(1) To provide guidance to the Colleges on the establishment, scope and conduct of Course Advisory Committees. (2) Each coursework program of the University should be supported by a Course Advisory Committee (CAC). These Committees are to be established or identified during the course planning stage and will remain operative for the life-time of the course. (3) Where existing courses do not already have a CAC, one should be established or identified to include coverage of these courses. (4) La Trobe University recognises that course quality is maintained by ongoing quality appraisal by all stakeholders. CAC's, by virtue of their composition, provide both external and internal expertise to monitor the currency and future readiness of courses at La Trobe and ensure their alignment with directions of the profession, industry, research and discipline. (5) This Policy applies to: (6) Colleges are responsible for ensuring that all coursework programs have a Course Advisory Committee to: (7) Course Advisory Committees may be established for an individual course or a grouping of courses as deemed appropriate by the College. (8) It is the responsibility of the College Pro Vice-Chancellor, in collaboration with Associate Pro Vice-Chancellors (Coursework) and Heads of School, to ensure that all coursework programs offered by the College are overseen by a Course Advisory Committee during their complete life-cycle, from planning to closure. (9) CAC's will be formally established by the College Pro Vice-Chancellors after consultation with Associate Pro Vice-Chancellors (Coursework), Heads of Schools and other disciplinary staff. (10) These will be formally approved via a resolution of the College Academic Committee. (11) The membership of CAC's will include: (12) External members of the CAC shall not include adjunct members of La Trobe staff. (13) The Executive Officer for each Course Advisory Committee will be appointed by the College Pro Vice-Chancellor from the College’s general staff. (14) The Course Advisory Committee should have a majority of members external to La Trobe. Depending on the ways in which courses are grouped for the CAC's, each Head of School and Course Coordinator may or may not be a member. (15) La Trobe staff other than members may be invited to attend as observers. (16) External members of Course Advisory Committees will be normally appointed to a two year term, with the opportunity to serve for a maximum of 3 consecutive terms. (17) The Terms of Reference of the CAC are: (18) CAC's will convene at least twice annually; the first meeting of the year to provide input into future course products and the second meeting to review the courses within their remit. (19) Quorum is at least 50% with at least two (2) external members present. (20) CAC's must report to the College Academic Committee after each meeting. Advice from these meetings will form part of the College Academic Committee's report to the AAcademic Board as necessary. (21) Annual Summary Reports of CAC's activities will be provided by Colleges as part of Strategic Course Review documentation for CPSC each year. (22) All meetings of each CAC will be formally minuted and minutes will be made available to the College Academic Committee after each meeting. (23) All papers and reports will be registered in the University’s official records keeping system (currently TRIM) after each meeting. (24) In consultation with the College Pro Vice-Chancellors, oversee the conduct of CACs. (25) In consultation with the Head of School(s) and Associate PVCs(Coursework), determine and establish CACs. (26) Nominate the Chair for each CAC from La Trobe academic staff. (27) Approve the appointment of members to the CACs. (28) Receive annual reports of the CACs and refer any systemic matters to the DVCA or CPSC via annual strategic reviews for consideration. (29) Annually appoint the Executive Officer to each CAC from general staff of the College. (30) Ensure that every course is represented by a CAC. (31) Ensure that composition of the CAC is configured appropriately and recommend appointments to the College Pro Vice-Chancellor (in consultation with other Heads of School if required). (32) Monitor the frequency of CAC meetings and ensure reports are published in timely fashion. (33) Address any issues arising from the operations and functioning of the CACs. (34) Expeditiously suggest replacement members for consequential vacancies on CACs(in consultation with other Heads of School if required). (35) Chair all meetings of the CAC. (36) Clear agenda and minutes of meetings. (37) Authorise follow up actions emanating from meetings. (38) Where appropriate, refer matters to the College Academic Committee, College PVC or the Head of School. (39) Circulate agenda and papers in a timely fashion. (40) Record the meetings in formal minutes. (41) Follow up actions arising from the meetings. (42) Ensure that all documentation is recorded and registered through the University’s record keeping system (TRIM). (43) Attend and participate in all meetings. (44) Ensure that the responsibilities as enunciated in the Terms of Reference are discharged. (45) For the purpose of this Policy and Procedure:Course Advisory Committees Policy
Section 1 - Background and Purpose
In the interest of cost-effectiveness, Colleges may choose to group courses to be served by a CAC. Suggestions for more efficient operations include:
Section 2 - Scope
Top of PageSection 3 - Policy Statement
Section 4 - Procedure
Part A - Establishment of Course Advisory Committee (CAC)
Part B - Composition
Part C - Observers
Part D - Length of Service
Part E - Terms of Reference
Part F - Reporting Requirements
Part G - Record Keeping
Part H - Responsibilities of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)
Part I - Responsibilities of the College Pro Vice-Chancellor
Part J - Responsibilities of Head of School
Part K - Responsibilities of Chair of CAC
Part L - Responsibilities of Executive Officer to CAC
Part M - Responsibilities of CAC Members
Section 5 - Definitions
Top of PageSection 6 - Stakeholders
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This is not a current document. It has been repealed and is no longer in force.
Responsibility for implementation – College Pro Vice-Chancellors; Heads of School.
Responsibility for monitoring implementation and compliance – Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic); Course Portfolio and Scholarships Committee; Coursework Committee.