University of Tasmania, Australia

WHERE ARE WE UP TO?

The Policy Scoping document provides information regarding new policies developed in accordance with the UTAS Policy Framework specifications (as detailed in the Policy Development and Review Policy, and attendant Procedure and Guidelines).  Progressively all administrative and academic policy is being transferred to meet these requirements, which generally involves developing new, contemporary policy to reflect current and good practice.  The Policy Scoping document provides a map as to where UTAS is up to with this process, including: 

•          Policies and University-wide Procedures and Guidelines approved under the UTAS Policy Framework; and

•          Outstanding 'old' documents still needing to be transferred; and

•          Some 'new' proposed documents either under development, or flagged for development. 

DRAFT BENCHMARKING POLICY AND PROCEDURE

The draft Benchmarking Policy and Procedure are available for comment. These documents were drafted by Sara Booth in conjunction with the Quality Committee. Please direct all comments to Sara Booth (Sara.Booth@utas.edu.au) by COB 20th February 2012.

DRAFT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORDINANCE

The draft Intellectual Property Ordinance is available for comment. The objective of this Ordinance is to establish a clear and sound framework for the encouragement of invention, creative work and technology development. The draft was prepared by Sharman Harper and Linda Whelan. The draft Ordinance is supported by a Table of Revisions / Further Consideration Following Consultation, including university-wide consultations held in May 2011 by the Division of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research). Please direct all comments to Sharman Harper by COB 3^rd February, 2012.

DRAFT COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH POLICY and draft GENE TECHNOLOGY POLICY

The draft Collaborative Research Policy is available for comment. The objective of this policy is to establish a framework to support the conduct of collaborative research projects involving the University of Tasmania and at least one external party.

The draft Gene Technology Policy is also available for comment. This policy establishes the framework for activities involving GMOs to ensure that University research activities are conducted in accordance with the national legislative scheme regulating gene technology.

The drafts were prepared by Jen Bruyn Schmidt (Research Integrity Co-ordinator) in conjunction with the Australia Code Steering Committee chaired by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Paddy Nixon. Please direct all comments to Jen Bruyn Schmidt by COB 10th February, 2012.  

DRAFT AUTHORSHIP OF RESEARCH PROCEDURE

The draft Authorship of Research Procedure is available for comment (following previous circulation of the draft Authorship of Research Policy). The objective of this procedure is to support the implementation of the Authorship of Research Policy. The draft was prepared by Jen Bruyn Schmidt (Research Integrity Co-ordinator) in conjunction with the Australia Code Steering Committee chaired by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Paddy Nixon. Please direct all comments to Jen Bruyn Schmidt by COB 10th February, 2012.

DRAFT NON-TRADITIONAL ENTRY PATHWAY TO HDR GUIDELINE

The draft Non-Traditional Entry Pathway to HDR Guidelines is available for comment. The objective of this guideline is to outline an alternative pathway to higher degree by research. The draft was prepared by Professor Peter Frappel (Dean, Graduate Research) and Susanne Kennedy (Graduate Research Unit). Please direct all comments to Susanne (Susanne.Kennedy@utas.edu.au) by COB Friday 17^th February, 2012.

DRAFT WRITTEN AND ORAL REQUIREMENTS FOR CONFIRMATION GUIDELINES

The draft Written and Oral Requirements for Confirmation Guidelines is available for comment. The objective of this guideline is to outline the oral and written components of the confirmation requirements. The draft was prepared by Professor Peter Frappel (Dean, Graduate Research) and Susanne Kennedy (Graduate Research Unit). Please direct all comments to Susanne (Susanne.Kennedy@utas.edu.au) by COB Friday 17^th February, 2012.

DRAFT TIMETABLE POLICY AND TIMETABLE PROCEDURE

The draft Timetable Policy and Timetable Procedure are available for comment. The Timetable Policy provides a framework for the development of the University of Tasmania teaching timetable, supporting the best possible learning experience for students. The Timetable Procedure establishes key dates for data collection and verification for timetable production. The drafts were prepared by Gina Hadolt (SLIMS). Please direct all comments to Gina (Gina.Hadolt@utas.edu.au) by COB 12th January 2012.  

DRAFT AUTHORSHIP OF RESEARCH POLICY

The draft Authorship of Research Policy is available for comment. The objectives of this policy are to:

•        clarify the criteria for the attribution for research outputs involving staff and students;

•        ensure that authorship is confirmed and agreed upon prior to submission for publication; and

•        ensure that researchers appropriately attribute research outputs to the University of Tasmania.

The draft was prepared by the Australia Code Steering Committee and Jen Bruyn Schmidt. Please direct all comments to Jen (Jen.BruynSchmidt@utas.edu.au) by COB Monday 5^th December 2011. 

DRAFT SAFE DRIVING GUIDELINES AND MINIMUM STANDARD

The draft Safe Driving of Authorised Vehicle Guidelines and Minimum Standard - Safe Driving of Authorised Vehicles are available for comment. These documents facilitate the implementation of the University's Work Health and Safety Policy, and WHS Responsibilities Policy with respect to safe driving.  The draft was prepared by Kate Smith and Mark Natoli. Please direct all comments to Mark Natoli (Mark.Natoli@utas.edu.au) by COB Monday 5^th December 2011.

OTHER DRAFT DOCUMENTS CIRCULATED PREVIOUSLY (BUT YET TO BE APPROVED)

New policy documents which have been circulated previously for comment, but which have yet to be finalised (draft form only) include:

- High Achiever Policy (Policy Delegate - Anne Langworthy)
- Vocational Education and Training (VET) Policy (Policy Delegate - Alistair Broatch)
- Personal Protective Equipment Policy (Policy Delegate - Vivienne Courto)
- Organisational Unit Management / Administrative Reviews Procedure (Policy Delegate - Peter Colbourne)
- Organisational Unit Management / Administrative Reviews Guidelines (Policy Delegate - Peter Colbourne)
- Planning Performance and Review Committee (PPRC) Reviews Procedure (Policy Delegate - Peter Colbourne)
- Delegations documentation (Policy Delegate - Brigid Freeman)
- Police Checks Policy (Staff) (Policy Delegate - Pip Rose)
- Protocol Guidelines (which may be incorporated into a reviewed Communications Policy) (Policy Delegate - Greg Parkinson)
- Gift Policy (Policy Delegate - Mark Bennett)
- Course Structures Policy (Policy Delegate - Clare Moore)
- Casual Teaching Staff Policy (Policy Delegate - Jo-Anne Kelder)
- Internationalisation Policy (Policy Delegate - Andrew Allan)

Reviewed policy documents circulated, but yet to be finalised include (draft form only):

- Assessment Policy (and proposed new Assessment Procedure) (Policy Delegate - Natalie Brown)
- Sustainable Built Environment Designs Policy and GLP9 - (Policy Delegate - CS&D) (note: amendments to the Sustainable Built Environment Designs Policy will not be progressed. Rather, a new Sustainability Policy may be pursued)
- Head of School Policy and Head of School Procedure (Policy Delegate - Elaine Stratford).