduate courses;

(b) monitors assessment practices and procedures throughout the Faculty's postgraduate courses to ensure they are consistent with University policies and guidelines on assessment; and

(c) advises the Faculty Board on the implementation of recommendations resulting from a review of one or more of the Faculty postgraduate degree courses where these recommendations directly affect more than one school in the Faculty.

4.3.2 Membership

The Postgraduate Teaching and Learning Committee comprises:

(a) the Associate Dean (Academic) as Chair;

(b) one representative from each School in the Faculty;

(c) one student representing the postgraduate students in the Faculty; and

(d) members co-opted by the committee as required.

4.3.3 Quorum

The quorum for a meeting of the committee is half the committee plus one.

4.4 UNDERGRADUATE TEACHING AND LEARNING COMMITTEE

4.4.1 Functions

The Undergraduate Teaching and Learning Committee—

(a) provides advice to the Faculty Board on curriculum matters and matters relating to teaching and learning in undergraduate courses;

(b) monitors assessment practices and procedures throughout the Faculty's undergraduate courses to ensure they are consistent with University policies and guidelines on assessment; and

(c) advises the Faculty Board on the implementation of recommendations resulting from a review of one or more of the Faculty undergraduate degree courses where these recommendations directly affect more than one school in the Faculty.

4.4.2 Membership

The Undergraduate Teaching and Learning Committee comprises:

(a) the Associate Dean (Academic) as Chair;

(b) the Deputy Associate Dean (Academic and Students)

(c) the Sub-Dean;

(d) one representative from each School in the Faculty;

(e) one student representing students enrolled in a single or combined course leading to the Bachelor of Engineering;

(f) one student representing students enrolled in a single or combined course leading to the Bachelor of Computer and Mathematical Sciences or the Bachelor of Computer Science;

(g) the Faculty CATLyst (member of Centre for Advancement of Teaching and Learning); and

(h) members co-opted by the committee as required.

4.4.3 Quorum

The quorum for the committee is half the membership plus one.

4.5 RESEARCH COMMITTEE

4.5.1 Functions

The Research Committee—

(a) facilitates communication of research, innovation and commercialisation opportunities and initiatives;

(b) provides advice to Faculty regarding research, innovation and commercialisation matters and policies; and

(c) develops, implements and monitors Faculty research, innovation and commercialisation policies as needed.

4.5.2 Membership

The Research Committee comprises:

(a) the Associate Dean (Research) as Chair;

(b) the Head of each School in the Faculty or nominee; and

(c) other co-opted members as needed.

4.6 INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE

4.6.1 Functions

The International Committee advises the Dean and the Faculty on:

(a) matters relating to the establishment, promotion, implementation and management and agreements with international institutions;

(b) matters relating to international students already in the faculty;

(c) matters relating to international students in Australia; and

(d) Faculty implementation of University internationalisation matters.

4.6.2 Scope

Matters to be considered by the committee include:

(a) international marketing of courses;

(b) articulation agreements and twinning programmes;

(c) student exchange for outgoing and incoming students;

(d) marketing for incoming study abroad students; and

(e) internationalisation of activities and courses in accordance with University policies and Faculty needs.

4.6.3 Membership

The International Committee comprises:

(a) the Associate Dean (International) as Chair;

(b) the Sub-Dean;

(c) the Head of each School in the Faculty or nominee;

(d) the Faculty Marketing Manager; and

(e) other co-opted members as needed.

4.7 PROGRAMME COMMITTEE FOR THE BACHELOR OF COMPUTER AND MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES

4.7.1 Functions

The Programme Committee for the Bachelor of Computer and Mathematical Sciences advises the Faculty on academic matters concerning curriculum design and delivery, marketing of the degree and its relationship with industry.

4.7.2 Membership

The Programme Committee for the Bachelor of Computer and Mathematical Sciences comprises:

(a) the Associate Dean or nominee as Chair;

(b) the Head of the School of Computer Science and Software Engineering or nominee;

(c) the Head of the School of Mathematics and Statistics or nominee;

(d) a representative from the schools offering a Bachelor of Engineering programme, chosen by the Dean;

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

(f) the Academic Student Adviser of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences or nominee; and

(g) an industry representative chosen by the Dean on the recommendation of the members in (a) to (f).

4.8 POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS COMMITTEE

4.8.1 Functions

(1) The Postgraduate Scholarships Committee—

(a) conduct the ranking of the Faculty's applicants in the University's postgraduate research scholarships ranking exercises, and recommends to the University Scholarships Committee where appropriate;

(b) conducts ranking of applicants for the Faculty named postgraduate research scholarships, as required, and approves awards where appropriate;

(c) approves the granting of any other Faculty awards for prospective postgraduate research students.

(2) The committee may delegate its decision-making powers to the Associate Dean (Research).

4.8.2 Membership

The scholarships committee comprises:

(a) the Associate Dean (Research) as Chair;

(b) the head of each school in the Faculty or nominee;

(c) other co-opted members as required.

4.8.3 Quorum

The quorum for a meeting is half the current membership plus one.

4.8.4 Meetings

Meetings are held at least once a year.

5. MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

5.1. Functions

The Management Advisory Committee of the Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics provides:

(a) advice to the Dean on the Strategic Plan, on preparation of budget estimates from internal submissions and on the allocation of resources within the Faculty;

(b) advice to the Faculty Board on resource matters; and

(c) a forum for discussion and advice to the Dean on general management matters.

5.2 Membership

(1) The Management Advisory Committee comprises:

(a) the Dean as Chair;

(b) the Deputy Dean;

(c) the Associate Deans;

(d) the Heads of Schools or their nominee and/or the School Manager at the discretion of the Head;

(e) the directors of the centres directly resourced by the Faculty through the funding formula; and

(f) the Faculty Manager.

(2) The Management Advisory Committee may co-opt one member.

6. FACULTY INDUSTRY ADVISORY BOARD AND SCHOOL INDUSTRY ADVISORY PANELS

A two-tier system provides an external (industry) perspective on the Faculty' strategic direction. The tiers consist of:

(a) an Industry Advisory Board; and

(b) one or more industry advisory panels in each of the schools and for cross-disciplinary streams as appropriate.

6.1 FACULTY INDUSTRY ADVISORY BOARD

6.1.1 Role and Functions

(1) The role of the Faculty Industry Advisory Board is to—

(a) assist the Faculty to achieve its strategic objectives by providing advice on—

(i) academic matters especially in relation to accreditation and the development of new programmes;

(ii) quality assurance;

(iii) marketing of the Faculty's courses both in industry in Australia and overseas;

(iv) any other issues identified from time to time by the Faculty; and

(b) through its broad representation of business, the professions, and other external stakeholders, represent and promote the Faculty in the local and wider communities.

(2) In carrying out its role, the board—

(a) has power to consider and make recommendations concerning all matters of relevance to the Faculty; and

(b) considers recommendations made by the School Industry Advisory Panels described in 6.2.2 and decides whether the recommendations should be considered by other industry advisory panels.

6.1.2 Membership

(1) The Faculty Industry Advisory Board comprises:

(a) the Dean;

(b) the Deputy Dean;

(c) the Associate Deans;

(d) the Heads of Schools;

(e) two persons, selected by each School Industry Advisory Panel, from the panel's industry representatives;

(f) one representative nominated by Engineers Australia, Western Australian Division;

(g) one representative nominated by the Australian Computer Society;

(h) the Chair of the Engineering Foundation of the University of Western Australia; and

(i) up to two additional representatives co-opted by the members listed in (a) to (h).

(2) The members of the board selected from the School Industry Advisory Panels, and any co-opted representatives hold office for the duration of their membership of their panel or for three years, whichever is the lesser, and are eligible for reappointment.

(3) The Chair is an industry member elected annually by the members.

(4) In the absence of the elected Chair, the members then present must elect one of the industry members to chair the meeting.

(5) All questions which come before the board are decided by a simple majority of the members present and voting.

(6) The Chair of the meeting has an ordinary and a casting vote.

(7) The quorum for the board is one quarter of the industry members and one quarter of the ex-officio members.

6.1.3 Meetings

(1) Meetings of the Industry Advisory Boards are held—

(a) at least every six months; or

(b) within ten working days of the service on the Chair of a requisition signed by at least three members of the board and containing a statement of the matters to be discussed.

(2) The Chair must ensure that, as far as it is practicable, all members have at least five working days' written notice of meetings of the Industry Advisory Board and of the business to be transacted.

6.1.4 Recommendations

The recommendations of the Industry Advisory Board are referred to the Faculty Office for appropriate action, which may include transmission to the Faculty Board or other committees.

6.2 SCHOOL INDUSTRY ADVISORY PANELS

6.2.1 Role and Functions

(1) The function of the industry advisory panels is to contribute at school level to the formulation of the objectives of the Schools, and cross-disciplinary streams and to assist in their achievement.

(2) The industry advisory panels provide, at individual school level, the advice and support functions provided by the Industry Advisory Board to the Schools collectively.

(3) The main role of the industry advisory panels is to provide an external industry perspective on the functions and operations of the Schools and cross-disciplinary streams in the Schools with the aim of ensuring that they are—

(a) of significance to the professions;

(b) consistent with industry and government objectives;

(c) in accordance with industry needs for graduates;

(d) consistent with changes in technology; and

(e) likely to advance, transmit and sustain knowledge and understanding through the conduct of teaching, research and scholarship at the highest international standards for the benefit of the international and national communities and the state of Western Australia.

(4) The industry advisory panels may make recommendations concerning all matters of relevance to the Schools.

(5) The industry advisory panels may make recommendations to the Industry Advisory Board for the benefit of other advisory panels or for submission to the Faculty Board.

(6) One external member of each industry advisory panel reports on the activities of the panel to the next meeting of the Industry Advisory Board.

6.2.2 Membership

(1) Each industry advisory panel comprises—

(a) the Head of the relevant school or nominee,

(b) the convener of the relevant cross-disciplinary streams or nominee; and

(c) not less than four industry members selected by the school concerned or, in the case of a cross-disciplinary stream, by the appropriate schools, so that the majority of the panel are persons external to the University.

(2) The members of each panel hold office for three years from the date of appointment and are eligible for reappointment.

(3) Appointment to the panel is staggered so that there is a continuity of membership on the panel.

(4) The Chair of each panel is elected annually from the industry members of the panel.

6.2.3 Meetings

(1) Subject to (2), meetings of each industry advisory panel are arranged to discuss particular initiatives at the convenience of the members.

(2) Meetings are held at least every six months.

7. FACULTY APPEALS COMMITTEE

7.1 FUNCTIONS

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.