Breadcrumbs
Statement of Affairs 2006/2007
Introduction
Queensland's Freedom of Information Act 1992 (the FOI Act) provides the public with the right to apply for access to documents held by the government, statutory authorities, and public authorities including universities. Section 18 of the FOI Act requires the University to publish annually a detailed statement of its affairs describing:
- its structure and functions
- how its functions affect the public
- how the public may participate in the exercise of the University's functions and in the formulation of University policy
- the boards, committees, and councils that advise the University and whose meetings or minutes are open or available to the public
- the kinds of documents held by the University and how members of the public may obtain access to them
- how members of the public may seek amendment of the University's documents concerning their personal affairs.
History and establishment of the University
The University of the Sunshine Coast is one of the fastest growing universities in Australia and has become an influential member of the Sunshine Coast's business community. It is the first public university to be established on a greenfield site in Australia for 23 years. Information about the University including our history, establishment, and strategic plan are available online at http://www.usc.edu.au/University/AbouttheUniversity/.
Governance
Under the University of the Sunshine Coast Act 1998, the functions of the University are to:
- provide education at university standard
- provide facilities for, and encourage, study and research
- encourage the advancement and development of knowledge, and its application to government, industry, commerce and the community
- provide courses of study or instruction, at the levels of achievement the Council considers appropriate, to meet the needs of the community
- confer higher education awards
- disseminate knowledge and promote scholarship
- provide facilities and resources for the wellbeing of the University's staff, students and other persons undertaking courses at the University
- exploit commercially, for the University's benefit, a facility or resource of the University, including, for example, study, research or knowledge, or the practical application of study, research or knowledge, belonging to the University, whether alone or with someone else.
Council is the University's governing body. Information about the Council including membership and committees of Council are available at http://www.usc.edu.au/University/AbouttheUniversity/Governance/.
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Associated bodies
The Student Guild
The University of the Sunshine Coast Act 1998 establishes the University of the Sunshine Coast Student Guild. The Student Guild functions in accordance with its Constitution, as approved by Council, as required under the Act.
Convocation
The Act establishes a University Convocation, the membership of which is to be decided by University Statute.
Innovation Centre Sunshine Coast Pty Ltd
The Innovation Centre Sunshine Coast Pty Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary company of the University of the Sunshine Coast. The company operates a business incubator to assist entrepreneurs to start and grow new technology and knowledge-based ventures.
Organisational structure
The University of the Sunshine Coast is one of the region's largest organisations. Three faculties and a number of departments oversee the academic and administrative activities of the University.
Follow these links to find information about the organisational structure including:
Office of the Vice-Chancellor
Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor
Academic Areas
Administrative Areas
Research Centres
Community engagement
The University of the Sunshine Coast was created to serve the greater Sunshine Coast region. Community involvement plays a part in all facets of the University, and is demonstrated by the large number of partnerships, programs and research projects in place throughout the Sunshine Coast and further afield.
These links provide more information about community engagement, partnerships, business and industry, and schools.
Public participation
The composition of Council makes provision for members of the general community, staff, students and graduates of the University to participate in the formulation of policy. The Election of Council Policy is available online at http://www.usc.edu.au/University/AbouttheUniversity/Governance/Policies/Governance/Election.htm
There are a number of advisory bodies within the University that provide through their membership for public participation in the University's affairs. Council may appoint to membership of its standing committees persons not members of Council or the University. Also, a Council committee may, at its discretion, invite to particular meetings persons from the staff of the University or elsewhere with expertise in areas relevant to the committee's work.
Faculty program advisory committees, the membership of which is predominantly external, play a key role in providing advice on the development of academic programs and courses.
The Innovation Centre Advisory Network includes entrepreneurs and business professionals who provide advice and act as mentors to the incubator companies.
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University documents
Records
The University has a Council approved Records Management Policy and a Strategic Recordkeeping Implementation plan approved by Queensland State Archives. A specialised record-keeping unit is responsible for the maintenance of the University's records management system, where University records are indexed and may be stored. The system may also manage the creation and capture, storage, security, access and disposal of records. Normally all University records are recorded in the records management system.
Planning and policy documents
The Strategic Plan and Campus Master Plan outline the University's institutional objectives and physical development.
The University strives for quality across all areas of the institution. Currently being developed is a University Quality System. This system will enable the University to set benchmarks and objectives, measure its performance and set processes in place for continual improvement
The University's planning and policy documents are available online at http://www.usc.edu.au/University/AbouttheUniversity/Governance/Policies/
Documents available for inspection
A large number of University documents are available free of charge from the University website including:
Some documents may also be available for inspection in the University Library. Other documents may be available for inspection under the Freedom of Information Act 1992.
Documents available for purchase
At the present time only a limited number of University of the Sunshine Coast documents are available for purchase; these are for course-related materials and the proceedings of conferences held at the University. Contact the Office of Marketing and Communications for more details.
Documents available by subscription or mailing list
At the present time the University does not produce any documents that are available by subscription. The Community Newsletter, Annual Report, and Experts Guide, are free and circulate through a mailing list maintained by Marketing and Communications.
Public access to meetings and minutes
The University of the Sunshine Coast Council and committee meetings are not open to the public. The deliberations of Council or a committee on any issue are confidential to the members. However, confirmed non-confidential minutes and papers may be perused by any member of the University community on application to the Office of the Vice-Chancellor.
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Personal affairs information
Members of the University staff may inspect their personnel records by arrangement with the Director, Human Resources. Students may inspect their student records online through SOLAR or by arrangement with the Director, Student Administration.
Members of the public including staff and students may make a request under the Freedom of Information Act 1992 to amend their records if they believe them to be inaccurate, incomplete, out of date or misleading.
Information on how the University manages personal privacy can be found in our Privacy Plan.
Freedom of Information procedures
Persons may make an application under the Queensland Freedom of Information Act 1992 if they have been unable to obtain access to documents or unable to have personal affairs information amended through the University's normal administrative procedure.
FOI applications should be directed to:
The FOI Coordinator
University of the Sunshine Coast
Maroochydore DC Qld 4558
The FOI Coordinator may be contacted at:
Records Management Services Office
Ground Floor Library Building
University of the Sunshine Coast
90 Sippy Downs Drive
Sippy Downs
Queensland
Tel: +61 7 5430 2895
Fax: +61 7 5430 2810.
Archived Statement of Affairs.
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