Academic Board Digest

A summary of the Academic Board meeting 04/2024 held on 10 July 2024 is detailed below.

Chair of Academic Board’s update

Academic Board:

• Noted the membership changes as an outcome to the amendments to Statute 2.5.
• Noted and provided advice on the Academic Board Risk Register and Associated Actions.
• Noted the Winchester Close Out Report. 
• Noted the Chair of Academic Board Approvals.

Vice-Chancellor and President’s (VCP) update

The VCP reported on:

• NAIDOC week and encouraged members to get involved.
• Ministerial visits to ACU campuses including the Hon Jason Clare, Minister for Education to the Brisbane and Strathfield campuses and Gabrielle de Vietri, the Australian Greens MP for Richmond to the St Patrick’s campus.
• ACU submissions since the last Board meeting including the ESOS Amendment Bill 2024 and the new National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Response to Gender-based Violence legislation.
• The government’s proposed caps to international student enrolment numbers and provided an overview of the potential consequences including under enrolments and associated financial implications. 
• ACU has reached our highest ever equivalent full time study load in the history of operation and thanked all staff for assisting to create a vibrant and intelligent university.

Academic Board:

• noted the Renewal of Registration: Q2 Progress Update as provided by Professor Tim McKenry, Institutional Lead.
• Discussed and noted the Update on Institutional KPIs tied to Strategic Plan as provided by Paul Campbell, Acting Chief Operating Officer & Deputy Vice-Chancellor.
• Noted the TEQSA Provisional Provider Risk Assessment 2023 as provided by the Chair, Academic Board.
• Noted the Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Plan: Final.

Provost’s update

The Provost reported on:

• The Course and Unit Viability Analysis (CUVA) snapshot. The Provost noted that while Western Civilisation was listed under five least profitable courses, it was supported by the Ramsay Centre. She advised that we do at times continue with courses that are not financially viable when they are strategically important or align with our Mission.
• The positive feedback received following the recent presentation on the Academic Workload model. Formal consultation was due to commence with the Academic community and the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU).

Chris Riley, PVC (GEP) reported on the potential impacts of the recently imposed non-refundable fee for visa applications for international and study abroad students, and ACU’s submission to the Australian Governments International Education Framework.

Academic Board noted the Report of the Provost.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Education (DVCE) update

Kelly Humphrey, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous) reported on:

• The recent delivery of the Education Portfolio Plan.
• QILT results including an overview if undergraduate and postgraduate student satisfaction levels.
• The Graduate Outcomes survey indicated that ACU graduate job preparedness levels were stable but varied across disciplines.
• CEI’s recent review of ACU Thrive and advised that the full report would be provided to the Board when complete.
• The onboarding and induction of the new Director of the Plunkett Centre for Ethics.
• Indigenous student participation rate was currently at 2.1 per cent.
• The Library was in the process of developing a suite of AI guides for staff and students.
• The Library had also supported a successful joint grant application led by La Trobe University to create an open access textbook about digital health in nursing and midwifery.
• The recent mapping exercise and stakeholder consultations for the Support for Students policy undertaken by the Professional Services Hub (PSH) to document the current ‘as is’ processes, identify pain points and opportunities for improvement.
• The Student Experience Team were in the process of preparing the 2023 Annual Report on Sexual Misconduct at ACU. Preparations were also taking place for the new National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Response to Gender-based Violence.
• ACU Elite Athlete and Performer Program (EAPP) students and alumni who had been selected to compete in the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris and congratulated them on this achievement.

Academic Board noted the Report of the DVCE.

Presentations

Academic Board noted the CADMUS Demonstration as presented by Professor Anthony Whitty, Director, Centre for Education and Innovation (CEI).

Reporting committees

Courses and Academic Quality Committee (CAQC)    
       
Academic Board:

• Noted the report of the Chair of the Courses and Academic Quality Committee, dated 1 July 2024.
• Approved the major course change to discontinue the online mode of delivery for the Master of Teaching (Primary) and Master of Teaching (Primary) / Graduate Certificate in Religious Education effective for Semester 1 2025.
• Approved the major course change to discontinue the offer at the Canberra Campus of the Master of Teaching (Secondary) and Master of Teaching (Secondary) / Graduate Certificate in Religious Education, effective for Semester 1 2025.
• Approved the major course change to discontinue the Professional Practice specialisation in the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to Five), effective for Semester 1 2025.
• Approved the major course change to amend the course rules for the Master of Education, effective for Semester 1 2025.
• Approved the major course change to amend the admission requirements for the Bachelor of Business Administration/Bachelor of Global Studies, as endorsed by the Executive Dean of the Education and Arts Faculty Board on 17 May 2024, effective for Semester 1 2025.
• Approved the proposal to discontinue the Graduate Certificate in Teaching, effective for Semester 1 2025.
• Approved the proposal to discontinue the Undergraduate Certificate in Educational Studies, effective for Semester 1 2025.
• Approved the proposal to discontinue the Master of Teaching (Secondary) via ACUO and the Master of Teaching (Secondary)/Graduate Certificate in Education via ACUO, effective for Semester 1 2025.
• Noted the recommendations of the Course Review Stage 1 for the Foundation Studies Program.
• Approved the major course change to update the course completion requirements and amend units for the Bachelor of Midwifery / Bachelor of Midwifery (Indigenous Cohort), effective for Semester 1 2025.
• Noted the recommendations of the Stage 1 Course Review of the Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of Social Work (Honours).Approved the major course change, consisting of the removal of the existing Admission requirements and their inclusion as Assumed Knowledge for the following nominated Faculty of Health Sciences programs and their double degrees:
  - Bachelor of Paramedicine
  - Bachelor of Nursing
  - Bachelor of Psychological Science
  - Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science
  - Bachelor of High Performance Sport
  - Bachelor of Nutrition Science
  - Bachelor of Nursing / Bachelor of Business Administration
  - Bachelor of Nursing / Bachelor of Paramedicine
  - Bachelor of Psychological Science / Bachelor of Arts
  - Bachelor of Psychological Science / Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science
  - Bachelor of Psychological Science / Bachelor of Commerce
  - Bachelor of Psychological Science / Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice
  - Bachelor of Psychological Science / Bachelor of Nutrition Science
  - Bachelor of Exercise science / Bachelor of Business Administration
  with effect from Semester 1, 2025.
• Approved the proposed update of the English prerequisite requirements for the following courses in New South Wales and Queensland:
  - Bachelor of Commerce
  - Bachelor of Commerce (ACU online)
  - Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting)
  - Bachelor of Commerce (Data Analytics)
  - Bachelor of Commerce (HRM and Management)
  - Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing)
  - Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Business Administration
  - Bachelor of Business Administration
  - Bachelor of Business Administration (Away from Base)
  - Bachelor of Information Technology
  - Bachelor of Information Technology / Bachelor of Business Administration
  - Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice
  - Bachelor of Nutrition Science / Bachelor of Business Administration
  - Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Commerce
  with effect from Semester 1, 2025
• Noted the minutes.

Student Administrative Lifecycle and Policy Committee (SALPC)

Academic Board:

• Noted the report of the Chair, Student Administrative Lifecycle and Policy Committee dated 1 July 2024.
• Approved the Timetabling of Learning and Teaching Activities Procedure.