Access and Participation Committee Terms of Reference

Reporting Arrangements

The Access and Participation Committee (APC), is accountable to and reports to the Board of Directors (BOD).

Purpose and Scope

1. The APC is a sub-committee of the BOD.
2. The primary role of the committee is to develop and monitor delivery of the Access and Participation Plan reporting on progress to the BOD.

Responsibilities

1. Monitor progress on behalf of the BOD with the implementation of the Access and Participation Plan.
2. Formulate and review policies and procedures to support delivery of the Access and Participation Plan for recommendation to the BOD.
3. To advise on any other matters referred to the committee by the BOD.

Membership

1. The APC shall consist of:
   1. A Chair who will be a Director of Business Development
   2. Director of Operations
   3. Two (2) nominated academic staff
   4. Two (2) selected Students
   5. External advisors, who will provide input, for development and monitoring progress with the Access and Participation Plan
   6. Other external membership as required for representation of individuals with protected characteristics

The Chair of the APC will be an independent director appointed by the BOD but may not be the BOD Chair.

All members must meet the Fit and Proper Persons Requirements as required by the Office for Students. Should an appointed member no longer be a ‘fit and proper person’ they must notify the School immediately.

Term of Office

1. Members will serve while they hold their respective roles.
2. Nominated staff members may serve a two to three (2 to 3) year term, as decided by the BOD.
3. Casual vacancies shall be filled by invitation of the BOD and shall serve only the remaining period of the member they replace and be eligible for reappointment.

Resignations and Removal from Office

1. A member may resign from his/ her office by notice of resignation in writing to the BOD.
2. The APC may remove a member for breach of a duty set out above in the “Responsibilities” section, including the inability of the member to meet ‘Fit and Proper Persons Requirements’ as required by the OFS as detailed in the Constitution. The removal from office may be effected only at a meeting of the IAB of which notice (including notice of the motion that the director concerned be removed from office for breach of duty) was duly given.
3. The motion for removal must not be put to the vote of the meeting unless the member concerned has been given a reasonable opportunity to reply to the motion at the meeting, either verbally or in writing.
4. If the member to whom the motion for removal refers does not attend the meeting, a reasonable opportunity to reply to the motion is taken to have been given if notice of the meeting has been duly given.

Meeting Frequency and Quorum

1. The AB will meet at least once (1) times a year, but more frequently if required. Meetings may be face- to-face, electronic or a combination of face- to- face and electronic meetings.
2. No business may be transacted unless there is a quorum of half the membership (not including casual vacancies) with a minimum of one (1) external member (not including casual vacancies)

Secretary of the Academic Board

1. The Chair in consultation with the Director of Operations shall appoint a member of administrative staff to be the Secretary of the AB.