Senate
14 Victoria. No. 31. An Act to Incorporate and Endow the University of Sydney [Assented to, 1st October, 1850].
The University of Sydney was established by this Act of the Legislative Council of the Colony of New South Wales. The sixteen fellows of the Senate were appointed by proclamation of His Excellency the Governor-General, Sir Charles Augustus FitzRoy, in the Government Gazette on the 24th December of the same year. The Senate from that date was to be 'a Body Politic and Corporate' by the name of 'The University of Sydney'.
The Introduction to the first Calendar notes (Calendar 1852-53 pp iii-iv): 'The government of the University is provided for by the appointment of a Senate of Sixteen Fellows (four of whom may be clergymen). A Provost and Vice-Provost are to be chosen by the fellows out of their own body. Vacancies in the Senate are to be filled up by the remaining fellows, until there are one hundred graduates entitled as Masters of Arts, &c, to vote, when the vacancies as they occur will be filled up by the graduates themselves, duly convened in convocation. ''In addition to the entire management of the educational and financial affairs of the University, the Senate has power to make by-laws as to discipline , degrees, honours, &c, which when duly approved of by the Governor and Executive Council, have the force of law. It has also authority to confer the degrees of Bachelor and Master of Arts, and Bachelor and Doctor of Laws and Medicine.
'The Fellows of the Senate first met on the 3rd February, 1851. By their third meeting on 17th March 1851, the Senate had elected the Provost (three year term of office) and the Vice-Provost (one year term of office), appointed a salaried secretary and formed sub-committees to adopt a corporate seal, to prepare by-laws and regulations, to consider and prepare a system of finance and to inquire into the renting and eventual purchase of Sydney College (Senate Minutes 1851-1855 p. 7).16 Vic No. 28. Incorporation and Endowment Act, 1852.
The Senate quorum was decreased from eight to five (including the Provost or Vice-Provost). 24 Vic No. 13. Sydney University Incorporation Act Amendment Act, 1861.Sections 5 and 7 of 14 Vic No. 31, relating to there having to be one hundred graduates of Doctor or Master status to elect the Fellows of the Senate, was repealed. Senate was enlarged by not less than three and not more than six ex-officio members selected by the Senate by by-law from among the Professors of the University. The Professors, Public Teachers, Examiners and Superior Officers of the University, along with the Principals of the Incorporated Colleges were declared Members of the University for the duration of their tenure, and were granted the same privileges as Graduates with degrees of Master of Arts or Doctor of Laws or Medicine, namely in Convocation, 'attending and voting at the election of Fellows'. The titles of Provost and Vice-Provost were also altered to Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor, although there was no change to their respective offices. (Calendar 1862 p 31). 44 Vic No. 22.
Ad eundem Degrees Act of 1881. Apart from allowing the Senate at their discretion to confer degrees without examination, this act also provided that Bachelors of Arts of three years standing in the University and fully 21 years old, should 'have the privilege of attending and voting at the election of Fellows' (Calendar 1883-4 p 53).
47 Vic No. 17. University Extension Act, 1884. The Act empowered the Senate to give instruction and grant degrees and certificates in all branches of knowledge except Theology or Divinity, provided that the benefits and advantages of the University should extend in all respects to women equally with men, and extended the same rights and privileges to all degrees of equivalent rank to the Bachelor of Arts degree (Calendar 1884 p 56).
64 Vic No. 22. University and University Colleges Act, 1900. The Act incorporated the provisions of the three preceding Acts. A quorum was now constituted by either five Fellows, including the Chancellor or the Vice-Chancellor, or in their absence, by eight Fellows (Calendar 1901 p 8).
Act No. 52, 1912. University (Amendment) Act, 1912. The Act re-constituted the Senate which was to consist of 'four Fellows appointed by the Governor, two Fellows elected one by each House of Parliament, the Chairman of the Professorial Board and four Fellows elected one by each of four Faculties, ten Fellows elected by the Graduates, and three Fellows elected by the aforesaid Fellows' (Calendar 1913 p 397). The Fellows of the Senate were to hold office for five years, with the exception of the Chairman of the Professorial Board and the Fellows elected by the Faculties, who were to hold office for two years. All retiring fellows were to be eligible for re-election. The Act also allowed for the incumbent Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor to be Fellows of the Senate for life, and ruled, simply, that eight Fellows would form a quorum (Calendar 1913 p 12).
Act No. 2, 1918. University (Senate) Amendment Act, 1918. The Fellows of the Senate were to continue to hold office (from March) until a day to be proclaimed in the Gazette by the Governor.
Act No. 43, 1918. University Amendment (Exhibitioners' Fees) Act, 1918. The Act allowed for the Senate to pay fees at universities and educational institutions abroad for persons holding public exhibitions at the University of Sydney who were engaged on war service (Calendar 1919 p 25).
Act No. 35, 1924. University Amendment (Vice-Chancellor) Act, 1924. The Act provided for the Senate to elect a Deputy Chancellor to fulfil the duties of the present Vice-Chancellor and to appoint a permanent executive officer to take over the duties of Warden, who would be styled Vice-Chancellor. The new Vice-Chancellor was also to be a member of the Senate, consequently the number of Fellows of the Senate increased to twenty five (Calendar 1925 p 24).
In May, 1936, the Senate approved there being a representative of the undergraduates on the Senate. Consequently, the twenty sixth Fellow of Senate was to be 'a graduate of the University of such standing, and who shall be elected, as may from time to time be prescribed by by-law made by the Senate, to be representative of the undergraduates of the University' (Calendar 1937 p 81).
Act No. 21, 1936. Public Instruction (Amendment) Act, 1936. The Act detailed when the election of the Fellows from the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council should take place, and their terms of office (Calendar 1936, p 24).
Act No. 1, 1973. University and University Colleges (Amendment) Act, 1973. The Senate was re-constituted to consist of: (a) four Fellows appointed by the Governor; (b) one Fellow elected by and from the members of the Legislative Council; (c) one Fellow elected by and from the members of the Legislative Assembly;(d) eight Fellows elected by and from such members of the full-time staff of the University as may be prescribed by the by-laws; (e) ten Fellows elected from persons who are ineligible for election under paragraph (d) by persons who are graduates of the University; (f) three Fellows elected from persons who are enrolled as candidates proceeding to a degree or diploma in the University and who are ineligible for election under paragraph (d) by persons who are enrolled as candidates proceeding to a degree or diploma in the University; (g) one Fellow who shall be the person for the time being holding the office of Chancellor, where he is not otherwise a Fellow; (h) one Fellow who shall be the person for the time being holding the office of Vice-Chancellor; and (i) three Fellows elected by the other Fellows referred to in this sub-section.' (Calendar 1974, vol 1 p 93) The quorum was increased from eight to fourteen Fellows.
Act No. 87, 1978. University and University Colleges (Constitution) Amendment Act, 1978. The Act amended details relating to the election of a member of the Legislative Council as a Fellow of the Senate (Calendar 1979, p 91).
Act No. 168, 1978. University and University Colleges (Amendment) Act, 1978. The main objects of the Act were: -(1) to enable certain members of staff with academic titles in such organisations as the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine and the Institute of Child Health to participate in the election of Fellows of the Senate; (2) to clarify the Senate's powers in relation to staff; (3) to clarify the Senate's power to levy fees and charges payable in respect of organisations of students or of students and other persons; (4) to enable the University to acquire land by resumption or appropriation; (5) to provide that various functions performed previously by the Governor be performed by the Minister' (of Education) (Annual Report 1979, p 9). Accordingly, the Calendar for 1980 stated that four Fellows were to be appointed by the Minister (p 93).
Act No. 172, 1986. University and University Colleges (Amendment) Act, 1986. The Act brought into force several changes in the constitution if the Senate. 'The number of Fellows appointed by the Minister for Education was increased to six, and from 1 March, the category of Fellow elected by the Fellows disappeared. The Act also reduced from four to three the number of consecutive meetings from which a Fellow could be absent without leave before having been deemed to have vacated office' (Annual Report 1987, p 96). From 1 January, 1988, the Chairman of the Academic Board became a Fellow by virtue of his office, six Fellows were elected by and from the academic staff (at least two professors and at least two non-professors), one Fellow was elected by and from the general staff, and three Fellows were elected by and from the students (at least one an undergraduate and at least one a post-graduate).
Act No.124, 1989. University of Sydney Act, 1989. The Act 'terminated the office of all Fellows of Senate (excepting the Vice-Chancellor and Chancellor) on 31 December 1989, whether or not their terms of office had expired' (Annual Report 1989, p 3). A smaller Senate of 22 Fellows took office from 1 January 1990. 'Four Fellows were appointed by the Minister for Education and Youth Affairs for four years and one was elected by and from each of the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly. Five Fellows were elected by and from members of the staff of the University for two years; five by and from the University's graduates for four years; and two by and from students for one year. The Senate appointed an additional Fellow for two years. The Vice-Chancellor and Principal and the Chairman of the Academic Board are ex-officio members of the Senate.
Following the death of Sir Hermann Black, the Senate elected Sir James Rowland to hold office as Chancellor for the balance of Sir Hermann's three year term, that is until 31 May 1991' (Annual Report 1990, p 1).'At any meeting of the Senate, a majority of the total number of Fellows for the time being constitutes a quorum' (Calendar 1990, p 119).
1999: 1 The By-laws of the University of Sydney were repealed and new By-laws were passed, the University of Sydney By-law 1999;2 The University of Sydney (Amendment Act) Rule 1999 was made by the Senate 'to regulate certain mattes for which rules may be made by the Senate'; 3 Rules relating to the Academic Board, 1996 (as amended) were made by the Senate 'to prescribe the membership, function and procedures of the Academic Board'; 4 Rules relating 'to the Academic Forum, 1966 to prescribe the membership, functions and procedures of the Academic Forum'.
2001:University of Sydney By-law 1999 (as amended) A new By-law relating to the positions of Chancellor and Deputy Chancellor was introduced to allow for the dismissal of the Chancellor (or Deputy Chancellor) if that person did not retain the confidence of the Senate. The By-law was made retrospective so that the Senate could dismiss the Chancellor then holding office.
2015: At its December meeting Senate voted to adopt changes to the composition of Senate with effect from December 2017. The decision follows an independent external review and extensive Senate discussion.The changes will see the total number of Senate Fellows reduced from 22 to 15. The composition of Senate from 1 December 2017 will be as follows:
• three ex-officio Fellows – the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor and Chair of the Academic Board;
• two external Fellows appointed by the Minister for Education;
• five external Fellows appointed by Senate; and
• five elected Fellows: two from academic staff, one from professional staff, one from the undergraduate student body and one from the postgraduate student body.At least four of the appointed Fellows will be alumni of the University.
SENATE COMMITTEE STRUCTURES: 1989: A working party was established to review Senates Committee structure. The Committee's second report was discussed at 2 April 1990 meeting. The papers for that meeting contain a list of Senate committees as at 21 December 1989.
2001: Cordiner King & Associates carried out a review of Senate Governance which also resulted in changes to the committee structure.
2009: Senate reviewed its committee structure and on 21/09/2009 by resolution 259/09 (1) Senate established the following committees: Finance and Audit Committee, Investment and Commercialisation Committee, Buildings and Estates Committee, Chair Appointments Committee, Human Resources Committee, Safety and Risk Management Committee (the establishment of the Nominations and Appointments Committee was deferred to a later meeting) and (2) approved the implementation of the structure as taking effect at the beginning of 2010.
2017: in December Senate established 4 committees to assist it with the exercise of its functions, effective from 1 January 2018; the Buildings and Estates Committee, Finance and Audit Committee, People and Culture Committee, and the Strategy and Risk Committee.
2019: From 1 January 2019 to 30 September 2020 the following committees assisted Senate with the exercise of its functions: Building and Estates Committee, Finance and Audit Committee, Finance and Audit Investment Subcommittee, People and Culture Committee, People and Culture, Remuneration Subcommittee, People and Culture Subcommittee, Strategy and Risk Committee
2020: Senate undertook an external review of its committee structure and established the following committees, effective 1 October 2020: Building and Estates Committee, Finance Committee, Finance Investment Subcommittee, People and Culture Committee, Risk and Audit Committee, Honorary Awards Committee, Nominations Committee, Chairs Committee [Annual Reports 2018, 2019 & 2020]