Handing-Over Notes for Deans of Faculties

3.0  Membership of Committees

3.1 Senate: The Deans become full members of Senate during their Deanship. They indicate to the Faculty Secretary those items that should be placed under Section A of the Senate agenda and present them formally to Senate. They are frequently elected as Senate representatives on other committees where Senate considers it desirable to ensure that Faculty views are properly and responsibly represented. 

3.2 Ex-Officio Committee Memberships: The Deans are ex-officio members of the following main University committees:

  • Academic Affairs Committee
  • Research Degrees Board
  • Research Committee
  • Rules and Regulations Committee
  • Academic Progress Committee
  • Personal Chairs Committee
  • Information Services Committee
  • Staffing Committee (for consideration of Senior Lectureships only)
  • Staff Development Committee

3.2.1 Academic Affairs Committee

The Deans sit on the Academic Affairs Committee, which meets once or twice each term. The function of this committee is to provide advice and make recommendations to Senate on areas of broad academic policy. The Committee is responsible for the maintenance and monitoring of academic standards and quality. This involves:

  • Conducting Departmental Reviews
  • Considering the reports of External Examiners
  • Approving new or revised study schemes, at degree, diploma and certificate level
  • Inter-Faculty Academic Affairs
  • Setting dates of term
  • Monitoring Plagiarism and Unfair Practice procedures
  • Considering Examination arrangements
  • Matters referred by Senate

3.2.2 Research Degrees Board

The Research Degrees Board held its first meeting in June 2005 and will meet four times each session. It operates as an examination board for research degrees and has oversight of all research postgraduate degree matters, reporting to Academic Affairs Committee on quality assurance matters. The Faculties report to the Board on issues such as the monitoring of progress of research postgraduates.

3.2.3 Research Committee

The Deans sit on the Research Committee, which meets three times each academic year. The function of this committee is to provide advice and make recommendations to PARC (via Planning Group) on policies, strategies and mechanisms for promoting research.

As part of their work on this committee, the Deans will work with the PVC for Research to:

  • develop, implement, monitor and review the University’s Research Strategy
  • provide clear guidance to Departments on the organisation and management of research, including outlining minimum expectations on the roles and responsibilities of the Departmental Directors of Research and Departmental Research Committees
  • approve Departmental Research Strategies
  • advise on the University’s strategies for postgraduate research students

The Deans serve on the Research Task Group (chaired by the PVC with responsibility for research). They also chair a Faculty Forum for Departmental Directors of Research (once per term) and take part in an annual University Forum for DDRs (chaired by the PVC Research).

3.2.4 Rules and Regulations Committee

The function of this Committee is to provide advice and to make recommendations to Senate on the following:

  • AU Rules and Regulations
  • Awards to students, including Entrance Scholarships and Prizes
  • Constitution of the Guild of Students
  • Matters referred by Senate

3.3 Ad Hoc Committee Memberships: The Deans also serve on or chair various ad hoc committees or working groups set up by Academic Affairs Committee or other committees of the University, e.g. the Learning and Teaching Strategy Implementation Group. They may also be invited to serve on some of the main University committees of which they are not ex officio members, such as Council, Planning & Resources Committee, Staffing Committee.