UniversityThe of Sydney Annual & Financial Volume Reports 20072 of 2 www.usyd.edu.au The University of Sydney Annual & Financial Reports 2007 – Vol. 2
Contents – Volume 2
The Senate 2
Meetings of the Senate 7
Principal activities 8
Results for the year 9
Significant changes in the nature of activities in 2007 10
Governance 12
Student statistics 14
Human resources 16
Equal Employment Opportunity 20
Ethnic Affairs Priority Statement Report 2007 23
Risk management, insurance and occupational health and safety 25
Promotions to professor 27
Honorary awards 28
Freedom of information 31
Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 38
Legal Affairs 39
Financial reports and statements 41
1 The Senate Report by the Fellows of Senate
The Senate presents its report on the consolidated entity Appointed consisting of the University of Sydney and the entities Six external Fellows appointed by the Minister for Education it controlled at the end of, or during, the year ended and Training for four years to 31 December 2009, except for 31 December 2007. the Hon John J Aquilina whose four year term of office is to 4 March 2011: The role of the Senate The Hon John J Aquilina BA DipEd Syd, FACE, MP The Senate of the University oversees all major decisions Fellow to 21 December 2004, from 4 May 2005 concerning the conduct of the University, including to 2 March 2007, and from 6 August 2007 staff appointments and welfare, student welfare and discipline, financial matters and the physical and academic Alexander N Brennan development of the University. BSc(Food Technology) UNSW MBA CUL Fellow from 1 January 2006 It awards all degrees and diplomas and is responsible to the Parliament of New South Wales. Under the University Alan Cameron AM of Sydney Act 1989, the Senate comprises 22 Fellows who BA LLM Syd hold office for differing periods in accordance with various Fellow from 20 February 2004 categories of membership. John A McCarthy QC The Chair of the Academic Board and the Vice-Chancellor LLM Virg BA LLB Syd and Principal are both ex-officio members of the Senate. The Fellow from 4 August 1995 Senate elects the Chancellor for a four-year term of office and the Deputy Chancellor for a two-year term. There are nine Joseph Skrzynski AM committees of Senate (see Volume 2, page 2). BEc Syd Fellow from 1 January 2006
Fellows of the Senate Dr Margaret Varady AO In 2007 the Senate comprised BSc Otago MEd EdD UNSW DipEd Auck, FACE Fellow from 1 January 2002 Chancellor The Hon Justice Kim Santow OAM One Fellow appointed by Senate for two years BA LLM Syd to 28 February 2009: Chancellor to 31 May 2007 Kim Anderson Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO DipLibInfSc UTS BA Syd MB BS HonMD Syd, FRANZCP Fellow from 1 March 2004 Chancellor from 1 June 2007
Deputy Chancellor Emeritus Professor Ann E Sefton AO BSc(Med) MB BS PhD DSc Syd (a Fellow elected by and from the graduates of the University) Deputy Chancellor from 20 February 2004
Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Gavin Brown AO MA StAnd PhD Newcastle(UK) HonLLD StAnd HonLLD Dundee, FAA CorrFRSE Fellow from 1 July 1996
Chair of the Academic Board Professor Bruce Sutton BAgrSc Qld PhD ANU Fellow from 13 April 2006
2 Elected One Fellow elected by and from the postgraduate students Four Fellows elected by and from the academic staff from of the University for one year from 1 December 2006 and 1 December 2005 to 31 May 2007, and for two years from for one year from 1 December 2007: 1 June 2007: Dr Norman W Chan Dr Roslyn Bohringer BSc Toronto MB BS Syd, JP BSc PhD MEdAdmin UNSW Fellow to 30 November 2007 Fellow from 1 December 2005 Jenny Leong Professor Simon F Chapman BA Syd BA UNSW PhD Syd Fellow from 1 December 2007 Fellow from 1 June 2007 Five Fellows elected by and from the graduates of the Professor Margaret A Harris University for four years from 1 December 2005: PhD Lond MA Syd Dr Michael C Copeman Fellow from 1 December 2001 DPhil Oxf MB BS BA Syd Associate Professor Anthony F Masters Fellow to 30 November 2001 and from 1 December 2005 BSc Melb PhD ANU, FRACI CChem Dr Robin B Fitzsimons Fellow to 31 May 2007 MB BS BSc(Med) PhD Syd, FRACP Professor Iqbal Ramzan Fellow from 1 December 1997 DipPharm NZ MSc PhD Syd Irene Kwong Moss AO Fellow from 1 December 2005 LLM Harv HonLLD UNSW BA LLB Syd One Fellow elected by and from the non-academic staff Fellow from 1 December 2005 from 1 December 2005 to 31 May 2007, and for two years Emeritus Professor Ann E Sefton AO from 1 June 2007: BSc(Med) MB BS PhD DSc Syd Kim Wilson Fellow from 1 December 2001 MA Syd Fellow from 1 December 2001 Adam B Spencer BA Syd One Fellow elected by and from the undergraduate students Fellow to 30 November 1995 and from 1 December 2001 of the University for one year from 1 December 2006 and for one year from 1 December 2007:
Rose Jackson Fellow to 30 November 2007
Angus McFarland Fellow from 1 December 2007
3 Senate committees
Advisory Committee The Chair of the Audit and Risk Management Committee – elected by Fellows of Senate (not a University of Sydney staff for Honorary Awards member or student) for two years: Mr Alan Cameron This committee considers suggestions annually for honorary degrees and honorary fellowships, and submits a report and Two Fellows of Senate appointed by Senate after consultation recommendations to Senate. Its membership comprises: by the Chair of the Committee (neither should be a University of Sydney staff member or student) for two years (or for so Ex-officio: long as in office if shorter): The Chancellor Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir (Chair) Ms Kim Anderson (from 19 March 2007) The Deputy Chancellor Emeritus Professor Ann Sefton Ms Irene Moss The Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Gavin Brown Dr Margaret Varady (to 19 March 2007) The Chair of the Academic Board Professor Bruce Sutton Two external members, with appropriate professional The Deputy Vice-Chancellors (non-voting): expertise and experience, appointed by Senate on the The Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor nomination of the Chair of the Committee with appropriate Professor Don Nutbeam consultation for up to two years: The Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Mr David Smithers Mr Bob Kotic Mr John Trowbridge (from 19 March 2007) The Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Merlin Crossley Mr Paul Davis (to 19 March 2007) The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Community) Professor Andrew Coats Chair Appointments Committee The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) Professor John Hearn This committee approves offers of appointment at a The Deputy Vice-Chancellor professorial level, promotions to professor, the awarding of the Professor Ann Brewer title of professor, proposals for the establishment of/change of name of named lectureships, senior lectureships, associate Not more than six other Fellows, elected by Senate: professorships and chairs, and advises the Vice-Chancellor The Hon John Aquilina on appropriate procedures relating to senior academic Dr Robin Fitzsimons appointments. Its membership comprises: Professor Margaret Harris Ex-officio: Mr John McCarthy The Chancellor Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir Dr Margaret Varady (Chair) The Deputy Chancellor Emeritus Professor Ann Sefton Audit and Risk Management The Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Gavin Brown
Committee The Chair of the Academic Board Professor Bruce Sutton
The primary role of this committee is to monitor A Deputy Vice-Chancellor on the nomination of the Vice- and report to Senate on: Chancellor Professor Don Nutbeam
• effective management of financial and non-financial risks Five other Fellows, elected by Senate: • reliable management and financial reporting Mr Alan Cameron • compliance with laws and regulations Dr Robin Fitzsimons • maintenance of an effective and efficient internal Professor Margaret Harris audit capability Professor Iqbal Ramzan • maintenance of an effective and efficient risk management Dr Margaret Varady capability, and • the financial and non-financial risks of subsidiaries and controlled entities such as Foundations and CRCs and commercial activities. Its membership comprises:
4 Finance and Infrastructure Investment and Committee Commercialisation Committee
The primary role of this committee is to monitor and The committee’s primary role is to monitor and report to advise Senate on issues relating to the financial the Senate the appropriateness of policies, performance performance and sustainability of the University of Sydney. of management and achievement against plans in the Its membership comprises: investment in and commercialisation of the University. Its membership comprises: Ex-officio: The Chancellor Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir Ex-officio: The Deputy Chancellor Emeritus Professor Ann Sefton The Chancellor Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir (to 17 September 2007) The Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Gavin Brown
The Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Gavin Brown The Chair of the Investment and Commercialisation The Chair of the Academic Board Professor Bruce Sutton Committee elected by Fellows of Senate (not a University of Sydney staff member or student) for two years: The Chair of the Finance and Infrastructure Committee elected by Fellows of Senate (not a University of Sydney staff Mr Joseph Skrzynski member or student) for two years: Two Fellows of Senate appointed by Senate after Mr Alexander Brennan consultation by the Chair of the Committee with the Vice-Chancellor and the Chancellor for two years Two other Fellows elected by Fellows of Senate (or for so long as in office if shorter): for two years (or for so long as in office if shorter): Ms Kim Anderson Dr Roslyn Bohringer Professor Iqbal Ramzan Vacancy Two external members, with appropriate professional Three other Fellows appointed by Senate for two years (or for expertise and experience, appointed by Senate on so long as in office if shorter) on the nomination of the Chair the nomination of the Chair of the Investment and of the Committee, this to be done at the Senate meeting next Commercialisation Committee with appropriate following the election of a Chair and the other two positions, consultation, for up to two years: and after the Chair has consulted with Fellows of Senate, having regard to the balance of expertise on the Committee: Mr Chris Condon (from 17 September 2007) The Hon John Aquilina Mr Ian Macoun Mr John McCarthy Mr John Trowbridge (to 15 April 2007) Associate Professor Anthony Masters (to 1 June 2007)
Four external members, two with appropriate professional Nominations Committee expertise and experience in finance and two with appropriate This committee was established as a mechanism pursuant professional expertise in infrastructure, appointed by Senate to the National Governance Protocols requiring a systematic on the nomination of the Chair of the Committee with process for non-elected appointments to Senate. appropriate consultation, for up to two years: Its membership comprises: Mr Michael Cameron (from 17 September 2007) Ex-officio: Mr Brendan Crotty (from 17 September 2007) The Chancellor Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir Ms Meredith Scott (Chair) Ms Jennifer Westacott (from 17 September 2007) The Deputy Chancellor Emeritus Professor Ann Sefton Mr John Trowbridge (to 17 September 2007) The Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Gavin Brown The Chair of the Academic Board Professor Bruce Sutton
Three Fellows who are external persons (within the meaning of section 9 (9) of the Act), appointed to the committee by the Senate: Vacant – appointed as needed
5 Remuneration and Benefits Not less than three Fellows of Senate, elected by Senate for two years: Committee Mr John McCarthy (Chair) This committee monitors the University’s strategies Professor Iqbal Ramzan and policies to ensure they attract, motivate and retain Mr Adam Spencer employees of sufficient quality as to enable it to achieve Not less than three alumni representatives, including at least if not surpass its aspiration of 1:5:40; and deals with one female alumni representative or alternate, recommended matters relating to the remuneration and performance by the Executive Director, Sydney University Sport and evaluation of the Vice-Chancellor and their direct reports. appointed by Senate for two years: Its membership comprises: Mr John Boultbee Ex-officio: Mr David Hynes The Chancellor Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir Ms Ann Titterton The Deputy Chancellor Emeritus Professor Ann E Sefton The Chair of the Finance and Investment Committee Mr Alexander Brennan (Chair) Senate/Student Associations
One other Fellow appointed by Senate: Liaison Committee
The Hon John Aquilina This committee replaced the Senate/SRC and Senate/SUPRA One external appointment by Senate: Liaison Committees, and is a forum for discussion of policy relating to students. Its membership comprises: Mr Ian Johnson Ex-officio: Senate/Sports Liaison The Chancellor Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir (Chair) Committee The Deputy Chancellor Emeritus Professor Ann E Sefton This committee is a forum for Sydney University Sport’s The Vice-Chancellor and Principal or nominee representatives to liaise with Senate and the University (the nominee is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Community) administration to discuss issues relating to the objectives and Professor Andrew Coats) strategies listed in the University of Sydney Mission Statement The undergraduate student Fellow of Senate for Sport, or matters which Sydney University Sport feels it Mr Angus McFarland is important for Senate to be made aware of, and to report The postgraduate student Fellow of Senate Ms Jenny Leong regularly to Senate. Its membership comprises: The President of the SRC Ms Kate Laing Ex-officio: The President of SUPRA (Co-Presidents Jack Clegg and The Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Gavin Brown Kate Barnsley) – represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Community) The President of the USU Ms Rose Khalilizadeh Professor Andrew Coats One other member of the Executive, Council or Management The Chair of the Academic Board Professor Bruce Sutton of the SRC as determined by the President The Executive Director, Sydney University Sport Mr Greg Harris One other member of the Executive, Council or Management of SUPRA as determined by the President The President, Sydney University Sport Mr Bruce Ross The Senior Vice-President, Sydney University Sport One other member of the Executive, Council or Management Ms Denise Wee of the USU as determined by the President The undergraduate student Fellow of Senate Four Fellows of Senate elected by Senate for two years: Mr Angus McFarland Dr Roslyn Bohringer The postgraduate student Fellow of Senate Ms Jenny Leong Mr Alan Cameron Mr Adam Spencer Dr Margaret Varady
6 Meetings of the Senate
Meetings of Senate and its committees Attendance at Senate and its committees in 2007 was as follows:
Note: full names of committees:
• Advisory Committee for Honorary Awards • Remuneration and Benefits Committee • Audit and Risk Management Committee • Senate/Sports Liaison Committee • Chair Appointments Committee • Senate/SRC Liaison Committee • Finance and Infrastructure Committee • Senate/SUPRA Liaison Committee • Investment and Commercialisation Committee • Senate/Student Associations Liaison Committee
Senate/ Senate & Advisory Audit Finance Investment Senate/ Senate/ Senate/ Student Senate Hon & Risk Chair & Infra & Commer Remun & Sports SRC SUPRA Ass’ns Name Retreats Awards Mgt Appts structure cialisation benefits Liaison Liaison Liaison Liaison
A B A B A B A B A B A B A B A B A B A B A B
The Hon Justice 6 6 0 0 - - 0 3 1 2 0 2 2 2 - - 0 2 0 0 - - Kim Santow
H E Professor 6 7 2 2 - - 4 5 0 2 0 2 2 2 ------1 1 M Bashir
Emeritus 13 13 2 2 - - 8 8 2 2 - - 4 4 - - 1 2 2 2 0 1 Professor A Sefton
Professor 11 13 2 2 - - 8 8 4 * 4 0 4 - - 3** 3 2** 2 2** 2 1** 1 G Brown
Professor 13 13 2 2 - - 8 8 4 4 - - - - 3 3 ------B Sutton
Ms K Anderson 10 13 - - 3 4 - - - - 3 4 ------
The Hon J 5* 8 1 2 - - - - 3 4 - - 4 4 ------Aquilina
Dr R Bohringer 10 13 ------2 4 ------2 2 - - 1 1
Mr A Brennan 11 13 ------4 4 - - 4 4 ------
Mr A Cameron 11 13 - - 5 5 8 8 ------2 2 1 2 0 1
Dr N Chan 9* 12 ------0 2 - - 1 2 0 1
Professor S 6 7 ------Chapman
Dr M Copeman 10 13 ------
Dr R Fitzsimons 12* 13 2 2 - - 6 8 ------
Professor 13 13 2 2 - - 7 8 ------M Harris
Ms R Jackson 8 12 ------0 2 1 2 - - 0 1
Ms J Leong 1 1 ------
Assoc Professor 5 6 ------2 2 ------A Masters
Mr J McCarthy 13* 13 1 2 - - - - 2 4 - - - - 3 3 ------
Mr A McFarland 1 1 ------
Ms I Moss 12 13 - - 4 5 ------
Professor I 12 13 - - - - 7 8 - - 3 4 - - 2 2 ------Ramzan
Mr J Skrzynski 9 13 ------4 4 ------1 2 - -
Mr A Spencer 13 13 ------1 3 0 2 0 2 0 1
Dr M Varady 10 13 2 2 1 1 6 8 ------1 1
Ms K Wilson 13* 13 ------
A: Number of meetings attended B: Number of meetings held during the time the member was a Fellow of the committee * VC represented by a member of the Senior Executive Group ** The committee met as a sub-committee including some members from the various categories 7 Principal activities
The object of the University is the promotion, The University has other functions within the limits of the University’s resources, as follows: of scholarship, research, free inquiry, the (a) the University may exercise commercial functions interaction of research and teaching, and comprising the commercial exploitation or development, for the University’s benefit, of any facility, resource or academic excellence. property of the University or in which the University has a right or interest (including, for example, study, research, knowledge and intellectual property and the practical The University has the following principal application of study, research, knowledge and intellectual functions for the promotion of its object: property), whether alone or with others
(a) the provision of facilities for education and research (b) the University may develop and provide cultural, sporting, of university standard professional, technical and vocational services to the (b) the encouragement of the dissemination, advancement, community development and application of knowledge informed by (c) the University has such general and ancillary functions as free inquiry may be necessary or convenient for enabling or assisting (c) the provision of courses of study or instruction across a the University to promote the object and interests of the range of fields, and the carrying out of research, to meet University, or as may complement or be incidental to the the needs of the community promotion of the object and interests of the University
(d) the participation in public discourse (d) the University has such other functions as are conferred or imposed on it by or under this or any other Act. (e) the conferring of degrees, including those of bachelor, master and doctor, and the awarding of diplomas, The functions of the University may be exercised within or certificates and other awards outside the State, including outside Australia.
(f) the provision of teaching and learning that engage with advanced knowledge and inquiry
(g) the development of governance, procedural rules, admission policies, financial arrangements and quality assurance processes that are underpinned by the values and goals referred to in the functions set out in this subsection, and that are sufficient to ensure the integrity of the University’s academic programs.
8 Results for the year
The University recorded a Net Operating Result of $183.2 million for the year ended 31 December 2007 ($193.4 million in 2006) a decrease of $10.2 million or -5.3% on 2006. $169.0 million of the 2007 Net Operating result was applied to fund capital expenditure. A comparison of the results to Year 2006 is set out below:
INCREASE 2007 2006 FOR 2007
$M $M $M $M $M
Operating revenue 1,232.0 1,081.1 150.9 (Deduct)/add non-cash revenue for contributions to deferred 68.7 129.4 (60.7) government superannuation Net operating revenue 1,300.7 1,210.5 90.2
Less: operating expenses 1,048.8 8 87.7 161.1
(Deduct)/add non-cash expense for deferred superannuation costs 68.7 129.4 (60.7)
Net operating expenses (1,117.5) (1,017.1) (100.4)
Net operating result 183.2 193.4 (10.2)
Adjusted for:
Realised revaluation loss/(gain) on disposal of investments 5.7 (53.5) 59.2
Research income received with specific restrictions on use (118.7) (120.8)
Research expenditure on these projects 124.3 112.0 Unexpended research income received in the year with specific 5.6 (8.8) 14.4 restrictions on use Net operating result available for appropriation 194.5 131.1 63.4
Negative investment reserve (36.9) – (36.9)
Less expenditure on assets
Capital Works Program (including the acquisition of buildings) 135.6 77.0
Equipment/IT 33.4 51.2
Expenditure on assets (169.0) (128.2) (40.8)
Surplus/(shortfall) for the year (11.4) 2.9 (14.3)
Net operating result ($183.2 million) Surplus/shortfall for the year (–$11.4 million) This general purpose financial report has been prepared and Negative investment reserve; Australian Accounting is based on DEEWR guidelines, which include adopting the Standard AASB 139 Financial Instruments – Recognition and Australian equivalents to International Financial Reporting Measurement requires the University to account for any gain Standards (AIFRS). or loss arising from a change in fair value of an ‘Available for The Net Operating Result was derived from Operating Revenue Sale Financial Asset’ in equity. In 2007, the University recorded of $1,300.7 million, (excluding $68.7 million for Deferred a cumulative unrealised loss of $36.9 million being a change Government contributions to Superannuation), less Operating in fair value of its ‘Available for Sale Financial Asset’ (2006 Expenditure of $1,117.5 million (excluding the $68.7 million $71.5 million cumulative unrealised gain). expenditure relating to the Deferred Superannuation transaction). In addition, the net operating result was utilised for the acquisition of assets totaling $169.0 million (2006 Net operating result available $128.2 million). This capital expenditure is reflected in the for appropriation ($194.5 million) balance sheet. During the year the University disposed part of its investment The shortfall for 2007 of $11.4 million, as reported in the table portfolio at a loss of $5.7 million (2006 gain $53.5 million). above, provides an overall picture of the financial impact of In accordance with current accounting standards the University the 2007 operations of the University after taking into account is obliged to record all research income on receipt as income. the impact of the realised gains on changes to the investment At year end, the University expended $5.6 million more than it portfolio, unspent government research grants, unrealised loss received on research in the year with specific restrictions on their on change in fair value of its available for sale financial assets use (2006 $8.8 million unexpended). and expenditure on assets.
9 Significant changes in the nature of activities in 2007
New activities Significant changes in the state
• The Centre for International Security Studies, located within of affairs the Faculty of Economics and Business, was launched in • International university rankings published in 2007 show 2007. The centre produces innovative, multidisciplinary that the University of Sydney has continued to rise and academic research and education programs focusing on is now ranked at 31 in the list of top global universities international security and foreign policy issues, particularly published by the Times Higher Education Supplement. in the Asia-Pacific region. • The University’s commercial arm, formerly known as • The University, in partnership with the NSW the Business Liaison Office, was re-launched in 2007 State Government, is contributing $30 million to a with a new structure, offices and name. Sydnovate, as new research and education building at Royal North the office is now known, is responsible for the protection Shore Hospital. and management of intellectual property developed at the • The International Institute was established in 2007 as the University of Sydney, as well as licensing new technologies vehicle for University of Sydney’s international activities to industry partners to develop new and improved products and services. Headed by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and services. International, the International Institute houses: • The NSW State Government has provided $16 million - the Office of the DVC for a research-dedicated cyclotron facility to be located - the Research Institute for Asia and the Pacific at the Brain and Mind Research Institute (BMRI). The cyclotron will help researchers devise new therapies for - offices for Europe and the Americas conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia - the Confucius Centre and Parkinson’s disease. Over the past two years the BMRI - the India Centre has received a total of $31 million government funding, comprising $22 million from the NSW State Government - service units, international programs and and $9 million from the Australian Government. grant development capacity. • A new senior position, Director of Marketing and • The Community Portfolio initiated a major brand project, Communications, was created in the Community Portfolio. working with an international marketing consultancy to This appointment drew into one team the formerly articulate the University’s distinctive identity and help disparate marketing and communications functions of position it nationally and internationally as Australia’s student recruitment, media relations and print and web premier university. The first phase of the project, communications. Recognising the need to implement involving a major market research component, was more effective mechanisms to help staff communicate completed in 2007. and collaborate, an internal communications team was • The University maintained its commitment to improved also established. performance with the development of the Strategic Plan 2007–2010. The plan, which builds on the earlier Strategic Directions 2006–2010, defines five major objectives and Matters subsequent to the end the strategies and initiatives in place to achieve them. of the financial year • The GerMANY Innovations festival in 2007 brought The University’s management configuration continued 24 German companies to the University’s main campus to undergo restructuring during 2007. The Financial and to explore commercial opportunities with Sydney Human Resources Shared Services projects were either University researchers. complete or near completion in several faculty clusters to fit in with the changing operational structures. Ceased activities
There were no ceased activities in 2007.
10 Likely developments and licence for the Camperdown and Darlington campuses since 2004, which is primarily aimed at regulating how the expected results of operations University manages hazardous waste. Campus 2010 Other activities including the operation of the University’s on-site incinerator are also regulated under the licence. The five building projects that make up the Campus 2010 The University maintains a comprehensive program for the program progressed extensively during 2007. management of hazardous waste. These projects are: The University submits an annual return to the Environment • the Faculty of Law building Protection Authority (EPA), which includes a statement on • the Sydney Central student services building compliance. • the Camperdown and Darlington public domain The University has Trade Waste Agreements with Sydney upgrade projects Water that regulate what waste can be disposed of to sewer. • the School of Information Technologies building (completed) The most recent review of the University’s Guidelines for the • the School of Geosciences consolidation. Disposal of Hazardous Waste provides detailed guidance on All projects are significantly ahead of the target 2010 what waste can and cannot be disposed of down the drain. completion date and it is anticipated that they will be The University’s Camden campus holds a licence for water completed by the end of 2008. extraction under the NSW Water Act 1912. It is issued and renewed annually by the NSW Department of Natural Campus 2020 Resources. No breaches of this licence have been recorded. With the early completion of 2010 projects, the University The Camden campus also has a small sewage treatment plant has focused energies on its requirements for the next decade that is self-monitored and consistently meets Sydney Water and beyond. This planning has been encapsulated in the and NSW Health guidelines. 2020 Planning Strategy which identifies areas where growth The University’s One Tree Island Marine Research Facility is necessary to accommodate the needs of the University. in Queensland is subject to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Major projects from the master plan, which could form an Park Act 1975. It forms part of the Capricornia Cays National integral part of the 2020 program include: Park. All facilities and operations on the island meet the • the Biomedical Research building (ARC Building) Queensland Environmental Protection Act 1994. • Economics and Business Precinct Insurance of officers • Youth Mental Health (Building I) The University maintains a comprehensive insurance program Environmental regulation to protect itself against the financial effects of insurable The University was gazetted in 2005 to develop a four- risks. This program extends to its subsidiaries and controlled year Energy and Water Savings Action Plan (WSAP). entities, and also includes the Senate and Senate sub- The Sustainable Campus program completed two major committee members, the University’s officers, employees, WSAPs for Camperdown and Darlington campuses and volunteers and students. The University’s insurance program Camden campus. is renewed annually at the end of October with some specialised policies being renewed annually in April. • The Camperdown and Darlington plans will save more than 11 per cent of the total consumption of water on the two This report is made in accordance with a resolution of the campuses, or around 38 million litres of water a year. Senate on 17 March 2008. • The Camden WSAP is due for completion in 2008. This is expected to save an estimated 28 million litres of water a year. University activities on all NSW campuses are subject to the NSW Protection of the Environment and Operations Act Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO 1997. The University has held an Environment Protection Chancellor
11 Governance
The University of Sydney is committed to demonstrating the highest standards of governance and management. In 2007, the University continued to refine and streamline governance processes through the Senate, the governing authority of the University, and the Academic Board.
The Senate New members New Fellows from 1 June 2007 were Her Excellency The Senate is the governing authority of the University of Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO (Chancellor, elected by Sydney and has the functions conferred or imposed on it by Senate) and Professor Simon Chapman (Fellow elected or under the University of Sydney Act 1989 (as amended). by and from the academic staff). New Fellows of Senate The Senate of the University oversees all major decisions from 1 December were Angus McFarland and Jenny Leong concerning the conduct of the University, including staff (elected by and from the undergraduate and the postgraduate appointments and welfare, student welfare and discipline, students respectively). financial matters and the physical and academic development of the University. It awards all degrees and diplomas and is Vice-Chancellor designate responsible to the Parliament of NSW. In 2007 Senate, after an exhaustive selection process, There are currently 22 Fellows of Senate, three of whom are appointed Dr Michael Spence as Vice-Chancellor and official members – The Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor and Chair, Principal, to take up office on the retirement of the current Academic Board. Vice-Chancellor, Professor Gavin Brown, in July 2008. There were a number of changes to the composition of the The Senate met 13 times last year, of which eight were Senate in 2007 following elections and appointments. routine meetings, one was an adjourned meeting, two were special meetings and two were retreats. A full list of Senate Retirements members is on page 2. The Honourable Justice Kim Santow OAM did not stand for re-election as Chancellor for a further term of four years when Governance reforms his term ended on 31 May 2007, advising that it was his conviction that “9½ years would be too long for a Chancellor In 2007 Senate adopted and implemented a number to serve Sydney University in this contemporary era”. of reforms to its processes. Associate Professor Anthony Masters ceased to be a Fellow • A revised selection process for the position of Chancellor elected by and from the academic staff on 31 May 2007, and was approved and implemented and the selection process Rose Jackson and Dr Norman Chan ceased to be Fellows for the position of Vice-Chancellor, approved in 2006, elected by and from the undergraduate and the postgraduate was further refined, the paramount consideration for each students respectively on 30 November 2007. position being to select the best person. Reappointments • Senate’s first planning retreat was held in 2007. The University of Sydney Strategic Plan 2007–2010 was The Honourable John Aquilina MP was a member of Senate the focus of the retreat and formed the next stage of the appointed by the Minister for Education and Youth Affairs. His University’s planning process. term ended on 2 March 2007 and, on the recommendation • Changes to the University of Sydney By-law 1999 of Senate, he was reappointed by the Minister for a new four were implemented in 2007 to assist in maintaining an year term commencing on 6 August 2007. Ms Kim Anderson appropriate balance of experienced and new members was reappointed as a Fellow of Senate appointed by Senate on the Senate, with the two-yearly Senate elections for for a two year term of office from 1 March 2007. Mr John academic and non-academic staff now being held earlier McCarthy QC was reappointed as Pro-Chancellor for a two than and separately from all other Senate elections. year term concluding on 31 December 2008. • Senate committee reforms were approved and implemented:
12 • A new, more broadly based Senate/Student Associations Students At Risk Liaison Committee, as a forum for discussion of matters of policy relating to students, replaced the separate Senate/ The policy ‘Identifying and Supporting Students at Risk’ SRC and Senate/SUPRA Liaison Committees. reached implementation stage in 2007 – processes supporting the policy were fine-tuned and a series of student • The Finance and Infrastructure Committee was information sessions was provided. restructured to ensure there was a streamlined and focused forum to address strategy and performance with respect to A number of major policy reviews were commenced, finance and infrastructure. including:
• The terms of reference for the Investment and • a review of plagiarism detection methods Commercialisation Committee were revised to include • a review of the Board’s resolutions on student appeals broader oversight of the University’s commercial activities. • a review of the Board’s resolutions on the Doctor of Philosophy as well as examination processes Academic Board for the Doctor of Philosophy
The Academic Board has the principal responsibility to • the assessment and examination of coursework encourage and maintain the highest standards in teaching, • the awarding of undergraduate degrees with merit scholarship and research and to safeguard the academic • the use of English language competency as a criterion freedom of the University. for admission. The Academic Board reports to Senate and provides academic advice to both Senate and the Vice-Chancellor on Management all academic matters, including: The Vice-Chancellor is responsible for the management • academic priorities and policies of the University of the University. The Vice-Chancellor leads the Executive • academic aspects of the University’s strategic plan Team, which shapes and implements the strategic directions for the University of Sydney. The Vice-Chancellor’s Advisory • policies concerning the conditions of appointment and Committee (VCAC) comprises: employment of academic staff, • the Vice-Chancellor • the maintenance of academic standards • the Senior Executive Group • any academic matters it considers to be of strategic importance. • Principal Officers
• D e a n s In 2007, approval was given for: • Senior management • 5 new undergraduate programs The Senior Executive Group provides advice to the • 34 new postgraduate qualifications Vice-Chancellor and consists of the Chief Operating Officer, • 3 new doctorates. the Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, the Deputy Vice-Chancellors Community, International and Research, A wide range of programs and plans were revised, the CEO College Sydney Project and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, and 40 were discontinued. the General Counsel, the Director, Human Resources and the Registrar. The Chief Operating Officer and the Deputy Vice-Chancellors each also manage one of the major administrative portfolios.
The performance of the Vice-Chancellor is managed by the Remuneration and Benefits Committee, through setting goals with him or her for the ensuing year, in assessing his or her performance for bonus purposes, and in reviewing with him or her the performance of his senior executive team in that context.
13 Student statistics
Undergraduate enrolments 2007 Postgraduate enrolments 2007
AttendAnce Type Gender Enrolments AttendAnce Type Gender Enrolments
Full-time Female 15927 Full-time Female 4086
Male 11485 Male 3093
Part-time Female 2130 Part-time Female 4192
Male 1184 Male 3085
Total undergraduate 30726 Total postgraduate 14456
Undergraduate and postgraduate enrolments by faculty of registration 2007
Faculty Postgraduate Undergraduate Total
Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources 147 606 753
Architecture, Design and Planning 639 693 1332
Arts 1262 6042 7304
Dentistry 97 398 495
Economics and Business 3758 4094 7852
Education and Social Work 503 2183 2686
Engineering and Information Technologies 548 2513 3061
Health Sciences 1639 3899 5538
Law 1292 896 2188
Medicine 1559 1074 2633
Nursing and Midwifery 253 468 721
Pharmacy 184 1046 1230
Science 1160 4119 5279
Sydney College of the Arts 181 520 701
Sydney Conservatorium of Music 168 633 801
Veterinary Science 154 798 952
Special Programs 24 583 607
Other
AGSM 860 0 860
Rural Management 28 161 189
Total University 14456 30726 45182
14 Postgraduate Enrolments by Level 2007 Mean UAIs for students commencing at the University of Sydney, 2002-2007
LEVEL Enrolments 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Higher Doctorate 2 Agriculture 86.8 84.4 87.1 83.95 85.75 86
Doctorate (Res) 2974 Architecture 94.4 95.4 95.55 94.3 95 94.9
Doctorate (Cwk) 45 Arts 88.95 90.05 92.8 90.85 88.4 89.1
Master (Res) 671 Economics 94.4 95.35 95.65 95.65 95.45 96.5
Master (Cwk) 7740 Education 86.55 87.9 89.4 89.3 89.65 88.7
PG (Prelim) 2 Engineering 92.9 93.1 92.75 92.35 93.2 92.7
Diploma (PG) 1878 Health Sciences 86.45 86.9 88.8 88.95 89.2 90.6
Grad Cert 683 Law 99.65 99.8 99.8 99.75 99.75 99.8
Non-Award (PG) 421 Liberal Studies 91.35 94.6 94.3 93.5 92.6 92.95
Cross-Institutional (PG) 40 Nursing 80.55 78.65 77.6 76.3 84.85 89.6
Total 14456 Science 92.15 92.6 93.9 92.75 92.6 92.4
Veterinary Science 98.95 98.75 99.25 96.15 93.65 93.8
Overall mean 90.35 90.5 91.85 91.75 91.55 91.8
NB: The data above excludes students admitted under flexible entry or special admissions schemes.
Major destinations of University of Sydney first-degree graduates, 2002–2007
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
% % % % % %
Further study 38.3 36.4 30.5 34.8 31.1 32.7
Public sector 15.5 13.7 20.2 14.7 13.2 12.6
Private sector 26.9 25.1 26.6 27.7 29.6 31.8
Other employment* 5.9 7.1 3.8 5.8 6.8 6.1
Not working, seeking full-time work 2.2 4.1 3.4 3.1 3 2.6
Not working, seeking part-time work only 0.3 0.5 0.5 0.3 0.4 0.3
Working part-time, seeking full-time work 4.1 5.2 5.6 5.5 5.4 4.9
Working part-time, not seeking full-time work 4.6 5.2 5.5 5.3 6.7 5.5
Unavailable for work or study 2.2 2.7 3.9 2.8 3.8 3.7
Total 100 100 100 100 100 100
The year refers to the date of the survey – Australian citizens and permanent residents who completed their degree studies in the previous year. * “Other employment” includes those working in educational and non-profit organisations.
15 Human resources As at 31 March 2007
Academic staff by appointment term, level and gender
% of level % of % of level Appointment Term & No. of who are women at who are % of men at Classification Level women women this level No. of men men this level
Tenured
Level E & above $133,838+ 43 17.1 7.1 209 82.9 24.7
Level D $103,900 - $114,463 66 30.8 10.9 148 69.2 17.5
Level C $86,291 - $99,499 205 44.9 33.8 252 55.1 29.8
Level B $70,443 - $83,651 259 54.4 42.7 217 45.6 25.6
Level A $49,310 - $66,917 34 61.8 5.6 21 38.2 2.5
Sub-total 607 41.7 100.0 847 58.3 100.0
Fixed term
Level E & above $133,838+ 23 20.2 3.9 91 79.8 13.6
Level D $103,900 - $114,463 31 37.8 5.3 51 62.2 7.6
Level C $86,291 - $99,499 72 47.1 12.2 81 52.9 12.1
Level B $70,443 - $83,651 200 51.3 33.9 190 48.7 28.4
Level A $49,310 - $66,917 264 50.7 44.7 257 49.3 38.4
Sub-total 590 46.8 100.0 670 53.2 100.0
Total 1197 44.1 100.0 1517 55.9 100.0
16 General staff by appointment term, level and gender
% of level % of % of level Appointment Term & No. of who are women at who are % of men at Classification Level women women this level No. of men men this level
Tenured
HEO 10 & above $86,387+ 48 51.6 3.8 45 48.4 5.1
HEO 9 $80,815 - $85,273 58 47.2 4.6 65 52.8 7.3
HEO 8 $69,685 - $78,591 128 47.9 10.2 139 52.1 15.6
HEO 7 $62,260 - $67,827 173 58.2 13.8 124 41.8 13.9
HEO 6 $56,691 - $61,145 304 65.0 24.3 164 35.0 18.4
HEO 5 $49,268 - $55,205 285 71.1 22.8 116 28.9 13.0
HEO 4 $45,557 - $48,155 157 64.9 12.5 85 35.1 9.5
HEO 3 $39,989 - $44,442 50 45.5 4.0 60 54.5 6.7
HEO 2 $38,133 - $39,246 47 33.6 3.8 93 66.4 10.4
HEO 1 & below <=$37,020 1 100.0 0.1
Sub-total 1251 58.4 100.0 891 41.6 100.0
Fixed term
HEO 10 & above $86,387+ 28 43.8 3.3 36 56.3 9.0
HEO 9 $80,815 - $85,273 46 65.7 5.4 24 34.3 6.0
HEO 8 $69,685 - $78,591 107 61.8 12.5 66 38.2 16.5
HEO 7 $62,260 - $67,827 124 72.9 14.5 46 27.1 11.5
HEO 6 $56,691 - $61,145 192 68.6 22.5 88 31.4 21.9
HEO 5 $49,268 - $55,205 232 75.6 27.2 75 24.4 18.7
HEO 4 $45,557 - $48,155 56 69.1 6.6 25 30.9 6.2
HEO 3 $39,989 - $44,442 51 82.3 6.0 11 17.7 2.7
HEO 2 $38,133 - $39,246 9 40.9 1.1 13 59.1 3.2
HEO 1 & below <=$37,020 8 32.0 0.9 17 68.0 4.2
Sub-total 853 68.0 100.0 401 32.0 100.0
Total 2104 62.0 100.0 1292 38.0 100.0
Combined totals of academic and general staff by appointment term and gender
No. of Appointment Term women % women No. of men % men Total
Tenured 1858 51.7 1738 48.3 3596
Fixed term 1443 57.4 1071 42.6 2514
Total 3301 54.0 2809 46.0 6110
17 Academic staff by appointment term, level and gender
Appointment Term & Classification Level No. of women No. of men Total
Tenured
Level E & above $133,838+ 43 209 252
Level D $103,900 - $114,463 66 148 214
Level C $86,291 - $99,499 205 252 457
Level B $70,443 - $83,651 259 217 476
Level A $49,310 - $66,917 34 21 55
Sub-total 607 847 1454
Fixed term
Level E & above $133,838+ 23 91 114
Level D $103,900 - $114,463 31 51 82
Level C $86,291 - $99,499 72 81 153
Level B $70,443 - $83,651 200 190 390
Level A $49,310 - $66,917 264 257 521
Sub-total 590 670 1260
Total 1197 1517 2714
18 General staff by appointment term, level and gender, at 31 March 2007
Appointment Term & Classification Level No. of women No. of men Total
Tenured
HEO 10 & above $86,387+ 48 45 93
HEO 9 $80,815 - $85,273 58 65 123
HEO 8 $69,685 - $78,591 128 139 267
HEO 7 $62,260 - $67,827 173 124 297
HEO 6 $56,691 - $61,145 304 164 468
HEO 5 $49,268 - $55,205 285 116 401
HEO 4 $45,557 - $48,155 157 85 242
HEO 3 $39,989 - $44,442 50 60 110
HEO 2 $38,133 - $39,246 47 93 140
HEO 1 & below <=$37,020 1 1
Sub-total 1251 891 2142
Fixed term
HEO 10 & above $86,387+ 28 36 64
HEO 9 $80,815 - $85,273 46 24 70
HEO 8 $69,685 - $78,591 107 66 173
HEO 7 $62,260 - $67,827 124 46 170
HEO 6 $56,691 - $61,145 192 88 280
HEO 5 $49,268 - $55,205 232 75 307
HEO 4 $45,557 - $48,155 56 25 81
HEO 3 $39,989 - $44,442 51 11 62
HEO 2 $38,133 - $39,246 9 13 22
HEO 1 & below <=$37,020 8 17 25
Sub-total 853 401 1254
Total 2104 1292 3396
Combined totals of academic and general staff by appointment term and gender
Appointment Term No. of women No. of men Total
Tenured 1858 1738 3596
Fixed term 1443 1071 2514
Total 3301 2809 6110
19 Equal employment opportunity
The University of Sydney remains committed to its objective of attracting, rewarding and retaining staff of outstanding quality and international standing, by ensuring that barriers to employment are removed and equal participation of EEO groups is supported.
To this end, the Staff and Student Equal Opportunity Unit Indigenous education and employment (SSEO) has continued to provide expert policy advice on matters concerning equal opportunity and anti-discrimination In 2007, the University continued its strategies for promoting throughout 2007. The Equal Opportunity Unit works with the Indigenous education through its Indigenous Education University community to promote equity in employment and Advisory Committee, which incorporates Indigenous education to support the University’s strategic goals. perspectives in teaching and learning, and research on Indigenous welfare and health issues. The unit does this through: The University also continued its pursuit of its Indigenous • policy development and promotion Australians Employment Strategy. This strategy initially • targeted affirmative action programs included the employment of apprentices in such skills as motor mechanics, fitting and machinist and a chef. • staff and student training and education Business administration trainees have been employed by • monitoring and reporting on equal opportunity outcomes. Student Services, Campus Infrastructure and Services and the SSEO Unit. The University’s Harassment and Discrimination Prevention policies state that every student and employee has a right to During 2007, the University employed three new cadets be treated with dignity and respect, in an environment free of in Public health, University archives and the Faculty of discrimination and harassment. Education and Social Work. All three cadets are University of Sydney undergraduates. During 2007, one business administration trainee and one motor mechanic apprentice 2007 initiatives completed their training. The University’s retention rate of indigenous trainees/apprentices and cadets rose to Harassment and discrimination prevention 70 per cent from 66 per cent in 2006. Partnerships were developed during 2007 with the new During 2007, the SSEO Unit collaborated with the University’s SydneyPeople area to ensure an integration of the Indigenous Staff Case Management Unit and Student Services Unit to employment program with the University’s staff recruitment conduct updated training for harassment and discrimination and development programs. support officers (HDSOs). The role of the HDSOs is to provide information and support for staff and students with an harassment or discrimination problem, concern or complaint. Supporting women in the workplace Many of these support officers also speak a community The University’s commitment to equal opportunity has again language other than English. been acknowledged and rewarded by the Commonwealth The University continued the use of EOOnline in 2007, an Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency in the online interactive professional development program for form of a fourth consecutive Employer of Choice for Women new staff and new managers and supervisors to assist in Award. Of approximately 3000 organisations that report to harassment and discrimination prevention and EEO issues. this agency, only 131 organisations across Australia were awarded the right to call themselves an Employer of Choice for Women in 2007. The designation is especially important to the University in its quest to attract and retain the best and the brightest staff.
20 University of Sydney policies, strategies and programs that Supporting people with a disability support and promote the careers of the University’s women staff include: The University’s Disability Action Plan 2006-2010 details strategies to ensure the equitable participation of people with • the annual Women in Leadership Programs (for academic a disability in education and employment at the University, and general staff) The University’s most important publication – its website • the Sydney University Network for Women (SUN) – and its services, buildings and facilities continued to be upgraded to improve accessibility for people with a disability • flexible work practices in 2007. • generous parental leave provisions that allow up to 36 weeks of flexible paid maternity leave Supporting and encouraging linguistic • a return-to-work support program and cultural diversity
• regular reviews of the University’s family-friendly policies. The University’s achievements and plans in relation to its linguistically and culturally diverse staff are detailed in the The Women in Leadership Program is a two-day conference Ethnic Affairs Priority Statement report on page 23. designed to address the unique issues faced by women in leadership and to explore the key skills and qualities needed to become an effective leader. The number of these tailored Representation of EEO groups throughout programs for both academic and general staff was doubled the University in 2007 in an attempt to meet an ever-growing demand from The following tables show trends over the last four years in female staff keen to develop their careers. the representation of EEO groups and the distribution of each SUN provides peer support and career-related events EEO group across salary levels, in academic and general staff and seminars for approximately 480 women staff and subgroups. The University’s progress towards New South postgraduate students. Events in 2007 included an Wales Government benchmarks is most marked in women’s International Women’s Day barbeque and a Women in representation and distribution in the academic staff. Education Week event, and seminars for women in science, early career academics, and job interview preparation.
Table 1.1: Trends in the representation of EEO groups – academic staff
EEO target group % of total staff
Academic Staff Benchmark or target 2004 2005 2006 2007
Women 50% 44% 44% 45% 44%
Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders 2% 0.6% 0.6% 0.4% 0.6%
People whose first language was not English 19% 10% 10% 10% 11%
People with a disability 12% 3% 3% 3% 2%
People with a disability requiring work-related 7% 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.3% adjustment
21 Table 1.2: Trends in the representation of EEO groups – general staff
EEO target group % of total staff
Academic Staff Benchmark or target 2004 2005 2006 2007
Women 50% 58% 59% 60% 62%
Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders 2% 0.4% 0.5% 0.4% 0.6%
People whose first language was not English 19% 10% 10% 10% 10%
People with a disability 12% 2% 2% 2% 2%
People with a disability requiring work-related 7% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% adjustment
Statistics are collected as at 31 March 2007.
Table 2.1: Trends in the distribution of EEO target groups – academic staff
EEO target group Distribution Index
Academic Staff Benchmark or target 2004 2005 2006 2007
Women 100 76 77 78 78
Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders 100 n/a n/a n/a n/a
People whose first language was not English 100 80 81 85 75
People with a disability 100 126 125 121 133
People with a disability requiring work-related 100 n/a n/a n/a n/a adjustment
Table 2.2: Trends in the distribution of EEO target groups – general staff
EEO target group Distribution Index
Academic Staff Benchmark or target 2004 2005 2006 2007
Women 100 96 96 97 92
Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders 100 n/a n/a n/a n/a
People whose first language was not English 100 95 94 95 88
People with a disability 100 100 98 95 106
People with a disability requiring work-related 100 n/a n/a n/a n/a adjustment
A distribution index of 100 indicates that the centre of The more pronounced this tendency is, the lower the index the distribution of the EEO Groups across salary levels is will be. In some cases the index may be more than 100, equivalent to other staff. Values less than 100 mean that the indicating that the EEO group is less concentrated at lower EEO groups tend to be more concentrated at lower salary salary levels. levels than is the case for other staff.
22 Ethnic Affairs Priority Statement Report 2007
The University of Sydney is committed to increasing awareness of, and promoting positive values and attitudes towards, the diverse cultural, religious and linguistic needs of its staff and student body and the communities it serves. To this end, the University’s Ethnic Affairs Priorities Statement links a range of initiatives and strategies to the major goals of the University’s Strategic Plan.
2007 initiatives and achievements • The Faculty of Law offers courses with important cross-cultural elements, including Foundations of Law, International Law, Immigration Law and International Diversity in teaching and learning Business and Law. In 2007 the University of Sydney commenced its new • The Faculty of Economics and Business offers a learning and teaching plan for the years 2007 to 2010. number of inclusive programs and practices to support Goal three of the five goals in this plan is to promote students from diverse backgrounds, including online internationalisation, cultural diversity and equity. This includes group work resources, peer-assisted study sessions, peer objectives to: mentoring at all levels of study, and a clubs and societies • audit unit of study outlines for evidence of cultural diversity support program to encourage students from different in curriculum and learning activities cultural backgrounds to work more closely together on extracurricular activities. • provide incentives for teachers to demonstrate a curriculum that values cultural diversity and inclusive teaching • During 2007, The Office of Learning and Teaching in the practices Faculty of Economics and Business (OLTEB) led a national Carrick grant along with three other universities, supporting • improve DEST Equity Indicators a diversity initiative. The project will be to investigate • improve participation by Indigenous students in all courses successful practices for embedding the development of intercultural competence in students and staff. This • develop and offer inclusive programs supporting equity and initiative aligns with the faculty’s mission to develop diversity principles global leaders with the awareness, understanding and • develop guidelines for teaching about diversity, for diversity competence to effectively communicate and interact across and through diversity, and cultures and contexts. • integrate international, intercultural, equity and diversity • A new core unit of study in the Bachelor of Commerce, perspectives in core staff professional development Business in the Global Environment, commencing in programs. March 2008, aims to develop students’ intercultural competence through a range of learning and teaching The University has two key documents geared towards activities and scaffolded assessment tasks with relevant cultural diversity in learning and teaching: intercultural criteria. • The Plan for Cultural Diversity Awareness and The faculty’s Tutor Development Program aims to enhance Inclusiveness reflects the University’s strategic directions the knowledge, values and attributes, and skills of staff. The and is designed to be adapted within faculties for their training of peer mentors includes intercultural competence particular learning, teaching and supervision contexts. as does the Faculty Careers and Employer Relations Office in • The Guide for Reflective Practice is a resource for preparing students’ awareness of employability skills. individual teachers. • The Faculty of Arts, ranked fifth best in the world in 2006 The Institute for Teaching and Learning continues to support by the Times Higher Education Supplement, provides a faculties and individuals in their efforts to enhance teaching curriculum that encourages students to view Australia and and learning on our culturally diverse campuses. Faculty- their own contributions to the world in a global context, based initiatives to facilitate this include the following: focusing on international perspectives and cross-cultural communication.
23 • the faculty of has established a Bachelor of Arts in Global During 2007, The Centre for English Teaching delivered a Studies, in collaboration with colleagues in School of range of language bridging courses for international students. Philosophical and Historical Inquiry and the School of The Learning Centre offers inclusive services to develop Languages and Culture, and with public sector groups such students’ writing and research skills. The International Student as the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. Support Unit provides specialist counselling and welfare The program comprises a three-year interdisciplinary support to international students and their families. core program which takes students through the various Faculty-based initiatives for students from non-English dimensions of global change, including issues such as the speaking backgrounds included the following: social and cultural impact of globalisation, human rights and the global public sphere, migration and refugees. • The Faculty of Law continued to offer a bridging course for postgraduate and undergraduate students, the vast bulk • A new cross-disciplinary Master of Arts program in Human of whom were international students, to introduce them Rights – with contributions from the Faculties of Arts, Law, to the Australian legal system. In conjunction with the Science and Economics and Business – will be the first Teaching and Learning Unit, the faculty also ran classes humanities-based program in human rights in Australia assisting students with writing skills. A large percentage of when it launches in 2008. The social, moral and political the students who attended these classes were international consequences of social and cultural diversity are a central students. part of the core units of this new program. • The Faculty of Health Sciences conducted a mandatory Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience two-week study preparation program for all international students, which addressed learning and study skills, and The Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME) social and cultural acclimatisation. The faculty’s Learning was set up by University of Sydney students in 2005. Centre also provided extensive ongoing support to students with language problems. In 2006, the Faculty of Economics and Business agreed to contribute funds to the program and was involved in a partnership between AIME, the Faculty and Tranby Aboriginal Engagement with the community College to strengthen pathways from school to university The University of Sydney continues to receive and encourage for Indigenous Australians. support from alumni and friends in meeting the cultural needs In 2007, the program extended to years 11 and 12, to six of its students and the diverse communities it serves. local high schools and the number of mentoring partnerships The Seymour Centre has become a hub for many reached 100. It received much interest and support from both performances with particular relevance to ethnic communities within the University and in the community through contact or which seek to broaden the general public’s experience of with the local schools. Both mentors and mentees reported other cultures. significant benefits from involvement on the program. The Centre for Continuing Education offers a large and Support to students from non-English diverse foreign languages program, enrolling more than 6000 students annually. In addition to the perennially popular speaking backgrounds European and Asian languages, the program is attracting The University hosts the WriteSite, an innovative online increasingly large numbers to classes in languages such as writing skills tool. The WriteSite is designed to improve Arabic, Hindi, Indonesian, Portuguese, Russian, Thai, Turkish students’ academic writing skills through a self-paced and Vietnamese. program which addresses common problem areas and As well as teaching linguistic skills, these classes play a provides accurate and consistent feedback, in conjunction valuable role in promoting cultural awareness between with the support provided by teaching staff. the many ethnic communities involved and, while most classes are undertaken because people are travelling or working overseas, a growing number of students are enrolling in classes because of personal links outside their own linguistic community.
24 Risk management, insurance and occupational health and safety
The University is committed to promoting a culture of formally and systematically identifying, assessing and managing risk. In 2007, the University continued to develop tools to assist in risk management, as well as expanding the risk management framework.
Audit, risk management and assurance Expanding the auditing program During 2007, the first stage of the University’s risk In 2007, for the first time, a high-risk OHS audit was management framework was completed. The top 20 risks conducted, which differentiated between departments have been finalised along with the relevant causes, controls involved with obvious OHS risks and those without such and planned improvements. risks. The audit was carried out for units involved with hazardous activities such as: In addition, stage one of the Business Continuity and Crisis Management Plans was completed during the year. The Crisis • working with hazardous substances Management Plan has been completed to draft stage and will • biological hazards be tested during January and February 2008 • ionising radiation Responsibility for the University’s insurance function was fully integrated into the audit, risk management and assurance • machinery structure in 2007. • outdoor and field work
Occupational health and safety • regular use of contractors. achievements during 2007 In addition to formal OHS auditing, the University’s network of zone OHS Committees actively monitored and promoted During 2007, the University consolidated its programs OHS in conjunction with the Central OHS Committee. Other for ensuring the health, safety and welfare of its staff, high-level committees provided direction and promotion students and visitors, and effective injury management and of safe, compliant research involving gene technology and coordination of return to work for employees claiming workers ionising radiation. compensation. Linking risk management and University priorities The annual audit plan is directly linked to the University’s Strategic Plan. Once again in 2007, audit tasks focused on ensuring that University OHS processes and systems are adequate to achieve our strategic aspirations. Where appropriate, audit reports included comment on the progress in respect to the strategic direction aspirations.
25 Training and emergency management OHS, workers compensation and injury A broad range of OHS training was provided for staff and management: research students in key OHS risk areas ranging from working The OHS and Injury Management (OHSIM) unit facilitates with hazardous substances, to 4WD vehicle driver-safety the management of OHS risks within the University training. Training in new CPR (cardio pulmonary resuscitation) and arising from University activities. In 2007, the unit procedures and other development opportunities was continued to promote the highest possible standard of provided for the University’s network of first aid officers. occupational health, safety and welfare within the University Building emergency management arrangements were in line with social and legal obligations. A focus on OHS enhanced, although challenged at times by construction and injury management in the University aims to minimise works across the Camperdown Campus. the social and financial effects of workplace injury and illness through the provision of timely, safe and durable return-to- Safety promotion events were also held across the University work programs. during Safe Work Australia Week in October. These events were held at Camperdown, Cumberland, Camden and Sydney Several projects commenced in 2007 to address key injury College of the Arts campuses at the same time as national risk areas, including manual handling and office ergonomics. safety promotions. Computer-related overuse injuries were the most common reason for compensation claims. A trial of computer software designed to reduce these overuse injuries was successfully Peter Dunlop Memorial OHS Award conducted in a number of high-risk areas. The WorkPace The Peter Dunlop Memorial OHS Award for 2007 was software monitors the level of computer use and offers on- awarded to Valerie Odewahn, Sydney College of the Arts. The screen reminders to workers who are at risk of an overuse judging panel unanimously agreed that Ms Odewahn should injury to take breaks and perform basic body stretches. The receive the award in recognition of her sustained and ongoing software is progressively being made more widely available. 20 year commitment to the improvement of health and safety The number of claims made for workers compensation at Sydney College of the Arts. insurance fell by 11 per cent from 2006. Of the 223 claims The annual OHS award had been successfully revamped to made in 2007, 41 per cent were significant enough to require renew interest in this event promoting OHS at the University. rehabilitation. A 99 per cent return to work rate was achieved Five nominations were received for the 2007 OHS Award. for 2007, with all but one employee able to return to work at the University.
2007 2006
Claims for workers compensation 223 228
Claims requiring rehabilitation 91 92
Return-to-work rate 99% 97%
26 Promotions to Professor
Professor Timothy Bedding Professor Benjamin Oldroyd School of Physics School of Biological Sciences
Professor Lee Burns Professor Robyn Overall Faculty of Law School of Biological Sciences
Professor Hak-Kim Chan Professor Paul Redding Faculty of Pharmacy School of Philosophical and Historical Inquiry
Professor Geoffrey Clarke Professor Jeffrey Reimers School of Geosciences Professorial Research Fellow in the School of Chemistry
Professor Deirdre Coleman Professor Richard Russell School of Letters, Art and Media Faculty of Medicine
Professor David Gottlieb Professor Ross Smith Faculty of Medicine Faculty of Medicine
Professor Ghassan Hage Professor Julie Stubbs School of Philosophical and Historical Inquiry Faculty of Law
Professor Phillip Jones Professor Michael Thompson Faculty of Education and Social Work School of Biological Sciences
Professor Dianna Kenny Faculty of Health Sciences For staff elected as Fellows of Learned Academies, please see Volume 1, page 14. Professor Rebecca Mason School of Medical Sciences (Physiology)
27 Honorary awards
The following honorary awards were conferred at 2007 graduations:
23 March 2007 4 April 2007 Lyn Bronger Rachel Trixie Anne, Baroness Gardner of Parkes AM BPharm Syd MBA AGSM, FAIPM BDS Syd DUniv Middlesex Pharmacist and pharmacy educator who has been Deputy President and founder member of the University a great supporter of the Faculty of Pharmacy and of Sydney UK Alumni Association, who has made an of the Pharmacy Alumni. outstanding contribution to the health service in the UK Honorary Fellow of the University and to links between the UK and Australia, including the University of Sydney. Dr Douglas D McGregor Honorary Fellow BA MD WestOntario DPhil Oxf Scientist in the field of cellular immunology and infectious Joseph Neparrnga Gumbula disease, creator and Director of the annual Cornell Leadership Musician, scholar and Yolngu Elder, whose work in Program for Veterinary Students, Director of Leadership understanding and preserving Yolngu culture and efforts and Training Initiatives in the Cornell College of Veterinary to preserve and interpret audio and visual materials and Medicine. documents concerning Yolngu dances, songs and traditional Honorary degree of Doctor of Veterinary Science law have had a lasting impact on the preservation and management of important collections of Indigenous sources Professor William J Mitchell throughout Australia and internationally. BA Melb MEnvDes Yale MA Camb Honorary degree of Doctor of Music Alexander W Dreyfus Professor of Architecture and Media Tommy Tycho AM MBE Arts and Sciences, Director of the Design Laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Visiting DipConductingComposingPiano Franz Liszt Academy of Music Professor in the University of Sydney’s Faculty of Architecture, Composer, musical director and conductor. Design and Planning. Honorary degree of Doctor of Music Honorary degree of Doctor of Science in Architecture
30 March 2007 Gillian Beattie BSc Syd Scientist with an international profile who recently retired from the University of California San Diego and whose most important work was in the field of diabetes research. Honorary degree of Doctor of Science
Geraldine Brooks BA Syd MJ Col Novelist and Pulitzer Prize winner, journalist and war correspondent, and advocate for Islamic women and their rights. Honorary degree of Doctor of Letters
28 13 April 2007 20 April 2007 Professor William Robert (Jim) Allen Dr Peter Richard Chippendale DipFA Cantab, NZ, ARCA Lond MEd MA DipEd Syd PhD Lanc
Artist and educator, and Founding Head of the Sydney Scholar in the early history of the University of Sydney, College of the Arts from 1977 to 1987. co-author of Australia’s First: A history of the University of Honorary degree of Doctor of Visual Arts Sydney volume 1 1850–1939 and author of many researched articles published in the Archives journal, Record. Dr John MacDonald Grant AO OBE Honorary Fellow of the University MB BS Syd, FRACS FACS FAFRM RACP Neurosurgeon, teacher and scholar, now retired, pioneer in many aspects of the area of neurosurgery and strong 4 May 2007 advocate for people living with severe spinal damage. Murray Sayle Honorary degree of Doctor of Medicine Journalist in both Australia and Britain, with a substantial contribution to national public life. Associate Professor Helge Larsen DipDes(Jewellery) Copenhagen Honorary degree of Doctor of Letters Teacher administrator, now retired, and, in collaboration with Darani Lewers, a leading figure in the visual arts 11 May 2007 and crafts in Australia Honorary degree of Doctor of Visual Arts The Hon Mr Justice Kenneth Robert Handley AO BA LLB Syd Darani Lewers AM Barrister and judge, a Justice of the Court of Appeal of NSW A leading figure in the visual arts and crafts in Australia, since 1990 and Chancellor of the Anglican Diocese of Sydney in collaboration with Associate Professor Helge Larsen, from 1980 to 2004. and Honorary degree of Doctor of Visual Arts Honorary degree of Doctor of Laws Dr Janet McCredie AM MB BS MD Syd, DMRD FRCR FRACR FRANZCR The Hon Justice John Dyson Heydon AC Promoter of women’s education and mentorship of University MA Syd BCL Oxf students, with a long and significant association with The Barrister and judge, scholar and teacher, currently a Justice of Women’s College, University of Sydney, and its Council. the High Court of Australia, former Professor (1973-81) and Honorary Fellow of the University Dean (1977-78) of the University of Sydney’s Faculty of Law. Honorary degree of Doctor of Laws Guy Wilkie Warren OAM HonDCreativeArts W’gong Christopher Noel
Artist with a founding role as an educator at Contributor to the University of Sydney through supporting the Sydney College of the Arts. Sydney University Boat Club, contributing towards enabling the University’s students to gain a complete education Honorary degree of Doctor of Visual Arts through the attainment of values of excellence, and instigating a number of key initiatives for the benefit of the student body.
Honorary Fellow of the University
29 18 May 2007 8 June 2007 Paul John Kelly Phillip George Knightley AM BA DipEd Syd DUniv Griffith, FASSA Author and freelance journalist working in London, with a distinguished contribution to the fields of Political writer on Australian and international issues, investigative journalism and history. political historian and commentator, Editor-at-Large of The Australian and Adjunct Professor of Journalism Honorary degree of Doctor of Letters at the University of Queensland. Stepan Kerkyasharian AM Honorary degree of Doctor of Science in Economics Chairperson and CEO of the Community Relations Frederick Rawdon Dalrymple AO Commission of NSW, President and CEO of the Anti- Discrimination Board of NSW, with a distinguished BA Syd MA Oxf contribution to the advancement and understanding Diplomat, formerly Australian Ambassador to Israel, of cultural diversity in Australia. Indonesia, the USA and Japan, scholar and public Honorary degree of Doctor of Letters commentator on Australian foreign policy and international relations. Dr David Francis Branagan Honorary degree of Doctor of Science in Economics MSc PhD Syd
Scientist, scholar and former Associate Professor at the 25 May 2007 University of Sydney (1975–89), now retired, author of a recent book on Edgeworth David and currently Honorary Professor George Stephen Springer Associate in the Division of Geology and Geophysics, BE Syd MEng MS PhD Yale University of Sydney.
Paul Pigott Professor of Engineering at Stanford University. Honorary degree of Doctor of Science Honorary degree of Doctor of Engineering
Professor Krithivasan (Krithi) Ramamritham 26 October 2007 MTech IITMadras PhD Utah Dr Ann Moyal AM BA Syd DLitt ANU Computer scientist, Head of the School of IT at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, with an important leadership Historian of Australian science. role in the recent rapid growth of computing research in India. Honorary degree of Doctor of Letters Honorary degree of Doctor of Science Dr Peter Daniel Rossdale OBE MA PhD HonDVetMed&Surg Edin, DESM FRCVS 1 June 2007 Veterinarian practitioner and scientist, world authority Dr John Michael Bennett AM on perinatology in horses. BA LLM LLD Syd MA Macq, FRAHS Honorary degree of Doctor of Veterinary Science Lawyer and legal historian, whose publications and articles have involved original research contributing substantially to the understanding of the early history of Australia and its legal and parliamentary institutions.
Honorary degree of Doctor of Letters
30 Freedom of information
Under the NSW Freedom of Information Act 1989, the University is required to include in its Annual Report information on the processing of requests received by the University. The tables below show the figures for calendar years 2006 and 2007.
Section A – New FOI applications
How many applications were received, discontinued or completed? Number of FOI applications
Personal Other Total
2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007
A1 New 5 16 5 12 10 28
A2 Brought forward 1 0 0 0 1 0
A3 Total to be processed 6 16 5 12 11 28
A4 Completed 6 13 5 10 11 23
A5 Discontinued 0 1 0 1 0 2
A6 Total processed 6 13 5 10 11 23
A7 Unfinished (carried forward) 0 2 0 1 0 3
Section B – Discontinued applications
Why were FOI applications discontinued? NUMBER OF DISCONTINUED FOI APPLICATIONS
Personal Other Total
2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007
B1 Request transferred out to another agency (s.20) 0 0 0 0 0 0
B2 Applicant withdrew request 0 1 0 1 0 2
B3 Applicant failed to pay advance deposit (s.22) 0 0 0 0 0 0
B4 Applicant failed to amend a request that would 0 0 0 0 0 0 have been an unreasonable diversion of resources to complete (s.25(1)(a1))
B5 Total discontinued 0 1 0 1 0 2
Note: If request discontinued for more than one reason, select the reason first occurring in the above table. The figures in B5 should correspond to those in A5.
31 Section C – Completed applications
What happened to completed FOI applications? NUMBER OF COMPLETED FOI APPLICATIONS
Personal Other Total
2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007
C1 Granted or otherwise available in full 4 10 2 2 6 12
C2 Granted or otherwise available in part 2 1 2 1 4 2
C3 Refused 0 0 1 6 1 6
C4 No documents held 0 2 0 1 0 3
C5 Total completed 6 13 5 10 11 23
Note: A request is granted or otherwise available in full if all documents requested are either provided to the applicant (or the applicant’s medical practitioner) or are otherwise publicly available. The figures in C5 should correspond to those in A4.
Section D – Applications granted or otherwise available in full
How were the documents made available to the applicant? NUMBER OF FOI APPLICATIONS (GRANTED OR OTHERWISE AVAILABLE IN FULL)
Personal Other Total
All documents requested were: 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007
D1 Provided to the applicant 4 10 2 2 6 12
D2 Provided to the applicant’s medical 0 0 0 0 0 0 practitioner
D3 Available for inspection 0 0 0 0 0 0
D4 Available for purchase 0 0 0 0 0 0
D5 Library material 0 0 0 0 0 0
D6 Subject to deferred access 0 0 0 0 0 0
D7 Available by a combination of any of the 0 0 0 0 0 0 reasons listed in D1-D6 above
D8 Total granted or otherwise available in full 4 10 2 2 6 12
Note: The figures in D8 should correspond to those in C1.
32 Section E – Applications granted or otherwise available in part
How were the documents made available to the applicant? NUMBER OF FOI APPLICATIONS (GRANTED OR OTHERWISE AVAILABLE IN PART)
Personal Other Total
All documents requested were: 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007
E1 Provided to the applicant 1 1 2 1 3 2
E2 Provided to the applicant’s medical 0 0 0 0 0 0 practitioner
E3 Available for inspection 0 0 0 0 0 0
E4 Available for purchase 0 0 0 0 0 0
E5 Library material 0 0 0 0 0 0
E6 Subject to deferred access 0 0 0 0 0 0
E7 Available by a combination of any of the 0 0 1 0 1 0 reasons listed in E1-E6 above
E8 Total granted or otherwise available in part 2 1 2 1 4 2
Note: The figures in E8 should correspond to those in C2.
Section F – Refused FOI applications
Why was access to the documents refused? NUMBER OF REFUSED FOI APPLICATIONS
Personal Other Total
2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007
F1 Exempt 0 0 1 6 1 6
F2 Deemed refused 0 0 0 0 0 0
F3 Total refused 0 0 1 6 1 6
Note: The figures in F3 should correspond with those in C3.
33 Section G – Exempt documents
NUMBER OF FOI APPLICATIONS Why were the documents classified as exempt? (REFUSED OR ACCESS GRANTED OR (identify one reason only) OTHERWISE AVAILABLE IN PART ONLY)
Personal Other Total
Restricted documents: 2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007
G1 Cabinet documents (Clause 1) 0 0 0 0 0 0
G2 Executive Council documents (Clause 2) 0 0 0 0 0 0
G3 Documents affecting law enforcement and public safety (Clause 4) 0 1 0 2 0 3
G4 Documents affecting counter terrorism measures (Clause 4A) 0 0 0 0 0 0
Documents requiring consultation:
G5 Documents affecting intergovernmental relations (Clause 5) 0 0 0 0 0 0
G6 Documents affecting personal affairs (Clause 6) 2 0 0 4 2 4
G7 Documents affecting business affairs (Clause 7) 0 0 1 0 1 0
G8 Documents affecting the conduct of research (Clause 8) 0 0 0 0 0 0
Documents otherwise exempt:
G9 Schedule 2 exempt agency G10 Documents containing information 0 0 0 0 0 0 confidential to Olympic Committees (Clause 22)
G11 Documents relating to threatened species, Aboriginal objects 0 0 0 0 0 0 or Aboriginal places (Clause 23)
G12 Documents relating to threatened species conservation (Clause 24) 0 0 0 0 0 0
G13 Plans of management containing information of Aboriginal 0 0 0 0 0 0 significance (Clause 25)
G14 Private documents in public library collections (Clause 19) 0 0 0 0 0 0
G15 Documents relating to judicial functions (Clause 11) 0 0 0 0 0 0
G16 Documents subject to contempt (Clause 17) 0 0 0 0 0 0
G17 Documents arising out of companies and securities legislation 0 0 0 0 0 0 (Clause 18)
G18 Exempt documents under interstate FOI Legislation (Clause 21) 0 0 0 0 0 0
G19 Documents subject to legal professional privilege (Clause 10) 0 0 2 0 2 0
G20 Documents containing confidential material (Clause 13) 0 0 0 0 0 0
G21 Documents subject to secrecy provisions (Clause 12) 0 0 0 0 0 0
G22 Documents affecting the economy of the State (Clause 14) 0 0 0 0 0 0
G23 Documents affecting financial or property Interests of the State or an 0 0 0 0 0 0 agency (Clause 15)
G24 Documents concerning operations of agencies (Clause 16) 0 0 0 0 0 0
G25 Internal working documents (Clause 9) 0 0 0 0 0 0
G26 Other exemptions (eg Clauses 20, 22A and 26) 0 0 0 0 0 0
G27 Total applications including exempt documents 2 1 3 6 5 7
Note: Where more than one exemption applies to a request, select the exemption category first occurring in the above table. The figures in G27 should correspond to the sum of the figures in C2 and F1.
34 Section H – Ministerial certificates (S.59) Section I – Formal consultations
How many formal How many Ministerial NUMBER OF MINISTERIAL consultations were Certificates were issued? CERTIFICATES conducted? NUMBER 2006 2007 2006 2007 H1 Ministerial Certificates issued 0 0 I1 Number of applications requiring 2 2 formal consultation
I2 Number of persons formally 2 2 consulted
Note: Include all formal offers to consult issued irrespective of whether a response was received.
Section J – Amendment of personal records Section K – Notation of personal records
How many applications How many applications for amendment of personal NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS for notation of personal NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS records were agreed or FOR AMENDMENT OF records were made (s.46)? FOR NOTATION refused? PERSONAL RECORDS 2006 2007 2006 2007 K1 Applications for notation 0 0 J1 Agreed in full 0 0
J2 Agreed in part 0 0
J3 Refused 0 0
J4 Total 0 0
Section L – Fees and costs
What fees were assessed and received for FOI applications processed (excluding applications transferred out)? ASSESSED COSTS FEES RECEIVED
2006 2007 2006 2007
L1 All completed application $240 $660 $240 $660
35 Section M – Fee discounts
How many fee waivers or discounts NUMBER OF FOI APPLICATIONS were allowed and why? (WHERE FEES WERE WAIVED OR DISCOUNTED)
Personal Other Total
2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007
M1 Processing fees waived in full 0 0 0 0 0 0
M2 Public interest discounts 0 0 0 0 0 0
M3 Financial hardship discounts – pensioner or child 1 7 0 0 1 7
M4 Financial hardship discounts – non-profit organisation 0 0 0 0 0 0
M5 Total 1 7 0 0 1 7
Section N – Fee refunds
How many fee refunds were granted as a result of significant correction of personal records? NUMBER OF REFUNDS
2006 2007
N1 Number of fee refunds granted as a result of significant 0 0 correction of personal records
Section O – Days taken to complete request
How long did it take to process completed applications? (Note: calendar days) NUMBER OF COMPLETED FOI APPLICATIONS
Personal Other Total
2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007
O1 0-21 days – statutory determination period 6 13 3 8 8 21
O2 22-35 days – extended statutory determination period for consultation 0 0 2 2 3 2 or retrieval of archived records (S.59B)
O3 Over 21 days – deemed refusal where no extended determination period applies 0 0 0 0 0 0
O4 Over 35 days – deemed refusal where extended determination period applies 0 0 0 0 0 0
O5 Total 6 13 5 10 11 23
Note: Figures in O5 should correspond to figures in A4.
36 Section P – Processing time: hours
How long did it take to process completed applications? NUMBER OF COMPLETED FOI APPLICATIONS
Personal Other Total
2006 2007 2006 2007 2006 2007
P1 0-10 hours 5 12 4 8 9 20
P2 11-20 hours 1 1 1 2 2 3
P3 21-40 hours 0 0 0 0 0 0
P4 Over 40 hours 0 0 0 0 0 0
P5 Total 6 13 5 10 11 23
Note: Figures in P5 should correspond to figures in A4.
Section Q – Number of reviews
How many reviews were finalised? NUMBER OF COMPLETED REVIEWS
2006 2007
Q1 Internal reviews 1 5
Q2 Ombudsman reviews 0 0
Q3 ADT reviews 0 0
37 Section R – Results of internal reviews
What were the results of internal reviews finalised? Grounds on which the internal review was requested NUMBER OF INTERNAL REVIEWS
Personal Other Total
Original Agency Original Agency Original Agency Original Agency Original Agency Original Agency Decision Upheld Decision Varied Decision Upheld Decision Varied Decision Upheld Decision Varied
R1 Access refused 2 0 2 1 4 1
R2 Access deferred 0 0 0 0 0 0
R3 Exempt matter deleted 0 0 0 0 0 0 from documents
R4 Unreasonable charges 0 0 0 0 0 0
R5 Failure to consult 0 0 0 0 0 0 with third parties
R6 Third parties 0 0 0 0 0 0 views disregarded
R7 Amendment of 0 0 0 0 0 0 personal records refused
R8 Total 2 0 2 1 4 1
Comment: • adding privacy statements to the University’s websites The number of applications for 2007 was higher than 2006, • including consideration of privacy issues in the which was notable for the small number of applications. As development of University policies resolutions, usual, there was a balance of personal and non-personal rules and procedures affairs applications. Material exempted from both types of • adding warnings against the unauthorised disclosure applications generally concerned the affairs of third parties. of personal information of personal information to login Three applications sought documents which included screens of corporate computer systems information regarding the University’s security arrangements, • administering an awareness and training program and material was exempted on those grounds. There was on privacy legislation and related matters a significant increase in the number of applications from • maintaining a privacy website with links to the Privacy media organisations. With much information regarding the Management Plan and other sources of information University’s affairs publicly available or accessible through (www.usyd.edu.au/arms/privacy) administrative mechanisms, the Freedom of Information Act • incorporating a section on privacy in the University has little impact on the University. Recordkeeping Manual (available in hardcopy and Privacy and Personal Information electronically) • revising the access and security regime for the University’s Protection Act corporate record keeping system to further enhance information privacy Section 33(3) of the NSW Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (the Act) requires the University to report • providing accurate and timely advice on privacy matters on the actions it has taken to comply with the Act and to provide to members of the University community. statistical details of any review conducted by or on its behalf. Reviews conducted under Part 5 of the The steps the University has taken to comply with the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act privacy legislation include: • adding privacy notices to electronic and hardcopy forms No reviews were conducted under part 5 of the Act use to collect personal information during 2007.
38 Legal Affairs
Changes to legislation Copyright Amendment Act 2006 (Cth) This Act introduced a significant number of amendments Education Services for Overseas Students Legislation to the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Many of the amendments Amendment (2006 Measures No 1) Act 2006 (Cth) affect universities including allowing the use of copyright material, in circumstances where the educational institution Education Services for Overseas Students Legislation is providing non-commercial, educational instruction, without Amendment (2006 Measures No 2) Act 2006 (Cth) the need to pay a fee to the copyright owner. The Act became fully operational on 1 January 2007. Education Services for Overseas Students Legislation Amendment Act (No 70, 2007) (Cth) Freedom of Information Amendment Act 2007 (‘the Act’)
These Acts amend the Education Services for Overseas The Act amends the Freedom of Information Act 1989. Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act) to provide additional and The new Act creates contract disclosure obligations which strengthened regulation of education and training services apply in respect to specified categories of contracts entered provided to overseas students by educational institutions. into after 2 January 2007. In essence, the contracts are for Together, and in combination with The National Code provision of goods and/or services, or where the University of Practice for Registration Authorities and Providers of is entering into a lease and the total estimated payments Education and Training to Overseas Students 2007, these under the contract exceed $150,000. amendments also set out nationally consistent standards that govern the protection of overseas students and delivery Higher Education Endowment Fund Act 2007 of courses to those students. Many of the amendments This Act makes provision for the administration of a fund (including the new National Code) came into force on from which payments are to be made to universities on 1 July 2007. account of capital expenditure and in relation to research facilities. The capital of the fund is presently $6 billion.
39 40