annual report 2010Australian Catholic University annual report 2010 Australian Catholic University (ACU) Letter of transmittal was established in November 1990 11 April 2011 through incorporation as a public company limited by guarantee, The Hon Peter Hall MLC registered in the state of Victoria. It was Minister for Higher Education and Skills subsequently recognised as a university Level 1, 2 Treasury Place, West Wing under the Australian Catholic University East Melbourne VIC 3002 (Victoria) Act 1991, and provides this report to the Victorian Minister for Higher Education and Skills. Dear Minister The University was formed through the In accordance with the requirements of regulations under the Financial amalgamation of the Catholic College Management Act 1994, I am pleased to submit for your information of Education (NSW), the Institute of and presentation to Parliament the Australian Catholic University Catholic Education (Vic), McAuley Annual Report for the year ending 31 December 2010. College (Qld) and Signadou College of Education (ACT). Today, ACU has The Annual Report was approved by the Australian Catholic University six campuses nationally: Brisbane Senate on 11 April 2011. (McAuley at Banyo), North Sydney Yours sincerely (MacKillop), Strathfield (Mount Saint Mary), Canberra (Signadou), Ballarat (Aquinas) and Melbourne (St Patrick’s). A public university, recognised and funded by the Commonwealth Government, Australian Catholic University is open to students and staff of all beliefs. General Peter Cosgrove ac mc cNZm To view this report online visit Chancellor www.acu.edu.au/about_acu/ publications For more copies of this report or for enquiries, please contact: [email protected] Tel +61 2 9739 2540 Contents � Report of operations � Financial reports 1 Introduction � 5 Academic review 1 Directors’ report 51 Chancellors’ forewords 3 AUQA audit follow-up 26 � Vice-Chancellor’s report 4 Good Universities Guide 2010 27 � 2 Lead auditor’s independence Foundation 5 � Alternative entry programs 27 declaration 55 History 5 � New Memoranda of 3 Audited financial statements � Objectives 5 Understanding and partnerships 29 Income statement 56 Campuses 5 New courses 29 Statement of comprehensive Faculties and areas of study 6 Course reviews 29 income 57 Growth 7 New faculty 29 Balance sheet 58 Highlights of 2010 7 6 Students Statement of changes in equity 59 Strategic Plan 2009–2011 8 � Student statistics 30 � Statement of cash flows 60 Planning with government 9 � Student achievements 31 4 Notes to the financial Vice-Chancellor’s priority projects � Student experience 31 statements � for 2010 9 � Students in the community 32 � Statement of significant accounting policies 61 2 Governance Student support 32 Revenue 66 Company structure 10 � Online services 32 Expenses � 69 Senate members 10 Flexible learning 32 Finance expenses 71 Directors’ membership of Equity and diversity 32 external boards 11 Education for Indigenous students 33 Auditors’ remuneration 71 Committees 11 International programs 34 Cash and cash equivalents 71 Management structure 11 ACUcom 37 Trade and other receivables 72 Principal officers of the University Other financial assets 72 7 Graduates in 2010 12 Other investments 72 Graduate statistics 38 Management structure under Other assets 72 the Vice-Chancellor in 2010 15 Honorary doctorates 39 Property, plant and equipment 73 Graduates beyond campus 39 Intangible assets 74 3 Mission and identity Graduate connections 39 Mission statement 16 Trade and other payables 76 Directorate and institutes 8 Staff Employee benefits 76 to enact Mission 16 Staff statistics 40 Other liabilities 79 Mission in undertakings 17 Staff policies 41 Reserves 80 Community engagement 17 Significant appointments 42 Retained earnings 81 Public forums 19 Honours to staff 42 Commitments 81 Directors’ and key management Recognition � 19 9 Research Eureka Prize winner 19 personnel disclosures 82 Areas of research 44 Related parties 83 4 Resources Research statistics 44 Financial instruments disclosure 84 General income and expenditure 20 Research grants and partnerships 45 Equity 85 Australian Catholic University Publications by staff 47 Notes to the statement Foundation 20 Visiting researchers 47 of cash flows 85 Scholarships and awards 22 Looking to the future 47 Acquittal of Commonwealth Infrastructure 23 Government financial assistance 87 10 External relations Libraries � 24 Relations with government 48 5 Certification of financial IT and distance learning 24 Relations with stakeholders 48 statements 97 Environmental sustainability 24 Public relations � 49 6 Independent auditors’ report 98 Community relations 49 7 Disclaimer 99 8 Supplementary income 100 statement Additional information 101 Compliance index 105 State indexes 108 Contacts 112 Australian Catholic University annual report 2010 Report of operations 1 Report of operations 1 Introduction australian catholic univers 2 Australian Catholic University annual report 2010 Report of operations australian catholic univers Chancellor’s farewell Catholic University has always Chancellor’s welcome espoused, in line with its wider Brother Julian McDonald CFC AC Mission and Catholic traditions Former Defence Force chief General retired at the end of 2010 from the and its distinctive emphasis Peter Cosgrove ac mc cNZm, appointed position of Chancellor of Australian on community engagement. as the University’s third Chancellor, Catholic University, after 10 years Australian Catholic University is took up his role in November 2010. of outstanding service. indebted to its three Vice-Chancellors, From the Vice-Chancellor: He writes his last foreword for Professors Peter Drake, Peter Sheehan I am delighted that General Cosgrove an ACU annual report: and Greg Craven, whose inspirational leadership and sheer hard work have has accepted this position. Throughout As I come to the end of 10 years brought the University to maturity his distinguished military career as Chancellor, I am very conscious and to a position where there are now he has shown outstanding leadership, of the privilege that has been given more than 20,400 students enrolled care of the men and women under to me to have been entrusted with the and working on six campuses situated his command and a cultural awareness leadership of a community of scholars in Ballarat, Canberra, Melbourne, of the lives of others. and researchers that has worked so Sydney and Brisbane. It is these leadership skills, commitment well to ensure that Australian Catholic to serving the common good, and University is now an institution of While leadership of any institution immense experience which will prove choice for thousands of people from is vitally important, the distinctive invaluable in helping the University within and beyond Australia, seeking characteristic of Australian Catholic to build on its reputation of quality tertiary qualifications in a wide range University throughout its entire teaching and research. of disciplines. 20-year history has been the manner in which all staff – both academic and From the new Chancellor: This report for 2010 shows the growth support – have welcomed students of student numbers and enrolment on all campuses and worked with Firstly, I pay special tribute to the applications, and the continuing one another collaboratively and wonderful work and unstinting expansion of faculties and schools. harmoniously to build a community commitment of Brother Julian In the past three years we have added to which its members are proud McDonald. He has been an inspiration faculties of theology and philosophy to belong. to all at ACU. I look forward to and of business, and our Senate has continuing his vision, in the hope that passed the introduction of a school It is with deep gratitude that I can do justice to the important of law, to open in 2013. I acknowledge the University’s position of Chancellor. leadership, staff and students for The University has introduced the manner in which they have Australian universities play a vital role numerous courses and new schools, embraced me as Chancellor and in developing the intellectual capital especially those with strong enriched my life immeasurably. of the nation. For our own citizens, and community demand, such as for many of our overseas neighbours, physiotherapy, to be followed I am personally delighted to our universities are the key which by occupational therapy. This has all be handing the baton to a very unlocks their future. been matched by an increase in distinguished Australian who needs I am extraordinarily proud to be resources and new buildings, with a no introduction. Having followed appointed as the new Chancellor of major expansion of the Melbourne closely the career of General Peter Australian Catholic University, a seat Campus, which we are proud to say Cosgrove, I leave Australian Catholic of learning and of research serving vital has strong environmental credentials. University buoyed by the confidence that comes from knowing that, needs within our whole community. As Chancellor, I have been pleased under General Cosgrove’s leadership, at the continued implementation Australian Catholic University will of strategic and thematic plans continue to grow and flourish. guiding the institution’s growth, in a manner which has been both financially responsible and in tune with the Federal Government’s aim to widen university entry. The aim of wider participation in tertiary R Julian McDonald CFC AO General Peter Cosgrove AC MC CNZM education is one which