Regulation 6.1.R7 - The School of Earth Sciences

1. The school of Earth Sciences within the faculty of science comprises a single budgeting department consisting of the academic disciplines of Geology and Meteorology.
2. The overall purpose and responsibility of the school is the promotion of teaching and research in Geology, Meteorology and Earth Sciences, and, among other things, will include in the first instance the following academic and administrative matters-
   
   
   1. the preparation and operation of budgets within the school,
   2. the establishment and co-ordination of committees covering the various areas of the school's activities,
   3. the deployment and supervision of all technical and administrative staff and associated resources within the school,
   4. the nomination of representatives of the school to serve on Faculties and their constituent bodies,
   5. the future form and development of the school and, in particular, its role within the Victorian Institute of Earth and Planetary Sciences,
   6. the co-ordination, planning, management, extension and operation of all courses presented within the school of Earth Sciences, as well as assessment of students at all levels and the maintenance of academic standards,
   7. the consideration of needs for equipment, accommodation, research and teaching within the school,
   8. the encouragement, consideration and co-ordination of research projects and submissions, including those involving more than one section or interdisciplinary projects,
   9. provision of active support for all research and teaching needs and initiatives of the various sections.
      
3. The various academic discipline areas of the school of Earth Sciences are responsible for research and training of postgraduate students in the appropriate areas, and together are responsible for the teaching of Earth Sciences at all levels.
4. The school of Earth Sciences has a head and deputy head appointed in accordance with the procedures for the appointment of head and deputy head of department set out in Regulation 6.1.R7 of Council made pursuant to Statute 6.1, chosen one from each of the academic discipline areas.
5. The head and deputy head of the school are appointed from the professors, readers and senior lecturers of the school for a period of not less than three years and not more than five years in the case of an initial appointment. A subsequent appointment, immediately following an initial appointment, may be made for less than three years. The retiring head and deputy head are eligible for re-appointment.
6. Where no nominations are forthcoming, Council may appoint, on the recommendations of the vice-chancellor and the dean of the faculty of Science, and after consultation with members of the school committee, two members of staff of the school of Earth Sciences of the rank of senior lecturer or above to be head and deputy head of the school.
7. The head of school will have full powers to execute the business of the school. The head is responsible to the University through the faculty of Science for implementing the policies of the University, the faculty of Science, and the school and for ensuring that the school fully discharges its academic and administrative functions.
8. The head is assisted by a school committee which consist of the following members-
   
   1. the head and deputy head of the school,
   2. the heads of the academic discipline areas constituting the school,
   3. one additional academic staff member from each of the academic discipline areas constituting the school,
   4. one representative from each of the extra-University groups as determined from time to time by the school committee .
      
9. Following advice from the head of school, the dean may approve the process for the determination of heads of academic discipline areas. It is envisaged that each academic discipline area is headed by a professor. Only in exceptional circumstances would it be accepted that the professor would not be head of an academic discipline area.
10. The heads of academic discipline areas are responsible for day to day management in all matters delegated by the head of school.
11. Functions of the school committee will include receiving and considering reports from various sub-committees and acting as a forum for information and discussion on matters raised by leaders of academic disciplines or by members of the school committee. The head will seek the advice of the committee on matters of long term policy and keep the committee informed on matters of executive action. The school committee will meet at least four times per year.
12. The school meeting comprises all full-time and fractional full-time academic staff of the school together with representatives of part-time academic staff, general staff and students as determined from time to time by the school committee. The school committee will approve the procedures of the school meeting.
    
    The school meeting is a consultative body whose function is to facilitate communication and discussion of matters affecting the school.
    
    The school committee will determine the frequency of school meetings but it is expected to meet at least once a year.
    

School of Mathematical Sciences