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UNIVERSITY OF NEW ENGLAND BILL 1993
NEW SOUTH WALES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This Explanatory Note relates to this Bill as introduced into Parliament)
The following Bills are cognate with this Bill:
(a) Southern Cross University Bill 1993;
(b) Higher Education (Amalgamation) Amendment Bill 1993.
The object of this Bill is to establish a new University of New England. The
University is to consist of the staff and student bodies and educational facilities
currently comprised in the existing University of New England campus at Armidale.
The University is to be managed by a Council that includes parliamentary, official,
appointed and elected members.
The Lismore and Coffs Harbour campuses of the existing University of New England
are to become part of the proposed Southern Cross University (see the Southern Cross
University Bill 1993).
The Orange Agricultural College which forms part of the existing University of New
England is to become an academic college of the University of Sydney (see the Higher
Education (Amalgamation) Amendment Bill 1993).
The Bill repeals the University of New England Act 1989.
PART 1--PRELIMINARY
Clause 1 specifies the short title of the proposed Act.
Clause 2 provides that the proposed Act commences on a proclaimed day or days.
Clause 3 defines terms used in the proposed Act.
Clause 4 establishes the University.
Clause 5 provides for the incorporation of the University.
Clause 6 specifies the functions of the University.
Clause 7 empowers the University, for the purpose of exercising its functions, to
provide such facilities for students as it considers desirable.
PART 3--THE COUNCIL, AUTHORITIES AND OFFICERS OF THE
UNIVERSITY
Clause 8 establishes a Council of the University.
Clause 9 provides that the Council consists of parliamentary, official, appointed and
elected members.
Clause 10 contains provisions relating to the Chancellor of the University.
Clause 11 contains provisions relating to the Deputy Chancellor of the University.
Clause 12 contains provisions relating to the Vice-Chancellor of the University and
provides that the Vice-Chancellor is the chief executive officer of the University.
Clause 13 designates His Excellency the Governor as the Visitor of the University.
Clause 14 describes the University Convocation.
Clause 15 establishes an Academic Board of the University.
PART 4-FUNCTIONS OF THE COUNCIL
Division 1--General
Clause 16 specifies the principal powers of the Council.
Clause 17 permits the Council to delegate its functions.
Division 2--Property
Clause 18 specifies the powers of the Council relating to property and places certain
restrictions on the Council dealing with land of the University.
Clause 19 gives the Council, subject to certain restrictions, the control and
management of land of the Crown on which the University is conducted.
Clause 20 provides for the resumption or appropriation of land for the benefit of the
University.
Clause 21 provides for the vesting in the University of land of the Crown on which
its activities are conducted.
PART 5--GENERAL
Clause 22 enables the Treasurer, with the approval of the Governor-in-Council, to
advance money to the University for its temporary accommodation.
Clause 23 provides for the financial year of the University.
Clause 24 forbids religious or political discrimination in the admission of students,
the conferring of degrees and awards and the appointment of staff.
Clause 25 provides for the exemption of persons, on grounds of conscience, from
membership of the body corporate of the University or from Convocation.
Clause 26 enables the re-appointment or re-election of a person to any office under
the proposed Act which the person has held and for which he or she is still suitably
qualified and eligible.
Clause 27 provides for the use and custody of the seal of the University.
Clause 28 enables the Council, with the approval of the Governor-in-Council, to
make by-laws generally for the management, good government and discipline of the
University and in relation to certain specified matters.
Clause 29 enables the Council, or another authority specified in the by-laws, to
make rules for the regulation of matters concerning a subject-matter specified in the
by-laws.
Clause 30 provides for the recovery of charges, fees and other money due to the
University.
Clause 31 is a formal provision that gives effect to the Schedule of savings and
transitional provisions.
Clause 32 repeals the University of New England Act 1989.
SCHEDULE 1--PROVISIONS RELATING TO MEMBERS AND
PROCEDURE OF THE COUNCIL
Schedule 1 regulates Council membership (vacation of office etc.), procedure and
other matters relating to the Council and its members.
SCHEDULE 2--INVESTMENT
Schedule 2 contains the following clauses relating to the powers of investment of the
Council:
Clause 1 defines the term "funds" used in the Schedule.
Clause 2 allows the Council to invest its funds in accordance with the Public
Authorities (Financial Arrangements) Act 1987 (or, if that Act at any time does not
apply to the Council, then in any manner authorised for the investment of trust funds or
with other arrangements approved by the Minister and the Treasurer).
Clause 3 allows the Council to maximise investment opportunities by pooling trust
property in common funds for investment purposes.
SCHEDULE 3--SAVINGS AND TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS
Schedule 3, Part l , contains a savings and transitional regulation making power and
definitions used in the proposed Schedule.
Schedule 3, Part 2, provides for the transfer of staff from the Armidale campus of
the existing University of New England to the new University.
Schedule 3, Part 3, provides for the transfer of the assets, rights and liabilities of the
Armidale campus of the existing University of New England to the new University.
Schedule 3, Part 4, provides for the appointment of an interim Council, the removal
of certain existing office holders and the appointment of new office holders.
Schedule 3, Part 5, contains miscellaneous savings and transitional provisions
regarding students, by-laws, the determination of questions by the Minister and other
matters.