Nominations and Elections for Standing Committee of Convocation

Standing Committee of Convocation Elections 2025

Nominations are closed for the following elected positions:

• One (1) Chair of Convocation (open to all members of UNE Convocation)
• Two (2) current or former members of UNE Council
• Six (6) graduates of the University (UNE)
• Two (2) current or former academic staff
• Two (2) current or former professional staff

Eligibility

Following the Standing Committee of Convocation Terms of Reference, University of New England Act 1993 (NSW), and the UNE By-law 2005 (NSW), to be eligible for election to the Standing Committee of Convocation, you must:

• be a current member of UNE Convocation (see Membership Categories below);
• declare your eligibility as a member of Convocation;
• be willing to complete the TEQSA Fit and Proper Person Declaration Form under the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) Act;
• be willing to uphold the UNE Code of Conduct.

Membership Categories

While individuals within the UNE community may qualify under multiple categories of Convocation membership, for the purposes of formal participation and elections (including standing for election or voting), you may only be considered in one membership category.

To determine your category, refer to the hierarchical list below and select the first category that applies to you. Once you qualify for a category, you are not eligible to nominate or vote in any category below it.

Membership Categories (choose the first that applies to you)

1. Current or former member of UNE Council
   If this applies to you, this is your category — stop here.
2. Current or former academic staff member
   Full-time, part-time or casual. Only select this if you are not a current or former Council member.
3. Current or former professional staff member
   Full-time, part-time or casual. Only select this if you are not a Council member or academic staff.
4. Graduate of the University (UNE)
   Only select this if you do not qualify under any of the above categories (i.e. are not a Council member, academic or professional staff member).

Note: The category of "member of Convocation invited by Council to be a member" relates to Section 14(1)(d) of the UNE Act, and has been excluded from this nomination process, as no members have currently been admitted under this provision.

For the avoidance of doubt, any member of Convocation — regardless of category — may nominate for election as the Chair of Convocation, and all members of Convocation are entitled to vote in the election for Chair.

Role Overview - Elected Member of Standing Committee of Convocation

What’s involved?

Term: 2 years (per Clause 15 of the Terms of Reference), commencing 28 July 2025.

– Attend Convocation meetings (expected 2 meetings annually).

Functions:
– Support the Chair in agenda-setting for Convocation.
– Review proposals and communications to/from Convocation.
– Review and confirm meeting minutes.

– Uphold the UNE Code of Conduct as a UNE Representative.

Deadline to nominate: 5:00 pm AEST, Monday 23 June 2025

Role Overview - Chair of Convocation

What’s involved?

Term: 2 years (per Clause 15 of the Terms of Reference), commencing 28 July 2025.

– Liaise with Convocation members and the University on relevant matters.

– In conjunction with Secretariat, respond to and coordinate correspondence on behalf of Convocation.

– Ideally have a passion for the University, experience in chairing large meetings, and working collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.

The Chair of Convocation will receive administrative support from the University Secretariat.

Deadline to nominate: 5:00 pm AEST, Monday 23 June 2025

How to Nominate

All members of Convocation are eligible to nominate:

• only for the role of Chair of Convocation, or
• for both Chair of Convocation and a Standing Committee member position, or
• only as a member of the Standing Committee of Convocation.

To nominate for a position, you must complete the Nomination Form, which includes:

• a 150-word candidate statement for display on the online ballot;
• a photograph for display on the online ballot (optional but encouraged; this should be a recent photo of yourself, preferably a headshot); and
• a number of declarations.

You may only nominate for one membership category (as defined above).
Example: If you are a past Council member, current academic staff member, and a graduate — you may only nominate as a Council member.

Please note, you may be contacted via email and asked to provide documentation to confirm your eligibility.

Deadline to nominate: 5:00 pm AEST, Monday 23 June 2025

If you have issues nominating, please contact returning_officer@une.edu.au.

Notice of Elections

If more nominations are received than there are positions in a category, an election will be held.

To participate in this election, you must be registered as a member of Convocation. If you have not yet registered, please complete the Convocation Membership Form.

Registered members of Convocation will receive a voting invitation via BigPulse. If needed, elections are expected to commence on or around 7 July 2025. If you have not received an email from BigPulse by this date, first check your junk mail (look for an email from UNE Elections noreply-XXX@bigpulse.com), then contact returning_officer@une.edu.au.

Each voter is entitled to cast their vote once in:

• the election for candidates in their own membership category (as determined by the hierarchy), and
• the election for the Chair of Convocation, which is open to all members of Convocation.

Voting instructions:

• Voting is preferential. Rank candidates by placing "1" next to your most preferred, "2" for your next choice, and so on.
• For your membership category, you must rank at least the number of candidates equal to the number of positions available (e.g. rank at least six (6) candidates in the Graduate category; rank at least two (2) candidates in all other categories). You may continue numbering the remaining candidates if you wish.
• All members may vote in the Chair of Convocation election. You must rank at least two (2) candidates, and you may continue numbering additional candidates if you wish.
• Candidate names will appear in a randomised order each time a new voter opens the ballot, to minimise positional bias.

Important Dates

Further Information