Academic Senate
The University's principal academic body
About Academic SenateCommittees of Academic Senate
Assisting Academic Senate in its responsibilities
View our committeesDetails of the current projects of Academic Senate
View Academic Senate's priorities and projects — both current and historical.
The Academic Senate projects for 2024 were received by the Academic Senate Standing Committee at its meeting of 1 December 2023 (view Item 4.2 in Truth).
Information on current projects, as well as projects from previous years, can be viewed below.
2024 projects
The Academic Senate projects currently in progress are detailed below.
Policy Reviews and Projects | Timing | Committee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Post-Implementation Reviews | |||
Post-implementation Review of Coursework Lifecycle Policy suite (continuing from 2023) | Q1 – Q2 2024 | ASQC | Amendments to the Unit of Study Review Policy and Unit of Study Monitoring and Grade Ratification Policy were approved by Academic Senate at the meeting of 26 March (Res AS24/18 and Res AS24/19). A proposal to revise the Course of Study Suspension and Discontinuation Policy is included in this agenda as item 3.1 Work continues on the review of the remaining policies in this suite. |
Post-implementation Review of the Graduate Research Continuation Policy and Procedure | Q3 2024 | RRTC | COMPLETED Amendments to this policy were approved by Academic Senate at the meeting of 23 July (Res AS24/47). |
Policy Reviews | |||
Review of Assessment Policy and Procedure (standard review timeline) | Q4 2024 | SLTC | Work on the review of the Policy and Procedure will commence later this year |
Review of Recognition of Prior Learning Policy and Assessing Recognition of Prior Learning Applications Procedure (including development of the Articulation and Related Credit Arrangements Procedure (carried over from 2023) | To be advised | ASQC | Work will commence shortly on this review. |
Review of Macquarie University College Academic Progression Policy (standard review timeline) | Q2 2024 | ASQC | COMPLETED Amendments to this policy were approved by Academic Senate at the meeting of 26 March (Res AS24/21). |
Review of Higher Degree Research Supervision Policy and Procedure (including review of HDR Doctoral Equivalence Policy) (standard review timeline) | Q2 – Q3 2024 | RRTC | COMPLETED Amendments to this policy were approved by Academic Senate at the meeting of 23 July (Res AS24/46). |
Review of Higher Doctoral Degree Rules (standard review timeline) | Q2 – Q3 2024 | Senate | COMPLETED Amendments to the Rules were approved by Council at its meeting of 15 August. |
Review of Learning and Teaching Awards and Grants Policy and Procedure (continuing from 2023) | Q1 2024 | SLTC | COMPLETED Academic Senate approved the proposal to expire this policy at its meeting of 21 May |
Special Consideration Policy and Procedure – pilot of proposed amendment (continuing from 2023) | Q4 2024 | SLTC/ | The pilot study is currently under review by the Dean of Students. |
Review of Course Transfer Procedure (carried over from 2023) | To be advised | ASQC | Work will commence shortly on this Procedure |
Review of PACE Activity Management Procedure (continuing from 2023) | To be advised | ASQC | Work will commence shortly on this review |
Review of General Coursework Rules (carried over from 2023) | Q1 2024 | Senate | COMPLETED Academic Senate endorsed amendments to the Rules for recommendation to Council at its meeting of 21 May (Res AS24/39). |
Senate Committee Focus Areas | |||
Review of Teach-out Plans (continuing from 2023) | Q2 2024 | ASQC | COMPLETED The recommendations of this project were provided in the update report presented to Academic Senate at its meeting of 21 May. The recommendations have been referred to the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education) for use in the review of the Course of Study Suspension and Discontinuation Policy. |
Guidance on Generative Artificial Intelligence for Teaching Staff | Q2 – Q3 2024 | SLTC / DoS | An update on this project was presented to the SLTC meeting of 17 June. The final report on this project is included on this agenda as item 4.4. |
Review into Programmatic Assessment | Q2 – Q3 2024 | SLTC / DVC(A) | An update on this project was presented to the SLTC meetings of 17 June and 12 August, with a final report to be presented to the 9 September meeting of the Committee. |
Learning Environments and Spaces | Q2 – Q3 2024 | SLTC | COMPLETED Following discussions between the Chair of SLTC, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education) and Property, it was noted that many of the issues to be considered by this project are covered under the Macquarie Advantage Education Strategy. |
Offsite Research Enrolment Policy (review of definition of onsite and offsite) | Q2 2024 | Senate / PVC (GR) | COMPLETED Following discussions between the PVC (GR), the Chair of Academic Senate and the HDR student member of Senate, it has been agreed that no amendment is required to this Policy. |
2023 projects
The Academic Senate projects from 2023 are detailed below.
Project | Timing | Committee |
|---|---|---|
Senate Projects | ||
Academic Senate Rules and Academic Senate and Academic | Q4 | Academic Senate |
Senate Committee Projects | ||
Review of teach-out plans | October 2023 | ASQC |
Academic Progression and non-standard teaching periods | October 2023 | ASQC |
| Implementation of recommendations from review of BPhil/ MRes | August 2023 | RRTC |
Professional Development for Learning and Teaching | Q3 2023 | SLTC |
Policy Development | ||
| Research Quality Framework Policy | COMPLETED - Policy approved by Academic Senate at its meeting of 28 March 2023 (Res AS23/22) | RRTC |
| University Research Centre Policy | Q2 2023 (continuing from 2022) | RRTC |
Post-Implementation Reviews | ||
Post-implementation Review of Assessment Policy and Procedure | S2 2023 (continuing from 2022) | SLTC |
Post-implementation Review of Academic Integrity Policy | S1 2023 | SLTC |
Policy Reviews | ||
Review of Special Consideration Policy and Procedure | Q1 2023 (continuing from 2022) | Academic Senate |
Review of Curriculum Architecture Policy and Schedules | Review commenced in Q4 2022. Will continue in to 2023 | ASQC |
Review of Admission Policy and Procedures, Course Transfer (Undergraduate Coursework) Policy and Procedure and development of policy on Exit Awards | Will continue on from 2022 - amendments to the Admission Policy were approved by Academic Seante at its meeting of 28 March 2023 (Res AS23/25) | ASQC |
Review of Recognition of Prior Learning Policy and Assessing Recognition of Prior Learning Applications Procedure | Late Q2 2023 onwards | ASQC |
| Review of Learning and Teaching Awards and Grants Policy and Procedure | Late Q2 2023 | SLTC |
Review of PACE Activity Management Procedure | Q1 2023 | SLTC |
Review of HDR Thesis Preparation, Submission and Examination Policy and Procedure and MRes Thesis preparation, Submission and Examination Procedure and HDR iThenticate Procedure | October 2023 | RRTC |
Review of HDR Doctoral Equivalence Policy | November 2023 | RRTC |
Review of Macquarie University Code of the Responsible Conduct of Research and Macquarie University Research Code Complaints, Breaches and Investigation Procedure | May 2023 | RRTC |
Review of General Coursework Rules | Q2-Q3 2023 | Academic Senate |
2022 projects
The Academic Senate projects that ran in 2022 are detailed below.
Project | Timing | Committee |
|---|---|---|
Senate Projects | ||
Review of Indigenous Connected Curriculum This project will review the implementation of the Indigenous Connected Curriculum in alignment with the Curriculum Architecture Undergraduate Principles. It will also consider inclusion of a comparable principle within the Curriculum Architecture Postgraduate Principles to enable delivery of an indigenous connected curriculum across the full coursework suite at Macquarie University. | Final report submitted to Academic Senate meeting of 22 February 2022. | |
Adoption of recommendations of PIR of Recognition of and Partnership with Student MembersThis project is preparing an implementation plan for the recommendations from the review of student recognition | Final report submitted to Academic Senate meeting of 22 February 2022. COMPLETED | |
Academic Senate Membership This will - implement ongoing sessional staff representatives - examine membership for alignment with new staff structures - consider recommendations arising from findings of Diversity and Inclusion matrix -consider recommendation from SRC review. | Final report submitted to Academic Senate meeting of 22 March 2022. | |
Senate Committee Projects | ||
Principles of co-teaching (i.e. co-teaching, co-locating, and co- badging). Review and recommendations regarding principles, monitoring and quality assurance | Final report submitted to Academic Senate meeting of 22 November 2022. | ASQC |
Inherent requirements for courses with external accreditation (e.g., LANTITE in education) incorporating review of fitness to practice procedures | This project has become a Thematic Review. Terms of Reference for the Review were approved at the Academic Senate meeting of 22 March 2022. | |
Ratification of Results Quality Assurance Framework (approved by Senate in 2016). Review to determine alignment with the new Curriculum Policy Suite. | Progress report submittedd to Academic Senate meeting of 22 November 2022. To continue in to 2023. | ASQC |
| Research Quality Framework | Updates received in 2022. Final version of Policy to be submitted to Academic Senate in 2023. | RRTC |
| ERA submission in 2023 | The Federal Government has instructed the ARC to halt work on ERA 2023. Project no longer required. | |
Defining standards-based assessment at Macquarie | COMPLETED The final report was submitted to Academic Senate on 30 August 2022. | SLTC |
Critically evaluating the quality and effectiveness of educational innovations or proposals for innovations | COMPLETED The final report was submitted to Academic Senate on 11 October 2022. | SLTC |
Promotion and support of the scholarship of teaching | This project has been removed and instead will become a broader conversation and study between the Chair of SLTC and the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Performance and Development). | |
Policy Development | ||
Development of Academic Language and Literacies (English Language) Policy | COMPLETED The draft policy was approved by Academic Senate at its meeting of 30 August 2022. | SLTC |
Affiliation Policy | This project was rescheduled for 2023 | RRTC |
| University Research Centre Policy | This project will continue in to 2023 | RRTC |
Post-Implementation Reviews | ||
Post-implementation Review of Micro-credentials Policy | A review of the Policy by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Programs and Pathways) has led to the removal of this post-implementation review for 2022. | |
Post-implementation Review of Assessment Policy and Procedure | This project will continue in to 2023 | SLTC |
Policy Reviews | ||
Review of Academic Progression Policy and Procedure | COMPLETED The revised Policy and Procedure were approved by Academic Senate at its meeting of 26 July 2022 | |
Review of Special Consideration Policy and Procedure | Will continue in to 2023. First tranche of amendments approved at the Academic Senate meeting of 24 May 2022 | |
Review of Curriculum Architecture Policy and Schedules | Review commenced in Q4 2022. Will continue in to 2023 | ASQC |
Review of Admission Policy and Procedures, Course Transfer (Undergraduate Coursework) Policy and Procedure and development of policy on Exit Awards | Will continue in to 2023 | ASQC |
Review of Academic Appeals Policy and Procedure | COMPLETED The revised Policy and Procedure were approved by Academic Senate at its meeting of 24 May 2022 | SLTC |
Review of Learning Technologies Policy and Procedure | COMPLETED The revised Policy and Procedure were approved by Academic Senate at its meeting of 24 May 2022 | SLTC |
Review of Peer Assisted Learning and Peer Assisted Study Sessions Policy and Procedure | COMPLETED The revised Procedure was approved by Academic Senate at its meeting of 11 October 2022 | SLTC |
Review of HDR and MRes Termination of Candidature Procedure | COMPLETED The revised Policy and Procedure were approved by Academic Senate at its meeting of 26 July 2022 | RRTC |
Review of HDR Offsite Research Commencing and Continuing Procedures | COMPLETED The revised Policy and Procedure were approved by Academic Senate at its meeting of 30 August 2022 | RRTC |
Review of HDR Degree Transfer Policy | COMPLETED The revised Policy and Procedure were approved by Academic Senate at its meeting of 24 May 2022 | RRTC |
2021 projects
The Academic Senate projects that ran in 2021 are detailed below.
Project | Status |
|---|---|
Post-Implementation Review of Shared Academic Governance The shared model has been implemented in a pilot phase with faculty boards authorised as agents of Academic Senate until such time as Academic Senate conducts a post-implementation review and recommends more permanent delegations. This project will conduct the post-implementation review. | Completed Final report provided to Academic Senate meeting of 30 November 2021 |
Post-Implementation Review of Support and Recognition for Students involved in Academic Governance The 2018–2020 cohort of student senators was the first cohort to have access to this suite of initiatives for the duration of their term. | Completed |
Review of Indigenous Connected Curriculum | Continued in to 2022 |
Review of Diversity and Inclusion on Academic Senate | Completed Final report provided to Academic Senate meeting of 30 November 2021 |
Operating Plan 2020–2024 — Academic Senate engagement with academic and other related matters This includes:
| Removed as project, noting that the relevant Program Boards and workstreams contain staff who are also members of Academic Senate. |
Review of University Medal Policy It will also review the recent nominations and recipients of the award to highlight disciplines where the opportunity to put students forward for this award is underutilised, in particular under the category of the postgraduate course/program (AQF level 9) — which can be shown to include a substantial piece of independent work. | Completed Final report provided to Academic Senate meeting of 30 November 2021 |
University projects — Academic Senate as a major stakeholder | Status |
|---|---|
Preparations for the TEQSA re-registration, including self-assessment and planning for standards relating to academic governance. | Work underway led by Executive Manager, DVC(A) |
Quality Assurance Framework (Academic Domain) | Work underway led by Executive Manager, DVC(A) |
Curriculum Architecture 2.0 | Work underway led by DVC(A) |
2020 projects
The Academic Senate projects that ran in 2020 are detailed below.
For more information see the minutes of the meetings held in 2020 or contact senate@mq.edu.au.
Project | Status |
|---|---|
Policy review schedule | Completed. Policies review/development table available on Policy Central. |
Recommendations from the post-implementation review of the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) | On hold until release of TEQSA response to Noonan Review of the AQF. |
Review of General Coursework Rules for Practical, Clinical and Professional Courses | Completed. Presented at Council meeting in December 2020. |
Post-Implementation Review of Support and Recognition for Students involved in Academic Governance | Continues into 2021. |
External Review of Academic Senate | Completed. Also see response project, below. |
Composition of Academic Senate | Completed. Amendments to Senate Rules available on Calendar of governance, legislation and rules. |
Post-Implementation Review of Shared Academic Governance | Continues into 2021. |
Response to Recommendations from External Review of Academic Senate | Complete. Implementation plan approved by Academic Senate. |
University projects — Academic Senate as a major stakeholder | Status |
|---|---|
Preparations for the TEQSA re-registration, including self-assessment and planning for standards relating to Academic Governance. | Work continues in 2021, led by Executive Manager, DVC(A) |
Quality Assurance Framework (Academic Domain) | Work continues in 2021 led by Executive Manager, DVC(A) |
Curriculum Architecture 2.0 | Work continues in 2021, led by DVC(A) |
2019 projects
The Academic Senate projects that ran in 2019 are detailed below.
Project | Details |
|---|---|
Implementation of Shared Academic Governance This project of Academic Senate recognises the role of faculty boards and empowers them to have a greater level of autonomy over coursework curricula. The project will deliver a greater activation of faculty boards and senate committees through devolved decision-making, supported by threshold standards, robust frameworks and annual reporting cycles to be established by Academic Senate and the Academic Standards and Quality Committee. Phase 2B has:
A post-implementation review will review the project in quarter 1, 2020. See the Shared Academic Governance page for more information. | Leads: Contact: Status: |
Review of General Coursework Rules This project is reviewing the practical, clinical and professional program requirements outlined in the General Coursework Rules and recommend necessary amendments to reflect University policy. | Leads: Contact: Status: |
Macquarie University and Freedom of Speech This project will:
| Leads: Contact: Status: |
External Review of Academic Senate The Higher Education Framework Standard 6.1.3(d) requires the governing body to undertake ‘periodic’ (at least every seven years) independent reviews of the effectiveness of the governing body and academic governance processes. This project will facilitate an external review. See more information on the External Review of Academic Senate. | Leads: Contact: Status: |
Post-Implementation Review of Support and Recognition for Students involved in Academic Governance This is a post-implementation review of the 2017 Support and Recognition for Students involved in Academic Governance project. It will be led by the Student Senators. The project will review the support and recognition initiatives for effectiveness, and check for alignment with the themes and targets contained within Student Success Strategic Framework. | Leads: Contact: Status: |
Recommendations from the Post-implementation review of the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) The AQF Second Edition was released in January 2013, and an Addendum for Masters Degrees was released in June 2014. From 1 January 2015 all new enrolments were required to be in qualifications that meet the requirements of the AQF Second Edition. In 2018, a desk audit was conducted to document, assess and report on the University’s response to the implementation of the new AQF. A project was scheduled for 2019 to respond to the recommendations from the desk audit. Following the announcement of a review by the Department of Education, this project was put on hold. The report was released in late October 2019. This project will commence when the report from the review has been endorsed by TEQSA. | Contact: Status:Continued into 2020 |
Supporting DVC (A) work in a review of the University approach to quality In 2018 an audit was conducted of quality assurance across the University. This included a benchmarking analysis of peer institutions to determine different approaches to academic quality assurance, and furthermore, to detail how higher education institutions address regulatory requirements. A report identified appropriate business owners for different review categories, allowing for the appropriate referral of both academic governance and management recommendations. This project will respond to the academic governance recommendations. | Leads: Contact: Status: |
2018 projects
The Academic Senate projects that ran in 2018 are detailed below.
Project | Leads | Contact | Status |
Purpose and Composition of Academic Senate | Working group chair: Professor Mariella Herberstein | Zoe Williams, Head of Governance Services | Complete |
Developing the Model for Shared Responsibility of Academic Governance | Steering group co-chairs: Professor Mariella Herberstein, Chair of Senate; Working group co-chairs: | Zoe Williams, Head of Governance Services | Phase 1: Complete. Principles for Delegated Authority approved by Academic Senate in November Phase 2A: Resources. This phase is a project of ASQC. Phase 2B: Cultural Change. |
Post-implementation review of the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) | Working group chair: Professor Jim Denier | Paul Fairweather. Quality Assurance and Compliance Manager | Continuing in 2019 |
Post-implementation review of the Higher Education Standards Framework (HESF) | Working group chair: Professor Jacqueline Phillips, Deputy Chair of Academic Senate | Paul Fairweather. Quality Assurance and Compliance Manager | Continuing in 2019 |
External Review of Academic Senate | TBC | Zoe Williams, Head of Governance Services | Postponed to 2019 |
Curriculum Architecture | Professor Mariella Herberstein, Chair of Senate; Professor Kevin Jameson, DVC(A) | Zoe Williams, Head of Governance Services | Complete |
Policy Review | Working group chair: Professor Peter Radan | Ellen Carlson, Policy Manager. E: senate@mq.edu.au | Ongoing |