Recognition of Disciplines Policy

Overview

1. Purpose of disciplines

2. Criteria for establishment of discipline

Authorities

Procedures

1. Establishment of a discipline

2. Discontinuing a discipline

Overview

This policy provides for the establishment and discontinuation of disciplines within Schools and Faculties of the University of Adelaide.

Policy Principles

1. Purpose of disciplines

Disciplines are informal academic groupings of academic staff which

i. Focus and foster discipline-specific academic activities within a School

ii. Through the Heads of Discipline, provide advice to Heads of School, and through them then Executive Deans or decision-making committees on academic matters

iii. May be represented, through their Head of Discipline, on the appointment committee for the Head of School of which the discipline is part

iv. Do not have formal standing for the purposes of budget management.

2. Criteria for establishment of discipline

Before a discipline is approved, the Vice-Chancellor and President must be satisfied that

i. the discipline will contribute to one or more objectives of the University Strategic Plan, and

ii. there is strong external recognition of the particular disciplinary identity, and

iii. there are sufficient staff and student numbers and a level and extent of activity to sustain the discipline's future.

Authorities

Key	Authority Category	Authority	Delegation Holder	Limits
Organisational structure	Recognition of disciplines	Approve the establishment and discontinuation of disciplines within a School	Vice-Chancellor and President

Procedures

1. Establishment of a discipline

Responsibility: Head of School

i. Develop proposal for consideration of the Executive Dean, setting out

a) name and brief description of discipline

b) number and names of staff to participate in it

c) proposed activities of discipline, and

d) how proposed discipline will meet criteria specified under Policy Principle 2.

Responsibility: Executive Dean

i. Consult with Faculty and other relevant stakeholders.

ii. Apply clause 7.8 Major Organisational Change of the Enterprise Agreement 2010-2013, if required.

iii. Submit proposal to Vice-Chancellor and President.

Responsibility: Vice-Chancellor and President

i. Consider proposal against the criteria specified under Policy Principle 2, and make decision.

ii. Notify Head of School, Executive Dean and Director, Strategy, Planning and Recruitment.

Responsibility: Head of School

After approval, arrange for

a) the role, resources and performance assessment of the Head of Discipline, as specified in clause 7.7.10 Enterprise Agreement 2010-2013 to be implemented

b) election of the Head of Discipline, as per the clause 7.7.10 Enterprise Agreement 2010-2013 and the Discipline Head Election Procedure..

Responsibility: Staff in discipline

Once approved, staff may record their discipline affiliation as well as School on business cards and letterheads.

2. Discontinuing a discipline

Responsibility: Head of School and/or Executive Dean

i. Initiate proposal, after consultation with stakeholders, setting out

a) reasons for discontinuation

b) details of any future disciplinary affiliation for staff of discontinued discipline, and

c) how any outstanding commitments (e.g. student program completions or research contracts) will be met.

ii. Apply clause 7.8 Major Organisational Change of the Enterprise Agreement 2010-2013, if required.

iii. Submit to Vice-Chancellor and President for decision.

Responsibility: Vice-Chancellor and President

i. Consider proposal and make decision.

ii. Notify Head of School, Executive Dean and Director, Strategy, Planning and Recruitment.

Please use the following URL instead of linking to individual documents:
http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/1023/