Ordinary Meetings

Convocation has two major areas of responsibility and these are outlined below and encompass a statutory role in the governance of the University and a role to encourage Convocation members to support and contribute to the intellectual and cultural prosperity of the University. 

Ordinary Meetings

Convocation is required to hold two General or Ordinary Meetings each year.  These occur in March and September.  At these meetings, Convocation members can be required to consider recommendations by Council relating to changes to the Statutes of the University or other matters requiring their vote.

The Warden of Convocation presides at Ordinary Meetings.  The first Meeting of the year is aligned to the announcement of the incoming Council of Convocation.

Since July 2006 Convocation has considered proposed changes to nine Statutes forwarded to it by the University Senate.

Convocation Council 

The Council of Convocation comprises members elected at a ballot held at the beginning of the year.   Currently the Council meets each month and has committees and working groups which undertake the planning and execution of Council programs. 

University Governance

Members of Convocation now elect four graduates to the University Senate.  The number of elected graduates has been reduced over time, most recently in response to endeavours to reduce the size of the University Senate, the governing body of UWA. This move to reduce the size of Senate has also resulted in the removal of the Warden as a member of Senate.

The current governance structure of The University of Western Australia (April 2007) can be seen at
http://www.secretariat.uwa.edu.au/home/university_governance_and_structure.

Legislative Framework

From: The University of Western Australia Act 1911

4.   University to consist of Senate, Convocation, and members
      The University shall consist of a Senate, Convocation, staff and graduate
      and undergraduate students.

17. Membership
(1) Convocation shall consist of—
(a) all members and past members of the Senate;
(b) all graduates of the University;
(c) such graduates, fellows, members, licentiates and associates of
     universities, colleges or institutions duly authorised to grant degrees,
     diplomas, licences or certificates as are admitted to be members of
     Convocation under a Statute;
(d) such persons, being representatives of commercial, industrial, scientific, 
     professional or educational associations, institutions, societies or other
     bodies as the Senate may, from time to time, admit to be members of
     Convocation upon such conditions, including contributions to be made by
     the association, society or body and the term of each respective member,
     as the Senate may determine, but any such association, society or body
     shall have only one member representing it at one time;
(e) such persons who have rendered services or made gifts to the University
     as the Senate may, from time to time, admit to be members of
     Convocation;
(f) the duly appointed representative of the Guild of Undergraduates.

Statutes of the University that relate to Convocation

Statute No. 4: Applications for Admission to Convocation Under Section 17(1)(c)

Statute 9: Convocation

Statute 12: Method of Election by Convocation of Persons to be Members of the Senate

Role

The duties and activities of the Council of Convocation are outlined in Statute 9 (11):

(a) encourage members of Convocation to participate in the governance of
     the University through the election of Convocation members to the   
     Senate and the review of amendments to University statutes;
(b) represent the interests and opinions of members through effective
     communication and present such views to the University and the 
     community of Western Australia;
(c) encourage members to support and contribute to the intellectual and  
     cultural prosperity of the University community;
(d) promote professional and social links between members of Convocation
      by creating and supporting opportunities for graduate interaction; and
(e) promote the ideals and purpose of the University and Convocation to
     graduates and undergraduates, other members of the University, and the
     community of Western Australia.