Council and Council Committee support
Under the leadership of the University Secretary, the Governance and Assurance Services team helps the University make good decisions. They do this by providing professional governance support and advice to Council, its standing committees and Academic Senate and its committees.
We can help you with
- Committee and Council reporting timeframes and deadlines
- Upcoming committee agendas items
- Reporting formats: which template to use when (one page template; standard template; reports to EC or Council)
- Report content and the key elements requiring Council consideration
- How to draft and develop a resolution
- Meeting actions and outcomes reported to the Executive Committee
- General governance advice
- Election information, forms and advice
Who to contact
| Team Member | contact me about |
|---|---|
| Dianne Allen, University Secretary | The University Secretary serves as the University's most senior advisor on governance and associated administrative, compliance and regulatory matters and is the key contact point for Council. |
Melinda Wellham, Executive and Council Communication Officer | Executive support for the Chancellor. Extending invites to Council members and Council member information distribution. |
All Secretariat services for:
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All Secretariat services for:
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Una Harris-McNeill, Secretariat Officer (Working days - Monday to Thursday) | All Secretariat services for:
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(Working days - Tuesday to Friday) | All Secretariat services for:
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| Liz Pengilley, Secretariat Officer | All Secretariat services for:
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What does a 'Secretariat' team do?
- We provide governance advice to the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, President Academic Senate, Committee chairs and other senior staff to help them understand and carry out their governing and management roles in a way that complies with our legislative obligations
- We set annual meeting cycles and reporting plans
- We prepare agendas, running sheets, minutes and actions
- We facilitate and provide advisory papers to Council
- We organise, promote and conduct formal member elections and ballots for University bodies like Council, Academic Senate and College Boards
- We induct new Council and Academic Senate members
- We monitor the University’s interests in controlled and associated entities
- We facilitate the University's governing groups to operate and make decisions according to the University of Newcastle Act 1989 , University of Newcastle By-law 2017, and other relevant rules, policies, procedures and statutory obligations
- We help staff and students understand what good governance looks like
- We maintain the University’s internal legislative framework
- We execute documents under the University Seal
Council cycle of support
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.