Board of Veterinary Science

The establishment of a Department of Veterinary Science is first mentioned in the 1908 Report of Senate:
‘In JuIy, 1907, the Senate transmitted to the Honorable the Premier and the Cabinet a memorandum which had been prepared by the Chancellor setting forth the present financial needs and requirements of the University, both in regard to existing departments and in regard to the establishment of new Chairs, with the object of increasing the usefulness of the University to the State and bringing it more into line with similar institutions elsewhere. This memorandum has been partially considered by the Cabinet, with the result that the Government has granted the request of the University for the establishment of a Department of Agriculture and a Department of Veterinary Science,… A Committee of the Senate has been appointed to report upon the details of the curriculum in Agriculture and Veterinary Science, and steps will shortly be taken for the appointment of Professors in these subjects.’ In 1909 the Calendar lists James Douglas Stewart, M.E.C.V.S. as Professor in Veterinary Science.' [1909 Calendar, p 448]

University By-laws (Chapter XXII) constituting a Board of Veterinary Science were approved by the NSW Governor in Council on 9 August 1909. These By-laws also established the Department of Veterinary Science. They were repealed in 1920. Paragraph 6 specifies a License in Veterinary Science (L. V. Sc) and a Degree in Veterinary Science viz Bachelor of Veterinary Science (B.V.Sc). Paragraph 5 deals with the function of the Board as follows "The Board shall meet for the purpose of considering and reporting to the Senate upon such subjects as have relation to the studies, lectures, examinations, degrees and licenses in Veterinary Science, and such questions as may be referred to it by the Senate."

1.—The Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor, the Professors and Lecturers in the subjects of the Veterinary Science Curriculum,- and three persons appointed from time to time by the Senate for periods of three years, shall constitute the 'Board of Veterinary Science’.

2.—The Professor of Veterinary Science shall be the Director of the Department of Veterinary Science, and it shall be his duty to exercise a general supervision over its management and discipline.

3.—The Director shall exercise a general superintendence over the administrative business connected with the Board, and it shall be the duty of the Registrar to summon meetings of the Board at such times as may be required by the Director, provided that upon the written requisition of any three members of the Board, the Director, or in his absence the Registrar, shall convene a special meeting. No question shall be decided at any meeting of the Board unless there be present at least five members. In the absence of the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor the Director shall act as Chairman at all meetings of the Board, but in his absence the members then present shall elect a Chairman from among themselves. The Chairman at any such meeting shall have a vote, and in case of an equality of votes, a second or casting vote. It shall be the duty of the Registrar to attend all meetings and to record the proceedings. 

4.—The Board shall meet for the purpose of considering and reporting to the Senate upon such subjects as have relation to the studies, lectures, examinations, degrees and licenses in Veterinary Science, and such questions as may be referred to it by the Senate—....

The Faculty of Veterinary Science was established in 1920, following the report of a committee appointed by the Professorial Board to consider the constitution of existing faculties; the report recommended the establishment of 6 new faculties including Veterinary Science. 

At its meeting on 16 December 1919, the Professorial Board resolved to recommend the report to the University Senate. The Professorial Board Report was adopted by Senate at its meeting in February 1920. With the establishment of the Faculty of Veterinary Science in 1920 the Board no longer existed.