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The inaugural meeting of the Riverina College of Advanced Education (RCAE) Academic Board was convened on 11 February 1972. (1) The establishment of this Board was approved in principle by the Interim Council resolution C71/25. (2) The initial membership of the Academic Board consisted of the Principal, the Chairman of the Interim Council, an Executive member of the Interim Council and three other Interim Council nominees, the Chairmen of the Faculties, the Deans of the Schools, the Director of External Studies, the Director of the Information Resources Centre (Library) and the Director of Computer Studies. (3)
The primary role of the Academic Board was to coordinate the Academic Committees within the College, so that advice would be forwarded to the Interim Council in a consistent form. (4)
In early 1973, the Academic Board was renamed the College Board and a list of delegations for the Board was instituted which included:
1. the duty of furthering and coordinating the works of the Schools, the Boards of Study, the Assessments Committee and the Admissions Committee, and of encouraging scholarships and research and for advising the Council in all matters pertaining to the academic development and welfare of the College.
2. considering and reporting upon all matters referred to it by the Principal, the Deans, the Bursar, the Director of External Studies, the Director of the Information and Resources Centre and any Committee represented on the Board.
3. determining the admission criteria for students entering the College and establish procedures for the implementation of such.
4. determining the procedures for the assessment of students, for the review of student progress, for the exclusion of students on academic grounds and for restrictions on the re-enrolment of students who fail to meet normal requirements.
5. formulating course proposals for the consideration of Council.
6. making proposals to Council on external studies development.
7. undertaking other such duties as directed by the College Council. (5)
During the 1970’s and 1980’s the membership of the College Board changed regularly as the Faculties and Schools within the College continued to change and evolve. For example, in 1975 there were 28 members on the College Board, however by 1982 that number had risen to 37. (6)
By 1982, the College Board had instituted a number of Sub-Committees to which it was able to delegate responsibilities. These Committees included; the Admissions and Assessments Committee, External Studies Committee, Library Committee, Higher Degrees Committee, Courses Committee and the Timetable Policy Committee. (7) Other Sub-Committees such as the Research Committee, Re-Enrolment Committee and the Academic Regulations Committee were also added by 1986. (8)
In 1986, to compliment the change from RCAE to Riverina-Murray Institute of Higher Education (RMIHE) which occurred in 1985, the College Board again reverted back to the name ‘Academic Board’. Surprisingly, the functions of the Board had remained very constant throughout an extended period. In 1987, the terms of reference for the Academic Board were to:
1. be the principal academic body of the Institute and have the right to advise the Council on all matters relating to teaching, scholarship and research, and be responsible for furthering the academic policies of the Institute.
2. consider and report on all matters referred to it by the Council or Principal.
3. consider and make recommendations to Council with respect to new and revised courses proposed by the several schools.
4. consider and may approve revisions in existing courses which do not constitute a significant variation in the subject content or pattern of a course which results in a major difference in length, level or purpose of that course.
5. determine the minimum qualifications which will provide eligibility for entry to courses offered by the Institute.
6. determine the general requirements for admission to courses with advanced standing.
7. determine matters, including the making of regulations, concerning courses of instruction, examinations, assessments and requirements for the award of degrees and diplomas.
8. submit to Council the names of those students who have completed courses in the Institute with recommendations as to the award which shall be made in each case.
9. at its discretion, submit recommendations to the Council on any matters affecting teaching, scholarship and research.
10. establish such committees as it deems necessary to assist it in furthering the educational work of the Institute.
11. submit a report of its proceedings to the meeting of the Council next following that of the Board. (9)
The membership of the Academic Board was still also similar to that of the old RCAE College Board. In 1988, the Academic Board comprised 38 members. (10)
In late 1989, with the enactment of the Charles Sturt University Act (1989), the Academic Board was disbanded and replaced by the Charles Sturt University Interim Academic Senate. The final meeting of the RMIHE Academic Board was held on 28 November 1989. (11)
Endnotes
1. Agenda of the inaugural meeting of the RCAE Academic Board, Meeting 1/72, 11 February 1972, p.1.
2. Ibid., p.1.
3. Ibid., p.1.
4. Minutes of the inaugural meeting of the RCAE Academic Board, Meeting 1/72, 11 February 1972.
5. List of recommended delegations for College Board, 22 February 1973.
6. Agenda paper – ‘ College Board – Membership’, Meeting 4/82, 8 June 1982, p. 1.
7. Agenda paper – ‘College Board Sub-Committees’, Meeting 4/82, 8 June 1982, p. 1-2.
8. Minutes of the meeting of the RMIHE Academic Board, Meeting 6/88, 26 July 1988.
9. Minutes of the meeting of the RMIHE Academic Board, Meeting 6/88, 26 July 1988.
10. Ibid.
11. Minutes of the meeting of the RMIHE Academic Board, Meeting 10/89, 28 November 1989, p. 1.
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