1. Purpose and Objectives

These procedures enact PPL 1.40.05a Organisational Unit Reviews – Policy.

2. Definitions, Terms, Acronyms

Composition –   the positions that together form a review committee. 

Membership –  the persons appointed to those positions that compose a review committee.

3. Procedures Scope/Coverage

These procedures apply to reviews of schools and academic disciplines at The University of Queensland.

4. Procedures Statement

Academic Board, through its Standing Committee, conducts reviews of schools and cross-school disciplines on a septennial basis. Reviews involve self-analysis, benchmarking and an external assessment of the Unit’s strategic and operational plans, with a view to attaining outstanding performance by international standards.

The review considers the Unit’s relationships with other organisational units. The review also considers resourcing, resource management and organisational structure and whether these allow the Unit to fulfil its goals and objectives and reach its potential.

The review committee's task is to provide an objective view of the Unit’s plans developed through the self-assessment process, and to comment on the appropriateness of those plans. Although the majority of reviews are expected to result in incremental changes, reviews provide an opportunity for Units to embrace significant change and development.

5. Procedures

5.1 Timetable for reviews

1. Academic Board Standing Committee prepares a tentative schedule for reviews to be held in the next seven years.

2. In consultation with the Executive Deans, Academic Board Standing Committee prepares the review timetable for a particular year no later than the end of first semester in the preceding year to give schools adequate time to plan for the review including preparing the school submission.

3. The review schedule is presented to the Vice-Chancellor’s Executive for endorsement. The Head of School and Executive Dean identify a range of dates for the review to be held.

4. Early steps to secure the services of the external members are taken to give the school maximum notice of the exact timing of the review. Invitations to join the review committee are sent out by the President and, once availability is established, the final dates for the reviews are determined.

5. The duration of a review will be five days.

5.2 Composition and membership of review committees

1. The membership of each review committee is determined by Academic Board Standing Committee in consultation with the senior executive, the relevant Executive Dean, and the Head of School.

2. The composition of a school review committee is:

• two to three external members (depending on the size of the school) with nationally/internationally recognised discipline expertise and knowledge, whose expertise covers the disciplines in the school;
• a representative of the Academic Board Standing Committee, or equivalent; and
• a representative of a cognate school.

3. The Academic Board Standing Committee representative and the cognate school member on the review committee do not normally belong to the same faculty as the school under review.

4. The overall membership of a review committee provides as broad a coverage as possible of all the major disciplines offered by the school.

5. Where it is relevant to the core functions of the school, one of the external members has strong industry links.

6. On the recommendation of the President, Academic Board Standing Committee appoints one of the external members to chair the review committee. The President considers -

• discipline expertise;
• impartiality;
• experience in managing organisational units of a comparable size; and
• experience in the conduct of similar reviews.

The Executive Officer of the faculty to which the school belongs, normally serves as the Secretary to the review committee.

5.3 Standard terms of reference

Standard terms of reference for reviews are set out below. Additional specific terms of reference may be suggested.

The terms of reference provide the framework in which the school, through its “self-assessment”, and the review panel, through its enquiries, can analyse the school’s performance and plans in relation to appropriate and attainable future objectives.

Terms of reference are approved by Academic Board Standing Committee on advice from the Head of School, Executive Dean and the Vice-Chancellor’s Executive.

The standard terms of reference are:

To review, within the context of the University’s strategic and operational plans, the school’s current performance and in particular its plans for enhancing performance in relation to the terms listed in section 5.12.

5.4 Preparation for review

1. Schools are given the approved terms of reference together with a set of guidelines regarding the review approximately 12 months in advance of the review.

2. The President presents a workshop for Heads of School and relevant support staff to inform them of the process and to discuss any concerns.

3. The school prepares a submission to the review committee. Schools are encouraged to begin self-assessment exercises 12 months before the expected date of the review.

4. Approximately 9 – 12 months before the review, the Academic Board Standing Committee member appointed to the review committee briefs the school to explain the review process.

5. Before the visit, the Head of School:

a. issues an invitation to all school staff, including general and research staff, to attend the briefing; and
b. briefs the Academic Board Standing Committee member on any recent developments in the school.

6. The President invites interested parties (including all school staff, and undergraduate and postgraduate students) to make a written submission to the review.

5.5 The review report

1. The review committee considers the school submission and other submissions received. The committee interviews University staff, students, and other parties (e.g. industry representatives) as it sees fit.

2. The review committee conducts the review expeditiously so that a complete draft of its report is prepared prior to the departure of external members.

3. Prior to finalisation of the review report, the recommendations will be discussed with the Executive Dean and the Head of School, and the thrust of the major recommendations is presented separately to:

• the Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and the President of the Academic Board; and
• a full meeting of the school.

4. Initially, copies of the review report are given to -

• members of the Vice-Chancellor’s Executive;
• the relevant Executive Dean;
• the relevant Head of School;
• members of the school reviewed; and
• members of Academic Board Standing Committee.

5. Following approval by Senate (see 5.6 below), the review report, together with a composite statement from the Academic Board, is distributed to those people who made written submissions and to other interested parties.

5.6 Approval

1. Academic Board Standing Committee is responsible for considering the recommendations of the review committee’s report within the broader context of the University, by:

• consultation with those affected by the review; and
• coordination of the adjudication of any particular recommendations.

2. Following consideration of the review committee’s report, Academic Board Standing Committee prepares a report to Academic Board which accompanies the review report, setting out Academic Board Standing Committee’s comments on the recommendations.  

3. The review report, together with a statement from the Academic Board is sent to Senate for approval.

5.7 Implementation

1. The relevant Executive Dean and the Head of School are responsible for implementation of the adopted recommendations.

2. Academic Board Standing Committee is responsible for monitoring the implementation.

3. Academic Board Standing Committee will request an initial post-review response immediately after the review.

4. Schools submit (via the Executive Dean) a 12-month implementation report within 12 months of Senate approval of a review report. This report is submitted via the Academic Board to Senate.

5.8 Review process

The purpose of school reviews is to:

achieve improvement in the academic performance of a school and its constituent disciplines through a process of self-assessment, benchmarking, critical reflection, forward planning and peer review. Reviews provide the catalyst for a continuing cycle of development and improvement with a view to adopting good practice by international standards.

5.8.1 Pre-review process

The pre-review period includes the time between notification of the review and the review itself.

Approximately 12 months prior to the review, the Head of School and other senior members of the school attend a workshop presented by the President of the Academic Board.

The Academic Board Standing Committee member briefs the school’s staff on the review procedure at an open meeting approximately six months prior to the review.

The Academic Board Standing Committee representative and the cognate school member of the review committee meet approximately two weeks prior to the review to decide on interviews and the structure of the review.

5.8.1.1 Timetable

The timetable for the review week is developed by the Secretary to the review committee in consultation with the Chair and the President of the Academic Board. 

While noting the importance of interviewing relevant persons with respect to issues arising in the review, some limitation should be placed on the number of people interviewed so that repetition is avoided.  Interviews should not crowd the program so that insufficient time is available for discussion by the committee. Scheduled opportunities to discuss issues that arise during interviews should be incorporated into the review program. It is not necessary that discussion occur only at the beginning and end of the day. There should also be sufficient time available in the program to enable further discussion with those already interviewed, if required.

Notwithstanding, the review timetable should ensure that adequate opportunity is provided in the early part of the review week for all sections of the school - academic, research and general staff, postgraduate and undergraduate students - to express their views candidly to the full committee or to individual committee members if desired.

Interviews with representatives of professional and other external bodies should be arranged.  There will also be an opportunity to hold informal discussions with employer and other professional groups (for schools that prepare graduates for entry into an identifiable profession) in a joint session at the stakeholder dinner during the review week.

A summary of review week events and suggested days for these to occur and a timeline of the entire review process are available in PPL 1.40.06c Review of Schools and Academic Disciplines – Guidelines.

5.8.2 Conduct of the review

The purpose of this section is to assist the Chair, members of the review committee and the review committee Secretary with the conduct of school reviews.

The review committee's task is to provide an objective view of the school's perceptions and plans developed through the self-assessment process, and either confirm or recommend changes to those plans.  The review committee is expected to give detailed feedback to the school on how and where its perceptions and plans fall short in meeting performance targets.

5.8.2.1 Initial briefings

On the first day of the review, the President of the Academic Board welcomes members and clarifies their roles.  In addition, the committee will meet with the Vice-Chancellor and the Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor to discuss specific issues relevant to the school.  The first day also includes interviews with the Executive Dean and Head of School about the issues in relation to the school under review and strategic directions for the faculty.

The second day of the review will include interviews with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research).  The Pro Vice-Chancellor, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Education), and Dean of the UQ Graduate School, are interviewed on the third day of the review.

5.8.2.2 Committee considerations

The review committee considers the submission prepared by the school, together with other submissions made by interested persons and organisations, and consults with University staff, students and other persons as deemed appropriate, through interviews. 

Schools are provided with detailed guidelines to ensure that submissions supply review committees with information about the school that is accurate, focused, comprehensive and consistent; and review committees are urged to use these same guidelines to assess the school.

Following perusal of the school submission and interviews with the Senior Executive officers, the committee should determine whether there are additional questions to be asked relevant to the review so that the terms of reference are addressed fully.  The committee should also identify those areas where answers to relevant questions are not to be found within the submitted material and determine how best to obtain that information (e.g. interviews, visits, records, direct requests to the school, etc.).

A sample of questions that the review committee might consider is available in PPL 1.40.06c Review of Schools and Academic Disciplines - Guidelines.

5.8.2.3 Visits to facilities

Brief visits to, and inspection of, school facilities should be included in the program to provide the opportunity to clarify or to illustrate points made in the submissions.    Where schools are multi-sited, the use of technologies such as teleconferencing should be considered.  An alternative is for the internal members to visit the facilities and include a report to the full committee if required.

5.8.2.4 Formulating commendations and recommendations

It is anticipated that the committee will develop commendations and recommendations progressively throughout the review.

Commendations should be made in those areas where the school has achieved outstanding outcomes, or has made significant progress towards doing so.

In formulating its recommendations, the committee should take account of the resource constraints facing the University and its collective goals and objectives, as expressed in its Strategic Plan and as advised by the President and the Senior Executive.

All review recommendations, and particularly those proposing significant change or that impact on other organisational units, University rules or policies, are to be well argued, and supported by the facts/evidence from the submissions and interviews that led to their proposal. 

Recommendations should not be directed toward senior officers of the University or to the University itself. They must be directed toward the Head of School so that it is clear how the school should proceed.

Every effort should be made to ensure that statements in the report are factually correct. Review committees are encouraged to include time-frames for the implementation of recommendations.

Prior to the finalisation of the recommendations:

• the Head of School meets with the review committee so that the Head has the opportunity to respond to the recommendations before they are made public; at the same time, the Head should be advised to communicate with individual staff who might be significantly affected by individual recommendations; and
• the recommendations are presented to the President of the Academic Board and the Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, usually over lunch on the Thursday of the review week.

The draft final recommendations are presented to a full meeting of the school on the last day to provide a general overview of the findings from the review and an outline of the recommendations.

The presentation needs to take account of the fact that school staff members are likely to be anxious to receive the report at the culmination of a possibly stressful week.   The Chair needs to ensure that the school is not alienated, and that concerns are allayed, and not aroused, by a willingness to clarify issues but not enter into a debate.

At the same time, the Academic Board Standing Committee member should take the opportunity to inform the school staff about the process subsequent to the departure of the review team; touching on the time-frame for completion of the report; opportunity for the school's consideration and response; the deliberative process in the Standing Committee and the passage of the report through the Academic Board to Senate; and the implementation and follow-up process.

All review committee members should attend the school presentation and, wherever possible, visual aids should be used to facilitate the presentation.

5.8.2.5 Preparing and finalising the review report

The review report is prepared by the members of the review committee with support from the Secretary.  The Chair should discuss with members the division of responsibility for drafting individual sections of the report.

It is expected that a penultimate draft of the report will be completed prior to the departure of the external committee members from the University.

Following the period of the review, the report will be finalised by the Chair in consultation with the Secretary and the other members of the review committee.  The report should be finalised as soon as possible, but normally within two weeks after the conclusion of the review week.

Appendix 1 to the review report should contain a list of names of all individuals who made written submissions to the review committee and all those interviewed by the review committee.  An exception to this requirement is for students - names are not listed for either postgraduate or undergraduate students.  The number of students in each category who were interviewed or made a submission is sufficient. Written submissions are not included in the report.

The report consists of the following sections:

• Membership of the Review Committee
• Terms of Reference
• Procedures
• Summary of Commendations and Recommendations
• Report of the Review Committee.

There is no mandatory format for the section "Report of the Review Committee".  One possible format is to organise the report around the major themes on which the committee wishes to make recommendations.  Another option is to arrange the contents as follows:

• Education
• Discovery
• Engagement
• Internationalisation
• Equity and Diversity
• Governance
• Space and Facilities
• Business and Finance.

Other appendices follow, if required.

A review report template based on this second format option is available in PPL 1.40.06d1 Review of Schools and Academic Disciplines Report Template.

5.8.3 Post-review process

The final report is sent to the Head of School for distribution to staff in the school.  A copy of the final report is sent to members of the Vice-Chancellor's Executive and to the Academic Board Standing Committee. 

The Head of School then prepares a written response, which must include implementation strategies, and submits it to Academic Board Standing Committee via the office of the Executive Dean within four weeks of having received the final report.  Standing Committee discusses the final report together with the written response.  As part of its deliberations, Standing Committee will interview the Head of School and the Executive Dean, together with the Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and other members of the Senior Executive as required.

Standing Committee prepares a report to the Academic Board to accompany the review report.  The review report, the school’s response, and the report from Standing Committee, are then considered by Academic Board for forwarding to the University's Senate.

5.8.3.1 Implementation

Academic Board Standing Committee monitors the implementation process.  The Head of School is responsible for implementation of the recommendations in consultation with the Executive Dean. 

Anticipated challenges for the implementation of any recommendation should be included in the Head of School's response to the review recommendations.

5.8.3.2 12-month implementation report

The Head of School and Executive Dean must prepare an implementation report on progress made on all of the recommendations, to be submitted to the President of the Academic Board within 12 months of Senate approval of the report. It is expected that all stakeholders, including students, are consulted and involved in the implementation of the recommendations.  

Submission of a 12-month implementation report is a mandatory requirement of the post-review implementation process for all schools.  All recommendations are to be addressed.

The implementation report allows Standing Committee to compare the response to each recommendation over the 12-month time-frame and assess more effectively the extent to which review recommendations have been implemented.

5.9 Roles of review committee members and secretariat

5.9.1 Chair

The role of the Chair is to:

• liaise with the President of the Academic Board, Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor, the Executive Dean and the Head of School in preparation for the review, to discuss issues such as special terms of reference, break-up of review committee to address specific terms of reference, etc. (this will be done during a preliminary visit to the campus, or if this is not possible, then via email with the President of the Academic Board);
• liaise with the Secretary prior to the review week, to finalise the review week timetable and determine the list of interviewees;
• delegate report-writing tasks to each of the review committee members;
• ensure the penultimate draft report is complete prior to departure;
• present the review committee’s draft recommendations to the Head of School, the Executive Dean, President of the Academic Board, the Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, and all school staff;
• ensure completion of the final version of the report within two weeks of the review; and
• approve the review report before its submission to the President of the Academic Board.

5.9.2 Academic Board Standing Committee representative

The role of the Academic Board Standing Committee representative is to:

• host the initial dinner for the review committee, on behalf of the President of the Academic Board;
• host the stakeholder dinner, on behalf of the President of the Academic Board;
• chair the meeting of internal review committee members, which is conducted prior to the review;
• represent the broader interests of the University in the review;
• provide guidance to the review committee on University policies, procedures and protocols;
• provide guidance to the Chair on ensuring the creation of an environment conducive to free and open discussion without prejudice to any staff member;
• provide guidance to the review committee on how to produce the review report, in particular, ensure that:
  • the report presents a balanced viewpoint, with positive comments as appropriate;
  • due recognition is included throughout the report to what the school is doing well and should continue to do;
  • all recommendations, and particularly those proposing significant change, are fully justified, substantiated by the evidence in submissions and from interviews, are well argued, and can stand up to close scrutiny;
  • ensure that the proposed recommendations are directed to the school, rather than to a senior officer of the University; and
  • the report's contents are factually correct;
• accompany the review committee to the school on the afternoon of the final day (usually Friday) to present the draft recommendations;
• after the Chair has presented the draft recommendations, inform the school about the process following the departure of the review committee, including the:
  • time-frame for completion of the report;
  • opportunity for the school to consider the report and respond to it;
  • deliberative process at Academic Board Standing Committee;
  • passage of the report through the Academic Board to Senate; and
  • implementation and follow-up processes;
• lead discussion on the review report at the Standing Committee meeting when the report is submitted for consideration, and presenting Standing Committee's comments and recommendations to the Academic Board; and
• participate, if available, in the 12-month implementation process.

5.9.3 Cognate School Member

The role of the cognate school member is to:

• advise the school on the rationale underlying a recommendation, if clarification is required; and
• have a solid grounding in University policy and procedures.

5.9.4 Roles of the secretariat

5.9.4.1  Secretary

The Secretary is a senior member of administrative staff and plays a key role in the preparation for and the conduct of the review.  The Secretary:

• coordinates, collects and organises documentation for the review committee;
• acts as a resource person for the Chair and members of the review committee;
• provides relevant policy and procedural advice;
• drafts a suitable review week timetable in consultation with committee members;
• liaises with the committee members, Executive Dean, Head of School and those being interviewed;
• facilitates and, where appropriate, undertakes follow-up action arising from review committee meetings; and
• ensures that recommendations made by the review committee are consistent with University policy and practices and drafted accordingly.

The Secretary is not a member of the review committee, and therefore does not participate in the review committee’s deliberations.  During the review, the Secretary reports directly to the review Chair in all matters relating to the review. Normal lines of responsibility and reporting, for example between a Faculty Executive Officer and the Executive Dean, are suspended in matters relating to the review. The Secretary, in consultation with the President of the Academic Board, may appoint an Assistant Secretary.

5.9.4.2 Review Coordinator

The Review Coordinator is appointed by the Academic Registrar and is usually the Assistant Secretary to Academic Board Standing Committee. The role of the Review Coordinator is to:

• send advice from Academic Board Standing Committee to the Executive Dean and Head of School on the finalised composition, terms of reference and timing of the school review;
• confirm that members of the review committee, particularly external members, are available to attend the review week;
• arrange travel and accommodation for external members;
• ensure that external members are provided with relevant information about UQ (including location of UQ in relation to the airport, travel time, currency exchange, pharmacies, etc.)
• book rooms for the review committee meetings and interviews;
• be readily available during the review week and ensure that adequate documentation and supplies are provided to the review committee Secretary;
• organise catering;
• provide place-cards with the names of review committee members on them to facilitate communication during interviews;
• write to those people who are being invited to make written submissions;
• receive the school's submission, written submissions from others and distribute these to members of the review committee at the appropriate time;
• ensure that members’ expenses are reimbursed; and
• provide other administrative assistance during the review week as required.

5.10 Role of Executive Dean

The role of the Executive Dean during the review week is to:

• meet with the review committee on the first day of the review to discuss the Faculty's perspectives on the School;
• meet with the review committee towards the end of the review to discuss the draft recommendations;
• attend the initial dinner for the review committee, held on the evening immediately prior to the start of the review; and
• attend the stakeholder dinner held during the review.

5.11 Preparation of unit’s submission

5.11.1 Preparation

Schools may wish to obtain copies of recent submissions made by other schools to assist them with preparing their documentation.

In the year prior to the review, Heads of School and key staff assisting with the preparation of the school's submission are invited to attend a briefing session by the President of the Academic Board on the school review process. A Head of School whose school has recently been reviewed also attends to share his/her experiences.

Schools normally engage in a detailed strategic planning exercise several months prior to the finalisation of the submission.

5.11.2 Contents of the school submission

5.11.2.1 General

The role of the review committee is to review the school in accordance with the approved terms of reference.  The submission allows the school to reflect upon and analyse operations in order to optimise future performance. Consequently, the focus of the submission is to identify future directions and strategic intentions for the school.

However, to set the context for the review, it is important to briefly address the school's history and its present circumstances with a focus on factors that have contributed to the current operating environment and potential future outlook of the school. 

Excluding the appendices, the submission should be no longer than 100 pages in length. A submission includes:

• an overview/summary of the submission;
• the history of the school;
• the present circumstances of the school;
• the future plans of the school for improvement and development; and
• appendices (including the school's strategic and/or operational plan, the school's budget and additional benchmarking data).

5.11.2.2 The History of the School

The section includes reference to:

• the origins and histories of the disciplinary groups of the school and the history of their organisational relationships (i.e. the precursors to the current school);
• amalgamations of disciplines/disciplinary groups;
• teaching programs with which the school and/or disciplines are most closely associated;
• management structures and leadership positions (e.g. Chairs, school executive committees) established and the rationale for their creation;
• major outcomes of the previous review;
• any factors which might have had an impact since the previous review (e.g. restructures, changes in funding formula, changes in community perceptions, etc); and
• any other significant changes since the previous review.

5.11.2.3  The School at Present

This section includes a comprehensive analysis of the school’s current status and operations particularly with regard to the school's teaching and learning programs, research and staffing.  An overview of the school's goals and priorities should be provided with an analysis of the extent to which these goals and priorities are being achieved. 

There are three types of data required: (i) core data; (ii) school/discipline-specific data; and (iii) benchmark data. Where possible, data should span at least three and up to five years to enable an assessment of trends.

Core Data

Submissions include an assessment of performance according to the areas covered by the terms of reference. The standard data that are expected, according to each area of the standard terms of reference are in Section 5.12.

The data is obtained through the creation of reports held in the 'School Review' pack (developed by Management Information Section), which contains data to assist schools with internal benchmarking. The pack is available through the Reportal at the following URL: http://www.mis.admin.uq.edu.au/Content/ResourceCentre/Helpfuldocuments/SchoolReview.aspx

The school provides data in each of the performance areas identified in the terms of reference. Where quantitative data are available, comparable data for other relevant schools within and external to the University, should be supplied.

Performance should also be explicitly linked to University Strategic Plans and operating priorities as well as faculty operational plans.  Budget information provided is meant to inform discussion.

School/Discipline-Specific Data

The school decides how best to represent itself and its disciplines in its submission. The submission includes quantitative and qualitative data and provides details about future directions of the school/discipline(s) and how the school is contributing to that direction and/or realigning its activities in keeping with developments.

The school should take the opportunity to present any particular strengths of the school that are not covered by the core performance data; and data on established, nationally/internationally recognised, discipline-specific markers of performance. 

Benchmark Data

The school is benchmarked with at least two comparative institutions nationally (Go8), and one internationally (Universitas21).  The primary purpose of benchmarking with international institutions is to assist in determining the direction of the discipline and the quality of the scholarship.  Benchmarking data are provided for teaching and learning and research.

If it is decided that Go8 and Universitas21 institutions do not provide an adequate basis for comparison, schools provide reasons for such unsuitability, and select another appropriately regarded national or international institution.  The school identifies the benchmarking partners early in the preparation process and advises Academic Board Standing Committee when suggestions are submitted to that committee for external reviewers.

Benchmarking is best approached as an ongoing collaborative effort that will develop over time. Schools should attempt to build ongoing relationships with partner institutions beyond the confines of the review process.

5.11.2.4 The School in the Future

This section should be the focus of the submission.  It describes plans and strategies for the future development and improvement of the school over the next three to five years.  It is expected that the school submit a concise operational plan in order to clearly display strategic objectives and goals, and establish key targets.

The review committee will determine a program of action in each of the areas of the terms of reference. The review committee's task is to provide an objective assessment of the school's future directions and strategies and either confirm or recommend changes to those plans. Therefore, this section articulates goals and courses of action that are tied to:

• Performance indicated by the data in the section 'The School at Present'. Strategies for maintaining excellence and improving identified deficiencies are included. An analysis of the data and an assessment of the school's strengths as well as factors preventing progress is required;
• Areas of potential growth.  The future plans of the school include school-specific strategic priorities. Some of these areas might arise from the benchmarking exercise or involve predictions of future directions of academic disciplines; and
• Contribution to the Faculty and the University's strategic and operational plans.  Include how the school contributes to operationalising these plans.

In each case, consideration should be given to the school’s human, financial and physical resources to enhance performance, to meet the school’s objectives and to achieve its targets. Key performance indicators should be identified clearly, alongside strategic priorities that link appropriately to specified timelines, milestones and resource allocations.

5.12 Description of standard Terms of Reference and Performance Indicators

1. Term of Reference 1 – Governance and Vision

to review the governance, leadership and inclusive decision-making structures in relation to promoting a clear and distinctive vision for the future development of the school

The submission describes:

• the school’s governance and management structures;
• composition and function of the school’s committees; and
• effectiveness of the committee structure in promoting the school’s vision.

2. Term of Reference 2 - Teaching and Learning

to review the quality, scope, focus, direction and balance of the school's curricula and teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in the light of enrolment trends, success rates, student and graduate satisfaction and the perception of key external stakeholders, the availability of alternative programs elsewhere in Queensland and Australia, and future developments in the discipline/s

The submission describes:

• current undergraduate and postgraduate coursework program offerings (or major teaching areas and sequence of studies);
• dual degree programs;
• entry characteristics;
• graduate outcomes;
• curriculum review processes;
• any innovations in curriculum design;
• the school's workload guidelines;
• any competition (i.e. identify competitor institutions);
• professional accreditation issues (where relevant);
• directions that are emerging with regard to the school’s disciplines;
• CEQ, AUSSE, SET-C and student assessment of learning; and
• teaching grants and awards.

Submissions to provide data* in the following areas (and, where relevant, over the past three to five years):

* Select appropriate indicators for benchmarking exercise.

3. Term of Reference 3 - Research and Research Training

to review the research performance of the school including its research activity, research outcomes, including quality and impact, quality of research training, in light of future developments in the discipline/s and other contextual matters

The submission outlines the school's research achievements. Achievements are assessed according to the activity, output and quality of outcomes (impacts) of its research. The submission describes:

• major topics of research and the breadth of the school’s research activities;
• qualitative aspects of research (general relevance and importance, potential, etc);
• impact of research (on a region, industry, practice);
• external research collaborations;
• general involvement/collaboration in research centres;
• research facilities, particularly those utilised by research higher degree students; and
• directions that are emerging with regard to the school’s research and the contribution of the school.

Data demonstrates aggregated output and trends over the past 3-5 years; the levels of activity; the extent to which it is utilising capacity; and the distribution of research load among its academic members.

Additional Indicators

There are a large number of other measures that might be presented by a school as relevant indicators of research output, activity or quality.  Not all indicators will be relevant to all schools; measures that should be selected will serve to inform the extent to which the school is meeting its stated, strategic objectives and will be relevant to the school’s discipline.  For example:

* Note: Citation databases have limitations.  Comparative analyses based on the total output of different institutions will be most relevant when the school’s publications can be identified in terms of the citation database’s own classification system)

4. Term of Reference 4 - Internationalisation

to review the school's strategies in relation to internationalisation of the undergraduate and postgraduate curriculum, increasing international student enrolments and support for international students, student and staff mobility internationally, and international research collaborations

Articulate the school’s internationalisation strategies and evidence of implementation of these strategies. Consider indicators and discussion of factors in addition to student load including efforts to internationalise the curriculum, the student experience and so on.  The section should address:

The school's internationalisation strategy (including its links to the Faculty and University strategies). 

The strategy might address:

• internationalisation of teaching, learning and research;
• school support mechanisms for international students;
• identification and development of strategic alliances; and
• internationalisation of student population (e.g. ensuring diversity of international students and providing opportunity for domestic students to study overseas).

Staff and student perceptions of the school’s culture of internationalisation (including a regular review of international student support mechanisms to ensure that there are appropriate support services and infrastructure for international students).

Internationalisation of academic programs as evidenced by:

• processes in place to expand international perspectives of students (e.g. student exchange actively encouraged and supported); and
• at least one part of a student’s study program deliberately oriented internationally (e.g. where appropriate, offshore experience included; program includes courses with a specific international perspective).

Data includes:

• student numbers (EFTSL) by program, level, country of origin; and
• number of active strategic partnerships/links by staff and student exchanges, curriculum and program collaboration, research activity and international affiliations of staff.

5. Term of Reference 5 – Professional and Industry Links

to review the role played by the school in relation to its relevant industries or other stakeholder communities and in service to the profession and the community

The submission outlines the type and scope of the school's links to industry and professional bodies, and describes:

• ongoing external relationships, and the nature of those relationships (with a focus on those with significant impact for professional practice etc);
• ongoing industry projects;
• professional/industry placements undertaken by students in the school's programs;
• any tailored courses/programs;
• staff involvement in continuing professional education;
• number of staff serving on industry/professional bodies (and type of involvement);
• financial support from professional or industry bodies (such as scholarships, prizes, bursaries, other benefaction);
• external members serving on school committees; and
• involvement in other outside work that benefits the profession, the discipline, the University and the school.

6. Term of Reference 6 – Alumni and Community Links

to review the effectiveness of the school’s relationship with its alumni and the broader community and its ability to develop support for meeting its future goals

The submission outlines the type and scope of the school's links to its alumni and the community and describes:

• ongoing alumni and external relationships, and the nature of those relationships (with a focus on those with significant impact for the community);
• ongoing community projects;
• staff involvement in community education;
• number of staff serving on community bodies (and type of involvement);
• financial support from community bodies (such as scholarships, prizes, bursaries, other benefaction);
• external members serving on school committees; and
• involvement in other outside work that benefits the community, the discipline, the University and the school.

7. Term of Reference 7 - Equity and Diversity

to review the performance of the school in providing equity and diversity in access, employment and learning for staff and both domestic and international students, including the recruitment of students and staff from under-represented groups

Outline the school's equity and diversity initiatives and how they relate to the University's Equity and Diversity Plan.  Describe equity and diversity issues in relation to staff and student profile, teaching and learning processes, and the responses to these issues.  Include a complete list of staff including brief profiles and any comments as relevant as well as data in the following areas (and, where relevant, over the past three to five years).

Data required includes:

• academic and professional staff profile:  proportional representation of key equity and diversity groups (i.e. by gender, cultural background) across Levels, and associated promotion rates; and
• student profile:  proportional representation of key equity and diversity groups (i.e. by low SES, gender, cultural background) and associated recruitment and retention rates.

8. Term of Reference 8 - Organisation and Administration

to review the effectiveness of the organisational and administrative support structures of the school (effective committees, strong academic and professional staff support, efficient and equitable staffing arrangements) in the context of its current functions and anticipated developments

Describe the organisational and administrative support structure including:

• organisational and administrative support structure;
• staff profile;
• staff development / career development plans; and
• staff workload allocation system.

Data required:

• EFTSL /FTE staff for previous five years;
• staff contact hours and workload information (undergraduate and postgraduate) (per FTE staff) and balance across staff;
• research supervision load per FTE staff and balance across staff; and
• human resource planning including: age of staff, structure, anticipated retirements.

9. Term of Reference 9 - Resources

to review the financial health of the school and the effectiveness of the school’s use of resources in relation to accommodation, facilities, allocation of teaching/research/equipment funds, internationalisation and potential to generate additional external resources

Describe the physical and financial resources of the school including:

• school space and equipment inventories;
• major equipment items;
• levels of IT infrastructure;
• asset management plans; and
• accommodation (the area of the school and the major categories of space utilisation, for example – staff offices, laboratories, etc).

Data required:

• budget for past three to five years;
• projected budget for next three years;
• breakdown of funding sources; and
• salaries as % of revenue.

10. Term of Reference 10 - Faculty and University-wide issues

given that the review is undertaken in the context of the faculty and the University as a whole, other matters germane to the future success of the school.