What's New in Policies
Information and links to the latest updates to the UNE Policy Library.
Graduation Rule and Graduation Guidelines
Amended Policy 1st April 2022 - Changes to the Graduation Rule have moved to a more direct, inclusive language, and the realignment between Rule and Guidelines where necessary. There are no substantive changes in these proposed amendments.
Graduation is the most celebrated event in the academic calendar and the culmination of each student’s learning journey for a particular award (whether or not they continue to other studies with UNE). For many UNE students, the graduation ceremony will be the only time they set foot on the campus in Armidale, it is critical that this experience is outstanding.
The Graduation Guidelines recognise the potential for the University to engage a commercial provider of services related to the graduation ceremony event, at the same time acknowledging that the University retains responsibility for all activities related to graduation, including the graduation ceremony event (cl. 23) The identification of the role of Graduation Officer to coordinate all activities related to graduation, including the graduation ceremony event as accountable for all tasks related to the graduation process.
The associated Graduation Certification Form has been updated.
Course and Unit Design and Approval Guidelines
Updated 22nd March 2022 - Minor amendments:
Under the funding agreement between the Commonwealth and UNE (under the Higher Education Support Act 2003), UNE is required to receive the Commonwealth’s approval to withdraw certain courses. The changes separate the course withdrawal and suspension workflow processes to meet this requirement.
New workflow documents have been published with the policy. Please ensure that you use these workflow when suspending or withdrawing a course.
- Course Suspension Workflow
- Course Withdrawal Workflow
Changes have been made to the Academic Portfolio Executive Committee (APEC) responsibilities for withdrawal and suspension of courses.
Amended clauses: 10, 24-27, 46 (Summary of Roles & Responsibilities), 57.
Updated 20th January 2022 - Minor amendments:
- Clause 14 - Modifications to assessment task information provided to students - better reflect requirements of Higher Education Standard Framework and the Course and Unit Design and Approval Guidelines in relation to the UNE Course Handbook and Learning Management System.
- Clause 22 - Re-included deleted sentence relating to students being informed of markers, but updated to reflect Committee discussion that students should be notified if the Unit Coordinator is not the only marker.
- Clause 49: Removed reference to disciplinary requirements to avoid potential situation of a discipline setting standards that are consistent with UNE-wide approach.
- Clause 55: To reflect the possible situation of a student having met all learning outcomes but still failed the unit, the clause has been expanded to state that the supplementary assessment must assess the learning outcomes that were not sufficiently demonstrated in one or more of the assessment tasks in a unit.
Academic Quality Assurance Guidelines - Annexure - Education Quality Activities
New Policy 20th January 2022 - UNE has been engaged in a sustained program of work to not only assure, but also enhance, the quality of its education and research. These new Guidelines ensure that this sustained program of work is embedded in UNE’s ongoing policy and practices for unit, course and school academic quality reviews.
The Quality Assurance Procedures for Courses and Units (Coursework) and School Monitoring and Review Procedures have been rescinded.
Graduates Attributes Procedures
Updated 3rd November 2021 - Inclusion of the Deputy Vice Chancellor approved the requirements to map relevant courses to Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) and professional standards. Schools are required to provide curriculum maps that that link to the (AQF) and professional standards, in addition to the UNE Graduate Attributes.
CourseLoop provides functionality to create and maintain curriculum maps to ensure UNE meets the TEQSA requirements. For implementation advice and further to understand the requirements contact Learning Design.
Academic Quality Assurance - Third Party Education Provider Agreement Procedures
Updated 3rd November 2021 - These procedures support the Academic Quality Assurance Rule, and the Commercial Activities Rule as they relate to principles and processes which are to underpin delivery, administration or support of the University educational programs via third party providers.
Providing clarity on the expectations for proposing and then managing a third party agreement in line with TEQSA, sector, and UNE expectations. These Guidelines apply to all UNE courses and research training which are delivered, administered, or supported by third party providers, wholly or in part, whether in Australia or overseas; and all staff and students involved in those arrangements.
Graduation Rule and Graduation Guidelines
Amended Policy 1st April 2022 - Changes to the Graduation Rule have moved to a more direct, inclusive language, and the realignment between Rule and Guidelines where necessary. There are no substantive changes in these proposed amendments.
Graduation is the most celebrated event in the academic calendar and the culmination of each student’s learning journey for a particular award (whether or not they continue to other studies with UNE). For many UNE students, the graduation ceremony will be the only time they set foot on the campus in Armidale, it is critical that this experience is outstanding.
The Graduation Guidelines recognise the potential for the University to engage a commercial provider of services related to the graduation ceremony event, at the same time acknowledging that the University retains responsibility for all activities related to graduation, including the graduation ceremony event (cl. 23) The identification of the role of Graduation Officer to coordinate all activities related to graduation, including the graduation ceremony event as accountable for all tasks related to the graduation process.
The associated Graduation Certification Form has been updated.
UNE Governance Integrity & Standards Policy
New Policy 2nd March 2022 - The UNE principles for Governance, Integrity and Standards ensures high standards of professional conduct in corporate and academic governance activities, establish the professional practice, and ethical standards for the University and its representatives:
- Principle 1: We act with integrity and professional conduct to foster a positive, purpose driven, ethical and responsible governance culture.
- Principle 2: We value participation, equity, inclusion and diversity to ensure the membership of governing bodies and committees collectively represent the diversity of UNE representative and students.
- Principle 3: Our governance roles and responsibilities have clear accountability and oversight to make effective and efficient decisions.
- Principle 4: We are transparent and responsive, committed to ensuring quality and lawful standards of practice in of our Governance functions whilst furthering UNE’s objectives.
The central objective of this policy is to achieve good governance outcomes that fostering and enhancing the reputation of UNE. It is vital that we all apply these principles when undertaking our governance duties.
The associated information to this policy provides a link to the governance policies.
UNE Delegations Framework Rule
New Policy 2nd March 2022 - This new policy defines the 3 delegations principles applied at UNE and detailed guidance on how to meet the principles:
- Principle 1 - Functional and financial delegations are only to be exercised by a delegated UNE Representative or committee/body.
- Principle 2 - The exercise of a function or an approval carries with it responsibilities.
- Principle 3 - The exercise of a delegation should be undertaken consistent with delegation protocols.
A delegation is a conferral by the Council of its power and authority to perform functions on an officer or body of the University. This policy is supported by the Delegations Schedules, provide up to date and accurate information on delegations within the University. These schedules support our staff and committees who hold delegations to correctly make decisions and undertake actions that meet their delegated powers and authorities.
Academic Quality Assurance Guidelines
New Policy 20th January 2022 - These guidelines provide a holistic view of the framework, structures, roles and responsibilities and functions. This more comprehensive approach is a result of a sustained series of activities in quality enhancement over the past 12 months to support best practice in good governance. This brings together multiple pieces of work on School reviews, course reviews, unit reviews, and revised reporting to academic governance committees to ensure information is consistent, cohesive, and the policy framework reflects actual practice.
The Academic Quality Assurance Rule has been rescinded.
Vice-Chancellor Functions Rule
Updated 4th December 2021 - This Rule defines the authority delegated to the Vice-Chancellor (including management and operation of the University, planning and development, monitoring and reporting, controlled entities) and the authority to delegate to other to provide strategic, policy and operational advice, information, and support.
A review of the existing Functions of the Vice-Chancellor Rule was commenced in July and discussed with the Remuneration Committee at its August 2021 meeting and recognise the need to better articulate expected roles and responsibilities not covered by the existing Rule, and to clarify provides greater clarity on the responsibilities and actions assigned to delegates that support the Vice-Chancellor’s functions. The substantive delegated functions assigned to the Vice-Chancellor have not been amended.
University Seal and Signing Documents Rule
Updated 2nd December 2021 -The Use of the University Seal and Signing Documents Rule has been reviewed and recognise:
- many UNE contracts do not require the use of the Seal
- when the Seal is required, its use is controlled, recorded and reported to the UNE Council
- the specific officers who are able to sign documents (within appropriate delegated authority and where there is not a conflict of interest) at the University to support effective and efficient operations.
Academic Quality Assurance - Third Party Education Provider Agreement Procedures
Updated 3rd November 2021 - These procedures support the Academic Quality Assurance Rule, and the Commercial Activities Rule as they relate to principles and processes which are to underpin delivery, administration or support of the University educational programs via third party providers.
Providing clarity on the expectations for proposing and then managing a third party agreement in line with TEQSA, sector, and UNE expectations. These Guidelines apply to all UNE courses and research training which are delivered, administered, or supported by third party providers, wholly or in part, whether in Australia or overseas; and all staff and students involved in those arrangements.
Public Interest Disclosure and Whistleblower Guidelines
Updated 1st October 2021 - A complete review of the policy to ensure compliance with University’s obligations regarding protected disclosures under the Public Interest Disclosures Act 1994 (NSW) (PID Act) and the protection of whistleblower provisions in the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Corps Act) Part 9.4AAA.
Defines UNE's Public Disclosure Principles, processes and responsibilities.
Published 27th September 2021 - These Guidelines replace the Corporate Risk Management Rule. They define UNE’s Risk Management Framework that supports the consistent application of risk management across the University. The guidelines include:
- The Risk Management Framework;
- The Principles of Risk Management at UNE; and
- Guidance on Risk Management Practice.
The Guidelines are supported by Annexure 1 - Risk Approach and Terminology.
Financial Delegations
Updated July 2021 - An updated Schedule of Financial Delegations has now been published in the Policy Register. Changes include amendments reflecting new division names and positions, as well as several changes to delegation levels. The delegations were approved in March 2021.
The new financial delegations are linked to the Financial Delegations Rule.
If you have any questions please contact Alicia Zikan, Head of Records, Policy & Governance.
Committee Terms of Reference
The following Terms of Reference have recently been updated and published:
Terms of Reference (Council approved) - UNE Human Research Ethics Committee
Education Enterprise Directorate Education Committee
Council - Remuneration Committee
Council - Audit and Risk Committee
Contact Emily Lambert for any questions regarding Terms of Reference for UNE Committees.
Updated 5th April 2022 - These UNE-wide procedures have been updated with the current University travel management company, FCM Travel, and the activities facilitated by the travel team (une@fcmtravel.com.au).
Asset Management Financial Procedure
Updated 17th December 2021 - Finance and Infrastructure Committee approved amendments to the useful life of building assets and infrastructure, Portable and Attractive items and responsibilities.
Financial Management Guidelines
Updated13th December 2021 - Updates to the policy, approved by F&I Committee of Council, now reflects new approach to investment. Amendments to the investment allocation, limits, asset classes and allowable investments. For further guidance on meeting our fiduciary duties, read the UNE Financial Management Principles.
Published 25th October 2021 - These guidelines outline the appropriate use of digital signatures at the University of New England (UNE) and identify when digital signatures are not to be used by UNE staff and representatives.
Complaints Guidelines - UNE Representatives not covered by Enterprise Agreements
Published 7th October 2021 - These guidelines provide a fair and consistent approach to managing the resolution of complaints and grievances involving the University of New England and UNE Representatives who are not covered by a UNE Enterprise Agreement, including for example, persons employed on a common law contract, independent contractors and/or members of the Council.
Provide your ideas and feedback at anytime
Our policies are always undergoing review and improvement. Your input is vital to understanding how successful a policy is at meeting its objectives.
To provide feedback on a UNE policy, select the Feedback Tab at the top of the policy webpage in the Policy Register.
If you would like to contribute your thoughts on improving our approach to policy, visit the Discussion Board and answer the Improving Policy at UNE questionnaire.
