The University of Sydney - School of Psychology

Overview:
The main School administration is carried out by committees which advise the Head of School and report to the School Board. The terms of reference and membership of each committee are specified below. The operation of these committees is managed by the Manager: Financial and the Manager: Teaching and supported by the School Administrative staff.

The agendas of the Postgraduate, Research, Resources, and Teaching Committees are circulated to the School and any member of the Board may attend any of these committee meetings, but only committee members may vote. The minutes of all committee meetings are located on the School Documents website

Head of School:	Professor Frans Verstraten
Deputy Head of School:	Professor Sally Andrews, Professor Justin Harris
Associate Heads of School:
Associate Head, Clinic:	Associate Professor Caroline Hunt
Associate Head, Postgraduates:	Professor Sally Andrews
Associate Head, Research:	Professor David Alais
Associate Head, Resources:	Dr Michael Cavanagh
Associate Head, Teaching:	Dr Fiona Hibberd (S1) Dr Caleb Owens (S2)
School Committees (in alphabetical order):
I     Head of School Advisory Committee (HOSAC)
II    Clinical Studies Committee
III   Postgraduate Committee
IV   Research Committee
V    Resources Committee
VI   Teaching Committee
VII  School Board

I   HEAD OF SCHOOL ADVISORY COMMITTEE (HOSAC)

Terms of Reference:

1. To consider any matters referred to it by the Head of School, and to provide advice to the Head on these matters,
2. To advise the Head of School on new courses,
3. To advise Head of School on the outcome of committee and subcommittee decisions,
4. To determine referral to committees or delegation to individuals or the formation of working parties where appropriate.

Meets: every two weeks

Reports to: Head of School

Membership:

At least one male and one female will normally be included in the committee membership. In consultation with the Head of School the committee will have the power to co-opt up to 2 additional members to fulfill this requirement or to assist in fulfilling its terms of reference.

• Chair, Head of School: Professor Frans Verstraten
• Associate Head, Clinic: Associate Professor Caroline Hunt
• Associate Head, Postgraduate: Professor Sally Andrews
• Associate Head, Research: Professor David Alais
• Associate Head, Resources: Dr Michael Cavanagh
• Associate Head, Teaching: Dr Fiona Hibberd
• Professor Bart Anderson
• Professor Phyllis Butow
• Professor Colin Clifford
• Associate Proffessor Anthony Grant
• Professor Justin Harris
• Professor Iain McGregor
• Dr Barbara Mullan
• Professor Louise Sharpe

II CLINICAL STUDIES COMMITTEE

Terms of Reference:

1. To manage the admission, the progress and the examination of postgraduate students for the Doctor of Clinical Psychology (DCP) and Doctor of Clinical Neuropsychology (DCN) degrees,
2. To oversee the operation of the Clinical Psychology Unit,
3. To advise on new degree structures for clinical Psychology,
4. To coordinate internships for DCP and DCN students,
5. To receive and act upon student evaluations of the DCP and DCN programs,
6. To provide a summary Report in December of each year for inclusion in the following year's Annual Report.

Meets: every two months

Reports to: Head of School, School Board

Membership:

The membership should normally include at least one level A, one level B or C and one level D and at least one male and one female. In consultation with the Head of School this committee will have the power to co-opt up to two additional members to fulfil this requirement or to assist in fulfilling its terms of reference.

• Chair: A/Prof Caroline Hunt
• Head of School: Professor Frans Verstraten
• Dr Maree Abbott
• Dr David Hawes
• Dr David Horry
• Dr Judy Hyde
• Dr Sunny Lah
• Dr Catalina Lawsin
• Dr Paul Rhodes
• Professor Louise Sharpe
• Professor Stephen Touyz
• One student representative

Supported by: Belinda Ingram

III   POSTGRADUATE COMMITTEE

The Postgraduate Committee is unusual in that it functions in the main as a Board of Examiners which reports directly to the Head of School and thence to the Faculty on the admission, progress and examination of postgraduate students. The matters with which it deals are frequently of a confidential nature, unlike the other committees which usually deal with wide-ranging policy matters. Because of its confidential nature, membership of the Postgraduate Committee is restricted to members of staff with PhD degrees. Supervisors of students whose progress and examination is being discussed are invited to attend the relevant meeting.

Terms of Reference:

1. To manage the admission, progression and examination of postgraduate students,
2. To advise the Head of School on individual student progress,
3. To conduct annual interviews with all postgraduate students in order to assess the progress and problems of postgraduate students,
4. To consider policy matters concerned with postgraduate students by course work and postgraduate courses in Applied Science,
5. To advise on the introduction of new postgraduate programmes,
6. To recommend procedures for increasing current completion rates,
7. To provide a summary Report in December of each year for inclusion in the following year's Annual Report.

Meets: monthly, [Committee minutes]

Reports to: Head of School, Faculty, School Board

Membership:

At least one male and one female will normally be included in the committee membership. In consultation with the Head of School the committee will have the power to co-opt up to 2 additional members to fulfill this requirement or to assist in fulfilling its terms of reference

• Chair, Associate Head Postgraduate: Professor Sally Andrews
• Head of School: Professor Frans Verstraten
• Dr Maree Abbott
• Dr Bruce Burns
• Dr Michael Cavanagh
• Dr Marc de Rosnay
• Dr Ilan Dar Nimrod
• Dr Ilona Juraskova
• Mr Sean O’Connor
• Professor Louise Sharpe
• Dr Marianna Szabó
• Postgraduate student representative

Supported by: Belinda Ingram

IV   RESEARCH COMMITTEE

Terms of Reference:

1. To monitor Research activity within the School and to make recommendations to the Head of School concerning the encouragement and facilitation of research by staff, postgraduate and honours students,
2. To provide the academic staff with full and prompt information on application procedures for grants,
3. To offer advice on internal review of grants for grant applicants,
4. To monitor and facilitate the preparation of the School Annual Report and the DEEWA report,
5. To develop a mentoring system for new staff,
6. To recommend priorities for School applications for Large Items of Equipment,
7. To facilitate the operation of Research Groups within the School,
8. To oversee the colloquium program,
9. To facilitate the conduct and publication of research by staff and students,
10. To publicize information about Ethics programs and to ensure the compliance with the requirements of the Human and Animal Ethics Committees of the University,
11. To refer to the Resources Committee concerning technical and resource matters impeding research,
12. To facilitate research-related interaction by members of the School,
13. To provide a summary Report in December of each year for inclusion in the following year's Annual Report,
14. To circulate notices of Research committee meetings and to report to each School Board Meeting,

Meets: every two months, [Committee minutes]

Reports to: Head of School, School Board

Membership:

The membership should normally include at least one level A, one level B or C and one level D and at least one male and one female. In consultation with the Head of School this committee will have the power to co-opt up to 2 additional members to fulfil this requirement or to assist in fulfilling its terms of reference.

• Chair: Professor David Alais
• Head of School: Professor Frans Verstraten
• Professor Bart Anderson
• Professor Phyllis Butow
• Professor Colin Clifford
• Dr Marc De Rosnay
• Dr Karen Gonsalkorala
• Professor Iain McGregor
• Mr Sean O'Connor
• Professor Louise Sharpe
• Associate Professor Fiona White
• Postgraduate student representative

Supported by: Sadhana Raju

V   RESOURCES COMMITTEE

Terms of Reference:

1. To monitor the financial, personnel, space and equipment resources in the School and to advise the Head of School concerning usage and needs in the resources area,
2. To receive reports from individuals responsible for computing, IT, workshop, administration, Animal House and to make recommendations on the basis of these reports,
3. To make recommendations concerning the acquisition, storage and disposal of equipment and software,
4. To monitor and recommend on the usage of space in the School,
5. To monitor and recommend on the maintenance of buildings,
6. To monitor and recommend on safety matters,
7. To plan and make recommendations concerning the upgrading of teaching and research laboratories and of other School facilities (e.g. the Animal House) and to monitor the progress of any construction or refurbishment,
8. To make recommendations about the purchase of minor equipment,
9. To recommend and make priorities for the purchase and use of equipment furniture, software, library,
10. To make recommendations concerning the allocation of research infrastructure funds,
11. To monitor technical and administrative staffing needs and to make recommendations concerning these needs to the Head of School,
12. To advise on matters concerned with consultancies and business liaison,
13. To provide a summary Report in December of each year for inclusion in the following year's Annual Report.

Meets: every two months, [Committee minutes]

Reports to: Head of School, School Board

Membership:

The membership should normally include at least one level A, one level B or C and one level D and at least one male and one female. In consultation with the Head of School this committee will have the power to co-opt up to 2 additional members to fulfil this requirement or to assist in fulfilling its terms of reference.

• Chair, Associate Head, Resources: Dr Michael Cavanagh
• Head of School: Professor Frans Verstraten
• Finance and Administration Manager: Ms Sandra Cheng
• Safety Officer & Head of Technical Support: Mr John Holden
• Web and Database Manager: Ethel Harris
• Deputy Manager of Computer Services: Nenad Petkovski
• Professor Justin Harris
• Dr Ian Johnston
• Dr Ben Colagiuri
• Postgraduate student representative

Supported by: Sadhana Raju

 

VI  TEACHING COMMITTEE

Terms of reference:

1. To monitor the structure and content of all courses offered by the School and to make recommendations to the Head of School concerning these courses,
2. To review current courses and to recommend changes as necessary,
3. To monitor assessment procedures and to ensure they are in line with Academic Board guidelines,
4. To make recommendations concerning new courses,
5. To monitor teaching quality and course evaluations,
6. To make recommendations on the need for new staff and the description and advertisement of academic positions,
7. To advise on teaching duties and marking duties,
8. To provide a vehicle for student-staff relations,
9. To refer matters to the Resources Committee concerning the technical and resources support for teaching,
10. To prepare Handbook entries and to ensure that entries for all Faculty Handbooks are prepared by the deadlines,
11. To ensure our course credit points are in accord with Faculty recommendations,
12. To update the course structure documentation for review and strategic plan purposes,
13. To provide a summary report in December of each year for inclusion in the following year's Annual Report.

Meets: Monthly, [Committee minutes]

Reports to: Head of School, School Board

Membership:

The membership should normally include at least one level A, one level B or C and one level D and at least one male and one female. In consultation with the Head of School this committee will have the power to co-opt up to 2 additional members to fulfill this requirement or to assist in fulfilling its terms of reference.

• Chair, Associate Head, Teaching: Dr Fiona Hibberd (S1), Dr Caleb Owens (S2)
• Head of School: Professor Frans Verstraten
• Psychology 1 Coordinator: Dr Caleb Owens
• Exam Mark Processing: Dr Evan Livesey
• Teaching Administration Manager: Ms Sadhana Raju
• BPsych Coordinator: Dr Lisa Zadro
• Professor Sally Andrews
• Dr Bruce Burns
• Dr Ilan Dar Nimrod
• Dr Michael Cavanagh
• Dr Ian Johnston
• Dr Carolyn MacCann
• Dr Helen Paterson
• Dr Marianna Szabó
• One Undergraduate student representative

Supported by: Sadhana Raju

 

VII   SCHOOL BOARD

Constitution and Procedures:

The constitution and procedures below are subject to the resolutions of the Senate and Academic Board. Current statutes and Regulations on School Board are attached.

1. MEMBERSHIP
   The board shall be constituted as follows:
   1. all full-time and fractional teaching and postdoctoral research staff assigned to the School.
   2. one undergraduate student and one postgraduate student in Psychology.
   3. two members of the administrative staff of the School (normally the two administrative officers assigned to the School).
   4. one member of the professional/technical staff of the School (normally the Technical Officer assigned as the supervisor of technical and laboratory staff).
2. MEETINGS
   1. The Board shall normally meet on the first Friday in March, August and December.
   2. Additional meetings may be called when deemed necessary by the Chairperson or by one quarter of the Board members.
   3. Meetings may be cancelled by the Chairperson when there is insufficient business.
3. CHAIR
   1. The Chair of the Board will normally be the Head of School except as provided for by the Statutes and Regulations of the University.
   2. If the Chairperson is unable to preside at a meeting of the Board, or chooses not to preside at a particular meeting, he/she will be responsible for appointing an Acting Chairperson for that meeting.
   3. The Chair or Acting Chair shall have the responsibility for ensuring compliance with the University Statutes relating to meetings as set out each year in the University Statutes and Regulations.
4. NOTICE OF MEETING
   1. All Board members are to be provided with a written list of the meeting dates throughout the year at the first meeting of that year.
   2. The agenda for a meeting of the Board shall be distributed to members at least four days prior to the meeting.
   3. Members should be notified of any variation to the listed dates at least one week prior to such variation.
   4. For Special Board meetings, advance notice of at least one week is required and all members shall be advised in writing of the agenda at least four days prior to such a meeting.
5. QUORUM
   1. A quorum shall be half the membership of the board (excluding those on authorised leave at the time of the meeting).
   2. A quorum must be present at the time of voting for any decision to be valid.
6. MOTIONS
   1. Substantive motions must normally be circulated in the agenda papers to all members of the Board in the form of proposals for approval.
   2. Motions which have not been circulated as above will be accepted for discussion at the meeting only when the Chairperson deems them to be urgent.
   3. Procedural motions may be accepted at the meeting.
   4. Motions to rescind any previous motions carried by the Board will not be accepted within ten months of the original motion being carried unless information not available at the time of decision is presented in support of the rescission. A motion to rescind a previous decision taken within the previous ten months will require a two-thirds majority of votes in order to be carried.
   5. All motions must be moved and seconded by voting members of the meeting before being put to vote.
7. VOTING
   1. When a vote is taken on a matter before the Board, the matter shall normally be decided by a simple majority of those voting for or against the motion.
   2. The person presiding at any meeting shall have a vote and in the case of an equality of votes a second or casting vote.
   3. Voting shall normally be by a show of hands, but may be by secret ballot if a motion to vote in this manner is proposed and seconded. In the event of a secret ballot the votes shall be counted by the Secretary to the Board and a member of the Board.
   4. Should a majority of Board members wish to vote on a manner using preferential voting, the procedure as documented by Locke shall be that which is used.
8. FUNCTION
   1. The Board shall consider and make representations on any matters pertaining to the School referred to it by the Head of School.
   2. In addition, the Board may make representations on any matter pertaining to the School (a) to the Head of the School and (b) through the Head of School, to the appropriate Faculty or Board of Studies concerned, the Vice-Chancellor or other appropriate officers of the University.
   3. Proposals and matters for consideration by the School shall be submitted to the Head of School who normally will refer them to the relevant School committee for consideration and recommendation. There are four Committees of the School which are to be known as the Postgraduate Committee, the Research Committee, the Resources Committee and the Teaching Committee. Each of these committees will present a report on its activities for noting by each meeting of the Board.
9. RECORDS
   1. A record shall be kept of each meeting of the Board and this record shall be signed as an accurate record after approval (and, if necessary, amendment) by a subsequent meeting of the Board.
10. CHANGES IN BOARD CONSTITUTION AND/OR PROCEDURES
    1. Motions regarding changes in the School Board constitution and/or procedures normally will only be considered at the First Board meeting each year.

Meets: 3 times per year, [School Board minutes]

MEMBERSHIP OF COMMITTEES OF THE FACULTY OF SCIENCE

Dean’s Advisory Committee:	Professor Frans Verstraten
Faculty of Science Board:	Professor Frans Verstraten
Faculty of Science Postgraduate Research Committee:	Professor Sally Andrews
Faculty of Science Postgraduate Coursework Committee:	A/Prof Caroline Hunt, Dr Anthony Grant, Dr Ilona Juraskova, Dr Maree Abbott, Dr Marianna Szabo
Faculty of Science Research Committee:	Professor David Alais
Faculty of Science Teaching and Learning Committee:	Dr Fiona Hibberd, Dr Caleb Owens
Faculty of Science Undergraduate Studies Committee:	Dr Fiona Hibberd
Faculty of Science Sub-Dean	Dr Fiona Hibberd
Ass. Dean BLAS	A/Prof Fiona White

 

MEMBERSHIP OF COMMITTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY

Faculty of Arts:	Dr Fiona Hibberd
Clinical Training Advisory Committe:e	A/Prof Caroline Hunt, Dr Maree Abbott
Human Ethics Committee:	Dr David Hawes, Dr Karen Gonsalkorale
SEG Research Integrity Committee:	Professor Stephen Touyz

 

SCHOOL OF PSYCHOLOGY - COMMITTEE STRUCTURE 2013