Constitution of the La Trobe University Institute for Social Participation
Preamble
Ageing, sensory impairment, intellectual or functional disability indeed any deviation from the ‘norm’ can result in individuals being excluded from their human right to social participation. La Trobe University has recognised research strengths in ageing, hearing and sight impairment; intellectual disability and human rights and this Institute will support cooperation and consolidation of effort and output. While individual Centres and researchers will continue working to their strengths the Institute will enable interdisciplinary research and make a significant contribution to knowledge, policy and practice in maximising social participation for individuals and groups who are at risk of social exclusion. It will also further enable national and international participation.
Centres initially affiliated with the Institute of Social Participation are the Australian Centre for Evidence Based Aged Care, the John Richards Initiative, and the Lincoln Centre for Research on Ageing.
Nothing in this constitution, save clause 3.3, would affect the constitutions or governance of Affiliated Centres. Research of Affiliated Centres, although it is planned, managed, funded and reported through the individual Centres, may be counted additionally as research of the Institute where it is consistent with the fields or broader areas of the Institute. It would be expected that the benefits for Affiliated Centres would be the stimulation of researchers from different disciplines working on similar problems, as well as access to broader areas of research and associated funding, particularly external funding that requires larger groups of researchers.
Membership allows for involvement in strategic planning of research in the fields or broad areas of research of the Institute, support from the Institute’s activities, collaboration with like-minded researchers and being part of the University’s strategic plans in research.
1 Interpretation
- “Academic Board”
- means the Academic Board of the University.
- “Advisory Committee”
- means the Advisory Committee of the Institute referred to in clause 4 of this Constitution.
- “Dean”
- means the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, La Trobe University.
- “Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research)”
- means the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research) of the University.
- “Director”
- means the person appointed pursuant to clause 5 of this Constitution.
- “Executive Committee”
- means the Executive Committee of the Institute referred to in clause 5 of this Constitution.
- “Faculty”
- means the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University.
- “Institute”
- means the La Trobe University Institute
- “Members”
- means the foundation members nominated in this Constitution and any individuals subsequently admitted to membership.
- “Affiliated Centre”
- means a research centre or program with significant focus on social participation, and is accepted for membership of the Institute by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) after consultation with the Dean and Advisory Committee;
- “University”
- means La Trobe University.
- “Vice-Chancellor”
- means the Vice-Chancellor of La Trobe University.
2 Statement of Aims
2.1 The aims of the Institute are to:
(1) facilitate and enable outstanding research on social participation which provides new knowledge on social participation and influences policy and practice;
(2) develop and conduct research on social participation
(3) significantly expand the opportunities for research in social participation for its members;
(4) promote and disseminate widely the research activities of members of staff of the University in social participation,;
(5) promote the training of postgraduates in social participation research;
(6) provide the outputs of research and development for governments, industry and communities;
(7) do all such things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above aims.
3 Structure of the Institute
3.1 The structure of the Institute will be as set out in this Constitution.
3.2 The Institute will consist of Afflilated Centres and individual members of staff.
3.3 The Director of the Institute or nominee will be a member of the Advisory Committee of any Affiliated Centre.
4 Advisory Committee
4.1 The Advisory Committee will be strictly bound to conduct itself according to the provisions of this Constitution always subject to the existing legislation, policies and procedures of the University.
4.2 Without limiting clause 4.1, the Advisory Committee will assist the Director, Dean and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) by:
(1) advising on policy and strategy to meet the aims of the centre;
(2) participating in the appointment and advising on the administration of the Director;
(3) advising, and assisting in reporting, on the management of Institute resources
(4) identifying potential new sources of funding for the Institute;
(5) receiving and endorsing the annual report of the Institute and submitting it to the Academic Board through the Dean and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research).
4.3 Subject to clause 4.1 the Advisory Committee will conduct its own proceedings and may hold meetings at two or more venues using any technology that allows all members of the Advisory Committee at the meeting an opportunity to participate therein.
4.4 The Advisory Committee shall consist of:
(1) There will be up to fifteen members including the Director, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) and the Dean, or their nominees, up to six other members of staff or students of the University and up to six other people who are not members of staff. The non-members of staff will be appointed by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) on the recommendation of the Director and Dean. At least one of the members of staff will be elected by the Student Members and staff on fixed term appointments.
(2) The Chairperson will be appointed by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) on advice from the Advisory Committee.
4.5 The Advisory Committee must submit an annual report to the Academic Board via the Dean and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) on the operations of the Institute for the previous calendar year. The annual report must be submitted each year by the date given in the Procedure for Annual Operational Report – Research Centre and will include a financial statement of funds received and expended.
4.6 Unless otherwise provided in this Constitution the term of membership for each Committee Member will be two years provided that a Committee Member’s term may be extended.
4.7 The Advisory Committee will be accountable to and report to the Academic Board through the Dean and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research).
4.8 The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research shall have the power to terminate the appointment of a member of the Advisory Committee where the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research), after consultation with the Dean and Director, considers it necessary and in the interests of the Institute.
5 Director and Executive Committee
5.1 The management of the Institute will be assisted by an Executive Committee comprising of at least the Director and a senior support staff member. The membership of the Executive Committee will be determined by the Dean on advice from the Director. The Executive Committee will normally include at least one representative from staff with fixed term appointments and Student Members.
5.2 The Director will be the Chair of the Executive Committee and will be accountable to the Dean and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research). The Dean will be the supervisor of the Director unless otherwise indicated at appointment.
5.3 The Director will be appointed by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) on advice from the Dean and the Advisory Committee.
5.4 The Director, advised by the Executive Committee will be responsible to the Dean for the overall financial and academic administration of the Institute and for the day to day activities of the Institute in accordance with the legislation, policies and procedures of the University and the academic and research objectives of the University. The Director will be responsible to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) via the Dean for planning, reporting and the fulfilment of the objectives and plans of the Institute.
5.5 Without limiting clause 5.5, the Executive Committee will assist the Director in:
(1) managing the day to day functioning and administration of the Institute;
(2)administering the funds available to the Institute;
(3)preparing the annual report of the Institute and other relevant reports.
5.6 The Director may delegate any power, function or authority pertaining to the operation of the Institute to an appropriately qualified person or committee but may not delegate his/her power of delegation.
6 Financing
6.1 Finance for the Institute shall derive either from funds available to the Faculty or from outside sources such as private, corporate or philanthropic bodies and government bodies or agencies as well as donations.
6.2 The financial management of the Institute shall be governed and controlled by the legislation, policies and procedures of the University.
6.3 Any variation of financial procedures will be subject to and conditional upon the approval of the Vice-Chancellor.
7 Membership
7.1 Ordinary Members Teaching-and-research and research-only members of staff of Affiliated Centres will be members. Members of staff of the University who are engaged in research in areas related to the aims of the Institute may apply in writing to the Executive Committee to become Ordinary Members. The Dean will decide on the application on advice from the Executive Committee.
7.2 Student Members Post-graduate students supervised by Ordinary or Affiliate members engaged in research in related the aims of the Institute may apply to the Director to be student members. The Director will decide on advice from the Executive Committee.
7.3 Associate Members The Dean on advice of the Executive Committee may from time to time invite such persons as it considers would assist the Institute to further its objectives to be honorary members.
8 Obligations of the members of the Institute
8.1 Every member (whether ordinary, student or honorary) of the Institute upon being admitted to membership of the Institute agrees to use his/her best endeavours:
(1) To comply with the terms of this Constitution;
(2) To comply with the University’s legislation, policies and procedures;
(3) To arrange, promote, co-ordinate and co-operate in programmes for research in the Institute;
(4) To engage in joint research programmes carried out by members of the Institute;
(5) To apply for, tender for funding for research in the broad areas of the Institute in Australia and overseas.
8.2 A member may be expelled or suspended if in the opinion of the Executive Committee the member has engaged in conduct which is prejudicial to the Institute’s activities or in breach of this Constitution.
9 Quorum
9.1 The quorum for a meeting of the Executive Committee shall be three members at least two of whom must be Ordinary Members.
9.2 The quorum for a special meeting or an Annual General Meeting will consist of 30% of the membership, of which at least 50% must be Ordinary Members.
10 Meetings
10.1 The Executive Committee shall meet at least six times in each calendar year.
10.2 The Advisory Committee will meet at least twice each year.
10.3 There shall be annual colloquia of all members to discuss the strategic plan and annual report prior to its submission to the Academic Board through the Dean and Advisory Committee.
10.4 A Special Meeting of the Advisory committee will be held within 14 days of receipt by the Chairperson of a written request for a meeting setting out the reasons for the request and signed by at least 50% of the Members.
11 Intellectual Property and Assets
11.1 Any intellectual property in material developed by the Institute shall be owned by the University or as otherwise agreed to by the University in writing provided that nothing in this clause shall affect the rights of staff of the University under the University’s legislation, policies or procedures relating to intellectual property.
11.2 Any assets acquired by the Institute shall vest in the University.
12 Categories and Membership
12.1 The Academic Board, on advice from the Executive Committee, the Dean and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), may create different categories of membership and conditions of membership of the Institute and Academic Board by resolution appoint members to the Institute.
12.2 A member may be appointed by the Executive Committee to act as a representative of the Institute to obtain research projects or funds for the Institute or for any other purpose specified by the Executive Committee.
13 Changes to Constitution
13.1 Any change to this Constitution must be recommended by the Executive Committee to the Dean and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) for approval before submission to the Academic Board through the Research and Graduate Studies Committee of the University.
13.2 A change to this Constitution will have effect only when the written approval of the Academic Board has been obtained.
14 Appointment of Staff, Consultants
14.1 Any person appointed to work for the Institute shall be either staff employed by the University or persons employed as consultants consistent with University policy.
14.2 Any person appointed to work for the Institute shall follow normal University procedures according to the basis of their engagement as set out in clause 14.1.
15 Contracts
15.1 Members of the Centre have no authority to enter into contracts which purport to bind the University unless the members have complied with all relevant legislation, policies and procedures of the University.
16 Ethics Approvals
16.1 A Member of the Institute conducting research which is associated with the Institute or through the Institute must obtain approval from the La Trobe University Human Ethics Committee and/or Animal Ethics Committee in accordance with the University’s legislation, policies and procedures.