At its Meeting No 93 of 7 April 2004, Council adopted a Governance Charter setting out the role and responsibilities of Council and its members. The Charter was reviewed and revised at Council meeting No. 116 on 7 December 2007 and incorporates amendments to the University of Canberra Act 1989 (ACT) made in December 2006. It also reflects the list of Council’s reserved powers endorsed at Council meeting No. 110 on 6 December 2006.

Responsibilities of Council

Council is responsible for:    

• developing and approving the mission and strategic direction of the University;
• appointing and supporting the Chancellor and Deputy Chancellor of the University;
• appointing and supporting the Vice-Chancellor as the Chief Executive Officer of the University, and monitoring his/her performance;
• appointing and supporting the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University and monitoring his/her performance;
• extending the Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor’s appointment or terminating his/her appointment;
•  appointing an acting Vice-Chancellor when the Vice-Chancellor is absent for more than four weeks;
• determining guidelines for the remuneration and conditions of service of the Vice-Chancellor and members of the senior executive;
• nominating a member of Council for inclusion on professorial selection committees;
• establishing Council committees and appointing their members;
• determining Council’s standing orders;
• ensuring that policies and procedures are established to ensure the probity and integrity of University decision making;
• ensuring compliance with relevant legislation;
• recommending any changes to the University’s enabling Act;
• making, amending and/or repealing University statutes and rules;
• delegating management functions as appropriate;
• reviewing the management of the institution and the university’s performance against strategic and business goals;
• approving the annual budget and business plan;
• authorising certification of the University’s annual financial statement;
• approving the University’s annual report and authorising transmission to the Legislative Assembly;
• approving significant commercial activities;
• approving the formation of companies and joint ventures;
• developing and acquiring a new campus or new location;
• adopting a master plan for the University campus;
• establishing and disestablishing faculties and other bodies of the University;
• approving and monitoring systems of control and accountability, including general overview of the University’s controlled entities;
• overseeing and monitoring the assessment and management of risk across the University, including commercial undertakings;
• naming rights, including buildings and academic posts;
• adopting the University’s logo;
• authorising use of the University’s official seal;.
• overseeing and monitoring the academic activities of the University;
• determining which degrees, diplomas and certificates the University offers and their award titles;
• approving guidelines for the award of University medals;
• approving the form of the University testamur;
• authorising the conferring of awards;
• determining fees and charges;
• representing and advocating the campus to the community; and
• interpreting the needs of society and the professions to the campus.

Responsibilities of Members

Council members must:

• always exercise their functions with the best interests of the University as a whole paramount rather than simply as a delegate or representative of a particular constituency;
• act in good faith, honestly and for a proper purpose;
• exercise appropriate care and diligence;
• not improperly use their position to gain an advantage for themselves or someone else or cause detriment to the University or someone else; and
• disclose and avoid conflicts of interest.

Members Rights

Council members have a right to:

• induction and continuing professional development;
• access to information to facilitate quality decision making;
• timely circulation of agendas and papers; and
• assessment if requested.

Role of the Chancellor

The Chancellor is appointed by the Council as the senior office holder of the University. The role involves:

• chairing Council meetings and overseeing the development of agendas;
• ensuring that Council members understand their responsibilities and the role and functions of Council;
• providing leadership which enables the Council to function as an inquiring and informed body;
• taking the lead on Council’s behalf in appointing, mentoring, advising and supporting the Vice-Chancellor;
• evaluating the Vice-Chancellor’s performance annually against the University’s strategic objectives and reporting to Council on the outcomes;
• conferring the academic awards of the University;
• representing the University at meetings, functions and ceremonies nationally and internationally; and
• representing the University’s interests in the political, cultural and business life of the wider community.

Role of the Deputy Chancellor

The Deputy Chancellor assists the Chancellor, acting as chancellor at times when he/she is for any reason unable to perform the functions of the position.

Role of the Vice-Chancellor

Council appoints the Vice-Chancellor as the Chief Executive Officer and senior Academic Officer of the University. The Vice-Chancellor is accountable to Council for the overall management of the University within its legislative framework and resolutions of Council. He/she is the primary source of advice to Council.

Role of the Secretary of Council

The Secretary of Council acts as an independent advisor to the Chancellor and other members of Council. The Secretary may be also the director of an administrative unit and then is required to provide leadership to a small team of staff who support the University’s executive advisory committees and advisory committees of Council. The dual nature of the role requires a balancing of the competing demands to enable Council’s needs to be met.

The role includes:

• providing executive support to the Chancellor and Deputy Chancellor;
• providing support to the advisory committees of Council;
• facilitating the induction of new Council members on the advice of the Chancellor;
• considering any relevant legislation and policies relating to agenda items;
• coordinating the production and distribution of Council papers;
• assisting with the agenda setting and consulting over meeting minutes;
• ensuring Council meets its’ statutory obligations in relation to financial statements, reporting and governance protocols;
• ensuring the Chancellor is briefed in relation to any matters of potential conflict between the Council and the University; and
• obtaining legal advice required by Council and advising it about policy and procedural matters.