University Council is the governing body of the University of Newcastle. The composition of this council was described by the University of Newcastle Act 1989.

Last year, the NSW State Government enacted the Universities Governing Bodies Act 2011, which enables University Councils to alter their composition. At the time, MPs expressed their concern that this would result in a reduction in student and staff representation. The Minister Education encouraged University Councils to maintain proportionality within their respective councils. That is not happening here.

No public debate is required to alter the composition and this decision has been reached without any consultation of staff or students. In fact, at the time of writing, the University has not made the decision public.

This change will alter the University of Newcastle’s Act. Normally, an act is changed after public debate in Parliament which does allow, to a degree, for stakeholders to have their voices heard through consultation.

If the Newcastle University Students' Association had not make this decision public, the University of Newcastle Act could be changed by the whims of 19 people in a closed-meeting. The elected student and staff representatives are unable to properly consult with students and staff due to restrictions on confidentiality.

The elected student representatives on University Council has raised, on more than one occasion, that there has been a lack of consultation. She has also called for public debate on the issue.

As students, we are essential to the University’s existence, yet we are not consulted, or even informed, of one of the most important changes to the University Governing Body.

For those not aware, University Council has an open and closed section. All the business is essentially carried out in the closed section. Any person can attend the open section. That means you can attend the open section of the next University Council Meeting on 24th August 2012.

I am calling on this to be rescinded so a proper consultation process can be followed including staff and student consultation in addition to public debate.