Overview of Murdoch University

The University was established by the Murdoch University Act 1973, an Act of the Western Australian Parliament. The Act provides the legislative machinery for administering the University and establishes the Senate as the primary body which governs the University.

The Senate oversees the development and adoption of strategic plans and key policies, monitors and reviews the University’s overall performance and bears ultimate accountability for the University.

Its activities are those of guidance and review, rather than executive management, and members recognise their responsibility to bring diverse viewpoints together for the advancement of the University rather than to represent sectional interests.

To assist it in carrying out its responsibilities, the Senate has established six committees and one sub-committee. These committees are the Audit and Risk Committee, the Chancellor’s Committee and its Remuneration Sub-Committee, the Honorary Awards and Ceremonial Committee, the Governance and Nominations Committee, the Resources Committee and the Summer Committee.

Under the Act, the Senate can delegate any of its functions, other than its powers of delegation and making statutes, by-laws and regulations. As such, the operational responsibility for the University is delegated to the Vice Chancellor and the individuals he appoints as senior executives.

The Act provides for a maximum 19 member Senate comprising of the Chancellor, the Vice Chancellor, six members appointed by the Governor of Western Australia, three members elected by and from the University’s full-time academic staff, one member elected by and from the University’s full-time non academic staff, two members elected by and from the University’s students, two members elected by and from the University’s alumni and up to three members co-opted by an absolute majority of the Senate.

The University also complies with the Voluntary Code of Best Practice for the Governance of Australian Universities which was endorsed by the Ministerial Council for Tertiary Education and Employment in July 2011.

The University is responsible to the Minister for Education for Western Australia for the proper conduct of its business under the legal framework established by State legislation. However, the University receives significant funding from the Commonwealth and under those arrangements it is also responsible to the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research for the delivery of its teaching and research programs and for the provision of adequate infrastructure to support these programs.

The Vice Chancellor is appointed by the Senate. The current Vice Chancellor is Professor Richard Higgott, who commenced his duties in 2011. The role of the Vice Chancellor is to encourage, promote and facilitate the very best academic and organisational performance across the whole University. 

The Vice Chancellor appoints a Senior Leadership Group (SLG) to assist him in operating the University. In 2012, the SLG comprised the Vice Chancellor, the three Deputy Vice Chancellors, five Pro Vice Chancellors and the President of Academic Council. The Deputy Vice Chancellors were:

Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic, Professor Ann Capling

Has overall responsibility for the enhancement and growth of the University’s undergraduate and postgraduate coursework profile. This position provides leadership in achieving the University’s strategic goals in learning and teaching and has overall responsibility for academic planning and policy, the student experience and curriculum, pedagogy and delivery.

Deputy Vice Chancellor Research, Professor David Morrison

Has overall responsibility for the strategic direction and focus of research undertaken within the University. This position is active in developing closer research links and a funding base with both private and public sector users and providers. The Deputy Vice Chancellor Research is also responsible for ensuring the promotion of research for the public good and its contribution to society.

Deputy Vice Chancellor Professional Services, Jon Baldwin

Responsible for the management of the University’s administrative support services and resources, including Finance, Legal, Governance, Risk Management, Human Resources, Library, Information Technology, Development, Communications, Student Services, Transnational Education, Facilities Management, Commercial Services and Research and Development.

Academic Governance

Of major importance in a university is academic governance. Section 21 of the Murdoch University Act provides for the establishment by Statute of an Academic Council. The Academic Council of Murdoch University is the senior decision-making body on academic matters within the University. On matters of academic policy it makes the final decision. The President of Academic Council in 2012 was Associate Professor David Holloway.

Academic and Professional Services Restructure

In 2012, the University had four faculties comprising 14 schools which were responsible for the general administration of the courses under their governance. Each faculty was headed by a Pro Vice Chancellor and each school was headed by a Dean.

Throughout 2012, an academic and professional services restructure took place in support of the University’s strategic goals in teaching and learning, research, engagement and internationalisation. As of January 1, 2013, a new structure was implemented to realign the University’s purpose with scholarly and academic values. The faculties no longer exist and the number of schools has been reduced to eight as well as a new graduate school, the Sir Walter Murdoch School of Public Policy and International Affairs.

Following consultations required under the Enterprise Agreement, the restructure of professional services was concluded in September 2012 with the number of direct reports to Deputy Vice Chancellor Professional Services reduced to nine.

The Senior Leadership Group, the Deans and committees at all levels work with and are supported by the University’s professional staff, both technical and administrative.