Education in the College

The College is the largest provider of undergraduate education in the University with more than 5,800 students. We have over 900 graduate coursework students, and over 670 students enrolled in Higher Degree by Research programs.

Who manages education in the College?

Professor Bronwyn Parry
College Dean 
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Associate Professor Sverre Molland 
Associate Dean (Education)
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Professor Samantha Bennett
Associate Dean (Higher Degree Research)
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There are a few terms that the University uses, they are defined below:

Course Convener: the Course Convener is normally the lecturer and the first point of contact for most coursework queries. 

Program Convener: the Program Convener is in charge of the major or program and can act as an intermediary between the Course Convener and the student. If the Course Convener and Program Convener is the same person it may be appropriate for the Head of School to be consulted. The Program Convener’s approval is required for a range of coursework issues.

Head of School: the Head of School oversees an academic area and is often able to provide impartial advice. The Head of School has responsibility for the academic welfare and progress of students.

Associate Dean (Student Experience & Integrity): the Associate Dean (Student Experience & Integrity) has responsibility for the resolution of issues/inquiries pertaining to individual coursework students and is the College’s delegating authority for many coursework issues.

Students may also seek the advice of the following in resolving any coursework issues:

• Dean of Students
• Access and Inclusion
• Counselling Centre
• ANU Students' Association (ANUSA)
• Postgraduate and Research Students' Association (PARSA)

If a student has a complaint regarding their study environment they should consult the Problems, Appeals and Complaints webpage.

How are decisions about education made?

The Dean of the College carries ultimate responsibility for all decisions about educational matters in the College. She is advised by the Deputy Dean, the Associate Deans, including the Associate Dean (Education), who chairs the CASS College Education Committee (CEC). The Higher Degree Research (HDR) Sub-committee is chaired by the Associate Dean (Higher Degree Research). Each School in the College has its own committee, where important debates and conversations about teaching and learning take place. Recommendations from these School-based committees are taken forward by School representatives on the CEC. Members of the CEC come from both the academic and the professional staff of the College, including several Heads of School, from the student body, and from other Colleges of the University.

CASS College Education Committee (CEC)

Members of the CASS College Education Committee:

• Monitor the quality of our programs through processes such as student evaluation and benchmarking.
• Recommend to the University Academic Quality Assurance Committee the approval of academic programs and courses developed by the teaching Schools of the College.
• Review the content of courses and ensure that their assessment complies with University and College policies.
• Develop College rules governing education on topics such as extensions for assignments, word limits for assessment.

Academic staff from the College and representatives of ANUSA are represented on the CASS CEC. The secretariat support for the CASS CEC is provided by the Education Team. The email address for the committee is educationcommittees.cass@anu.edu.au.

What support is provided for those teaching in the College?

The College’s Education Office provides assistance for those teaching in the College: curriculum design, teaching quality, technology in education, prizes and grants, support for projects initiated by the Associate Dean (Education), and the College’s education committees: CASS CEC and the HDR Sub-committee.