4. Purpose and functions of the Academic Board
(1) The Academic Board is the principal academic governing body responsible for oversight of RMIT's academic affairs across the RMIT Group.
(2) The responsibilities of the Academic Board are derived from:
(a) its functions established in the RMIT Statute No. 1 (Amendment No. 2).
(b) the academic governance requirements of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015, namely that the Academic Board is the body that oversees Academic Governance across the RMIT Group.
(c) the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015, Part 4, RTO governance and administration
(3) Consistent to the purpose and functions noted above, Academic Board is responsible for governance of all aspects of the University’s academic mission inclusive of learning and teaching, scholarship, research and research training.
(4) The Academic Board fulfills its responsibilities by monitoring and providing oversight of the following:
a) academic quality, standards and outcomes;
b) academic and research integrity;
c) academic innovation and risk; and
d) academic freedom.
5. Membership of the Academic Board
(1) Membership of the Academic Board comprises:
a) ex officio members:
i. Chancellor (or nominee)
ii. Vice-Chancellor and President
iii. Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education and Vice-President
iv. Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation and Vice-President
v. Deputy Vice-Chancellor Global Development and Vice-President
vi. Pro Vice-Chancellor Business and Law and Vice-President
vii. Pro Vice-Chancellor Design and Social Context and Vice- President
viii. Pro Vice-Chancellor Science, Engineering and Health and Vice-President
ix. Executive Director, Vocational Education
x. Director, Library Services
xi. Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education)
xii. Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education (Quality and Enhancement)
xiii. Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research Training and Development
xiv. Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research Capability
xv. Academic Registrar
xvi. President, RMIT Vietnam or nominee
xvii. President, RMIT University Student Union
xviii. one (1) Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander academic nominated by the Chair of Academic
Board
xix. University Secretary
xx. Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor & Professor of Indigenous Education and Engagement
xxi. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Elder in Residence
xxii. Academic Director, RMIT Online
xxiii. Chief Executive Officer, RMIT Training
b) two Heads of School, Deans or Executive Deans from each college, one from higher education and one from vocational education, elected by the academic staff and teaching staff of each college
c) two (2) senior academics/teaching staff in a non-executive role from each College elected by the academic and teaching staff of each College
d) two (2) academic staff from each college, elected by the academic staff of each college
e) one (1) member elected by and from the postgraduate students of the University
f) one (1) member elected by and from the higher degree by research students of the University
g) two (2) members elected by and from the undergraduate students of the University
h) two (2) members elected by and from the students enrolled in VE or associate degree programs of the University
i) two (2) members elected by and from the professional staff
j) five (5) members elected by and from the academic staff
k) five (5) members elected by and from the teaching staff
l) two (2) members elected by and from the professors of the University occupying a Level E appointment, not including honorary or adjunct professors.
(2) Regulations 4(1)(d), (h), (i) and (j) include employees of the University at Executive Level 1, Heads of School, Deans and Directors.
(3) The University Secretary, or nominee is the secretary of the Academic Board.
5. Term of office and vacancies
(1) An elected member:
a) holds office for a period of two (2) years except that student members will hold office for a term of one (1) year, and
b) assumes office on the first day of January following the member’s election unless the member is replacing a vacancy under section 5(2), in which case the elected member may assume office at the next meeting.
(2) Where a member of the Academic Board:
a) elected by staff ceases to be a member of staff, or
b) elected by enrolled students, ceases to be an enrolled student,
that member ceases to be a member of the Academic Board and the vacancy thereby created is a casual vacancy.
(3) Any vacancy created in the membership of the Academic Board is dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the Elections Regulations.
(4) Where an elected member of the Academic Board is to be absent from the University for a period exceeding six (6) months a person may be appointed by the chairperson to the Academic Board for the duration of the absence of the elected member.
(5) All elections to the Academic Board must be conducted in accordance with the Statute and Elections Regulations, unless otherwise specified.
6. Election of Chair and Deputy Chair of Academic Board
(1) The Board shall in every second calendar year elect from amongst its members a chairperson and deputy chairperson who will hold office for a period of two (2) years.
(2) The chairperson must be a senior academic or senior educator in a non-executive role. Academic Board members who wish to have this rule waived for them or other Board members may develop a case for consideration by the Chair. The Chair in turn can decide whether the case is sufficiently strong to take it to the Board for their support.
(3) A call for nominations to members of the Academic Board for the position of chairperson and deputy Chairperson is made by the Board secretary not less than twenty (20) working days prior to the first day of the ballot period.
(4) Nominations for the position of chairperson and deputy chairperson may be submitted to the Board secretary no later than five (5) working days prior to the first day of the ballot period.
(5) If more than one nomination is received for each position, the Board secretary will conduct an election for that position.
(6) The Board secretary, not later than three (3) working days prior to the first day of the ballot period, notifies members of the Academic Board of:
a) the nominations received, and
b) the process for voting (by secret ballot)
6. Meetings of the Academic Board
(1) Meetings of the Academic Board are conducted in accordance with the Standing Orders of Academic Board.
