Recently, the Academic Senate and its sub-committees underwent a scheduled external academic governance review, and the outcome of that review was the approval of a new governance model by University Council on 5 December 2024.

The review aimed to enhance Flinders’ academic governance and better support the Senate in overseeing the quality and integrity of Flinders’ academic operations.

Council’s decision follows extensive stakeholder consultation and provides for an enhanced committee structure, new membership, and clearer alignment of committee responsibilities with the Higher Education Standards Framework. We’d like to thank everyone who provided feedback and contributed to the development of the new academic governance structure.

As part of this model, the following was approved to take effect from 1 January 2025:

• The introduction of 12 elected positions to the Academic Senate, two (2) academic staff members from each College, to replace the 12 members previously directly appointed by their College Vice-Presidents and Executive Deans. The nomination period has now commenced, with eligible academic staff already contacted, and elections scheduled for late January 2025.
• The establishment of the Education Committee and Courses and Admissions Committee, which will divide the functions and responsibilities of the disestablished Education Quality Committee, with the two new committees having refreshed and tailored membership to best carry out their functions and responsibilities.
• Inclusion of the College Education Committees into the academic governance structure, reporting to the Education and Courses and Admissions Committees where needed.
• The establishment of the Research Committee which will assume the responsibilities of the disestablished Research Quality Committee and oversee Higher Degrees by Research matters, with the University Higher Degrees by Research Committee reporting directly to it, rather than to the Academic Senate.
• Inclusion of the College Research Committees into the academic governance structure, reporting to the Research Committee.
• The Student Appeals Committee will be removed from the academic governance structure and included in the management committee structure, continuing to determine student appeals and report trends to the Academic Senate.
• New terms of reference for each committee will reflect responsibilities and functions as mapped against the Higher Education Standards Framework, quorum, elections and appointment of members where relevant, meeting cadence, reporting and review, and meeting procedures. Please refer to the Academic Senate webpage for further details.

If you have any questions about the Academic Governance Review or the subsequent outcomes, please email AGR@flinders.edu.au.