University Council

The University Council is the governing body of the University of Tasmania. It is established by the University of Tasmania Act 1992.

The University Council is required to act in all matters of the University in the way it considers will best advance the interests of the University.

It has the power to do all things necessary to fulfil its role as the University's governing authority.

It is advised by its committees, its working parties, and (in relation to academic matters) the Academic Senate.

Learn more about the constitution, functions and powers of the University Council.

University Council Review Report

An independent review of University Council was completed by BoardsGlobal in October 2024 with the review assessing the University’s compliance and alignment with specific standards of the Higher Education Standards Framework (HESF) (2021), the University of Tasmania Act (1992) and other external and internal supporting governance instruments, and the effectiveness of our governing bodies and corporate and academic governance processes.

BoardsGlobal presented the findings of the Review Report at University Council meeting in October 2024 where Council considered the recommendations and plan for actioning them.

For more information, refer to the final Review Report.

Council stakeholder engagement

As the governing body of the University of Tasmania, University Council is committed to meaningful and authentic stakeholder and community engagement to inform its decision making. Council itself is a body constituted by a mix of members drawn from important stakeholder groups including academic and professional staff and students and external stakeholders from our local communities. These members bring vital stakeholder perspectives to Council, and we continue to strive for greater diversity of representation from our key stakeholder groups including first nations peoples, alumni, and regional representatives.

University Council stakeholders are diverse, with a range of interests, and University Council decisions can directly and indirectly impact our stakeholders. We want to invest time to know our stakeholders, their areas of interest, and gain knowledge and understanding of their diverse perspectives to ensure our governance structure is responsive to stakeholder perceptions and to inform Council decision making. This is in line with stakeholder expectations and is a commitment that Council has written into Ordinance reserving the power and function to ‘develop and foster links between the University and the wider Community.”

University Council engagement is separate from and independent of University Management and is utilised to assist Council to understand the impacts of current issues affecting stakeholders to help better inform decision making.

For more information please refer to the Stakeholder Engagement Framework (PDF 208.5 KB).

Council members and minutes

Overview of Council vacancies from 1 January 2025

s8(5) of the University of Tasmania Act states, before making an appointment to the Council, the Minister and the Council must –

  • give public notification of the vacancy; and
  • consult with each other about any intended appointment; and
  • have regard to the balance of skills and experience, regional representation, and an appropriate gender balance.

Applications now closed – Student member on Council

In accordance with s.8(1) (i) of the Act, Council is to include a minimum of one student appointed by the Council, after consultation with any relevant student associations. For further information please refer to the information contained in this document - nominating for appointment.

An Election for one Professional and one Academic Staff member on Council will be held in 2024

Voting opens Friday 22 November 2024 at 9am and closes on Tuesday 3 December 2024 at 5pm.

To be eligible to vote for the academic staff position you must be a full-time or fractional Academic staff member of the University (Casual staff are not eligible to vote in accordance with the provisions of the University of Tasmania Act 1992).

A link to the academic candidates for consideration can be accessed here.

To be eligible to vote for the professional staff position you must be a full-time or fractional Professional staff member of the University (Casual staff are not eligible to vote in accordance with the provisions of the University of Tasmania Act 1992).

A link to the professional candidates for consideration can be accessed here.

If you are eligible to vote in either election you will be sent an email on Friday 22 November 2024.

Related documents

Council committees

Council committees report to the University Council. Council normally makes appointments to its committees at either its last ordinary meeting for the year prior or; the first ordinary Council meeting, and in every alternate year after that.

The membership of the Council committees is as at 1 January 2023.

The Chancellor is an ex-officio member of every board, college and committee of the University, but is listed here only for those committees normally attended.

Council committees follow, each listed with their composition and terms of reference:

  • Chancellor
    Ms Alison Watkins AM

    Term expires:
    31 December 2025
  • Chair
    Ms Alicia Leis
    Term expires:
    31 December 2024

Appointed by council

  • Mr Kane Ingham
    Term expires:
    31 December 2024
  • Mr Leigh Franklin
    Term expires:
    28 February 2025
  • Professor Natalie Brown
    Term expires:
    28 February 2025
  • Assoc Prof Ashley Townsend
    Term expires:
    28 February 2025
  • Ms Sheree Vertigan AM
    Term expires:
    28 February 2025

Secretary

  • Mr Damien Maurice

Attendees

  • Vice-Chancellor
    Professor Rufus Black
  • Deputy Vice-Chancellor Student Services and Operations
    Mr Craig Barling
  • General Counsel & Executive Director, Legal
    Ms Jane Beaumont
  • Director, Risk
    Ms Jillian Ribbons
  • Manager, Internal Audit
    Mr Josh Gudsell
  • To oversee the risk management framework and ensure that it effectively facilitates the identification, assessment and mitigation of key higher-level risks across the University (including all entities and activities).
  • To ensure that the University is supported with a contemporary internal audit program that provides appropriate depth and breadth of coverage, including appropriate oversight of long-term appointments of outsourced audit service providers.
  • To monitor the activities and performance of the internal and external audit functions.
  • To review and endorse the annual financial statements.
  • To review internal and external audit reports to ensure that recommendations and agreed actions are promptly enacted.
  • To facilitate the conduct of special investigations initiated by the committee or requested by Council as required.
  • To monitor the establishment of, and on-going compliance with, an appropriate framework of internal control.
  • To oversee the effectiveness of the University's compliance framework.
  • To monitor the establishment of, and ongoing compliance with, an appropriate cyber security program.

The full version of the terms of reference and membership can be accessed here.

For all University Council and Committee meeting dates, please refer to the Planning Calendar.

For Key University Dates (Academic and Semester dates) please refer to Key Dates.

Council and Committee meeting dates

For Key University Dates (Academic and Semester dates) please refer to Key Dates.