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2009 University Plan

Faculty of Law




Priority A: Fully embed a high performance culture



Instil an expectation of high achievement in students and staff, and provide the means for this high achievement.

 
1Strengthen high-achiever programs and pathways to attract and support the top echelon of local, national and international undergraduate and postgraduate students.
 
InitiativePriorityResponsibilityBudgetDate
1
Concentrate efforts on core teaching (including maintaining national accreditation standards) and high rating research activities by maximising teaching and research time within the Faculty of Law.
Target:1. Increase overall academic staff percentage of time spent on excellence in teaching and research. Review the workload model to ensure that it reflects this priority. 2. Foster increased research output an income in 2009-2010. 3. Reduction in current high staff/student ratios through the appointment of contract and casual teaching staff and other initiatives. 4. Increased teaching awards including UTAS (merit certificates, citations, Teaching Excellence Awards) and ALTC awards within period 2009-2010.
H1Dean/HOSC
$110K Strat. funds/$100K Op. funds
2009
2
Maintain the current exchange arrangements with Overseas Universities and investigate possibilities of new partners.
Target:At least one new exchange partner in 2009.
MInternational Services/relevant Faculty staffB
12/2009
3
Continue to offer direct entry into the law program for high achieving students.
MDean/HOSA
12/2009
4
Support competitive funding to exchange students studying overseas.
MDean/HOSB,C
12/2009
 
2Optimise the range of support programs for prospective and current students.
 
InitiativePriorityResponsibilityBudgetDate
1
Continue to support the International Student Support Program.
Target:Designate one staff member to oversee the program and coordinate casual tutors.
MStaff memberC
Op. funds $35K
11/2009
2
Maintain the successful Law Bridging enabling program for students entering the graduate law course and the PASS Program for Contract and Torts.
Target:To assist the smooth transition of graduate students into the law course.
MCoordinator Law Bridging ProgramA
2009
 
3Review and enhance UTAS' human resources policies and programs to provide the framework and resources to develop, recruit and retain excellent staff.
 
InitiativePriorityResponsibilityBudgetDate
1
Increase overall full-time equivalent academic staff numbers to address the seriously high staff/student ratio in Law. Equivalent staff to include appointments of fractional, honorary, visiting and Summer School staff.
Target:Reduce staff student ratio from 31.6 to 28.
HDean/HOS, Deputy Dean, Assoc Dean (T&L)C
$150K New Stars funds
12/2009
2
Ensure the equitable distribution of work amongst Faculty staff, recognising teaching, research, community and administrative duties.
Target:Apply Faculty workload distribution formula in 2009 and monitor throughout the year.
HDean/HOSC
2009
3
Strategically manage succession planning for all senior office holders within the Faculty.
HFaculty ExecutiveA
2009/2010
4
Identify opportunities to revitalise research and teaching within the University Environmental theme area and to to develop this area (possibly with New Stars funding).
MDeputy HOSC
2009
 
4Develop a broad-based visiting fellowship program.
 
InitiativePriorityResponsibilityBudgetDate
1
Maintain and extend individual and research group scholarly links, including visits by distinguished overseas academics to present lectures and contribute to the Summer School and Law School Seminar Program.
Target:Seven distinguished overseas visitors in 2009.
MDean/HOS, relevant Faculty staffC
12/2009
 
5Improve implementation of the UTAS performance management system for staff.
 
InitiativePriorityResponsibilityBudgetDate
1
Continue to directly link staff performance management and staff development plans to those of the Faculty and University and to maintain a collegial consultative approach to Performance Management within the Faculty.
HDean/HOSC
15-25K (Op. funds)
03/2009
 
7Ensure that recognition and reward systems encourage and celebrate excellence at both the individual and group levels.
 
InitiativePriorityResponsibilityBudgetDate
1
Incentive grants (offer Faculty incentive grants to staff that apply for external research, teaching funding or consultancy funding).
Target:Encourage three new applications for external research, teaching or consultancy funding.
MDean/HOSB
(Op. funds)
12/2009

Priority B: Create and implement a distinctive UTAS teaching and learning model



Develop a UTAS student experience, learning outcomes and graduate profile that ensure contemporary knowledge and skills, generic capabilities and an experience of place, environment and community that is distinctly Tasmanian.

 
9Review and strengthen tertiary preparation programs and entry pathways to support a broader range of students.
 
InitiativePriorityResponsibilityBudgetDate
1
Participate in organisation and presentation of Law Fest 2009.
HDean, TULS, School Liaison OfficerB
08/2009
2
Continue to develop an incremental pathway for the development of information literacy (legal research) skills, and embed this in appropriate units across the Law Degree.
MLaw Librarian, Assoc Dean (T&L)B
2009
 
11Ensure that on-campus amenities are available at appropriate times to support more flexible learning and research practices.
 
InitiativePriorityResponsibilityBudgetDate
1
Continue to emphasise, through staff development, Faculty commitment to improve and streamline unit and course delivery on all campuses through varied assessment techniques, problem oriented tutorials, improved materials, MyLo, pastoral care (including the ISSP and PASS Program) and counselling.
HDean/HOSC
$15-25K (Op. funds)
12/2009
 
12Ensure that academic, personal and administrative support services are responsive to student needs.
 
InitiativePriorityResponsibilityBudgetDate
1
To maintain the special and unique relationships between staff and students, particularly with direct cooperation, collaboration and funding of TULS state-wide activities and the Alumni Newsletter.
HDean/Pres TULSB
12/2009
 
13Restructure and streamline the course profile to provide: common course structures, multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary learning opportunities; and flexible delivery options that are responsive to students' needs and the University's academic strategic priorities.
 
InitiativePriorityResponsibilityBudgetDate
1
Review current assessment and examination practices and performances in light of Criterion Referenced Assessment policy against benchmarks in comparator universities and implement recommendations for 2010.
Target:Report on review by mid-2009 and implement any recommendations for 2010.
H1Dean/HOSC
$60K Strat . funds
12/2009
2
Introduce flexible approaches to teaching and learning in skills and Introduction to Law through the Faculty Teaching & Learning Committee and CALT and also support the PASS Program in Contract and Torts as means to address attrition and retention..
Target:10% reduction in law student attrition.
HAssoc Dean (T&L), Pro V-C (T&L)C
Op. funds/Strat funds
2009
3
Increase access to facilities, continue to introduce measures to meet student demand for greater access to facilities (eg, flexible library hours for Summer Schools).
MDean/HOS, Law LibrarianB
Op. funds
2009
4
Continue flexible Summer School program for students which provide units of interest to students taught by international experts.
Target:Two distinguished international scholars participating in Summer School units in 2009.
MDeputy HOSC
$15K Op. funds
03/2009
 
16Expand postgraduate coursework programs specifically aimed at continuing professional development and career start-up.
 
InitiativePriorityResponsibilityBudgetDate
1
Continue to pursue a proactive campaign to recruit postgraduate students from targeted overseas universities.
Target:Three new international postgraduate students in 2009.
HFaculty Res 7 Postgrad CteeC
Op. funds
12/2009
 
17Provide a high quality, distinctive and energising student experience that develops life-long learning skills, generic graduate attributes and a global perspective that lead to satisfying and rewarding employment, career and personal development outcomes for students.
 
InitiativePriorityResponsibilityBudgetDate
1
Maintain current Quality Assurance processes under the direction and review of the Faculty Teaching & Learning Committee and Executive Committee and to ensure that the proposed Common Course Structure does not impact in any negative manner whatsoever on the reputation and quality of the Law degrees.
HDean and Assoc Dean (T&L)C
Op. funds
2009
2
Develop law in the Graduate school programs and identify units for the LLM in University Graduate Studies Programs.
MDean/HOSB
12/2009
3
Continue to assess and monitor appropriate recommendations resulting from the External Review of the Law School, LLB and Combined Degrees.
MDean/HOS, Assoc Dean (T&L)B,C
Op. funds
12/2009
4
Continue to present systematic and regular review of units using SETL in conjunction with the University PM system.
Target:Review one third of all units offered.
MDean/HOS, Assoc Dean (T&L)A
11/2009
5
Ensure the integrity, quality and accreditation of the Law and combined degree programs during the transition to a merged Faculty.
Target:Review operation, integrity, quality and accreditation of the degrees in mid 2009 and at the end of 2009 and to report to staff and the University Teaching & Learning Committee.
H1Dean/HOS.A
Under $10K Op. funds
2009

Priority C: Further strengthen existing UTAS institutes, centres and groups and identify new flagship opportunities



Reassess and renew the focus of UTAS' research strengths and opportunities; Develop the opportunities that arise as a result of the integration of UTAS and the Australian Maritime College.

 
18Develop current and identify new areas of research strength.
 
InitiativePriorityResponsibilityBudgetDate
1
Prepare for the 2009/2010 ERA exercise by increasing collective research performance and building research infrastructure.
Target:1. ERA documentation to be prepared on time. 2. Ensuring workload model provides sufficient opportunity and incentive for high quality research production. 3. In increasing, ensuring that A* journals are targeted and competitive research grants are obtained. 4. Two A1 or equivalent articles for research classified staff members to a minimum School target of 20 DEST (A1, B1 or C1) publications. 5. Appoint part-time academic level C staff member to encourage and assist staff in applying for external research grants. 6. Offer internal incentive grants for staff applying for external research grants.
H1Dean/HOSC
$140K Op. funds/$100K Strat. funds
2009
2
Increase postgraduate research student numbers.
Target:15 EFTSU
H1Dean/HOS, Assoc Dean (Res)C
$80K Strat. funds, $20K Ext funds
12/2009
 
19Develop key areas of strength in the AMC institute as part of completing the integration process.
 
InitiativePriorityResponsibilityBudgetDate
1
Continue discussions on Maritime Law & Policy LLM with the Director of the Australian Maritime College.
HDean/HOSA
12/2009
 
22Increase the scale and focus of research to achieve critical mass by clustering activity into groups, centres and institutes.
 
InitiativePriorityResponsibilityBudgetDate
1
Further develop ARC multidisciplinary network in Law and Genetics to formalise links with overseas researchers/institutions.
HCentre for Law & Genetics research staffC
$10-15K (ARC Funds)
10/2009
2
Augment existing areas of international research by developing research in Environmental Law to international standards.
MDean/HOSB
12/2009

Priority D: Strengthen relationships with UTAS' communities, including the Tasmanian State Government



Further develop relationships with the Tasmanian State Government and UTAS' communities of interest; Seek collaborations that enhance UTAS' distinctiveness and provide unique opportunities for all stakeholders.

 
24Renew major partnerships with State Government and industry and develop new partnerships with the private sector.
 
InitiativePriorityResponsibilityBudgetDate
1
Support the operation of the two Law Research Centres and particularly identify new projects and continue to identify new sources of funding for the Tasmanian Law Reform Institute, particularly from the State Government with matching University contributions.
Target:Identify new TLRI projects - new external funding of $75K.
HDir of TLRIC
Ext Funds $75K
10/2009
 
25Undertake biennial review of UTAS' economic impact on Tasmania and widely communicate the results.
 
InitiativePriorityResponsibilityBudgetDate
1
Continue to promote the Tasmanian Law Reform Institute and its role in shaping the Legal Policy Framework in Tasmania.
Target:Release at least four working papers to the public/government on current law reform issues.
HDir of TLRIC
Ext. funds/Op. funds
12/2009
2
Support financially and provide facilities to appropriate law related activities (Mental Health Advocacy, Community Legal Centres, Australian Institute of Health Law and Ethics, United Nations Human Rights, etc).
LFaculty staffC
$15K Op. funds
2009
 
26Work with local communities to further develop the University's northern campuses.
 
InitiativePriorityResponsibilityBudgetDate
1
Continue to offer Introduction to Law on the Launceston and Cradle Coast campuses.
HDean/HOSC
2009
 
27Continue to support and reward staff in their efforts to engage with UTAS' communities of interest.
 
InitiativePriorityResponsibilityBudgetDate
1
Continue to maintain and foster the unique and special relationships with government and community groups through advice, service and sponsorship.
MAll staffC
Op. funds
2009
2
Continue to maintain close relations with the legal profession within Tasmania and in other jurisdictions.
MDean/HOSA
2009
 
29Explore the opportunities for additional national and international collaborations in areas of excellence and distinctiveness.
 
InitiativePriorityResponsibilityBudgetDate
1
Build on existing and new agreements and exchange relationships with prestigious international institutions. Also, continue to develop and approve consultancies in areas of established research expertise that will also establish long-term collaborations.
Target:Investigate links with one or two Asian regional partners.
MDean/HOSB
12/2009

Priority E: Maximise support for core activities by aligning resources and improving business services



Optimise financial resources and physical infrastructure to support core activities and strategic priorities; Optimise human resources and support systems and staff infrastructure to support core activities and strategic priorities; Achieve efficiency gains and the best use of strategic and operational resources.

 
36Further diversify funding sources, particularly from the non-government sector.
 
InitiativePriorityResponsibilityBudgetDate
1
Increase numbers of commencing interstate and international students, with consequent flow on advantages to the other Faculties.
Target:Marketing aimed at: 1. Interstate - 30 students into 1st year Law. International - 70 UG EFTSL offshore and 80 UG EFTSL onshore. 2. Introduction of a compulsory Bridging Program for all new international students to address oral and research skills.
H1DeanC
Op. funds $100K / Strat. funds $100K
10/2009
2
Increasing enrolments of onshore international students and particularly investigate marketing to students from Singapore.
Target:Increase onshore FFPOS to 55 UG EFTSL, 11 Coursework PG EFTSL and 6 RHD EFTSL.
HDean/HOS, Intern. ServicesC
Op. funds
12/2009
3
Retention of offshore FFPOS EFTSL from the formal Twinning Agreement with KDU (retain increased enrolments of international students in 2009).
Target:Retain KDU offshore FFPOS of 75 EFTSL.
HDean/HOS, Intern. ServicesC
Op. funds
12/2009
4
Recognition of UTAS Law degrees in India by December 2009.
HDean/HOSA
12/2009
5
Continue to work closely with Student Administration and International Services to market the Law Degrees interstate and internationally. Continue to publicise fee paying opportunities for international and local students, particularly the Legal Practice Course.
HDean/HOS, Student Admin, Int ServicesC
10/2009
6
Continue to identify and undertake consultancies that area consistent with research expertise, establish long-term collaborations and which achieve genuine financial returns for the University and Faculty.
HDean/HOSB
10/2009
 
38Plan and implement major capital projects in line with the UTAS Master Plan.
 
InitiativePriorityResponsibilityBudgetDate
1
Locate suitable accommodation for the Centre for Legal Studies.
HDean/Director of CLS/Director of Asset ManagementC
Capital Management Plan project
2009