The UNE Council met in person for their November meeting in Armidale.
Chancellor’s report
The theme of the November Council meeting was sustainability. Council heard that several Environmental Management Plans for landscape, water, waste, koalas, trees and bushfires had been implemented across 2023 and were tracking well.
The UNE Environmental Sustainability Task Group has been progressing green initiatives throughout the year, promoting awareness and embedding a culture of sustainability across the institution. In 2024, they will continue to enhance staff understanding and participation in waste management, drought resilience and preparedness, and wildlife conservation. Of particular note:
- In October 2023, the solar farm generated the highest monthly output since its commission, offsetting the academic and Bellevue campuses by 51% for that period;
- Lake Zot has been providing irrigation for the Consett Davis sporting fields in 2023, no potable town water has been used which has resulted in a $65k saving; and
- Residential Colleges have implemented their own sustainability initiatives, including community gardens, recycling via the Return & Earn program, recycling abandoned bikes, donating unused stationary and twice yearly ‘Garage Giveaways.’
Vice-Chancellor’s report
Universities Accord
Council was updated on The Australian Universities Accord Panel, which is on track to submit the final report to the Minister in December. The response from the Commonwealth is expected in late January early February in 2024.
Rankings
Council heard that UNE has ranked fifth in Australia for the quality of its equity and access and ninth for career outcomes in new rankings released by the Australian Financial Review. The inaugural Best Universities Rankings differs from other university rankings in that it recognises both traditional measures of excellence such as research and reputation alongside important, modern measures such as equity and student satisfaction.
Other matters considered by Council
Council also considered UNE’s preparation for TEQSA re-registration, consultation on changes to the academic calendar and UNE Academic Quality Assurance policy.
The first Council meeting for 2024 will be held on Friday 9 February.
