In simple terms, it is the University’s academic governing body comprised of behind-the-scenes changemakers who have been positively impacting teaching at our University since the 1970s.

Academic Senate has both student representatives and staff from each faculty who work together on key projects designed to strengthen our teaching and student experience at the University. For example, the Senate recently completed a review of the Indigenous Connected Curriculum to help enable delivery across the full coursework suite.

Pictured: Emma Jackson and Professor Judith Dawes

Emma Jackson, a student from the School of Psychological Sciences and Professor Judith Dawes from the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences have completed two and three terms respectively on the Academic Senate. They share what it is like to be a member.

Jackson says, “I wish more people were aware of the kind of work that Senate does and were confident to approach Senate members to raise or discuss a range of issues,”.

Dawes echoes that, “The scope of Senate’s activities is very broad – advising the Vice Chancellor and Council about Academic Matters and more. I have continued to be impressed by the many issues that lie in Senate’s purview, and the wide range of academic activities that are undertaken across the University.”

Expanding on what falls under the Academic Senate’s jurisdiction, Jackson says “generally, Senate is interested in issues regarding academic activities that impact the whole university. Academic activities include teaching, student experience, and research. One good example of a Senate issue was the changes to extensions that occurred during Covid-19. The issue of how extensions were granted was discussed at length to ensure students were not disadvantaged during lockdown. Then, after lockdown, Senate was able to learn from these changes to consider how extensions could work in the longer term and make positive change.”

Pictured: Academic Senate meeting in 1976

What happens on the ground in an Academic Senate meeting? The Senate meets seven times a year on Tuesday mornings for two and a half hours in person or on zoom. Key agenda items are set out in reports circulated before the meeting which are often accompanied by short videos and there are verbal reports from the Vice Chancellor, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) and the Chair of Senate. Much of the meeting is occupied with discussion of key agenda items, with questions from the floor and responses from the person presenting the item. There are often lively discussions with many Senate members raising insightful ideas and everyone aiming to consider the implications of the issues. Voting is done by show of hands and informal discussions continue during tea-break. The ‘Senate in Brief’ summary lists Senate decisions. Contentious items may be sent back for revision.

Dawes and Jackson strongly encourage others to consider joining the Academic Senate.

Dawes says, “I have really enjoyed connecting with members of Senate from across the campus and gaining a broader perspective of the University. During my period as a member, I have contributed to several Senate committees and working groups, such as the Purpose and Composition of Academic Senate working group, the Equity Diversity and Inclusion working group, the Academic Senate Standing Committee, and the Review of the Shared Model of Academic Governance working group

“As a member of Senate, you are asked to make decisions from the perspective of the good of the whole university, rather than “wearing a hat” as a member of a department or faculty. I encourage anyone interested in Senate to request to attend a Senate meeting as an observer,’ she suggests.

Jackson says, “Senate is very rewarding work. I was involved in Senate working groups and able to make active contributions to decisions and important changes at the University. Senate is also a lovely way to get to know other members of the Macquarie community – there are so many engaged and passionate people and getting to know these people has been one of the most rewarding parts of my Senate time.

Nominations for Academic Senate open 31 August. Find out more about Academic Senate and apply to join here.

Academic Senate is the principal academic governing body in the University. For information about Senate, its activities and recent decisions, see the Academic Senate website or check out the Chair’s blog of the top five items from previous meeting on TECHE.

If you have any questions, please contact the Manager, Governance Secretariat at senate@mq.edu.au.

Collectively, they guided Macquarie through 33 years of our 57-year history as a university determined to be different. 

On Thursday 8 April, four former Macquarie University Chancellors returned to campus to mark a special milestone in our shared history – the 500th meeting of the Macquarie University Council.

The Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG (Chancellor, 1984-1993), Dr Tim Besley AC (1994-2001), Dr Maurice Newman AC (2002-2008) and the Hon Michael Egan AO (2008-2019) were warmly welcomed back to Macquarie by current Chancellor Dr Martin Parkinson AC and the Vice-Chancellor Professor S. Bruce Dowton for the occasion.

With most of the Chancellors not having seen the campus for many years, there was much excitement as the group set off for a tour of new campus developments including the Arts and Central Courtyard precincts.

Noting the new teaching spaces in 1CC, they reflected on how far the student experience has come since the days of the traditional lecture, and how proud they were to see Macquarie continuing to innovate in learning and teaching.

A history of challenging the status quo: Michael Kirby appointed Professor Di Yerbury as Australia’s first female Vice-Chancellor during his time at Macquarie.

One of the biggest reactions came as the group entered 1CC’s new Graduation Hall.

“Fantastic, fantastic,” was the unanimous verdict, as the group exchanged memories of the many Macquarie graduation ceremonies at which they officiated, including the year Mr Egan led the entire graduation hall in a rousing rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ for members of the audience.

At an afternoon tea with current Council members, Mr Kirby said that seeing the campus again for the first time in 10 years reminded him how unique Macquarie is.

“What Australian university campus could possibly claim to be more beautiful?” he asked. “It’s pleasing not only to the eye, but to the spirit – this place has room to grow and it has fulfilled the dream of a university that is different.”

In thanking the Chancellors and Council members for their service to the University, Chancellor Dr Martin Parkinson said he looked forward to seeing what the University will achieve over the course of the Council’s next 500 meetings.

“I want to pay my respect to all the people who have nurtured this University from the beginning – the students, the staff, the leaders and of course the Chancellors,” he said. “There’s a long tradition of service here.”

Now working in the Student Grievance and Discipline team, Evianne has established herself as a substantial contributor to the University community, serving as the Professional Staff representative on the University Council, assisting with the University’s newly released draft Access and Inclusion Plan 2020 – 2023, contributing to the Accessible Environments Advisory Group and being an active member of the Ally Network.

(1) In a nutshell, my job is to…
Handle formal complaints submitted to Governance Services, and try to resolve them.

(2) The question I hear most often in my work is…
“Can I get a response ASAP? My case is urgent!”

(3) The thing I find most rewarding in my role is…
Having the opportunity to meet and work with truly wonderful and kind people across the University. I had amazing colleagues in my old team and I feel very welcomed in the Governance Services team.

(4) The bravest thing I’ve done is…
Participate in a live-broadcast reality TV show in the Netherlands. The winner became an ambassador for people with a disability in the Netherlands. I went through many (televised) rounds, including ‘walking’ on the catwalk in different outfits (ball gown and bikini!) and I had multiple interviews with politicians, fashion models and journalists as part of TV and radio programs and print media. I was ultimately second-runner up – so I decided to do a PhD instead!

(5) A place that’s special to me is…
I’m originally from the Netherlands but I moved to Curaçao – a small island in the Caribbean  – with my family when I was young. People might know Curaçao from the blue-coloured liquor, or the island next door – Aruba (from the Kokomo song). I just have beautiful memories of the island and life there. I would love to go back and visit, but it’s just so far from here and not easy to get to. Anyone in Physics working on a warp drive?

 (6) My guilty pleasure is…
Watching Bondi Rescue while I’m cooking. I’ve seen some episodes three times! *feeling embarrassed*

(7) I’m scared of…
Snakes and sharks! Anyone have any suggestions how to handle a face-to-face situation?

(8) My hidden talent is…
Swimming! I really enjoy swim training at the Macquarie pool. People have low expectations when they see me arriving in a wheelchair –  no one expects the girl in the wheelchair to be any good at swimming or to have competitive swim times. Haha!

(9) Something I’ve never done but wanted to try is…
There’s a few things: learn Italian, write a novel, and obtain an PADI open water certificate. And then there are also a couple of things that are probably off-limits for me because of my Brittle Bone Disease (Osteogenesis Imperfecta), because the fracture risk is too high: surf on the ocean, ice skate, sailing, dive in water from great heights and run.

(10) A moment I’ll always remember is…
It perhaps sounds very cliché but, but it’s totally true: My wedding day was just the happiest day in my life. It’s a day I will never forget. We felt so fortunate to have all our family and friends all together in a gorgeous old Cambridge college. The UK weather even brought out the sun for us (rain was predicted…)!

This year, for the first time, staff will be nominating for one of two positions on the Council, each for a fixed term of two years.

This change is the result of decisions the Council approved at its meeting in August that will improve its effectiveness and bring it into line with other similar bodies in New South Wales.

Earlier this year, University Council commissioned an expert assessment of its size and practices as part of the regular cycle of governance reviews across the organisation. Emeritus Professor Janice Reid, former Vice-Chancellor of Western Sydney University, and Dr Rhonda Hawkins AM, now Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Victoria University, were contracted to conduct the review and reported back to the Council in March.

Professor Reid and Dr Hawkins made several recommendations that will help improve the efficiency and decision-making capacity of the University Council, freeing it up to oversee strategic matters. The report also made three key recommendations regarding the size, composition and tenure of Council members, all of which were approved by the University Council at its meeting in August:

1. Fixed terms for Council members

Council members were previously appointed for variable terms depending on the nature of their appointment. This allowed for flexibility in the Council membership, but also resulted in inconsistencies in the duration of appointments. The Council agreed to set a standard four-year term for appointed members, including the Chancellor. Staff members will be elected to a two-year term in this election, however, Council has approved an extension to the term to three years to enable greater continuity. Regulatory changes are required to effect this three-year term and that process has commenced.

2. Term limits for Council members

Prior to the review, there was effectively no limit on the number of terms members could serve. This helped create a Council whose members could become deeply involved in the University over many years, but also made it more difficult to recruit new talent and expertise without increasing the size of the Council and reducing its efficiency. Following the review, Council approved a maximum of three four-year terms for appointed members, including the Chancellor, except in exceptional circumstances. This change applies to all current and future appointed members.

3. Reduction in the size of Council

The size of Council is key to its effectiveness, and over time our Council has grown to 19 members, all of whom have added value and insight into the University’s governance. Across the sector, however, University Councils are much smaller, with an average of 15 members. In line with sector practice, the Council agreed to gradually reduce the number of members as their terms expire. Over the next 12-18 months, the number of graduate members will reduce from nine to six, and the number of academic staff elected representatives will reduce from three to two, becoming eligible for re-election once after their first term.

With Professor Howitt retiring, and Professors Kane and Dean concluding their current terms in December, this final change will come into effect for the forthcoming election.

For more information, visit the University Council website or contact councilelections@mq.edu.au