Council

Council News

Council is undertaking a series of visits to various parts of the University following each of its meetings this year. Council members are appreciating the opportunity to meet with staff and students and learn more about the teaching, research and community outreach activities of the area.

On 25 March 2011, Council members visited The Fenner School of Environment and Society and, after hearing about the programs and initiatives of the School, went on a tour of the grounds and inspected the new Frank Fenner building site.

Council members with staff and students of The Fenner School of Environment and Society

Council members tour the new Frank Fenner building

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About Council

The University is governed by a 15 member Council under the Australian National University Act 1991. The Council is to act in all matters concerning the University in the way it thinks will best promote the interests of the University.

Statement of Primary Responsibilities
The primary responsibilities of Council members are to

The Council may delegate functions and powers under the Act to a member of the Council or a member of the staff of the University, or to the members of a committee consisting of members of Council or members of the Council and other persons; however, the Council may not delegate its power to

As part of responsible governance, Council has delegated day-to-day management responsibilities and other functions to the University’s executive and other senior staff in order to be able to focus on the broader policy and strategic issues. Details of delegations may be found here.

Conduct of Council Members
The Australian National University is a body corporate established by the ANU Act.

The Commonwealth Authorities and Companies (CAC) Act provides a set of core reporting and auditing requirements and sets out standards of conduct for directors, officers and, to a lesser extent, employees of Commonwealth authorities. Many of these requirements are modelled on comparable areas of corporations legislation. A summary of the main changes made to the CAC Act in 2008 which affect the University, its employees and University Council Members, is available here.

Membership
The membership of the Council is set out in section 10 of the Act.

The current members are listed here.

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Meetings of Council

The Council usually meets about six times a year. The Chancellor presides at all meetings of the Council at which he or she is present.

At a meeting of the Council, a quorum is constituted by a majority of the persons holding office as members of the Council.

The order of business on the Council agenda paper is normally determined two weeks prior to the relevant meeting of Council. Items for the Council agenda should be sent to the Council Office in electronic version. A template for agenda items can be obtained from the Council Office.

The Act provides that the Chancellor or Pro-Chancellor (if he or she is a member of Council) may, in writing, request members to pass a resolution without a meeting. A copy of the request and the text of the proposed resolution must be sent to each member of the Council. The resolution is passed if a majority of the members eligible to vote each signs a document containing the text of the resolution and returns it to the Chancellor or Pro-Chancellor (if he or she is a member of Council). However, if the proposed resolution deals with whether a member of Council has breached his or her duties under Sections 18A to 18F of the Act as a member of the Council, at least a two-thirds majority of Council members eligible to vote on a resolution is required.

Agenda and Minutes of meetings of Council held since 1992 may be found here.

Observers at Council Meetings
Meetings of the Council are open to staff, students and members of Convocation and members of the media as observers. However, because of limitations on space in the R.C. Mills Room, no more than 15 observers (other than members of the media) may be admitted to any meeting. Observers are issued with a pass on a 'first come first served' basis. Passes may be booked in advance by contacting the Council office (tel. 61252113) but those not collected by 9.00 am on the day of the meeting will be available for re-allocation. Observers are asked to sign an attendance book.

Members of the media may obtain a pass through the Director, Communications and External Liaison Office. Observers may not bring recording equipment or cameras into a meeting. Observers have no speaking right and may not communicate with members of Council during the meeting. The Chair may declare a particular item to be confidential and observers will be asked to leave until consideration of that item has finished.

Council Meeting Dates
Meeting dates and associated deadlines for the receipt of agenda items may be found here.
The Council agenda will include only those items that have been accepted at the Pre-Agenda Briefing. A template for agenda items can be obtained from the Council Office.

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Committees of Council

The Finance Committee makes recommendations and decisions concerning financial and accounting matters of the University; a report from the Finance Committee is a standard item on the agenda for each meeting of Council.

The Audit and Risk Management Committee advises the Council regarding the quality of the audits conducted and the adequacy of the University’s administrative, operating and accounting controls and compliance with relevant legislation and policies; the Committee also oversees risk management planning and implementation within the University.

The Honorary Degrees Committee invites persons, within the terms of the Honorary Degree Rules, to accept nomination for honorary degrees and recommends the names of those who accept nomination to the Council for admission.

The Committee on Conditions and Appointment of the Vice-Chancellor determines the conditions of appointment (including salary) of the Vice-Chancellor.

The Emergency Appointment (Vice-Chancellor) Committee exercises the power of Council to make acting appointments under sub-section 37 of the Australian National University Act 1991 in relation to the office of Vice-Chancellor until the next meeting of the Council.