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Senate
The Senate is the governing authority of the University of Sydney
The Senate oversees all major decisions concerning the conduct of the University.
The University of Sydney Senate is responsible for staff appointments and welfare, student welfare and discipline, financial matters and the physical and academic development of the University. It also awards all degrees and diplomas and is responsible to the Parliament of NSW.
The Senate's primary responsibilities are:
- appointing the Vice-Chancellor as the principal executive officer of the University, and monitoring their performance
- approving the mission and strategic direction of the University, as well as the annual budget and business plan
- overseeing and reviewing the management of the University and its performance
- establishing policy and procedural principles, consistent with legal requirements and community expectations
- approving and monitoring systems of control and accountability, including general overview of any controlled entities
- overseeing and monitoring the assessment and management of risk across the University, including commercial undertakings
- overseeing and monitoring the academic activities of the University.
The statutory powers and responsibilities of Senate are defined by section 16 of the University of Sydney Act 1989 (NSW).
Senate Structure
Senate committee structure diagram
As per Part 5 of the University of Sydney (Amendment Act) Rule 1999 (pdf, 321KB), Senate will convene six to eight times per year.
The Senate is scheduled to meet eight (8) times in 2022.
The constitution of the Senate is set out in Division 1 of the University of Sydney Act 1989, and Senate is currently comprised of:
- official members;
- elected members;
- Senate appointed members; and
- Ministerially appointed members.
More information on our Senate Fellows can be found on their profile pages.
Committees and Subcommittees
The role of the Building and Estates Committee is to monitor and advise Senate on:
- matters of planning, development and general oversight of the management of the University’s real property and physical infrastructure with particular reference to:
- major capital developments;
- infrastructure management;
- operating resource allocation;
- sustainability;
- effective risk management in the areas covered by the Committee’s Terms of Reference; and
- conducting reviews in the areas covered by the Committee’s Terms of Reference.
Full terms of reference (pdf, 91.3KB)
Composition and Membership
Chair and ex-officio members
The chair is appointed by Senate from the Fellows of Senate (not a staff or student Fellow).
Member |
Term of office |
Peter Scott |
Current term as Chair Previous terms as Chair Aug 2016 – Dec 2017 |
Belinda Hutchinson AC |
Current term as Chancellor |
Richard Freudenstein |
Current term as Deputy Chancellor Previous term as Deputy Chancellor |
Professor Mark Scott AO |
Current term as Vice-Chancellor |
Fellows of senate
Three Fellows of Senate are appointed by Senate after consultation by the chair of the committee with the Chancellor and the Vice-Chancellor.
Member |
Term of office |
Dave Burrows |
Current term Previous term |
Professor Jane Hanrahan |
Current term |
Gabrielle Stricker-Phelps |
Current term |
External members
A minimum of two and up to three external members with appropriate professional expertise and experience appointed by Senate on the recommendation of the chair of the committee.
Member |
Term of office |
Dianne Leeson |
Current term Previous terms Jun 2019 – May 2021 Jun 2017 – May 2019 Mar 2016 – May 2017 |
Terry Williamson |
Current term Previous term May 2018 – May 2020 |
Additional members
Senate may, on the advice of the committee, or on its own volition, co-opt additional members as required.
Attendees
Other members determined by the chair:
Stephen Phillips |
Wayne Andrews |
Greg Robinson |
David Pacey |
The role of the Finance Committee is to monitor and advise Senate on:
- issues relating to the financial performance and sustainability of the University, by reviewing and evaluating information provided by management on the financial impact of strategic proposals, budget and planning priorities, resource and capital allocation, and commercial activities
- the University’s external audit program, including reliability of financial management and reporting and compliance with laws and regulations ensuring the effective management of financial risk across the University, including the financial risks of subsidiaries and controlled entities;
- ensuring the effective management of non‐financial risk in areas covered by the Committee’s Terms of Reference;
- effective management of the University’s short-term portfolio, cash flow and liquidity positions; and
- conducting reviews in the areas covered by the Committee’s Terms of Reference
Full terms of reference (pdf, 99.9KB)
Composition and membership
Chair and ex-officio members
The chair is appointed by Senate from the Fellows of Senate (not a staff or student Fellow).
Member |
Term of office |
Karen Moses |
Current term as Chair Previous term as Chair Jan 2018 – May 2020 |
Belinda Hutchinson AC |
Current term as Chancellor |
Richard Freudenstein |
Current term as Deputy Chancellor Previous term as Deputy Chancellor |
Professor Mark Scott AO |
Current term as Vice-Chancellor |
Fellows of Senate
Three Fellows of Senate are appointed by Senate after consultation by the chair of the committee with the Chancellor and the Vice-Chancellor.
Associate Professor Maryanne Large |
Current term Previous term |
Lachlan Finch |
Current term |
Dr Lisa McIntyre |
Current term Previous term |
Peter Scott |
Current term Previous term |
External members
A minimum of two and up to three external members with appropriate professional expertise and experience appointed by Senate on the recommendation of the chair of the committee.
Member |
Term of office |
Matthew Lunn |
Current term Previous terms Jun 2019 – May 2021 May 2017 – May 2019 August 2015 – May 2017 |
John Meacock |
Current term |
Additional members
Senate may, on the advice of the committee, or on its own volition, co-opt additional members as required.
Attendees
Other members determined by the chair:
Stephen Phillips |
Wayne Andrews |
Martin McLoughlin |
Darren Goodsir |
The role of the Investment Subcommittee is to monitor and advise the Finance Committee on:
- matters relating to the University's investment portfolio with particular reference to the:
- appropriateness of investment policies
- success of investment strategies
- sustainability of investment activities;
- strategies for the management of University investments;
- recommendations for the University's Future Fund; and
- recommendations for major capital expenditure projects and strategic initiatives which are funded entirely from the Future Fund, including advice on the investment mandate for the Future Fund, which balances support for a broad range of core University objectives with seeking to achieve appropriate commercial returns.
Full terms of reference (pdf, 93.7KB)
Composition and membership
Chair and ex-officio members
Chair appointed by Senate (not a staff or student Fellow).
Member |
Term of office |
Dr Lisa McIntyre |
Current term as Chair 1 Jun 2022 - 31 May 2024 |
Belinda Hutchinson AC |
Current term as Chancellor |
Richard Freudenstein |
Current term as Deputy Chancellor Previous term as Deputy Chancellor |
Professor Mark Scott AO |
Current term as Vice-Chancellor |
Karen Moses |
Current term as Chair of the Finance Committee Previous term as Chair of the Finance Committee |
Fellows of senate
intentionally vacant
Member |
|
External members
A minimum of one and up to two external members with appropriate professional expertise and experience appointed by Senate on the recommendation of the chair of the subcommittee.
Member |
Term of office |
John Livanas |
Current term Previous term |
Gary Brader |
Current term |
Nerida Hall |
Current term |
Additional members
Senate may, on the advice of the committee, or on its own volition, co-opt additional members as required.
Attendees
Others determined by the Chair
Stephen Phillips |
Miles Collins |
Wayne Andrews |
The People and Culture Committee monitors and advises Senate on:
- human resources (HR) policies, structures and processes that support the University’s strategic objectives in:
- University culture and values;
- the attraction, development and retention of academic and professional staff;
- remuneration and reward;
- diversity and inclusion;
- workplace relations; and
- performance management, succession planning and development programs for senior executive roles including the Vice-Chancellor and his or her executive direct reports;
- the culture at the University, including the need for any reviews or external advice;
- effective risk management in areas covered by the Committee’s Terms of Reference, including compliance with legal and
Full terms of reference (pdf, 99.9KB)
Composition and membership
Chair and ex-officio members
Chair is appointed by Senate from the Fellows of Senate (not a staff or student Fellow).
Member |
Term of office |
Emeritus Professor Alan Pettigrew |
Current term as Chair Previous term as Chair |
Belinda Hutchinson AC |
Current term as Chancellor |
Richard Freudenstein |
Current term as Deputy Chancellor Previous term as Deputy Chancellor |
Professor Mark Scott AO |
Current term as Vice-Chancellor |
Fellows of Senate
Three Fellows of Senate are appointed by Senate after consultation by the chair of the committee with the Chancellor and the Vice-Chancellor.
Member |
Term of office |
Kate McClymont AM |
Current term Previous term Previous terms as member of the Nominations and Appointments Committee |
Jason Yat-sen Li |
Current term Previous term |
External members
A minimum of two and up to three external members with appropriate professional expertise and experience appointed by Senate on the recommendation of the chair of the committee.
Member |
Term of office |
Jenni Smith |
Current term Previous term |
Additional members
Senate may, on the advice of the committee, or on its own volition, co-opt additional members as required.
Attendees
Stephen Phillips |
Karen Haywood Chief Human Resources Officer |
David Pacey Chief Governance Officer |
Darren Goodsir Chief of Staff |
The role of the Risk and Audit Committee is to:
- review and oversee the University’s systems of risk management, internal control, internal audit and regulatory compliance; and
- to ensure that they are effective in monitoring and responding to strategic, operational, financial and other emerging risks within the Committee’s Terms of Reference
The Committee monitors and advises Senate on:
- systems of risk management including:
- Safety, Health and Wellbeing (SHW) related matters including compliance with work health and safety legislation;
- environmental and sustainability risk and compliance;
- Internal Audit
- regulatory compliance; and
- insurance.
Full terms of reference (pdf, 68.3KB)
Composition and Membership
Chair and ex-officio members
Chair is appointed by Senate from the Fellows of Senate (not a staff or student Fellow).
Member |
Term of office |
Jason Yat-Sen Li |
Current term as Chair Previous term as Chancellor |
Belinda Hutchinson AC |
Current term as Chancellor |
Richard Freudenstein |
Current term as Deputy Chancellor Previous term as Deputy Chancellor |
Professor Mark Scott AO |
Current term as Vice-Chancellor |
Fellows of Senate
Three Fellows of Senate are appointed by Senate after consultation by the chair of the committee with the Chancellor and the Vice-Chancellor.
Member |
Term of office |
Karen Moses |
Current term |
Emeritus Professor Alan Pettigrew |
Current term |
Professor Renae Ryan |
Current term |
External members
A minimum of two and up to three external members with appropriate professional expertise and experience appointed by Senate on the recommendation of the chair of the committee.
Member |
Term of office |
Vince Graham AM |
Current term Previous term |
Rob Warren |
Current term Previous term |
Additional members
Senate may, on the advice of the committee, or on its own volition, co-opt additional members as required.
Attendees
Other members determined by the chair:
Martin McLoughlin Acting Chief Internal Auditor |
David Pacey Chief Governance Officer |
Nisha Padmanabhan Chief Risk Officer |
Mike Powell Chief Safety Officer |
Darren Goodsir Chief of Staff |
Olivia Perks General Counsel |
The role of the Nominations Committee is to monitor and advise Senate on:
- governance issues generally as they relate to Senate and the University with particular reference to:
- induction and continuing education of Fellows
- Senate performance reviews
- Senate committee structure and purposes
- ensuring the effective management of risk in areas covered by the Committee’s Terms of Reference
- conducting reviews in the areas covered by the Committee’s Terms of Reference.
Full terms of reference (pdf, 60.3KB)
Composition and Membership
Chair and ex-officio members
The chair is appointed by Senate from the Fellows of Senate (not a staff or student Fellow).
Member |
Term of Office |
Richard Freudenstein |
Current term as Chair Previous term as Chair |
Belinda Hutchinson AC |
Current term as Chancellor Previous term as Chancellor |
Professor Mark Scott AO |
Current term as Vice-Chancellor |
Professor Jane Hanrahan |
Current term as Chair of Academic Board |
Fellows of Senate
Three Fellows of Senate are appointed by Senate after consultation by the chair of the committee with the Chancellor and the Vice-Chancellor.
Member |
Term of Office |
Dr Lisa McIntyre |
Current term Previous term |
Peter Scott |
Current term Previous term |
Emeritus Professor Alan Pettigrew |
Current term Previous term |
Additional members
Senate may, on the advice of the committee, or on its own volition, co-opt additional members as required.
The role of the Honorary Awards Committee is to advise Senate on:
- candidates for honorary degrees and honorary fellowships; and
- naming proposals in relation to University buildings and other significant assets, including scholarships and prizes, centres and institutes, and foundations.
Full terms of reference (pdf, 58.4KB)
Composition and Membership
Chair and ex-officio members
The chair is appointed by Senate from the Fellows of Senate (not a staff or student Fellow).
Member |
Term of Office |
Richard Freudenstein |
Current term as Chair |
Belinda Hutchinson AC |
Current term as Chancellor Previous term as Chancellor |
Professor Mark Scott AO |
Current term as Vice-Chancellor |
Professor Jane Hanrahan |
Current term as Chair of Academic Board |
Fellows of Senate
Two Fellows of Senate are appointed by Senate after consultation by the chair of the committee with the Chancellor and the Vice-Chancellor.
Member |
Term of Office |
Kate McClymont AM |
Current term |
Professor Renae Ryan |
Current term |
Additional members
Senate may, on the advice of the committee, or on its own volition, co-opt additional members as required.
