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Q & A

What does Senate do?

The Senate is the governing authority of the University of Sydney and has the functions conferred or imposed on it by or under the University of Sydney Act 1989 (as amended).

The Senate of the University oversees all major decisions concerning the conduct of the University, including staff appointments and welfare, student welfare and discipline, financial matters and the physical and academic development of the University. It awards all degrees and diplomas and is responsible to the Parliament of NSW.

When and where does Senate meet?

Senate normally meets eight times per year at approximately six weekly intervals, with an option to increase the numbers of meetings ad hoc where urgency or workload requires. There is also a Senate Retreat held at the beginning of the year. View the Senate meeting schedule.

Meetings are held at 5.00pm in the Senate Room and last for approximately three hours. Meetings of Senate may be adjourned to a convenient later time to conclude any unfinished business. Additional meetings of the Senate may be held on an ad hoc basis where required as a matter of urgency or workload.

The Senate Room, Room N482, is in the Quadrangle, Camperdown Campus, above the Ante Room adjacent to the Great Hall.

What does the Chair (Chancellor) do?

The Chancellor is the Chair of Senate, presides over Senate meetings and exercises procedural control over meetings; ensures that Senate functions effectively, with a paramount fiduciary duty of loyalty to act in the best interests of the University; presides on important ceremonial occasions; works co-operatively with the Vice-Chancellor, available to give counsel and encouraging communication on all issues concerning the well being of the University; and in consultation with the Vice-Chancellor, provide a high level bridge to members of the wider community.

The statutory powers and responsibilities of the Chancellor are defined under Section 10 of the University of Sydney Act 1989 (as amended) (and elsewhere in the Act, By-law and Rules).

How is the Chancellor elected?

The Chancellor is elected by Senate for a four year term of office.

Who are the members of Senate (Fellows of Senate)?

There are normally 22 members of Senate, called Fellows of Senate (not Senators), who hold office for differing periods under various categories of membership. View the Constitution of Senate, and the current list of Fellows of Senate by name or by category.

What is expected of Fellows of Senate?

In line with the Federal Government's national governance protocols for Australian universities, being a Fellow of Senate involves obligations and responsibilities as well as an extensive induction program to introduce Fellows to the complexities of the University and the changing environment in which it operates.

The duties of Fellows of Senate are set out in Schedule 2A of University of Sydney Act 1989 (as amended). These duties are:

  • to act in the best interests of the University as a whole
  • to exercise care and diligence
  • not to improperly use their position or to improperly use information
  • to disclose material interests

Could I become a Fellow of Senate? If so, how?

Of the 22 positions on Senate, the following 12 are elected by eligible members of the relevant constituency: 4 academic staff members, 1 non-academic staff member, 1 undergraduate student, 1 postgraduate student and 5 graduates of the University of Sydney. (The remaining positions are either ex-officio or chosen by Senate or appointed by the NSW Minister for Education and Training.)

There are strict eligibility criteria for candidates and voters for each of the above elections. These are set out in the University of Sydney Act 1989 (as amended).

View details about current and future Senate elections.

Can I attend a Senate meeting?

Any member of the University community, or other observers, may be present during the open session of Senate, which follows the confidential session, as long as there is seating available.

When are Senate agenda items due?

Deadlines for agenda items for each Senate meeting are set out here. The general principle is that the item - at least in draft form - should be provided prior to the Pre-Senate agenda meeting.

Such items include:

  • Reports of Senate committees
  • Report of the Academic Board
  • Foundation Rules
  • Items for the Vice-Chancellor’s report

How can I find out what is on a Senate agenda?

The agenda summary for the open part of each Senate meeting, which lists headings and recommendations, can be accessed here prior to the meeting.

How do I know what decisions have been made at a Senate meeting?

After the Senate meeting, "What's new" lists highlights of the open session.

The minutes summary for the open part of each Senate meeting, which lists headings and resolutions, can be accessed here after confirmation by Senate as a correct record at the following meeting.

Where can I locate Senate policies, rules and resolutions?

Senate policies, rules and resolutions can be found at Policy Online.

Senate Rules and key Resolutions of the Senate can also be accessed here and in the University Calendar online.

How do I contact Senate?

The Chancellor can be contacted as follows:
Tel: +61 2 9351 5701 (Chancellor's Assistant, Mrs Liz Cartwright) or email

The Executive Officer to Senate, Lis Bergmann, can be contacted as follows:
Tel: +61 2 9351 3268 (David Bradbury) or +61 2 9351 5656 (direct) or

How do I contact Senate committees?

There are nine standing committees of Senate and each can be contacted as follows:

Advisory Committee for Honorary Awards
Chair: The Chancellor, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir
Committee Secretary: Lis Bergmann, tel: +61 2 9351 5656 or

Audit and Risk Management Committee
Chair: Alan Cameron (Fellow of Senate)
Officer to the Committee: Alex Maitland, tel: +61 2 9351 4545 or

Chair Appointments Committee
Chair: The Chancellor, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir
Committee Secretary: Lis Bergmann, tel: +61 2 9351 5656 or

Finance and Infrastructure Committee
Chair: Alec Brennan (Fellow of Senate)
Officer to the Committee: Paul Slater, tel: +61 2 9351 2301 or

Investment and Commercialisation Committee
Chair: Joseph Skrzynski (Fellow of Senate)
Officer to the Committee: David Sault, tel: +61 2 9351 3122 or

Nominations Committee
Chair: Chancellor, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir
Committee Secretary: Dr William Adams, tel: +61 2 9351 3003 or

Remuneration and Benefits Committee
Chair: Alec Brennan (Chair, Finance and Infrastructure Committee)
Committee Secretary: Mrs Liz Cartwright, tel: +61 2 9351 5701 or email

Senate/Sports Liaison Committee
Chair: John McCarthy (Fellow of Senate and Pro Chancellor)
Committee Secretary: Lis Bergmann, tel: +61 2 9351 5656 or

Senate/Student Associations Liaison Committee
Committee Secretary: Lis Bergmann, tel: +61 2 9351 5656 or

Can I obtain contact details for Fellows of Senate?

Contact details for Fellows of Senate are maintained by the Executive Officer to Senate and are kept confidential.

How do I send invitations to Fellows of Senate?

If you are inviting Fellows of Senate to be guests at a University function, please:

  1. check the current list of Fellows of Senate to ensure that those invited are the current Fellows of Senate; and
  2. either forward the 24 invitations (includes two spares), each in a separate white external envelope labelled with the name of the Fellow, to David Bradbury or Lis Bergmann A14 for distribution; OR email the invitation to for distribution.

How do I submit an organisation's Annual Reports to Senate, if this is required by the Constitution of the organisation?

Twenty copies of the Annual Report need to be sent to Piyush Bhatt, Chief Accountant, Margaret Telfer Building K07, for consideration by Senate's Audit and Risk Management Committee.

Copies should not be sent to Lis Bergmann or to Fellows of Senate.

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