Council News – Meeting: 1 October 2021

Council News  

Meeting 5/2021

1 October 2021

The ANU Council's fifth meeting of the year took place on Friday 1 October 2021.   

Due to the continuing impact of COVID-19 and travel restrictions Council once again met online to consider several significant matters, as follows:    

Chancellorship  
I am honoured to be re-appointed by the Council for a second term until the end of 2026.  With so much achieved by the ANU community in the past two years, and so much more to do to realise the University's longer term ambitions, I look forward to leading the University Council in the years ahead.     

Council membership 
Council farewelled two outstanding members, Ms Madhumitha Janagaraja and Ms Eve Walker, as the Council's student representatives ahead of their terms ending in November 2021.   Council looks forward to meeting their elected successors at the next meeting.  

Vice-Chancellor's Report
Council discussed a report prepared by the Vice-Chancellor focusing on the implementaton on the new Strategic Plan, managing COVID-19, student enrolments and political engagement.    

ANU Financial Plan 2022-26 
Planning for the longer term financial future of the University commenced with the Recovery Plan during 2020 and now continues to evolve as part of a five year Financial Plan 2022-26.  Council endorsed the concepts presented (including for the University's budget in 2022) which will be finalised at the next meeting.     

COVID-19 and the Canberra Lockdown       
Council continues to closely monitor the impact of the pandemic on the University, and especially on the students in residences.  Members have been kept up to date regularly in between meetings and discussed the situation further at this meeting.  The Council re-iterated its unwavering support of the University's response to COVID-19, including that the welfare of students and staff remain the priority.          

Other matters 
Council considered other significant matters, including; auditing matters, Council Committee membership issues, insurance, portfolio and project updates, and summaries of Council Committee and Academic Board activity since the last cycle of governance meetings in September 2021.          

Next Meeting  
Council next meets on Friday 3 December 2021.  

The Hon Julie Bishop
Chancellor