Explanatory statement

DI 2007/95

University of Canberra (Courses and Awards) Amendment Statute 2007

Section 40 of the University of Canberra Act 1989 gives the University Council the power to make Statutes.

The Courses and Awards Statute 1995, made pursuant to section 40 of the Act, establishes the legal basis for the academic program of the University, setting out the degrees, diplomas and certificates which the University can award to its students.

Twice a year usually, Council seeks to amend the principal statute to add new awards reflecting new courses approved for accreditation by the University. This is considered an unnecessarily cumbersome way to bring new awards into being. It takes up the time of the Executive and the Assembly and may impede the university’s flexibility in responding to market signals. The University of Canberra (Courses and Awards) Amendment Statute 2007 removes the list of awards from the statute and provides for them to be included in rules instead. As rules are made by Council, they may be amended more quickly and easily than the statute.

Section 42 of the University of Canberra Act 1989 requires that a statute, once made by Council, be submitted by the Chancellor to the Executive for approval.