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Terms of Reference (Council approved) - Teaching and Learning Committee

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Section 1 - Overview

(1) The Teaching and Learning Committee (the Committee) is established to oversee the academic governance of teaching and learning at the Univeristy and report to Academic Board on these matters, so as to enable the Academic Board to provide assurance (or otherwise) to Council.

(2) The Committee is established as a committee of Academic Board to perform the functions set out in these Terms of Reference and all matters ancilliary to these functions.

(3) These Terms of Reference prescribe the following:

  1. the members of the Committee, and the method and term of appointment (where not prescribed under Standing Orders - Academic Board and Committees;
  2. the functions of the Committee; and
  3. other matters in connection with the Committee and its operation.

(4) The establishment of the Committee and Terms of Reference of are actions authorised under Section 23 of the UNE By-law 2005. The provisions of these Terms of Reference take effect as a Council Rule made under Section 29 of the UNE Act.

Objectives

(5) The role of the Committee is to oversee and report to the Academic Board on the academic governance of teaching and learning at UNE.

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Section 2 - Teaching and Learning Committee Membership

Membership

(6) The members of the Committee are as follows:

  1. Chair
    1. The Chair of the Committee is appointed by the Chair of Academic Board after a call for expressions of interest from Level D and E academic staff. The Chair of Academic Board may ask the Committee to recommend a candidate for appointment.
  2. Deputy Chair:
    1. Any staff member of the Committee can be appointed as a Deputy Chair by the Chair of Academic Board in consultation with the Chair of Teaching and Learning Committee, for a period of up to two (2) years.
    2. There must be gender diversity, and at least two different Faculties represented among the Chair and two (2) Deputy Chairs.
  3. Ex officio members
    1. Chair of Academic Board (or delegate who is an academic at Level D or E and an elected member of Academic Board)
    2. A Deputy Chair of Academic Board (if a Deputy Chair of Academic Board is already a member through having been appointed as Chair of the Committee, then the  Chair of Academic Board will nominate an elected member of Academic Board  who is an academic at Level D or E)
    3. Executive Principal Education Futures
    4. Executive Principal Student Journey
    5. Director, Education Quality
    6. Director Library Services and University Librarian
    7. Associate Deans Teaching and Learning of each Faculty
    8. One (1) student from the UNE Student Council, nominated by the UNE Student Council. If the nominated member is unable to attend, the UNE student Council may appoint an alternate member.
  4. Appointed members
    1. Two (2) members of academic staff at Level D or E who are well-informed about teaching and learning and coursework student matters from each Faculty, appointed by the Chair in consultation with the relevant Executive Dean (or nominee) after an expression of interest process and with due consideration of School representation
    2. Two (2) academic members of staff at Level B or C from each Faculty, appointed by the Chair in consultation with the relevant Executive Dean (or nominee) after an expression of interest process and with due consideration of School representation
    3. One (1) member of academic staff who identifies as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, appointed by the Chair after an expression of interest process for academic staff members
    4. One (1) undergraduate current student, appointed by the Chair (in consultation with the Academic Board Executive) after an expression of interest process. The current student member may be a student representative elected to Academic Board, but it is not a requirement
    5. One (1) postgraduate coursework current Student, appointed by the Chair (in consultation with the Academic Board Executive) after an expression of interest process. The current student member may be a student representative elected to Academic Board, but it is not a requirement.

(7) The Committee can co-opt members in order to achieve or maintain diversity, or to provide specialist advice to the Committee.

In attendance

(8)  At the discretion of the Chair, the Committee can invite non-voting individuals as observers to attend regular or individual meetings to provide appropriate expertise as necessary.

Appointment procedure for appointed members

(9) A vacancy occurring among appointed members will trigger the relevant appointment procedure for that role. 

Appointments

(10) Appointment of members will be conducted in accordance with these Terms of Reference and the Standing Orders - Academic Board and Committees.

Automatic vacancy by an appointed representative

(11) An appointed position becomes vacant automatically if the appointed member is absent without prior leave from the Chair from three consecutive Committee meetings.

Term of office

Ex officio members

(12) The ex officio members will be Committee members while they hold their primary office.

Appointed members

(13) The term of office of an appointed member is two (2) years. Appointed members may stand for re-appointment if they continue to satisfy the position requirements. If not, they may subsequently nominate for a role at a different level if a vacancy arises.

Diversity representation objectives

(14) The objective will be to ensure, so far as practicable, that the membership of the Committee considers diversity in accordance with UNE policies.

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Section 3 - Teaching and Learning Committee Functions

(15) To the extent it relates to teaching and learning, the Committee will provide assurance (or otherwise) to Academic Board that:

  1. processes and structures are established and responsibilities are assigned that collectively:
    1. achieve effective academic oversight that assures the quality of teaching and learning, including by:
      1. developing, monitoring and reviewing academic policies and their effectiveness
      2. confirming that delegations of academic authority are implemented
      3. maintaining oversight of academic integrity
      4. monitoring potential risks
      5. monitoring and initiating action to improve performance against institutional benchmarks for academic quality and outcomes
      6. critically evaluating the quality and effectiveness of educational innovations or proposals for innovations
      7. evaluating the effectiveness of institutional monitoring, review and improvement of academic activities
      8. monitoring and reporting to the corporate governing body on the quality of teaching and learning
    2. set and monitor institutional benchmarks for academic quality and outcomes
    3. establish and maintain academic leadership at an institutional level
    4. provide competent advice to Academic Board and management on academic (teaching and learning) matters, including advice on academic outcomes, policies and practices
    5. provide students with opportunities to participate in academic governance.

(16) The Committee will, to the extent it relates to teaching and learning:

  1. exercise its academic governance functions in all areas of benchmarking and quality assurance, including providing oversight and assurance of:
    1. student participation and attainment encompassing admission, credit and recognition of prior learning, orientation and progression, learning outcomes and assessment, qualifications and certification.
    2. learning environment encompassing facilities and infrastructure, diversity and equity, wellbeing and safety, student grievances and complaints.
    3. teaching encompassing course design, staffing, learning resources and educational support.
    4. institutional quality assurance encompassing course approval and accreditation, academic and research integrity, course monitoring, review and delivery with other parties. 
    5. representation, information and information management encompassing representation of course offerings, information for prospective and current students and information management.
  2. consider new rules and policies. If the rule or policy is considered to be in order then the Committee will recommend it to the Academic Board for endorsement.

General

(17) The Committee may form working groups from time to time to undertake specific projects and tasks related to its functions.

(18) At least once per year, the Teaching and Learning Committee and Curriculum Committee will have a joint meeting to discuss items of joint interest and responsibility.

(19) The Committee will exercise and promote academic leadership in governance commensurate with its duties and functions, and take an active role in supporting the achievement of best practice in governance in teaching and learning, including by:

  1. supporting understanding of personal responsibility and duties via regular induction.
  2. calling for reports around compliance and continuous improvement.
  3. engaging in discussions on strategic directions and the achievement of strategic goals. 
  4. seeking and providing advice and assurance to management and to the Academic Board regarding the pursuit and achievement of excellence in teaching and learning.

Authority

(20) The Committee is authorised to seek data and information from the University through the Executive Principal Education Futures and Executive Principal Student Journey to meet the Committee’s duties and functions.

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Section 4 - Conduct of Teaching and Learning  Committee Business

Reporting

(21) The Committee reports to the Academic Board, including in an annual report of the Committee’s performance of its functions.

Meetings

(22) The Committee will meet at least six (6) times per year or otherwise as required, in order to perform its functions.

Flying minutes

(23) In exceptional circumstances, with permission of the Chair, the Committee may pass a resolution by flying minute provided that the resolution has been approved by a simple majority of committee members at the time the resolution is made. A request for a flying minute must include an outline of the exceptional circumstances within the report.

Confirmation of minutes

(24) Draft minutes will be prepared by the Secretariat after each meeting and will be provided to the Chair for endorsement. The Chair endorsed minutes are then to be presented at the next meeting for confirmation by the Committee. If members request changes to the Chair endorsed minutes, they are to provide these changes in writing to the Secretariat after the meeting. If changes have been requested, the Minutes will be resubmitted to the following Committee meeting for confirmation by the Committee.

Self-review

(25) Once in every twelve-month period, the Committee will devote a part of one meeting to the review of its policies, practices and procedures over the preceding twelve (12) months.

Secretary to Teaching and Learning Committee

(26) The University Secretariat will provide secretarial and administrative support to the Committee.

Standing Orders

(27) The Standing Orders - Academic Board and Committees (Standing Orders) relate to the conduct of meetings and business of the Committee. To the extent of any inconsistencies between these Terms of Reference and the Standing Orders, the Standing Orders prevail.

(28) This document does not override or otherwise affect:

  1. the UNE Delegations Framework Rule; or
  2. the Vice-Chancellor Functions Rule.
  3. However, it operates as a delegation of certain authorities that have been retained by Council.