Accountability framework: principles of accountability
Internal quality assurance activities are managed in a manner that reduces to a minimum the need for additional or ad hoc work to enable the University to satisfy external quality accountabilities.
In the University of Melbourne, systematic accountability is predicated on the following assumptions:
- 2.1 All external reporting obligations are discharged either through the University Council, or on the basis of specific Council delegations.
- 2.2 Except at the level of the University Council or its committees, responsibility and accountability rest finally with designated individuals, never with a committee.
- 2.3 Each member of staff has a clearly identified supervisor, understands the rights, responsibilities and obligations associated with his or her role in the University, and participates in an annual process of performance review.
- 2.4 All staff with management responsibilities (Heads of Departments, Deans, general staff managers and Senior Executives) work to clear operational goals, targets, performance measures and reporting obligations.
- 2.5 All formal reporting requirements are coordinated through the Office of the Senior Vice-Principal so as to avoid duplication in the preparation and collection of information.
- 2.6 Wherever possible, internal reporting schedules and management information systems are designed to feed into major external accountabilities such as the Annual Report, DEST statistical returns, the annual Institution Assessment Framework and Funding Agreement and the requirements of national and international performance reporting.
- 2.7 Substantial business decisions are taken only on the basis of proper business planning which is informed by detailed risk assessments and independent due diligence review.
- 2.8 Internal quality assurance activities are managed in a manner that reduces to a minimum the need for additional or ad hoc work to enable the University to satisfy external quality accountabilities.