Quality Management at Murdoch University

Quality Assurance of Resource Management

Introduction

Statute No. 25 – Vice Chancellor gives the Vice Chancellor delegated authority to manage the human, financial and physical resources of the University. The responsibilities of the Leadership Management Group (LMG) include providing advice to the Vice Chancellor on strategic and policy direction in this regard, as well as co-ordinating action to implement the University’s Strategic Plan 2007-2010 .

In addition, the Resources Committee, a standing committee of the Senate, oversees the management of the resources of the University and advises Senate on these and related matters; advises and makes recommendations to Senate on matters relating to the development, conservation and improvement of the University’s real property; and decides whether selected tenders should be used for capital projects, and, if so, which companies will be invited to tender. The detailed terms of reference are specified in the Murdoch University Senate Statement of Governance Principles . The Committee is chaired by a member of Senate. Minutes of each meeting are included in the Senate agenda.

In Murdoch University’s current strategic plan , the Resource Management goal is “Exemplary organisational efficiency and effectiveness and long term financial sustainability, underpinned by a culture of accountable decision making informed by financial acumen”. The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Corporate) is responsible for implementing the nine strategies supporting this goal.

Quality Assurance Mechanisms

The University assures the quality of its resource management through the following mechanisms:

• Compliance with relevant State and Federal legislation, including the Murdoch University Act 1973 and Financial and Administration Audit Act 1985.
• Relevant University legislation dealing with resource management issues
• VC reports to each meeting of Senate
• Minutes of each Resources Committee meeting provided to subsequent meeting of Senate
• 5-yearly Academic Organisational Unit Reviews (School Reviews)
• 2-yearly Whole-of-University Experience Survey (Student Satisfaction Survey)
• Internal Audit and Risk Management / Audit & Risk Management Committee (a standing committee of the Senate)

University Legislation, (Statutes, Regulations, Rules and Policies)

The Division of Corporate Services includes the Offices of Commercial Services; Corporate Communications and Public Relations; Finance, Planning & Reporting; Human Resources; and Information Technology Services.

There are numerous regulations/legal obligations governed by a variety of external agencies and authorities.  University legislation pertinent to resource management includes:

Acts

• Financial and Administration Audit Act 1985
• Murdoch University Act 1973

 Statutes

• Statute No. 21 – Affiliated Institutions
• Statute No. 22 – Fees
• Statute No. 8 – Interpretation
• Statute No. 1 – Official Seal
• Statute No. 25 – Vice Chancellor

Regulations

• Fees Regulations
• Library Regulations
• Student Loan Regulations

Rules

• Fee Rules

Policies

• Employment Policies
• Facilities Policies
• Finance Policies
• Information Technology Policies