Academic Organisational Unit Reviews

Code of Conduct for School Reviews

Approved in	June, 2006	by	Academic Council
Amended on		by
Responsibilities and Related Publications/Policies

To ensure that the integrity of school reviews is not compromised, and to avoid any potential discomfort of review panel members, the following protocols should be observed during panel visits.

• Meetings with the panel should include all panel members, unless a confidential meeting is requested with the panel chair, or where the panel chair determines for reasons of efficiency that the panel should split to achieve its meeting schedule.
   
• All official meetings with the panel should occur on campus unless there is sufficient reason that this cannot occur, in which case the panel chair, via the panel secretary, should seek the permission of the President of Academic Council by email giving the reason that the meeting must occur off campus.
   
• It is expected that confidentiality be maintained by panel members, panel secretarial support staff and all meeting attendees
   
• Any socialising between panel members and school staff should be moderate and limited to business hours, at least until the panel visit is completed and the close out meeting has been held. For example, schools might opt for an informal morning/afternoon tea/luncheon/happy hour whereby panel members can meet school staff, however ‘wining and dining’ of panel members is not encouraged during the panel’s (three day) schedule of meetings.
   
• It is considered unethical for staff of the University to make gifts or benefits to panel members which might in any way compromise or influence them in carrying out their duties, or which might reasonably be seen by others as an inducement which places a panel member under an obligation. (Adapted from the University Code of Ethics and Conduct).
   
• The President of Academic Council is the official host to the panel during its visit to the University.