Office of the Council and Boards Secretariat (CABS)

The Office provides support to the University’s governance and to the University Executive in the following areas: 

Secretariat Services

• Council 
• Committees of Council including:
  • Audit and Risk Management Committee 
  • Honorary Degrees Committee
  • Finance Committee (secretariat services are provided by Finance and Business Services)
• Academic Board 
• University Community Equity Committee
• University Education Committee 
• University Information Strategy Committee 
• University Research Committee 
• Other University Committees as required

Corporate services to the Chancellor, Pro-Chancellor and other members of the ANU Council

Legislation and Policy Advice

• Management of the University’s suite of legislation, including registration with the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments (FRLI)
• Administration of procedures related to the University’s compliance with the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 
• Advice to ANU clients about the development of policies and interpretation of legislation

Support for Official Ceremonies

• Joint coordination of conferring of degrees and staff award ceremonies; liaison with guest speakers
• Coordination of special ceremonies to confer honorary degrees and for the Chancellor’s installation
• Coordination of other Council and Chancellorial functions

Elections

• Returning Officer for the conduct of elections for membership of Council, University committees, the undergraduate student’s association and a number of University-based groups.

Scholarships, Awards and Subsidies

• Administrative support for externally sponsored prestigious national scholarships and awards:
  • Rhodes Scholarships to Oxford for Australia-at-Large
  • Robert Gordon Menzies Scholarship to Harvard University
  • Neville Bonner Memorial Scholarship
  • General Sir John Monash Awards
  • Allan Martin Award (joint sponsor with ANU)
  • The Ditchley Foundation
• Administration of ANU staff awards and subsidies:
  • Chancellor’s Awards
  • Publications Subsidies

Delegations

• Overseeing matters relating to delegations and authorities, and advising the Vice-Chancellor and staff of the University on associated issues in accordance with the University’s obligations under the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997.
• Certification and web publication of assignments and updates of profiles
• Preparation of written assurance reports on compliance for submission by Council to the Ministers for Education, Science and Training and for Finance and Administration.