Statute 2.12 - The Mission Committee

(1) There shall be a Mission Committee of the Senate consisting of the following:

1. Chancellor (Chair);
2. Vice-Chancellor and President (ex-officio);
3. Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Catholic Mission) (ex-officio);
4. One external member of Senate from each State and Territory in which a campus is situated;
5. One Staff member of Senate;
6. A cleric or a member of a religious institute nominated by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference;
7. One additional member co-opted by the Committee for their expertise in Catholic mission, Catholic identity, or Catholic higher education.

(2) The Mission Committee shall, subject to the direction and control of the Senate, exercise the following functions:

1. Advise and make recommendations to the Senate on the articulation, promotion, and integration of ACU’s Catholic identity and mission across all areas of University operations;
2. Advise and make recommendations to the Senate on:
   1. means by which ACU’s internal Catholic identity may be enhanced;
   2. means by which ACU’s external Catholic focus and engagement may be strengthened;
   3. means by which greater understanding of the mission of ACU as a Catholic university may be promoted.
3. Oversee and monitor the implementation of mission-related strategies, policies, and initiatives, ensuring alignment with Ex Corde Ecclesiae, the University’s Constitution, the Apostolic Letter Drawing New Maps of Hope, public and legislated responsibilities and statutory obligations, and strategic priorities of the University;
4. Review and report on the effectiveness of mission integration in governance, curriculum, research, student experience, staff formation, and community engagement;
5. Provide guidance on professional development and formation programs to foster understanding and enactment of the University’s mission among staff and students;
6. Facilitate ongoing dialogue and collaboration with Church authorities, dioceses, and Catholic agencies, and ensure effective communication with the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference;
7. Advise on the development and review of key documentation, branding, and communications to ensure appropriate, confident, and consistent public affirmation of the University’s Catholic identity;
8. Undertake any other functions as may be assigned by the Senate relating to the University’s mission and Catholic identity.

(3) In exercising its functions, the Mission Committee shall have regard to the fact that the essential character of ACU is as a Catholic University which is “inseparably both Catholic and University with a fundamental commitment to the pursuit of truth through academic inquiry” (as per clause 2.2 of the ACU Constitution).

(4) The Mission Committee shall regulate its own proceedings at its meetings.

(5) A majority of the members of the Mission Committee shall constitute a quorum and the Committee may function notwithstanding a vacancy in its membership from time to time so long as a quorum remains.

(6) The Chancellor shall be the chair of the Mission Committee. In the absence of the Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor and President shall be the Chair. In the absence of both, the members present shall elect a Chair from among themselves.

(7) Meetings of the Mission Committee shall be called:

1. at least three times per year;
2. at such times as the Chair may determine; or
3. in accordance with the Committee’s own determinations; or
4. at the written request of three members delivered to the Chancellor.

(8) Casual vacancies on the Mission Committee shall be filled by the Senate.

(9) The Mission Committee may invite such persons to attend and advise the meeting as it sees fit, but no person so invited shall have a vote at any meeting of the Committee.