The University of Sydney SenateÌýSenate oversees all major decisions concerning the conduct of the University. It is responsible for staff appointments and welfare, student welfare and discipline, financial matters and the physical and academic development of the University. It also awards all degrees and diplomas and is responsible to the Parliament of NSW.
The statutory powers and responsibilities of Senate are defined by section 16 of theÌý.
As per Part 5 of theÌýUniversity of Sydney (Amendment Act) Rule 1999, Senate will convene six to eight times per year.
| Agenda items due | Meeting date | Meeting time |
|---|---|---|
| Friday 7 March 2025 | Friday 21 March - Saturday 22 March 2025Ìý | All day |
| Friday 2 May 2025 | Friday 16 May 2025 | 9²¹³¾Ìý |
| Friday 13 June 2025 | Friday 27 June 2025 | 9am |
| Friday 8 August 2025 | Friday 22 August 2025 | All day |
| Friday 12 September 2025 | Friday 26 September 2025 | 9am |
| Fridat 24 October 2025 | Friday 7 November 2025 | 9am |
| Friday 28 November 2025 | Friday 12 December 2025 | 9am |
As per Part 5 of theÌýUniversity of Sydney (Amendment Act) Rule 1999, Senate will convene six to eight times per year.
| Agenda items due | Meeting date | Meeting time |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 3 February 2026 | Tuesday 17 February 2026 | 9am |
| Friday 6 March 2026 | Friday 20 March 2026 | 8am |
| Friday 24 April 2026 | Friday 8 May 2026 | 9am |
| Friday 12 June 2026Ìý | Friday 26 June 2026 | 9am |
| Friday 24 July 2026 | Friday 7 August 2026 | 8am |
| Friday 11 September 2026 | Friday 25 September 2026 (Reserve) | 9am |
| Friday 23 October 2026 | Friday 6 November 2026 | 9am |
| Friday 27 November 2026 | Friday 11 December 2026 | 9am |
The constitution of the Senate is set out inÌý, and Senate is currently comprised of:
More information on our Senate Fellows can be found on theirÌýprofile pages.
A non-financialÌýannual reportÌýis prepared by Senate each year, in line with the University's reporting requirements under New South Wales (NSW) legislation.Ìý
The University provides our annual report by the end of April each year to the NSW Government and it is then tabled in both houses of NSW Government by the responsible minister.Ìý
Our annual report includes:
| Agenda items due | Meeting date | Meeting time |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, 14 February 2025 | Friday, 28 February 2025 | 9:30am - 12.00pm |
| Monday, 12 May 2025 | Monday, 26 May 2025 | 1:00pm - 3.30pm |
| Friday, 29 August 2025 | Friday, 12 September 2025 | 9:30am - 12.00pm |
| Friday, 31 October 2025 | Friday, 14 November 2025 | 9:30am - 12.00pm |
All submissions to Senate Committees must first be endorsed by theÌýUniversity Executive
| Agenda items due | Meeting date | Meeting time |
|---|---|---|
| Friday 6 February 2026 | Friday 20 February 2026 | 9.00am - 12.00pm |
| Friday 8 May 2026 | Friday 22 May 2026 | 9.00am - 12.00pm |
| Wednesday 10 August 2026 | Wednesday 23 September 2026 | 9.00am - 12.00pm |
| Wednesday 4 November 2026 | Wednesday 18 November 2026 | 9.00am - 12.00pm |
All submissions to Senate Committees must first be endorsed by theÌýUniversity Executive
The role of the Building and Estates Committee is to monitor and advise Senate on:
Matters of planning, development and general oversight of the management of the University’s real property and physical infrastructure with particular reference to:
Effective risk management in the areas covered by the Committee’s Terms of Reference; and
Conducting reviews in the areas covered by the Committee’s Terms of Reference.
| Position | Member | Term of office |
|---|---|---|
| Chair | Susan Lloyd Hurwitz AM | Current term as Chair: June 2025 - June 2029 |
| Chancellor ex-officio member |
David Thodey AO | Current term as Chancellor July 2024 - June 2028 |
| Deputy Chancellor ex-officio member |
Emeritus Professor Alan Pettigrew | Current term as Deputy Chancellor December 2025 – December 2027 |
Vice-Chancellor and President |
Professor Mark Scott AO | Current term as Vice-Chancellor July 2021 - 2026 |
| Fellow of Senate | Edwina Grose | Current term Jun 2025 – May 2027 |
| Fellow of Senate | Professor Jane Hanrahan | Current term Previous term |
| Fellow of SenateÌý | Weihong Liang | Current term May 2025 – Dec 2026 |
| External Member |
Dianne Leeson | Current term Previous terms |
| External Member |
Vacant | Ìý |
| External Member |
Vacant | Ìý |
| Position | Attendee |
|---|---|
| Vice-President (Operations) | Nicole Gower |
Chief Financial Officer |
Wayne Andrews |
Chief University Infrastructure OfficerÌý |
Greg Robinson |
| Chief, Central Operations Serivces | David Coomber |
Chief Governance Officer |
Michelle Stanhope |
| Agenda items dueÌý | Meeting date | Meeting time |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 5 March 2025 | Wednesday 19 March 2025 | 2:00pm - 4:30pm |
| Wednesday 21 May 2025 | Wednesday 4 June 2025 | 2:00pm - 4:30pm |
| Monday 14 July 2025 | Monday 28 July 2025 | 3:00pm - 5:30pm |
| Wednesday 27 August 2025 | Wednesday 10 September 2025 | 2:00pm - 4:30pm |
| Monday 13 October 2025 | Monday 27 October 2025 | 2:00pm - 4:30pm |
| Monday 10 November 2025 | Monday 24 November 2025 | 2:00pm - 4:30pmÌý |
| Agenda items dueÌý | Meeting date | Meeting time |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 25 February 2026 | Wednesday 11 March 2026 | 2:00pm - 4:30pm |
| Monday 6 April 2026 | Monday 20 April 2026 | 9:00am - 11:30am |
| Wednesday 20 May 2026 | Wednesday 3 June 2026 | 2:00pm - 4:30pm |
| Monday 13 July 2026 | Monday 27 July 2026 | 2:00pm - 4:30pm |
| Tuesday 25 August 2026 | Tuesday 8 September 2026 | 2:00pm - 4:30pm |
| Wednesday 14 October 2026 | Wednesday 28 October 2026 | 2:00pm - 4:30pm |
| Friday 13 November 2026 | Friday 27 November 2026 | 10:00pm - |
The role of the Finance and Audit Committee is to monitor and advise Senate on:
Issues relating to the financial performance and sustainability of the University, by reviewing and evaluating information provided by management on the financial impact of strategic proposals, budget and planning priorities, resource and capital allocation, and commercial activities;
The University’s Annual and Three-Year Audit Plans and Program, including reliability of financial management and reporting and compliance with laws and regulations and the maintenance of an effective and efficient audit capability;
Ensuring the effective management of financial risk across the University, including the financial risks of subsidiaries and controlled entities;Ìý ÌýÌý
Ensuring the effective management of nonâ€financial risk in areas covered by the Committee’s Terms of Reference;Ìý
Effective management of the University’s short-term portfolio, cash flow and liquidity positions; and
Conducting reviews in the areas covered by the Committee’s Terms of Reference
| Position | Member | Term of office |
|---|---|---|
| Chair |
Karen Moses OAM |
Current term as Chair Previous term as Chair |
| Chancellor ex-officio member |
David Thodey AO | Current term as Chancellor July 2024 – June 2028 |
| Deputy Chancellor ex-officio member |
Emeritus Professor Alan Pettigrew | Current term as Deputy Chancellor December 2025 – December 2027 |
| Vice-Chancellor and President ex-officio member |
Professor Mark Scott AO | Current term as Vice-Chancellor July 2021 - 2026 |
| Fellow of Senate | Emeritus Professor Alan Pettigrew | Current term Previous term |
| Fellow of Senate | Dr Lisa McIntyre | Current term Previous term |
| Fellow of Senate | Vacant | Ìý |
| External Member |
John Meacock | Current term Jun 2024 - May 2026 Previous term September 2021 - May 2024 |
| External Member |
Amelia Hill Salter | Current term Previous term |
| External Member | Vacant | Ìý |
Ìý
| Position | Attendee |
|---|---|
| Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost | Professor Annamarie Jagose |
| Vice-President (Operations) | Nicole Gower |
| Chief Financial Officer | Wayne Andrews |
| Chief Internal Audit Officer | Alison Hamill |
| Chief of Staff | Darren Goodsir |
Other members determined by the chair.
| Agenda items due | Meeting date | Meeting time |
|---|---|---|
| Friday 28 February 2025 | Friday 14 March 2025 | 9.00am - 11.00am |
| Monday 19 May 2025 | Monday 2 June 2025 | 9.00am - 11.00am |
| Thursday 14 August 2025 | Thursday 28 August 2025 | 9.00am - 11.00am |
| Friday 21 November 2025 | Friday 5 December 2025 | 9.00am - 11.00am |
| Agenda items due | Meeting date | Meeting time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 23 February 2026 | Monday 9 March 2026 | 2.00am - 4.00pm |
| Friday 8 May 2026 | Friday 22 May 2026 | 2.00am - 4.00pm |
| Friday 14 August 2026 | Friday 28 August 2026 | 9.00am - 11.00am |
| Friday 20 November 2026 | Friday 4 December 2026 | 9.00am - 11.00am |
The role of the Investment Subcommittee is to monitor and advise the Finance and Audit Committee on:
Matters relating to the University's investment portfolio with particular reference to the:
Strategies for the management of University investments;
Recommendations for the University's Future Fund; and
Recommendations for strategic initiatives which are funded entirely from the Future Fund, including advice on the investment mandate for the Future Fund, which balances support for a broad range of core University objectives with seeking to achieve appropriate commercial returns.
| Position | Member | Term of office |
|---|---|---|
| Chair | Dr Lisa McIntyre | Current term as Chair
|
| Chancellor ex-officio member |
David Thodey | Current term as Chancellor July 2024 - June 2028 |
| Deputy Chancellor ex-officio member |
Emeritus Professor Alan PettigrewÌý | Current term as Deputy Chancellor December 2025 - December 2027 |
| Vice-Chancellor and President ex-officio member |
Professor Mark Scott AO | Current term as Vice-Chancellor July 2021 - 2026 |
| Chair of the Finance Committee | Karen Moses OAM | Current term as Chair Previous term as Chair |
| Fellow of SenateÌý | Intentionally vacant given the appointment of three external members | Ìý |
| External MemberÌý |
John Livanas | Current term Previous term |
| External MemberÌý |
Nerida Hall | Current term Previous term |
| External MemberÌý |
Vacant | Ìý |
| Vice-President (Operations) | Nicole Gower |
| Chief Investment Officer | Miles Collins |
| Chief Financial Officer | Wayne Andrews |
| Agenda items due | Meeting date | Meeting time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 24 February 2025 | Monday 10 March 2025 | 9.00am - 12.00pm |
| Monday 5 May 2025 | Monday 19 May 2025 | 9.00am - 12.00pmÌý |
| Monday 21 July 2025 | Monday 4 August 2025 | 9:00am - 12.00pm |
| Monday 8 September 2025 | Monday 22 September 2025 (reserve) | 9:00am - 12.00pmÌý |
| Monday 10 November 2025 | Monday 24 November 2025 | 9:00am - 12:00pm |
| Agenda items due | Meeting date | Meeting time |
|---|---|---|
| Friday 20 February 2026 | Friday 6 March 2026 | 9.00am - 12.30pm |
| Thursday 5 March 2026 | Thursday 19 March 2026 | 10.30am - 12.00pm |
| Thursday 7 May 2026 | Thursday 21 May 2026 | 8.30am - 12.00pmÌý |
| Monday 13 July 2026 | Monday 27 July 2026 | 8:30am - 12.00pm |
| Monday 7 September 2026 | Monday 21 September 2026 | 9:00am - 12.30pmÌý |
| Tuesday 27 October 2026 | Tuesday 10 November 2026 | 9:00am - 12:30pm |
The People and Culture Committee monitors and advises Senate on:
Human resources (HR) policies, structures and processes that support the University’s strategic objectives in:
The culture at the University, including the need for any reviews or external advice;
Effective risk management in areas covered by the Committee’s Terms of Reference, including compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; and
Conducting reviews in the areas covered by the Committee’s Terms of Reference, including the need for any external advice
| Position | Member | Term of office |
|---|---|---|
| Deputy Chancellor Chair |
Emeritus Professor Alan Pettigrew | Current term as Chair Previous term as Chair |
| Chancellor ex-officio member |
David Thodey | Current term as Chancellor July 2024- June 2028 |
| Fellow of Senate | Vacant | Ìý |
| Vice-Chancellor and President ex-officio member |
Professor Mark Scott AO | Current term as Vice-Chancellor July 2021 - 2026 |
| Fellow of Senate |
Jason Yat-sen Li | Current term Previous term |
| Fellow of Senate | Professor Tom Calma AO | Current term Aug 2024 - Jul 2026 |
| External Member | Shirley ChowdharyÌý | Current term Jun 2024 – May 2026 |
| External Member | Susan Ferrier | Current term Aug 2022 - May 2024 |
| Position | Attendee |
|---|---|
| Vice-President, Operations | Nicole Gower |
Chief Governance OfficerÌý |
Michelle Stanhope |
Chief Human Resources Officer |
Sam ListonÌý |
| Chief of Staff | Darren GoodsirÌý |
Any others as determined by the chair when necessary.
| Agenda items due | Meeting date | Meeting time |
|---|---|---|
| Friday 14 February 2025 | Friday 28 February 2025 | 2:00pm - 5:30pmÌý |
| Monday 5 May 2025 | Monday 19 May 2025 | 2:00pm - 5:30pm |
| Thursday 10 July 2025 | Thursday 24 July 2025 | 2:00pm - 5:30pm |
| Monday 6 October 2025 | Monday 20 October 2025 | 3:00pm - 5:00pm |
| Monday 3 November 2025 | Monday 17 November 2025 | 2:00pm - 5:30pm |
| Agenda items due | Meeting date | Meeting time |
|---|---|---|
| Friday 13 February 2026 | Friday 27 February 2026 | 2:00pm - 5:00pmÌý |
| Monday 6 April 2026 | Monday 20 April 2026 | 2:00pm - 5:00pm |
| Wednesday 14 July 2026 | Tuesday 28 July 2026 | 9:00am - 12:00pm |
| Friday 2 October 2026 | Friday 16 October 2026 | 2:00pm - 5:00pm |
| Friday 6 November 2026 | Friday 20 November 2026 | 2:00pm - 5:00pm |
The role of the Performance and Risk Committee is to:
Review and oversee the University’s systems of risk management, internal control and regulatory compliance; and
To ensure that they are effective in monitoring and responding to strategic, operational, financial, education and research performance and other emerging risks within the Committee’s Terms of Reference.
The Committee monitors and advises Senate on:
Systems of risk management including:
| Position | Member | Term of office |
|---|---|---|
| Chair | Jason Yat-Sen Li | Current term asÌýChair Previous term as Chair |
| Chancellor ex-officio member |
David Thodey AO | Current term as Chancellor July 2024 - June 2028 |
| Deputy Chancellor ex-officio member |
Emeritus Professor Alan Pettigrew | Current termÌý December 2025 - December 2027 |
| Vice-Chancellor and President ex-officio member |
Professor Mark Scott AO | Current term as Vice-Chancellor July 2021 - 2026 |
| Chair of the Academic Board ex-officio member |
Professor Jane Hanrahan | Current term as Chair of the Academic Board Jan 2024 - Dec 2025 PreviousÌýterm as Chair of the Academic Board Jan 2022 - Dec 2023 |
| Fellow of Senate |
Karen Moses OAM | Current term Previous term |
| Fellow of Senate | Professor Ben Saul | Current term Previous term |
| Fellow of Senate | Professor Joel Negin | Current term June 2025 – May 2027 |
| Fellow of Senate | Ethan Floyd | Current term June 2025 - December 2026 |
| External Member | Jackie Lee-Joe | Current term |
| External Member | Rob Warren | Current term Previous termÌý |
Senate may, on the advice of the committee, or on its own volition, co-opt additional members as required.
Other members determined by the chair:
| Position | Attendee |
|---|---|
| Vice-President (Operations) | Nicole Gower |
| Chief Internal Audit Officer | Alison Hamill |
Chief Governance OfficerÌý |
Michelle Stanhope |
| Chief Health, Safety and Wellbeing OfficerÌý | Kim Grady |
Chief Risk Officer |
NishaÌýPadmanabhan |
| Chief of Staff | Darren GoodsirÌý |
| General Counsel | Olivia PerksÌý |
The role of the Nominations Committee is to monitor and advise Senate on:
Governance issues generally as they relate to Senate and the University with particular reference to:
Ensuring the effective management of risk in areas covered by the Committee’s Terms of ReferenceÌý
Conducting reviews in the areas covered by the Committee’s Terms of Reference.
| Position | Members | Term of office |
|---|---|---|
| Deputy Chancellor Chair |
Emeritus Professor Alan Pettigrew | Current term as Chair December 2025 - December 2027 |
| Chancellor ex-officio member |
David Thodey AO | Current term as Chancellor July 2024 - June 2028 |
| Vice-Chancellor and President ex-officio member |
Professor Mark Scott AO | Current term as Vice-Chancellor July 2021 - 2026 |
| Chair of the Academic Board ex-officio member |
Professor Jane Hanrahan | Current term as Chair of the Academic Board Jan 2024 - Dec 2025 PreviousÌýterm as Chair of the Academic Board Jan 2022 - Dec 2023 |
| Fellow of SenateÌý | Dr Lisa McIntyre | Current termÌý Previous term |
| Fellow of SenateÌý |
Professor Tom Calma AO | Current termÌý Jun 2025 – Jul 2026 |
| Fellow of Senate | Vacant | Ìý |
The role of the Honorary Awards Committee is to advise Senate on:
Candidates for honorary degrees and honorary fellowships; and
Naming proposals in relation to University buildings and other significant assets, including scholarships and prizes, centres and institutes, and foundations.
| Position | Member | Term of office |
|---|---|---|
| Deputy Chancellor Chair |
Emeritus Professor Alan Pettigrew | Current term as Chair December 2025 - December 2027 |
| Chancellor ex-officio member |
David Thodey AO | Current term as Chancellor |
| Vice-Chancellor and President ex-officio member |
Professor Mark Scott AO | Current term as Vice-Chancellor July 2021 - 2026 |
| Chair of the Academic Board ex-officio member |
Professor Jane Hanrahan | Current term as Chair of the Academic Board Jan 2024 - Dec 2025 PreviousÌýterm as Chair of the Academic Board Jan 2022 - Dec 2023 |
| Fellow of Senate | Professor Joel Negin | Current term Jun 2025 – May 2027 |
| Fellow of Senate | Vacant | Ìý |
Senate may, on the advice of the committee, or on its own volition, co-opt additional members as required.
Mailing address
Chief Governance Officer, Michelle Stanhope
Level 5 Corner of Eastern Avenue and City Road
Michael Spence Building F23
University of Sydney, NSW 2006