Academic Board Digest

Chair of Academic Board’s update

• The inaugural student report was introduced to Academic Board in alignment with HESF 6.3.3 and the Student Voice Australia initiative. Academic Board endorsed the tabling of an Annual Student Priorities List.
• Academic Board provided advice on the proposed revisions to Statute 2.5: The Academic Board. An action item was raised for the National Manager, Governance to table the item at the Senate Standing Committee and Senate.
• Academic Board noted the progress of the Policy Review Project, which aimed to coordinate the reviews of policy which Academic Board was listed as the Approval Authority.
• Regarding membership, Professor Suzanne Chambers AO had been appointed as the Executive Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences and consequently assumed ex-officio membership pursuant to Statute 2.5.1(i), with effect from 26 July 2021. Professor Wayne McKenna departed ACU as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) and consequently ceased as an ex-officio member pursuant to Statute 2.5.1(d), with effect from 29 July 2021. Professor James McLaren had been appointed as Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Enterprise, and consequently assumed ex-officio membership with effect from 30 July 2021.

Vice-Chancellor and President’s update

• The Provost was congratulated on her recent appointment to the Microcredentials Working Group.
• The achievements of two ACU alumni recipients of 2021 Fulbright Scholarships were recognised.
• A progress update on the Adelaide Campus disestablishment was given.
• A summary of Minister Tudge and Shadow Minister Plibersek’s speeches at the virtual AFR Higher Education Conference was given.

Office of the Provost

• The forecasted 24,874 EFTSL for 2021 was reported as in line with 2021 but was 401 EFTSL lower than target.
• Inaugural recipients of the Aunty Joan Hendriks Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leaders Scholarship were recognised.
• Academic Board approved the rescission of the Development and Application of the Admissions Model Policy.
• The Executive Dean, FLB was invited to report on Faculty highlights.

Reporting committees

Courses and Academic Quality Committee

Academic Board noted minutes, updates and recommended the following new course proposals to Senate:

• ACU Online Graduate Certificate in Mental Health for Teachers
• ACU Online Graduate Certificate in Health Care Ethics

Academic Board approved the following major course changes:

• ACU Online Master of Teaching (Early Childhood and Primary)
• ACU Online Graduate Diploma in Design and Technologies Education
• ACU Online Bachelor of Commerce
• ACU Online Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security
• ACU Online Master of Business Administration and Related Courses
• Master of Teaching (Primary) / Graduate Certificate in Religious Education
• Bachelor of Educational Studies
• Graduate Certificate in Education – Discontinuation of the Leading the New Evangelisation Specialisation
• Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours)

Academic Board approved the following course reviews:

• Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
• End-on Honours Degrees for the Bachelor of Applied Public Health (Honours), Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Honours), Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science (Honours), Bachelor of High-Performance Sport (Honours), Bachelor of Midwifery (Honours) Bachelor of Physical Activity and Health Science (Honours), Bachelor of Nutrition Science (Honours), Bachelor of Nursing (Honours), Bachelor of Paramedicine (Honours)
• Tertiary Preparation Program
• Bachelor of Accounting and Finance

Academic Board approved the following discipline reviews:

• Bachelor of Arts Music Major and Minor

Student Administrative Lifecycle and Policy Committee

Academic Board noted minutes, updates and approved proposed amendments to:

• Student Academic Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Managing Student Academic Misconduct Procedures
• Admission to Coursework Programs Policy and Procedures
• Timetabling of Learning and Teaching Activities Policy and Procedures
• Common Academic Calendar Policy and Academic Calendar and Study Periods 2022

University Learning and Teaching Committee

Academic Board noted minutes, updates and approved proposed amendments to:

• the committee’s Terms of Reference

Reporting