| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 68.44 |
| Liaison | William Van Ausdal |
| Submission Date | July 9, 2024 |
Flinders University
PA-3: Institutional Governance
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Does the institution have one or more ongoing bodies through which students can democratically participate in the governance of the institution?:
Narrative and/or website URL outlining the ongoing bodies through which students can democratically participate in the governance of the institution:
The Student Council of Flinders University Student Association (FUSA) is the elected representative body of Flinders University students. They help determine the direction of FUSA as an organisation and coordinate campaigns and events run through FUSA. Positions open for election includes Student President, General Secretary, Education Officer, Women's Officer, Welfare Officer, Postgraduate Students Officer, International Students Officer, Queer Officer, First Nations Students Officer, People of Colour Officer, Environment Officer, Disabilities Officer, Social Activities Officer, Mature Age Students Officer and General Council Member. All positions on the Student Council are elected democratically by the general student population of Flinders.
Are one or more student representatives included as members of the institution’s highest decision-making body?:
Narrative and/or website URL outlining student representation on the institution’s highest decision-making body:
Flinders University Act 1966
https://www.legislation.sa.gov.au/__legislation/lz/c/a/flinders%20university%20act%201966/current/1966.23.auth.pdf
Refer to page 5 of the Flinders University Act 1966
Student representatives are elected to the Council as per the Election Policy. https://www.flinders.edu.au/content/dam/documents/staff/policies/governance-risk/election.pdf
University Council Website
https://www.flinders.edu.au/about/governance/university-council
Does at least one student representative have voting rights on the highest decision-making body?:
Description of other mechanisms used to consult students on institutional decisions, plans, or policies:
Points earned for indicator PA 3.1:
Does the institution have one or more ongoing bodies through which academic staff can democratically participate in the governance of the institution?:
Narrative and/or website URL outlining the ongoing bodies through which academic staff can democratically participate in the governance of the institution:
There are multiple pathways for academic staff to democratically participate in the governance of the institution.
The University Council has several subcommittees, for example the Academic Senate https://www.flinders.edu.au/about/governance/university-council and https://www.flinders.edu.au/about/governance/university-council/academic-senate which has representatives from the Colleges and Portfolios.
Each of the Colleges has a Vice-President and Executive Dean, a Dean Research, a Dean People & Resources and a Dean Education. Together with the Director of College (non-academic staff) they make up the College Executive Leadership Teams (ELT). Each College has a pathway for academic staff to bring information to their ELT. For example each College has a College Research Committee, with the Deans Research as Chairs and academic and non-academic staff as memberes. The Deans Research are members of the University Research Committee, with the Deputy Vice Chancellor Research (DVCR) as Chair. The DVCR is part of the Flinders Senior Executive Team, with the Vice Chancellor as Chair.
Similar Committees are in place for People and Resources, and for Education.
Outside of the formal pathways the University regularly consults staff on strategic projects via anonymous surveys, e.g. for the 2030 Strategic Plan, the Master Plan and the 2030 Sustainability Strategy.
Are one or more academic staff representatives included as members of the institution’s highest decision-making body?:
Narrative and/or website URL outlining academic staff representation on the institution’s highest decision-making body:
Flinders University Act 1966
https://www.legislation.sa.gov.au/__legislation/lz/c/a/flinders%20university%20act%201966/current/1966.23.auth.pdf
Refer to page 5 of the Flinders University Act 1966
Academic representatives are elected to the Council as per the Election Policy. https://www.flinders.edu.au/content/dam/documents/staff/policies/governance-risk/election.pdf
University Council Website
https://www.flinders.edu.au/about/governance/university-council
Does at least one academic staff representative have voting rights on the institution’s highest decision-making body?:
Description of other mechanisms used to consult academic staff on institutional decisions, plans, or policies:
Points earned for indicator PA 3.2:
Does the institution have one or more ongoing bodies through which non-academic staff can democratically participate in the governance of the institution?:
Narrative and/or website URL outlining the ongoing bodies through which non-academic staff can democratically participate in the governance of the institution:
There are multiple pathways for non-academic staff to democratically participate in the governance of the institution.
Non-academic representatives are elected to the Council as per the Election Policy. https://www.flinders.edu.au/content/dam/documents/staff/policies/governance-risk/election.pdf
The Director of College (non-academic staff) is part of the College Executive Leadership Teams (ELT) in each of the Colleges. Non-academic staff in the Colleges are represented by the Directors of College. Each College has a Professional Services Leadership Team, chaired by the Directors of College, which includes representatives of all professional staff teams in the Colleges.
Non-academic staff in the Portfolios are represented through committees in each Portfolio.
Outside of the formal pathways the University regularly consults staff on strategic projects via anonymous surveys, e.g. for the 2030 Strategic Plan, the Master Plan and the 2030 Sustainability Strategy.
Are one or more staff members representing non-managerial workers included as members of the institution’s highest decision-making body?:
Narrative and/or website URL outlining non-academic staff representation on the institution’s highest decision-making body:
Flinders University Act 1966
Refer to page 5 of the Flinders University Act 1966
Non-academic representatives are elected to the Council as per the Election Policy. https://www.flinders.edu.au/content/dam/documents/staff/policies/governance-risk/election.pdf
University Council Website
https://www.flinders.edu.au/about/governance/university-council
Does at least one staff member representing non-managerial workers have voting rights on the institution’s highest decision-making body?:
Description of other mechanisms used to consult non-academic staff on institutional decisions, plans, or policies:
Points earned for indicator PA 3.3:
Does the institution have one or more ongoing bodies through which local community-based organizations not affiliated with the institution can democratically participate in its governance?:
Narrative and/or website URL outlining the ongoing bodies through which local community-based organizations can democratically participate in the governance of the institution:
University Council
https://www.flinders.edu.au/about/governance/university-council
https://staff.flinders.edu.au/colleges-and-services/bgl/committees/flinders-business-advisory-board
Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Oversight Committee
The Reconciliation Action Plan Oversight Committee oversees the monitoring and implementation of the University's RAP. There are six Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members including a Senior Elder on Campus represented on the committee.
https://www.flinders.edu.au/reconciliation-action-plan/steering-and-working-group
College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences Industry Advisory Board
The College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences Industry Advisory Board consists of external industry leaders who advise the College’s educational offerings and industry-focussed research priorities to ensure industry relevance. The Board assists the leadership team in the annual review of its strategic priorities, including how to respond to future workforce trends, provides guidance on enhancements to improve graduate employability outcomes and identifies and develops areas for research-industry engagement priorities.
https://www.flinders.edu.au/college-humanities-arts-social-sciences/industry-advisory-board
Flinders Business Advisory Board
The Flinders Business Advisory Board consists of an external, expert and experienced group of industry practitioners who advise the College and serve as a reference point. The Board ensures that our programs and courses foster graduates with the skills they need to work in a constantly changing environment. Advisory Board members are leaders in industry, government and the professions who are committed to ensuring that the College continues to provide high quality education and research.
College of Science and Engineering Industry Advisory Board
The College of Science and Engineering has established an Industry Advisory Board (IAB). The IAB brings together a representative group of leaders from the private, public, and not for profit sectors who have an interest in science and engineering and a commitment to assisting the College of Science and Engineering to develop and achieve its strategic goals.
https://www.flinders.edu.au/college-science-engineering/industry-advisory-board
Has the institution used one or more ad hoc mechanisms during the previous three years to consult local community members on institutional decisions, plans, or policies?:
Narrative and/or website URL outlining the ad hoc mechanisms used during the previous three years to consult local community members on institutional decisions, plans, or policies:
For the development of the new Bedford Park Campus Master Plan, the university held numerous in person drop-in consultation sessions with students from the Australian Science and Mathematics School and the wider local community. The aim of the consultations was to gain an understanding of what the community required and desired in Campus Master Plan. Additionally, assist the university with identifying, issues, gaps, and opportunities to be considered.The themes explored include learning and discovery, campus life and housing, landscape and biodiversity, access and movement, infrastructure and sustainability, connection to Country, and development and partnerships. The feedback and ideas was collected through a survey and by asking the community to place a coloured sticky dot on the campus map to indicate what they valued most, what they want improved and what they want to create.
The development of the University's Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2023 - 2025 involved a one year consultation period with rural and remote staff and students, Elders on campus and key Aboriginal community members from across South Australia and the Northern Territory. The consultation was conducted face-to-face at our Bedford Park and Darwin campuses and was also online for those who resided in rural and remote locations.
Points earned for indicator PA 3.4:
Notes about the information provided for this credit:
Additional documentation for this credit:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.