• Section 1 - Establishment
• Background
• Purpose
• Authority
• Section 2 - Membership
• Section 3 - Functions and Responsibilities
• Section 4 - Meetings
• Section 5 - Variations
• Section 6 - Definitions

Section 1 - Establishment

Background

(1) The Academic Senate has established the Senate Learning and Teaching Committee (the Committee). These Terms of Reference set out the Committee’s purpose, authority, membership and functions and responsibilities.

(2) The procedures for the Committee are set out in the Standing Orders of Committees of the Academic Senate.

Purpose

(3) The purpose of the Committee is to provide advice to Academic Senate on the University's strategic directions, priorities, policies, and quality assurance processes for learning and teaching to promote an academic culture of excellence and to ensure positive student outcomes. The Committee will promote pedagogical excellence and adoption of good practice in scholarly learning and teaching across the University.

Authority

(4) The Academic Senate may, from time to time, resolve to grant the Committee specific authorisations to discharge its responsibilities. The Committee may request the granting of such authorisations as it sees fit. All authorisations will be documented in Section 3, Functions and Responsibilities.

Section 2 - Membership

(5) In accordance with Clause 21 of the Standing Orders of Committees of the Academic Senate, the Committee will comprise:

1. the Chair of the Committee appointed by the Chair, Academic Senate;
2. the Chair or Deputy Chair of Academic Senate;
3. the Deputy Chair of the Committee (drawn from the membership of the Committee);
4. Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic);
5. the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching);
6. the Director of Macquarie University College;
7. the Deputy Dean, Education and Employability or nominated Associate Dean of each Faculty;

(6) The Committee will also comprise members appointed by the Chair, Academic Senate in consultation with the Academic Senate Standing Committee, including:

1. up to four (4) members in a specialist capacity, as nominated by the Chair of the Committee noting these will normally be:
   1. one (1) nominee of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Strategy);
   2. one (1) nominee of the University Librarian;
2. one (1) nominee by the Faculty Board of each Faculty, following a call for expressions of interest;
3. one (1) member of Academic Senate nominated by the Chair, Academic Senate following a call for expressions of interest;
4. at least two (2) student members nominated by the Chair of the Committee following a call for expressions of interest and;

(7) The Chair of the Committee may co-opt up to three (3) appropriately skilled persons to the Committee for a specified term. The Chair may also invite individuals with specialist knowledge and expertise to attend Committee meetings as required.

(8) The term of office for members in clause 5 is subject to the member continuing in the specified substantive position.

(9) The term of office for members in clause 6 and clause 7 is two years, unless otherwise specified.

(10) The Chair, Academic Senate may renew any member’s term of appointment, in consultation with the Academic Senate Standing Committee.

Section 3 - Functions and Responsibilities

(11) The Committee is directly responsible and accountable to the Academic Senate for the exercise of its responsibilities.

(12) The Committee will receive reports, monitor, provide advice and make recommendations to Academic Senate on:

1. new or revised University policy and management processes in relation to learning and teaching, including but not limited to student admission, progression, retention, assessment; academic integrity and academic misconduct; student grievances, complaints and appeals relating to learning and teaching; learning and teaching environment facilities and infrastructure, diversity and equity, support; and workplace learning, placements and other community-based learning;
2. the quality of learning and teaching including but not limited to scholarship and academic staff development, comparison with institutional benchmarks and a regular cycle of review of learning and teaching practices across the University’s Faculties, the Macquarie University College (The College) and any third-party providers, including associated risks and measures to effectively treat and control those risks;
3. quality enhancement in learning and teaching, including but not limited to providing input into the University's strategic and operating plans and frameworks as they relate to learning and teaching and emerging educational challenges (both internal and external); and
4. regulatory and legislative responsibilities with respect to learning and teaching and related matters.

(13) The Committee may request any other reports relating to learning and teaching matters, for consideration and advice/recommendation to Academic Senate.

(14) The Committee may refer to, or seek comment from, the Academic Standards and Quality Committee on matters of common interest as per the roles and responsibilities provided in each committees’ Terms of Reference. This may include joint meetings, or the establishment of joint working groups as required.

(15) The Committee may establish working groups to support the performance of its roles and responsibilities.

(16) The Committee will consider and report on any matters referred to it by Academic Senate, as required.

(17) Operational and budgetary matters are outside the role and responsibilities of the Committee. This includes the business case of any proposal which must be approved by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic).

Section 4 - Meetings

(18) The quorum shall be at least half the membership of the Committee plus one.

(19) Vacant positions on the Committee do not count toward the calculation of the number required for a quorum.

(20) Refer to the Standing Orders of Committees of the Academic Senate for meeting requirements and protocols.

Section 5 - Variations

(21) Variations to this Terms of Reference must be approved by Academic Senate.

Section 6 - Definitions

(22) For the purpose of this document:

1. Committee – means the Senate Learning and Teaching Committee of Academic Senate; and
2. Faculty – a reference to the term “Faculty/Faculties” includes the Macquarie Business School.