Senate

The Senate is the Board of Directors of Australian Catholic University Limited and is the governing body of the University. Learn more about the Senate, its terms of reference and current members.

Terms of reference

The Senate is the governing authority of Australian Catholic University Limited. It comprises 18 Senators, each of whom are ex-officio (a holder of another office position), nomination or elected.

The Senate’s composition, authority and processes are described in Clause 13 of the Australian Catholic University Constitution.

Senate purpose

The broad remit of Senate includes the following:

• review and endorse strategic directions and priorities; and monitor progress against agreed goals
• oversee the establishment and effective operation of key policies
• ensure adequate risk management procedures and associated internal controls are established and effectively maintained
• oversee the effective and prudential operation of the University, including approval and monitoring of budgets and financial plans
• require and monitor compliance with statutory and regulatory obligations
• ensure the University’s assets and resources are properly managed
• effectively manage its own operations, with due concern for proper and appropriate accountability
  appointment of the Vice-Chancellor
• ensure a clear definition of Senate’s role and the delegated responsibilities and authorities it assigns to the Vice-Chancellor, other officers, the Senate Committees and the Academic Board.

Senate Committees

According to Clause 16.1 of the University Constitution, the Senate can appoint committees and delegate many of its powers to them. 

At least a third of a committee’s members must be made up of Senators, and any power exercised by a committee is deemed exercised by the Senate.

Current Committees of the Senate include: