Academic Board Digest

Chair of Academic Board’s update

Academic Board:

• noted the Annual Student Priority List for 2023
• noted the outcome of the election for Deputy Chair, Academic Board
• noted the Chair of Academic Board Approvals.

Vice-Chancellor and President’s (VCP) update

The VCP updated members on the following matters:

• acknowledged the financial challenges that many Australian universities were facing across the sector in 2023 and beyond
• the dissemination of the Draft Change Management Plan to the university community
• the $45 million grant from the NSW government to establish a STEM Centre of Education and Excellence at the Strathfield campus. This is the largest grant received in ACU’s history and will assist to create many exciting opportunities for staff and students
• the hands-on experience ACU students were receiving through unit ARCH203 - Archaeological Excavation in Israel. Students were currently part of an archaeological dig in the city connected to the reign of King David
• funding had been secured for the next five years with external hospital partners for the Plunkett Centre for Ethics
• the work of Professor Laurie Buys in the aged care space that will assist to bring together different areas of the sector
• ACU had provided a submission in response to the Australian Universities Accord discussion paper
• media reports and staff concerns related to the removal of Pride flag from a public space on an ACU campus.

Provost’s update

The Interim Provost reported on:

• the university’s current enrolment numbers
• the report’s Faculty focus area, the Faculty of Health Sciences
• Memos – Course concept and suspension of courses for February–March 2023.

The Pro-Vice Chancellor, Global & Education Pathways reported on:

• ACU’s return to compliance plan for international students as requested by TEQSA following the return to standard practice after temporary changes were made due to the pandemic.

Academic Board:

• approved the Graduate Attribute Implementation Proposal, presented by Dr Susan Brooman-Jones.

Vice-President's update

Academic Board:

• noted the Report of the Vice-President.

Presentations

Academic Board:

• discussed and noted the Integrating Research and Education at ACU, presented by Professor Chris Lonsdale, Interim Deputy Provost and Associate Professor Melissa Bellanta
• discussed and noted the progress on the Academic Promotions Policy Review, presented by Professor Chris Lonsdale, Interim Deputy Provost.

Reporting Committees

1. Courses and Academic Quality Committee (CAQC)

Academic Board:

• noted the report of the Chair of the Courses and Academic Quality Committee (CAQC), dated 30 March 2023
• approved the Major Course Change: Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership
• approved the Major Course Change: Bachelor of Occupational Therapy; Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)
• approved the Major Course Change: Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nursing (Neuroscience)
• approved the Major Course Change for End-on Honours Programs:
  
  • Bachelor of Nursing (Honours)
  • Bachelor of Nutrition Science (Honours)
  • Bachelor of Sports and Exercise Science (Honours)
  • Bachelor of High Performance Sport (Honours)
• approved the CAQC Revised Terms of Reference
• approved the Third Party and Educational Partnerships Policy and Procedures
• noted the minutes.

2. Internationalisation Committee

Academic Board:

• noted the minutes.

3. Student Administrative Lifecycle and Policy Committee

Academic Board:

• noted the SALPC Chair’s report
• approved the Amendments to Admission to Coursework Programs Policy and Procedure
• approved the Amendments to the Examinations Policy
• approved the 2025 Academic Calendar and Study Periods
• FEA Executive Dean’s Awardees for Academic Excellence 2022
• noted the minutes.

4. University Learning and Teaching Committee

Academic Board:

• noted the minutes.

5. Faculty Boards

Academic Board:

• noted the minutes and updates.