Message from the President of Convocation
The Committee of Convocation, established by the Melbourne University Act 1958(Vic), is the body that provides the means for University of Melbourne graduates to have an input into their university. Graduates of each faculty grouping elect one or more representatives (40 in all) to the Committee of Convocation with the number of representatives dependent on the number of graduates in each faculty. Representatives are elected to fixed terms with the terms staggered so that there is an election of approximately half the members every two years.
Under the Act, the Committee:
“may submit for the consideration of the council such suggestions as it thinks fit with respect to the affairs and concerns of the University; and the council shall take all such suggestions into consideration and report to the committee its determinations thereon;” [section 25(b)]
The Committee receives and considers University Council papers on University legislation, management, budgets, academic matters and governance, and passes its views to Council via written reports to Council meetings. The President of Convocation attends and addresses University Council meetings.
The Committee and its members also contribute to many matters involving policy development by representing the interests of graduates on faculties and on other relevant decision making bodies of the University.
From time to time, the Vice-Chancellor and Chancellor address the Committee on overall University planning and what has been achieved. When considering current issues, the Committee is briefed by, and questions, appropriate senior staff members from both the administrative and academic areas, including deans of faculties.
The University Secretary attends all meetings of the Committee and provides a key link to University governance and its legislative and administrative arrangements.
All of these arrangements are designed to provide ways for University of Melbourne graduates to keep in touch with their University, and to have a means by which they can review and express their views on University matters.
The Committee has developed a strategic plan that provides direction for the actions of the Committee, and a report is presented each year at the Annual Ordinary Meeting of Convocation
Some recent activities of the Committee include;
- Discussions on the implementation of the Melbourne Model
- Presentation to the University of a replica Foundation Stone to mark the 140th anniversary of Convocation
- Representation to the University Council on the management and reporting arrangements in respect of the Bio21 Institute
- Recommendations to the University Council for amendments to University statutes
- Submission to the State Government review of University Acts
- Submission to the University’s Information Futures Commission
- Refurbishment of the Grainger Museum
- Commemoration of Traditional Owners
The Committee welcomes interaction with graduates and the names of members and the faculty groupings they represent are posted on the web site.
Lesley Boston,
President of Convocation