Academic Senate
Academic Senate is responsible for protecting, promoting and enhancing academic standards and quality at the University and advises Council on core academic activities including teaching, learning and research, through its President, who is also Council member.
Council delegates specific powers to Academic Senate for example approving and amending academic polices, approving exams results and completion requirements for degrees, introducing new programs and courses, and revising and discontinuing programs. In summary, all academic related matters are debated, discussed and resolved by Academic Senate or sent on to Council for its consideration.
To help it make decisions, Academic Senate has a number of committees and is also supported by the College Boards.
Academic Senate meets regularly and operates in accordance with the Constitution of the Academic Senate, the University of Newcastle Act 1989, and the University of Newcastle By-law 2017 which set out the powers and functions of the University and how these must be performed.
Academic Senate committees
To help deal effectively with specialised issues, Academic Senate is supported by the below committees:
- Teaching and Learning Committee
- Research Committee
- The Program and Course Approval Committee
- Pathways and Learning Support Centre
- College Boards
- Academic Senate Executive Committee
Learn more about each committee, committee members and meeting dates here.
Academic Senate members
Meet the members of Academic Senate.
Most members are elected by academic staff and other members are elected student members or ex-officio members which means they are part of Academic Senate because of their position at the University.
Academic Senate Communique
The Communique provides a brief outline of the matters discussed at each Academic Senate meeting. View the Communique below:
- 10 March 2021 Communique
- 11 May 2021 Communique
Report Template and Resources
Papers for Academic Senate, Research Committee and the Teaching and Learning Committee should be prepared on a specific template. Access the approved Academic Senate Report Template here.
View the relevant resources: Academic Senate Standing Orders, Constitution of the Academic Senate and Governance Rule
Please email academicsenate@newcastle.edu.au for enquiries regarding meeting papers and minutes.
Academic Senate Handbook
The Academic Senate Handbook is primarily designed to help new and existing members of the Academic Senate and its Committees/Boards to understand their roles and responsibilities as a member.
It is also a useful resource for staff if you are interested in learning more about the University's academic governance and understanding the role of the Academic Senate (or its Committees/Boards), areas of focus and responsibilities.
Who to contact
| COMMITTEE | CONTACT |
|---|---|
| Academic Senate | academicsenate@newcastle.edu.au or Zoe Ward |
| Teaching and Learning Committee | academicsenate@newcastle.edu.au or Una Harris |
| Research Committee | academicsenate@newcastle.edu.au or Renae Morgan |
| Program and Course Approval Committee | Cathie Shanahan or Melanie Barlow |
College Boards | College of Engineering, Science and Environment College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing College of Human and Social Futures |
| Pathways and Academic Learning Support Centre | Elizabeth Bridges |
| Research Training Sub-Committee | Gareth Patterson |
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.