Constitution

In accordance with Clause 9 of the University of Sydney Act 1989 (as amended), Senate comprises 22 Fellows of Senate, as follows, who hold office for differing periods under various categories of membership:

1. Official members:

• Chancellor (if not already a Fellow)
• Vice-Chancellor and Principal
• Chair of the Academic Board

2. Appointed Fellows:

• Six external persons appointed by the Minister, one of whom is nominated by the Senate for appointment, otherwise than pursuant to subsection 9(2). (Subsection 9(2) provides that the Minister may appoint a person who is a member of the Parliament of New South Wales under subsection 9(1)(b) but only if the person is nominated by the Senate for appointment. No more than 2 such persons may hold office at any one time as appointed members under subsection 9(1)(b).)
• One external person appointed by the Senate

3. Elected Fellows:

• Four persons elected by and from the academic staff of the University
• One person elected by and from the non-academic staff of the University
• One person elected by and from the undergraduate students of the University
• One person elected by and from the postgraduate students of the University
• Five external persons elected by and from the graduates of the University

The Act provides:

• Of the members of the Senate:
  (a) at least 2 must have financial expertise (as demonstrated by relevant qualifications and by experience in financial management at a senior level in the public or private sector), and
  (b) at least one must have commercial expertise (as demonstrated by relevant experience at a senior level in the public or private sector).
• All appointed members of the Senate must have expertise and experience relevant to the functions exercisable by the Senate and an appreciation of the object, values, functions and activities of the University.
• The majority of members of the Senate must be external persons.