Terms of reference

The Senate is the governing body of the University of Sydney.

The statutory powers and responsibilities of the Senate are defined under Section 16 of the University of Sydney Act 1989 (as amended) (and elsewhere in the Act, By-law and Rules), as set out below.

Senate's statutory powers and responsibilities

(1A) The Senate:

• (a) acts for and on behalf of the University in the exercise of the University's functions, and
• (b) has the control and management of the affairs and concerns of the University, and
• (c) may act in all matters concerning the University in such manner as appears to the Senate to be best calculated to promote the object and interests of the University.

(1B) Without limiting the functions of the Senate under subsection (1A), the Senate is, in controlling and managing the affairs and concerns of the University:

• (a) to monitor the performance of the Vice-Chancellor, and
• (b) to oversee the University's performance, and
• (c) to oversee the academic activities of the University, and
  (d) to approve the University's mission, strategic direction, annual budget and business plan, and
• (e) to oversee risk management and risk assessment across the University (including, if necessary, taking reasonable steps to obtain independent audit reports of entities in which the
  University has an interest but which it does not control or with which it has entered into a joint venture), and
• (f) to approve and monitor systems of control and accountability for the University (including in relation to controlled entities within the meaning of section 16A), and
• (g) to approve significant University commercial activities (within the meaning of section 26A), and
• (h) to establish policies and procedural principles for the University consistent with legal requirements and community expectations, and
• (i) to ensure that the University's grievance procedures, and information concerning any rights of appeal or review conferred by or under any Act, are published in a form that is readily
  accessible to the public, and
• (j) to regularly review its own performance (in light of its functions and obligations imposed by or under this or any other Act), and
• (k) to adopt a statement of its primary responsibilities, and
• (l) to make available for Fellows a program of induction and of development relevant to their role as a Fellow.

(1) Without limiting the functions of the Senate under subsection (1A), the Senate may, for and on behalf of the University in the exercise of the University's functions:

• (a) provide such courses, and confer such degrees (including ad eundem degrees and honorary degrees) and award such diplomas and other certificates, as it thinks fit,
• (b) appoint and terminate the appointment of academic and other staff of the University,
• (c) (Repealed)
• (d) borrow money within such limits, to such extent and on such conditions as to security or otherwise as the Governor on the recommendation of the Treasurer may approve,
• (e) invest any funds belonging to or vested in the University,
• (f) promote, establish or participate in (whether by means of debt, equity, contribution of assets or by other means) partnerships, trusts, companies and other incorporated bodies, or joint ventures (whether or not incorporated),
• (g) (Repealed)
• (h) authorise any other university or educational institution (whether in New South Wales or elsewhere) to confer degrees, or to award diplomas or other certificates, on behalf of the
  University,
• (i) make loans and grants to students, and
• (j) impose fees, charges and fines.

(2) The functions of the Senate under this section are to be exercised subject to the by-laws.

Statement of Senate's primary responsibilities

Senate has adopted the following statement of its primary responsibilities, without prejudice to Senate’s capacity to debate whether there are any more primary responsibilities to be added to the Statement:

The Senate's primary responsibilities are:

• appointing the Vice-Chancellor as the principal executive officer of the university, and monitoring his or her 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.