The Academy Terms of Reference

1.1       The Ako Aotearoa Academy of Tertiary Teaching Excellence (“the Academy”) is an expert body of tertiary practitioners that fosters, promotes and supports the development of excellent tertiary teachers.

1.2       The Academy will provide advice on tertiary education policy and practice and is committed to working collaboratively with Ako Aotearoa and other organisations for the benefit of educators and learners across all tertiary sectors.

1.3       The Academy is committed to being a treaty-based organisation.

2.1       The Academy functions as a subsidiary of Ako Aotearoa, the National Centre for Tertiary Teaching Excellence.

2.2       Ako Aotearoa will fund the activities of the Academy against an approved annual business plan to be submitted to the Ako Aotearoa Board.

2.3       Ako Aotearoa will provide financial management and administrative support for the Academy’s activities.

2.4       Any Academy media statements will be made in consultation with Ako Aotearoa.

3.1       Every recipient of a Tertiary Teaching Excellence Award (whether as an individual or as a member of a group) is a member of the Academy.

4.2       The Committee will consist of at least 5 and no more than 7 Academy members, provided that the committee may resolve to co-opt up to two further Academy members , to ensure gender, geographic, skills base or other relevant membership balance.

4.3       A committee member must, at the time of their election or appointment, be currently employed in tertiary teaching or have been so within the past five years.

4.4       A quorum shall be half plus one of the members of the Committee.

4.5       Committee membership will be for a period of 2 years.

4.6       Committee membership will cease if a member resigns or fails to attend or participate in 3 consecutive meetings (including teleconferences).

5.1       The Committee will elect the President of the Academy from within its membership to perform the usual duties of a chairperson and to represent the Academy.

5.2       The President will serve for two years and the Committee may extend that term for one further year, provided that person is still a committee member.

5.3       The Committee will elect a Vice-President from within its membership to assist the President in the performance of his or her duties or representation of the Academy.

5.4       The Vice-President will serve for one year and the Committee may extend that term for one further year, provided that person is still a committee member.

 

            The Executive Secretarywill be contracted by Ako Aotearoa:

(i)         to research, obtain and present advice and information to enable the Committee to function efficiently and transparently;

A special meeting of the Academy may be called at the request of:

(i)         the President;

(ii)        at least 50% of the Committee members (excluding the President);

(iii)        the Director of Ako Aotearoa;

(iv)       at least 30% of the members of the Academy.

The Committee may create sub-committees that shall consist of at least 2 committee members.

 

Subject to the approval of the Ako Aotearoa Board, these terms of reference may be altered to meet the developing needs of the Academy.