(1) The (2) Discipline titles are important to the University and its students by providing a sense of the discipline and subjects in teaching and research that exist in a particular (3) Discipline titles also provide an important sense of identity to academic staff and (4) Therefore, Discipline titles are very important to the academic staff and (5) Additionally, there is an organisational and financial implication as a University's definition of a Discipline may affect the Commonwealth funding for that Discipline group through (6) Changes to Discipline titles were previously subject to the endorsement of the Academic Board and the approval of the Council. This is no longer the case and is only required for changes to the current (7) These Guidelines aim to provide advice on the factors and procedures to be undertaken when considering a change to a Discipline title. (8) In making a decision to change a Discipline group title, Convenors and the relevant Head of School should consider the impact of any decision on the following: (9) Any proposal to change a Discipline title should determine at a very early stage whether the change may have implications for cluster funding bands. This should be fairly easy to assess — a change from Chemistry to Chemical Sciences, for example, remains clearly within the current cluster bands. Alternatively, a change from Botany to Horticulture might imply a change from a Science cluster banding to an Agriculture cluster banding. The situation may rely on whether a change of cluster is being actively sought but the implications should be verified irrespective of intent. Advice can be sought from Business Intelligence. (10) The timing of a proposal is also important given statutory requirements for units to be notified to the Commonwealth well before the start of the new calendar year, and the organisational workflow deadlines used for marketing, planning, student, and academic administration. Advice on appropriate timing can be obtained from the University Secretariat (for governance) and the Information Management group of Student Experience(for the other considerations). (11) A proposal to change a Discipline title may, subject to the extent of the proposed change, create considerable debate. The proposal may derive from any part of the University but, as a collegial matter, it should be for the members of the Discipline group (preferably with participation by course and research students in the Discipline) to discuss and then have their views and proposals transmitted to the Head of School by the Convenor. (12) A proposal that may impinge on other Disciplines (Behavioural or Mental Health titling on Psychology/Behavioural Science, for example) should be discussed at an early stage with appropriate colleagues. Additionally, appropriate local professional and/or community groups might be consulted. It would be appropriate for the Convenor to undertake these discussions while ensuring that the Head of School is kept informed at all times. (13) Once an appropriate title has been agreed by the Discipline group (and whether any potential impingement issues with other (14) Once the (15) The Academic Board has the final determination on the form and content of the University's academic program for teaching and research and will endorse proposal to ensure that the proposal is accepted and implemented campus-wide. The approval of the Council is not required at this level but the Chair of Academic Board will report the change to the Council. The University Secretariat will promulgate the change to the campus. (16) Where changes to a Cluster Band are sought (or are consequent to) a change in Discipline title, there may be major implications for University resources and for (17) It will be for the Dean to determine at this point whether to: (18) In making this determination the Dean will give consideration to the University, (19) Guidance and modelling will be conducted on the request of the Head of School to Office of Strategy Management and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research for Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) implications. The results of the guidance and the modelling will be submitted to the Dean and the Head of School (who will consult with the Convenor on the outcomes). (20) It is important to note by all parties that changes, especially to HECS bands, may have significant consequences for (21) On the basis of the guidance and modelling the Head of School will, in consultation with the Convenor, decide whether to seek further progress in the proposal in the current form (or decide to proceed with title change only). If it is decided to progress the matter further in the original form, Dean will seek the advice of the Vice-Chancellor's Advisory Committee on whether, and how, to proceed. (22) Subject to Vice-Chancellor's Advisory Committee endorsement the guidance in 14-15 now applies. (23) Once the (24) On the consequences and implementation of the change. The (25) The Vice-Chancellor's Advisory Committee will advise the Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer on the impacts of the proposed change to resources, planning and University workloads. The Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer may direct that only a Discipline title may be changed but not the bands, in which case the proposal will be referred to the Academic Board Standing Committee for its endorsement then reporting to the Council (as detailed at 14). (26) If changes to the bands are acceptable, the Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer shall issue appropriate instructions for the changes' implementation and report accordingly to the Council.Changes to Discipline Titles Guideline
Section 1 - SUPPORTING PRINCIPLES
Rationale and Scope
Guiding Factors
Top of PageSection 2 - OPERATING GUIDELINES
Changing Discipline title only
Changing Discipline title and the Cluster Band
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