Organisational Unit Reviews

At its Meeting 24/08 - 10 December 2008, the Vice-Chancellor's Committee endorsed the introduction of a systematic approach to reviews of both academic and administrative organisational units, based on the paper "Introduction of a Systematic Approach to Organisation Unit Reviews".

Organisational unit reviews are focused on their contribution to and alignment with the University’s Strategic Plan and, as with Program Reviews, form an integral part of the University’s quality assurance processes.  Organisational Unit Review Reports and associated documentation such as Implementation Plans are placed on the Review Reports & Final Recommendations website.

There are two types of centrally-managed organisation unit reviews - those relating to academic units (usually schools) and those relating to administrative and para-academic units (i.e. those units that do not qualify as academic units such as the Centre for Learning and Professional Development (CLPD) or the International Office - Student Services).

Academic Unit Reviews Process

Reviews of academic units are coordinated by staff from the Quality and Reviews unit, who work with Faculty and School staff throughout the process, providing assistance and advice as required. These are overseen by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Quality) (PVC (L&Q)).

Scheduling of Academic Unit Reviews

The choice of academic units for review in any particular year will be negotiated between Executive Deans and the PVC (L&Q), taking into account the performance of the unit, the prevailing strategic imperatives of the University and the intention that all units be reviewed at least once over the duration of the cycle. For academic units with accreditation requirements or that have undergone or will undergo any other form of external review, these will be taken into account, with the aim of minimising duplication of effort.

Each academic unit is to be reviewed at least once every seven years. An initial seven year schedule of reviews will be developed in consultation with the Executive Dean. The initial plan will be thereafter updated each year for the following seven years. Where appropriate a School, Faculty or Executive Management may request a review outside the cycle.

Terms of Reference

Reviews of academic units focus on performance of the unit, its organisational structure, the allocation and management of resources and facilities, and the management of strategic plans and priorities of the University, the Faculty and the School itself.

While the value and usefulness of standard terms of reference for reviews of academic units is recognised, the Executive Dean has the flexibility to provide modified or alternative terms of reference subject to approval by the PVC (L&Q). External points of reference provide valuable perspective for further reflection and implementation of improvements; therefore an element to be considered when undertaking academic unit reviews is benchmarking against comparable units in other Go8 universities.

Review Panel

The academic unit reviews are conducted by a Review Panel. The composition of the Review Panel will be agreed between the relevant Executive Dean and the PVC (L&Q). Its membership may vary and it may or may not include external panel members.

Reporting and Implementation

A report covering all issues addressed by the review panel and all data provided the panel will be submitted to the PVC (L&Q). The PVC (L&Q), in consultation with the Executive Dean of the relevant Faculty, will be responsible for ensuring that an Implementation Plan is developed.

Review reports and associated documentation such as Implementation Plans are available from Review Reports & Final Recommendations.

Approval

On receipt of the Unit Report, the PVC (L&Q) will seek the relevant Executive Dean’s advice on acceptance, rejection or modification of the recommendations.  Following this consultation, the PVC (L&Q) will present the Report to the Vice-Chancellor's Committee.

The Vice-Chancellor's Committee (VCC) is responsible for endorsing the final recommendations (to the extent that they fall within its Terms of Reference), and recommending their approval to the Vice-Chancellor and President. Approved recommendations are available from Review Reports & Final Recommendations.

Administrative or Para-academic Units

Reviews of these units are overseen and managed by the relevant Division Head who has the responsibility for determining the frequency, process and panel structure for such reviews within their Division.

Each administrative or para-academic unit is to be reviewed at least once every seven years. An initial seven year cycle will be developed by the relevant Division Head and then updated each year for the following seven years.

Reviews of administrative units consider the quality of services and core activities, the preparedness of the area under review to deal with new challenges or priorities and the ways in which the activities support the academic activities and the aims of the University's Strategic Plan. Given the difficulties of such an undertaking, administrative reviews might focus on a small and relatively homogenous area.

Reporting and Implementation

A report covering all issues addressed by the review panel and all data provided to the panel, will be submitted to the Divisional Head, who would then have the responsibility of ensuring that an Implementation Plan is developed in consultation with the Head of the Unit. Review reports and associated documentation such as Implementation Plans should be provided to Quality and Reviews in order for it to be placed on the central University Reviews' website at Review Reports & Final Recommendations.

Approval

On receipt of the Unit Report, the PVC (L&Q) will seek the relevant Senior Manager's advice on acceptance, rejection or modification of the recommendations.  Following this consultation, the PVC (L&Q) will present the Report to the Vice-Chancellor's Committee.

The Vice-Chancellor's Committee (VCC) is responsible for endorsing the final recommendations (to the extent that they fall within its Terms of Reference), and recommending their approval to the Vice-Chancellor and President.   Approved recommendations are available from Review Reports & Final Recommendations.