The University

Governance

Role and Responsibilities of Council

UC Council Expectations

  1. Reviewing and approving the University's Investment Plan.
  2. Reviewing and approving the University's mission, values, vision and strategic plans (this will necessarily involve developing a depth of knowledge of the University's business, understanding and questioning the assumptions upon which such plans are based, and reaching an independent judgement as to the probability that the plans can be realised).
  3. Selecting, monitoring, evaluating, compensating, and - if necessary - replacing the Vice-Chancellor.
  4. Working with the Vice-Chancellor in developing the criteria for a senior management structure and capabilities appropriate for the University's needs.
  5. Reviewing and approving the University's financial delegations, its financial objectives, plans and actions, including significant capital allocations and expenditure.
  6. Reviewing and approving material transactions not in the ordinary course of business.
  7. Monitoring the University's performance against its strategic plans and objectives, including overseeing the operating results on a regular basis to evaluate whether the University is being properly managed.
  8. Ensuring ethical behaviour and compliance with the Education Act, other laws and regulations, auditing and accounting principles etc.
  9. Assessing its own effectiveness in fulfilling these and other Council responsibilities.

Minister's Expectations

It is expected that all members of Tertiary Education Institution Councils will, to the best of their ability:

  1. Comply with all relevant statutory requirements
  2. Ensure that the institution undertakes sound strategic and business planning in accordance with its charter, once approved by the Minister
  3. Ensure that the Council appropriately directs the chief executive of the institution and holds the chief executive accountable for performance with explicit and measurable performance criteria
  4. Ensure that the institution provides the Minister and officials with the information necessary to monitor the performance of the institution
  5. Ensure that the institution adopts sound organisational and financial management practices so as to safeguard and enhance the country's investment in the institution and optimise the institution's expenditure in accordance with its annual business plan
  6. Encourage the institution to actively explore ways in which greater co-operation and collaboration with other tertiary institutions can be achieved to the benefit of all institutions involved
  7. Ensure that the institution works towards reducing disparity in achievement between Maori and non-Maori in the region or regions in which it operates
  8. Ensure that the institution implements an internal audit function that includes unfettered reporting of findings to Council
  9. Ensure that the institution and Council implement appropriate mechanisms for communicating and working with key stakeholder groups including the student body, staff, the wider community, the Ministry of Education, education agencies, other departments, and other tertiary institutions and schools
  10. Participate in an annual Council member performance appraisal to be undertaken by the Council chair
  11. Advise the Council chair immediately of any circumstances, conflicts of interest, or perceived conflicts of interest that may prevent the Council member from performing his/her role in a fair and impartial way, in the best interests of the institution