academic governance

Academic Governance

Whitehouse Institute of Design, Australia has two governance bodies, the Board of Governors and the Academic Board. The Board of Governors has oversight of the operational, managerial and academic functions of the Institute.  The academic functions are delegated to the Academic Board which is chaired by an independent, external academic.  The Chair of the Academic Board is also a member of the Board of Governors, thereby ensuring that academic matters are reported to the Board of Governors on a regular basis. 

The Academic Board is an officially constituted body which is governed by a Charter that outlines its roles, responsibilities, membership and terms of reference.  The Academic Board is comprised of three external Senior Academics, the Academic Director, Vice Academic Coordinator, an Academic Program Coordinator, the Quality Manager, the Vocational Education and Training Manager and Student Representatives. The Academic Board normally meets three to four times a year. The Academic Board ratifies all policies and procedures dealing with academic issues, approves course curriculum and design, monitors academic scholarship and engagement and approves any proposed changes to accredited courses. The Board also reviews student and staff satisfaction surveys and has the authority to act on a variety of academic matters including academic grievances. The current Chair of the Academic Board is Professor Andrew Gonczi.