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National University of Samoa Act 2006

SAMOA


NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SAMOA ACT 2006


Arrangement of Provisions


PART I
PRELIMINARY


1. Short title and commencement
2. Interpretation

PART II
THE UNIVERSITY


3. Establishment of the University
4. Legal Status of the University
5. The Functions of the University
6. Academic Freedom

PART III
OFFICERS OF THE UNIVERSITY


7. Chancellor
8. Pro-Chancellor
9. Deputy Chairperson
10. Vice-Chancellor
11. Deputy Vice-Chancellors
12. Term of Office

PART IV
THE UNIVERSITY COUNCIL


13. Council to be the Governing Body
14. Composition of Council
15. Criteria for Appointment to Council
16. Functions of the Council
17. Duties of the Council
18. Powers of the Council
19. Powers of the Delegation
20. Council procedure

PART V
COMMITTEES OF COUNCIL


21. Council may appoint committee
22. Executive Committee and Vice Chancellor's Committee
23. Establishment of the Senate
24. Functions of the Senate

PART VI
STATUTES AND REGULATIONS


25. Statutes
26. Regulations

PART VII
ASSETS AND FUNDS


27. Public Finance Management Act 2001
28. Funds of the University
29. Money to be paid into bank
30. Loan money to be paid into a separate account
31. Proper accounts to be kept
32. Corporate Plan and Budget
33. Performance and Management Report
34. Annual Report
35. Acquisition of land, etc
36. No liability for income tax

PART VIII
TRANSITIONAL


37. Repeal of the National University of Samoa Act 1997 and Samoa Polytechnic Act 1992/1993
38. Chancellor
39. Pro-Chancellor
40. Council Members
41. Interim Council
42. Membership of the Council:
43. Employment of staff
44. Vice-Chancellor
45. Corporate Plans
46. Savings of delegations
47. Statutes and regulations

Schedule 1
Schedule2


THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SAMOA
ACT 2006
2006 No. 2


AN ACT to merge the National University of Samoa and the Samoa Polytechnic as one institution and to repeal the National University of Samoa Act 1997 and the Samoa Polytechnic Act 1992/1993. [1st March 2006]
(Commencement date: 31 May 2006)


BE IT ENACTED by the Legislative Assembly of Samoa in Parliament assembled as follows:


PART I
PRELIMINARY


1. Short title and commencement-(1) This Act may be cited as the National University of Samoa Act 2006.


(2) This Act shall come into force by order of the Head of State on the date specified in the Order.


(3) Notice of the commencement of this Act shall be published in both Samoan and English in the Savali and one other newspaper circulating in Samoa.


2. Interpretation-(1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires:


"Corporate Plan" means a plan as required by the Public Finance Management Act 2001 and section 32;
"Centre" means a centre established under section 3(7) and includes the Centre for Samoan Studies;
"Committee of the Council" includes the Senate, the Executive Committee, the Vice Chancellor's Committee and any committee, board or other body established under section 21;
"Council" means the Council of the University constituted under section 13;
"Deputy Vice Chancellor" means one of the Deputy Vice Chancellors appointed under section 11;
"Executive Committee" means the Executive Committee of the Council established under section 22;
"Financial year" means a period of 12 months commencing on 1 July in any year and ending on 30 June in the following year;
"Institute" means an institute established under section 3(3) and such other institutes as may be established pursuant to section 3(2);
"Minister" means the Minister responsible for Education from time to time;
"Officers" means the officers of the University, being the Chancellor, Pro-Chancellor, Deputy Chairperson, Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellors, as described in Part 3;
"President" means the President and Vice-Chancellor appointed under section 10;
"Pro-Chancellor" means the Pro-Chancellor of the University appointed under section 8;
"Senate" means the Senate established under section 23(1);
"Statute" means any statute made under section 25;
"University" means the National University of Samoa established by this Act; and
"Vice-Chancellor" means the Vice-Chancellor of the University appointed under section 10.


(2) In this Act, a reference to the holder of an office in the University shall be read as including a reference to a person for the time being performing the duties of that office.


(3) Nothing in this Act prevents any person from being re-appointed, re-elected or re-co-opted to any office under this Act if the person is eligible and otherwise qualified to hold that office.


(4) In this Act, a reference to a function includes a reference to a power, authority and duty.


PART II
THE UNIVERSITY


3. Establishment of the University-(1) This Act establishes the National University of Samoa as an institution combining the former National University of Samoa and the former Samoa Polytechnic.


(2) The University shall comprise its students, academic and non-academic staff, Council and officers and those institutes, centres or other bodies established under this Act and such other institutes or bodies as may be established by the Council.


(3) Council may from time to time, establish, disestablish, modify or rename existing or new institutes, centres or other bodies within the University, as provided in section 18(1).


4. Legal Status of the University-(1) The University is a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal, and shall be capable of entering into contracts, of acquiring, holding and disposing of real and personal property, of suing and being sued and of doing all other things as body corporates may lawfully do.


(2) The common seal of the University is to be kept in such custody as the Council may direct and is only to be affixed to a document pursuant to a resolution of the Council or of the Executive Committee.


(3) The University is a public body under schedule 4 of the Public Finance Management Act 2001 and subject to the requirements of that Act.


(4) The University including any fully owned subsidiary of the University, shall be a public body under schedule 1 of the Public Bodies (Performance and Accountability) Act 2001.


5. The Functions of the University - The functions of the University, within the limits of its resources, are:


(a) The provision of education and training, including academic, technical and vocational training and continuing education at appropriate levels responsive to the needs of the people of Samoa;


(b) The establishment of a centre of excellence in the study of the Samoan language and culture and all matters pertaining to Samoa;


(c) The acquisition and transmission of knowledge by teaching, consultancy, community learning and research;


(d) The encouragement of intellectual independence;


(e) The promotion of the economic and social development of Samoa;


(f) The realisation of the goals and guiding principles of the University as set out in its Corporate Plan;


(g) The recognition of prior learning or competency and providing for flexible transition into University programs;


(h) The establishement and maintenance of connections with public and private workplaces and the Samoan community; and


(i) The establishment of associations or arrangements with any institution.


6. Academic Freedom-(1) It shall be the responsibility of the University to ensure that the principles of academic freedom are preserved and enhanced.


(2) The principles of academic freedom include:


(a) The freedom of academic and teaching staff and students within the law to question existing knowledge and theories, to put forward new ideas, and to state controversial or unpopular opinions;


(b) The freedom of academic and teaching staff, and students where appropriate, to engage in research;


(c) The freedom of the University to appoint and retain its own staff; and


(d) Subject to this Act and to the Corporate Plan:


(i) The freedom of the University to regulate the courses, and the subject-matter of courses, taught at the University; and


(ii) The freedom of the University to teach and assess students in the manner it considers best promotes learning.


PART III
OFFICERS OF THE UNIVERSITY


7. Chancellor-(1) The Chancellor is the titular head of the University and responsible for the conferment of degrees and the award of diplomas and certificates.


(2) In the absence of the Chancellor, the Pro-Chancellor shall confer degrees and award diplomas and certificates.


(3) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Head of State, acting on the advice of Cabinet, shall appoint the Chancellor for a term of five (5) years, and may be re-appointed from time to time.


(4) Cabinet may remove the Chancellor from office for:


(a) the Chancellor's failure or inability to adequately perform the Chancellor's duties;


(b) misconduct; or


(c) any other just cause.


(5) Nothing in this section prevents the Head of State being appointed as the Chancellor on the advice of Cabinet.


8. Pro-Chancellor-(1) The Pro-Chancellor shall be the Chairperson of Council.


(2) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Head of State, acting on the advice of Cabinet, shall appoint the Pro-Chancellor who shall hold office for a term of up to 3 years, and may be re-appointed from time to time.


(3) The Minister, before making a recommendation to Cabinet on the appointment of a Pro-Chancellor, shall consult the Council regarding that appointment.


(4) Cabinet may remove the Pro-Chancellor from office for:


(a) the Pro-Chancellor's failure or inability to adequately perform the Pro-Chancellor's duties;


(b) misconduct; or


(c) any other just cause.


9. Deputy Chairperson-(1) The Deputy Chairperson of Council shall chair the Council in the absence of the Pro-Chancellor.


(2) The Council shall elect one of its members to be the Deputy Chairperson for a term of up to 3 years unless that member resigns as Deputy Chairperson or ceases to be a Council member.


10. Vice-Chancellor-(1) The Vice-Chancellor is the Chief Executive Officer and President of the University and is responsible to the Council for the management of the academic and administrative affairs of the University.


(2) Council shall appoint the Vice-Chancellor for a term of up to three (3) years on such conditions as Council determines, and may be re-appointed from time to time.


(3) The Council may remove the Vice-Chancellor from office for:


(a) any breach of any of the Vice Chancellor's conditions of employment;


(b) the Vice-Chancellor's failure or inability to adequately perform the Vice-Chancellor's duties;


(c) misconduct; or


(d) any other just cause.


(4) The Council shall delegate to the Vice-Chancellor the power to employ, dismiss and discipline all staff of the University, subject to any conditions Council imposes on the delegation.


11. Deputy Vice-Chancellors-(1) There shall be such number of Deputy Vice-Chancellors as may be determined by Council.


(2) The Deputy Vice-Chancellors are responsible to the Vice-Chancellor for matters delegated to them by the Vice-Chancellor.


(3) The Deputy Vice-Chancellors are appointed for a term of up to three (3) years by a committee determined by the Council on such terms and conditions as the Vice Chancellor determines, and may be re-appointed from time to time.


(4) The Deputy Vice-Chancellors may also be appointed to or continue to hold and discharge academic posts within the University alongside their role as Deputy Vice-Chancellor.


(5) The Deputy Vice-Chancellors may attend Council as observers and participate in discussion at the request of Council, but may not vote.


(6) The Council may, upon the recommendation of the Vice-Chancellor, remove any Deputy Vice-Chancellor from office for:


(a) any breach of any of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor's conditions of employment;


(b) the Deputy Vice-Chancellor's failure or inability to adequately perform the Deputy Vice-Chancellor's duties;


(c) misconduct; or


(d) any other just cause.


12. Term of Office – Where the term of any officer has expired, the appointing body may agree that the officer to hold office until such time as the officer's replacement is appointed.


PART IV
THE UNIVERSITY COUNCIL


13. Council to be the Governing Body – The Council is the governing body and Board of the University and all acts or things done in the name of, or on behalf of, the University with the authority of, or of a delegate of, the Council shall be deemed to have been done by the University.


14. Composition of Council-(1) The Council shall comprise of:


(a) the Pro-Chancellor;


(b) the Vice-Chancellor;


(c) a member of the Senate;


(d) a member of the academic or teaching staff nominated by the Vice-Chancellor;


(e) enrolled student of the University who is not a member of the staf of the University;


(f) The Vice-Chancellor of the University of the South Pacific or the Vice Chancellor's nominee;


(g) Up to 6 persons, not being members of the staff or students of the University, appointed by the Head of State, acting on the advice of the Minister after consultation with the Executive Committee or Council; and


(h) Up to 4 persons co-opted by the Council at its discretion.


(2) The provisions set out in Schedule 1 shall govern the terms of appointments to Council and vacation of office.


15. Criteria for Appointment to Council - The Minister, in advising the Head of State under section 14(1)(g), and the Council, in co-opting members of the Council under section 14(1)(h) shall have regard to representation on the Council of:


(a) Professional, commercial, industrial and other interests in the community;

(b)

(c) Persons with expertise in management;

(d)

(c) Persons who provide a balance of age and gender;


(d) Any institution or body which has affiliated or entered into association with, is co-operating with or has been incorporated in, the University;


(e) The church education systems of Samoa;

(f) Graduates of the University;

(g) Residents of Samoa who are graduates of other tertiary institutions; and

(h) Experienced academics from outside Samoa who have a contribution to make to the deliberations of the Council.


16. Functions of the Council - The functions of the Council are:


(a) To ensure that the University performs the functions set out in section 5;


(b) To approve drafts of the Corporate Plan and submit them for approval under the provisions of the Public Finance Management Act 2001;


(c) To ensure that the management of the University is directed towards the implementation of its Corporate Plan.


17. Duties of the Council - The Council shall, in the performance of its functions:


(a) Strive to ensure that the University attains the highest standards of excellence in education, training and research and, in particular that the University becomes a centre of excellence in the study of Samoan language and Samoan culture and all matters pertaining to Samoa;


(b) Take the steps necessary to ensure that the international academic community accepts the University's standards in education, training and research;


(c) Ensure that the principles of academic freedom are preserved and enhanced in accordance with section 6;


(d) Seek to promote the economic and social development of Samoa;


(e) Establish systems that ensure the responsible use of public resources;


(f) Ensure that the University does not discriminate against any person because of the person's descent, gender, language, religion, political or other opinion, social origin, place of birth or family status; and


(g) Maintain a concern for and protect the public interest and the well being of students of the University.


18. Powers of the Council-(1) Subject to this Act, the Council has all the powers reasonably necessary to enable it to perform its functions effectively.


(2) Unless they are exercised by delegation under this Act, the following powers shall be exercised only by the Council:


(a) To provide programmes and courses of study or training;


(b) To admit students and grant awards;


(c) To grant fellowships, scholarships, bursaries, or prizes;


(d) To consider any appeals in relation to the termination of the appointment or discipline of academic and other staff by the Vice-Chancellor;


(e) To accept gifts and bequests made to the University, whether on trust or otherwise;


(f) To raise money and procure contributions to the funds of the University;


(g) To authorise the making of grants out of the money of the University to the Vice Chancellor, to the members of staff or students of the University; or to any association of staff or students, on such terms and conditions as the Council thinks fit;


(h) To arrange for the provision (whether by sale or otherwise) of goods and services to staff and students of the University or other persons using facilities of the University;


(i) To invest any funds belonging to or vested in the University;


(j) To establish or participate in such trusts, companies or other incorporated bodies, as it considers appropriate to promote the objects and interests of the University;


(k) To engage in the commercial development of any discovery, invention or publication or of any intellectual property in which the University has a right or interest;


(h) To impose, fees, charges and fines;

(m) To establish or disestablish and maintain institutes, centres, branches, colleges and other bodies of the University, within the University and elsewhere;


(n) To determine the terms and conditions under which any institution or body may affiliate with the University, enter into association or co-operation with the University or be incorporated in the University; and


(o) To do anything incidental to the exercise of any of the powers conferred by this section.


(3) Subject to subsection (2) and notwithstanding section 4(1), the Council shall not exercise the following powers without the written consent of the Minister:


(a) To sell or otherwise dispose of University assets or interests in University assets;


(b) To mortgage or otherwise charge University assets or interests in University assets; and


(c) To grant or enter into leases of land or buildings or parts of buildings belonging to the University.


(4) The University may borrow money, whether by way of overdraft or otherwise, within such limits and on such conditions as to security or otherwise as the Minister, acting on the recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Finance, may approve.


19. Powers of Delegation-(1) The Council may by resolution, from time to time, either generally or particularly, delegate to the Vice-Chancellor or to any committee of the Council any of its functions under this Act (other than the powers to appoint a Vice-Chancellor and to make statutes) or any other Act.


(2) The Vice-Chancellor or any committee of Council may delegate in writing the functions delegated to them by the Council to a member of staff of the University or to another committee.


(3) Subject to any general or special directions given or conditions imposed by the Council or the Vice-Chancellor, as the case may be, a committee of the Council or a member of the staff of the University to which or to whom any functions are delegated under this section may perform those functions in the same manner and with the same effect as if they had been conferred on the committee or member of the staff directly by this Act and not by delegation.


(4) A delegation under this section does not affect or prevent the performance of any function by the Council or the Vice-Chancellor, as the case may be, or, affect the responsibility of the Council or the Vice-Chancellor for the actions of any person acting under the delegation.


(5) A delegation under this section is revocable at will by writing and, until it is revoked continues in force according to its tenure.


20. Council procedure - The provisions set out in Schedule 2 shall govern the proceedings of the Council.


PART V
COMMITTEES OF COUNCIL


21. Council may appoint committees-(1) The Council may from time to time establish such committees, boards or other bodies consisting of such persons, whether or not members of the Council, as the Council determines to exercise such powers as are delegated to them under section 19 or are conferred on them by statute.


(2) The Vice-Chancellor shall be a member of all committees, boards or bodies established by the Council.


22. Executive Committee and Vice Chancellor's Committee-(1) The Council shall establish an Executive Committee of the Council to exercise such powers on behalf of Council as are delegated by Council.


(2) The Executive Committee shall consist of not fewer than eight members of the Council.


(3) The Council shall establish a Vice Chancellor's Committee to advise the Vice-Chancellor.


(4) The membership and functions of the Executive Committee and the Vice Chancellor's Committee shall be prescribed by statute.


23. Establishment of the Senate-(1) The Council shall establish a Senate consisting of the Vice-Chancellor, any Deputy Vice-Chancellor and members of the staff and students as provided in the relevant statute.


(2) The Vice-Chancellor shall be the chairperson of the Senate and may delegate the chair to any other member of the Senate.


24. Functions of the Senate-(1) The functions of the Senate are to:


(a) Advise the Council on matters relating to programmes and courses of study or training, awards and other academic matters; and


(b) Exercise powers delegated to them by the Council.


(2) The Council shall not make a decision or statute in respect of any academic matter referred to in subsection (1) unless it has requested the advice of the Senate and considered any advice given by the Senate.


(3) Without derogating from the duties of the Council under subsection (2), a decision or statute made by the Council is not invalid merely because of a failure of the Council to comply with that subsection.


PART VI
STATUTES AND REGULATIONS


25. Statutes-(1) The Council may make such statutes, not inconsistent with this Act, as may in its opinion be necessary or expedient for the administration of the affairs of the University.


(2) Without limiting the generality of subsection (1), the Council may make statutes with respect to:


(a) The management, good governance and discipline of the University;


(b) The imposition, by or on behalf of the Council, of penalties upon staff or students of the University for the contravention of or failure to comply with a statute with respect to a matter referred to in paragraph (a);


(c) The constitution, functions and procedures of the Executive Committee, Senate and other committees established by the Council;


(d) The creation of institutes, faculties, schools, departments, centres or other entities within the University;


(e) The designation of members of staff of the University as academic staff, teaching, comparable, general, casual, full-time staff and part-time staff or otherwise;


(f) The terms and conditions of employment of members of the staff of the University;


(g) Admission to enrolment in and exclusion from programmes or courses of study;


(h) The programmes and courses of study provided by the University and procedures for the assessment of student performance in those programmes and courses of study;


(i) The degrees, diplomas, certificates or other awards that may be granted by the Council and the requirements for those awards;


(j) The grant of credits, cross credits and exemptions to students of the University in respect of a course or courses which they have followed and completed either at another institution or through extension or distance education made available for those awards;


(k) The provision of schemes of insurance, superannuation or retirement benefits for, or in respect of, the Vice-Chancellor or members of the staff of the University; and


(l) Any other matter required or permitted by this Act to be provided for by statute.


(3) If the Council makes a statute under subsection (2)(b)
providing for the imposition of penalties upon staff or students of the University, the statute shall provide for the Council, if so requested by a member of the staff or a student upon whom a penalty is imposed, to review, or arrange for the review of the imposition of the penalty, the amount of the penalty, or both.


(4) Any review system or procedure established under a statute by the University in order to address a request made under subsection (3) shall be made in accordance with the rules of natural justice.


26. Regulations-(1) A statute may empower the Council, any committee of the Council or any officer of the University to make regulations or rules (not inconsistent with this Act or any statute) providing for the regulation of any matter with respect to which a statute may be made, other than the imposition of penalties under section 25(2)(b).


(2) Any regulation made pursuant to subsection (1) shall have the same force and effect as a statute, and may, from time to time, be amended or repealed by the Council or by the committee of the Council or the officer of the University empowered to make those regulations.


(3) Any committee or officer of the University may also promulgate rules, guidelines or policies which are not expressly empowered by statute but which are not inconsistent with the Act or any statute or regulation and which do not impose any penalty.


PART VII
ASSETS AND FUNDS


27. Public Finance Management Act 2001 - Part 13 of the Public Finance Management Act 2001 shall apply to the University


28. Funds of the University - The funds of the University shall comprise:


(a) All money received by the University out of money appropriated by the Legislative Assembly for the purposes of the University;


(b) All money that may be donated, given or contributed to the University or that may be otherwise lawfully payable to the University;


(c) All money received by the University by way of fees or otherwise in respect of the performance and exercise of any of the functions of the University; and


(d) All interest and other accumulations of money belonging to the University.


29. Money to be paid into bank-(1) All money received by the University shall, as soon as practicable after it has come into the hands of the proper officer of the University, be paid into such bank account or accounts of the University as the Council may from time to time determine.


(2) No such money shall be withdrawn from the bank except by authority of the Council and by cheques signed by an employee of the University approved by the Council, and countersigned by a member of the Council or by another officer or employee of the University approved by the Council.


(3) In this section, "proper officer" means any person nominated in writing by the Vice-Chancellor or the Vice Chancellor's delegate to handle all monies received by the University from time to time.


30. Loan money to be paid into a separate account - All money borrowed by the Council on behalf of or for the purposes of the University, other than money borrowed by way of overdraft, shall be paid into a, separate bank account in the name of the loan, and shall not be drawn out of the bank or expended except for the specific purpose for which it was borrowed.


31. Proper accounts to be kept - The Council shall:


(a) Cause to be kept proper accounts and records of the transactions and affairs of the University in accordance with the requirements of section 103 of the Public Finance Management Act 2001 or any successor to that provision;


(b) Do all things necessary to ensure that the University maintains adequate control over the assets of, or in the custody of, the University; and


(c) Ensure that the incurring of liability is under adequate control.


32. Corporate Plan and Budget - At the commencement of this Act, the Vice-Chancellor shall prepare, for approval by Council, a Corporate Plan and Budget in accordance with section 92 of the Public Finance Management Act 2001 to be submitted to the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Finance within 3 months before the end of the next financial year.


33. Performance and Management Report-(1) The Vice Chancellor shall prepare, for the approval of Council, an annual report on the operations of the University, a budget performance report for the relevant financial year, together with financial statements in accordance with section 104 of the Public Finance Management Act 2001.


(2) The accounts of the University shall include separate profit and loss accounts, balance sheet and supporting schedules, all of which shall be approved by the Council and signed on behalf of the Council by the Pro-Chancellor or other person designated by the Council.


(3) The accounts of the University shall be audited by the Controller and Chief Auditor of the Government of Samoa or, with the consent of the Controller and Chief Auditor, by another approved auditor.


(4) As soon as the accounts of the University have been audited, the Council shall send a copy of the statement of accounts, together with a copy of any report made by the auditor, to Cabinet.


(5) The Minister shall cause copies of the audited statement of accounts and any report made by the auditor to be laid before the Legislative Assembly within 28 days after the receipt of a copy by the Minister if the Assembly is then in session or, if not, within 28 days of the next ensuing session.


34. Repealed by section 15 of the National University of Samoa Amendment Act 2010, No.22.


35. Acquisition of land, etc-(1) Notwithstanding any provision in any other enactment, the Land Board is hereby authorised:


(a) To convey or transfer to the University, for the purposes of this Act, a freehold estate in such Government land as may be agreed upon between the Government and the University, together with any improvements thereon, upon such terms as may be agreed upon between the Government and the University; and


(b) To grant to the University, for the purposes of this Act, a lease over such Government land as may be agreed upon between the Government and the University, together with any improvements thereon, upon such terms as may be agreed between the Government and the University.


(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other Act, the term of any lease granted under subsection (1)(b) shall expire no later than 80 years after the date on which the lease commences.


36. No liability for income tax - The University's income howsoever acquired shall not be liable to income tax for the purposes of the Income Tax Act 1974.


PART VIII
TRANSITIONAL


37. Repeal of the National University of Samoa Act 1997 and Samoa Polytechnic Act 1992/1993-(1) The National University of Samoa Act 1997 and Samoa Polytechnic Act 1992/1993 are repealed.


(2) All assets and liabilities of the National University held pursuant to the National University of Samoa Act 1997 and Samoa Polytechnic under the Samoa Polytechnic Act 1992/1993 are transferred to the National University of Samoa.


(3) Any appropriations or other income payable to the National University of Samoa as constituted under the National University of Samoa Act 1997 or the Samoa Polytechnic as constituted under the Samoa Polytechnic Act shall be payable to the University.


38. Repealed by section 16 of the National University of Samoa Amendment Act 2010.


39. Repealed by section 16 of the National University of Samoa Amendment Act 2010.


40. Repealed by section 16 of the National University of Samoa Amendment Act 2010.


41. Repealed by section 16 of the National University of Samoa Amendment Act 2010.


42. Repealed by section 16 of the National University of Samoa Amendment Act 2010.


43. Employment of staff - A person who, immediately before the commencement of this Act, was a member of the staff of the National University of Samoa or the Samoa
Polytechnic shall, after that commencement, continue in the employment of the University on the same terms and conditions as those on which the person was employed immediately before that commencement, until the person's employment is terminated or renewed in accordance with those terms and conditions.


44. Repealed by section 16 of the National University of Samoa Amendment Act 2010.


45. Repealed by section 16 of the National University of Samoa Amendment Act 2010.


46. Savings of delegations - Any delegation made or taken to have been made by the Council of the National University of Samoa under the National University of Samoa Act 1997 or the Samoa Polytechnic Act 1992/1993 is to be taken as a delegation under this Act by the Council.


47. Statutes and regulations-(1) Any statutes or regulations made or authorised by the Council of the National University of Samoa under the provisions of the National University of Samoa Act 1997 and the Council of the Samoa Polytechnic under the Samoa Polytechnic Act 1992/1993:


(a) Continue in force as if they had been made by the Council; and


(b) May be amended and revoked in accordance with the provisions of this Act.
(2) Every action and decision of the Council or the Senate of the National University of Samoa or the Council of the Samoa Polytechnic which was made while the National University of Samoa Act 1997 and Samoa Polytechnic Act 1992/1993 were in force shall be deemed to have been lawfully and properly taken.


SCHEDULE 1
(section 14(2))


COUNCIL
(APPOINTMENTS AND VACATION OF OFFICE)


1. Term of Appointment


(a) A member of the Council under section 14(1)(e) shall hold office for a term not exceeding one (1) year; and


(b) A member of the Council under section 14(1)(c), (d), (g) and (h) shall hold office for a term between 1 and 3 years, as provided in the appropriate statute or by the person or body appointing that member.


(c) The appointment or election of members of the Council under section 14(1)(c) and (e) shall be in such manner as prescribed by statute.


(d) A member of the Council appointed or elected under section 14(1)(c), (d) and (e) shall continue to be a member until the successor of that member is appointed, unless the member sooner vacates office under clause 2 of this Schedule.


(e) A member of Council who holds office under section 14(l)(c), (d), (g), and (h) may be reappointed for a maximum of three terms.


2. Vacation of office-(1) A member of the Council (other than the Vice-Chancellor) may resign as a member by written notice signed by the member and given to the Vice-Chancellor.


(2) A member of the Council who is representing the Senate, academic and teaching staff of the University or entrolled students who are not members of the staff of the University under section 14(1)(c), (d), or (e) ceases to be a member of the Council if that member ceases to be a member of the staff of the University or an enrolled student.


(3) The Council may, by resolution, dismiss a member of the Council as a member if the member:


(a) Is declared bankrupt:


(b) Is sentenced to a term of imprisonment:


(c) Is absent without leave from 3 consecutive meetings of the Council; or


(d) Without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with clause 2 of schedule 2 (disclosure of interest).


(4) The Pro-Chancellor shall send to a member of the Council dismissed under subclause (3) a letter setting out the terms of the resolution dismissing that member.


3. Casual Vacancies-(1) Subject to subclause (2), if a member of the Council ceases to be a member before the end of the member's term of office, the vacancy shall be filled as soon as practicable by the appointing body, and the new member shall hold office for only the residue of the term for which the vacating member was elected, appointed or co-opted as the case may be, unless that person is subsequently reappointed or elected as provided in clause 1(b) of this schedule.


(2) If a vacancy occurs within 6 months before the end of the member's term of office, the Council may decide that the vacancy need not be filled under this clause.


4. Proceedings of the Council not affected by vacancies, etc - No act or proceeding of the Council, any committee of the Council or any person acting as a member of the Council shall be invalidated in consequence of there being a vacancy or vacancies in the membership of the Council at the time of that act or proceeding, or if there was some defect in the appointment or qualification of any member of the Council, or a defect in the convening of any meeting of the Council.


SCHEDULE 2
(section 20)


COUNCIL
(MEETING PROCEDURE)


1. Meetings of Council-(1) The Council shall meet at least twice in each calendar year.


(2) The Pro-Chancellor may call a special meeting of the Council at any time and the Pro-Chancellor shall call a special meeting on the requisition in writing of at least one-third of the members of the Council.


(3) If there is no Pro-Chancellor or if for any reason the Pro-Chancellor is not available, the Deputy Chairperson of the Council has the powers and duties of the Pro-Chancellor under this clause.


(4) At any meeting of the Council, a majority of the members then holding office shall form a quorum.


(5) If neither the Pro-Chancellor nor the Deputy Chairperson of the Council is present at a meeting, the members present shall appoint one of their members to preside.


(6) Every question before a meeting of the Council shall be decided by a majority of the votes of the members present at the meeting and entitled to vote on that question.


(7) At any meeting of the Council the member presiding has a deliberative vote, and, in the case of an equality of votes, has a casting vote.


(8) Except as provided in this section, the Council shall determine its own procedures.


2. Disclosure of interest-(1) A member of the Council or of a committee of the Council who has an interest in a matter being considered or about to be considered by the Council or the committee, as the case may be, shall, as soon as possible after the relevant facts have come to the member's knowledge, disclose the nature of the interest at a meeting of the Council or of the committee.


(2) A disclosure under subsection (1) shall be recorded in the minutes of the meeting of the Council or the committee of the Council and the member shall not, unless the Council decides otherwise:


(a) Be present at any deliberation of the Council or the committee with respect to that matter; or


(b) Take part in any decision of the Council or the committee with respect to that matter.


(3) For the purposes of this section, a person has an interest in a matter, if the matter relates to the conditions of service of that person, or of a close relative of that person, or if that person, or a close relative of that person has any other or indirect pecuniary interest in the matter.


3. Circulation of Council Resolutions-(1) At the discretion of the Pro-Chancellor or of the Executive Committee, the Council may do anything that may be done by a resolution passed at a meeting of the Council without a meeting by means
of a resolution signed by the number of members of the Council specified in subsection (2).


(2) For the purposes of this section, a resolution must:


(a) Have been sent or delivered to all current members at their last known address; and


(b) Not be addressed unless the Council has notified the Vice-Chancellor in writing within two (2) weeks of the resolution being sent or delivered that a member opposes the resolution and that the member wishes it to be discussed at a Council meeting; and


(c) Be signed by a majority of the current members.


(3) For the purposes of this section, both notice of the resolution and approval or disapproval of it may be transmitted electronically provided adequate steps are taken to acknowledge receipt and authenticity of the documents.


4. Fees and Allowances-(1) Members of the Council shall be paid fees at such rates as the Council determines, subject to any guidelines established by Government for public bodies.


(2) Members of the Council may be reimbursed for any expenses reasonably incurred by them in respect of their attendance as members of the Council.


5. Personal liability – No member of the Council is personally liable for any act done or omitted by the member of the Council in good faith and in pursuance of the functions of the University or of the Council.


______________


REVISION NOTES 2008


This law has been reviewed in accordance with the powers provided for in section 5 of the Revision and Publication of Laws Act 2008. Some amendment of a non-substantive nature have been made.


This law repealed the National University of Samoa Act 1972 and the Samoa Polytechnic Act 1992/1993.


No amendments have been made to this law since its enactment.


This law has been consolidated and revised by the Attorney General under the authority of the Revision and Publication of Laws Act 2008 and is an official version of this Act as at 31 December 2007. It is an offence to publish this Act without approval or to make any unauthorised change to an electronic version of this Act.



Aumua Ming Leung Wai
Attorney General of Samoa


Revised and consolidated under the supervision of Teleiai Lalotoa Sinaalamaimaleula Mulitalo (Parliamentary Counsel)


REVISION NOTES 2008 No. 2


This law has been generally edited as provided for by section 5 of the Revision and Publication of Laws Act 2008. The commencement date (as appointed by order by the Head of State) has been noted after the date of assent after the long title of the Act.


This law has been consolidated and revised by the Attorney General under the authority of the Revision and Publication of Laws Act 2008 and is an official version of this Act as at 31 December 2008. It is an offence to publish this Act without approval or to make any unauthorised change to an electronic version of this Act.



Aumua Ming Leung Wai
Attorney General of Samoa
Revised and consolidated under the supervision of Teleiai.Lalotoa S Mulitalo (Parliamentary Counsel).


REVISION NOTES 2009


There were no amendments made to this law since the publication of the Consolidated and Revised Statutes of Samoa 2007.


This law has been revised by the Attorney General under the authority of the Revision and Publication of Laws Act 2008 and is an official version of this Act as at 31 December 2009. It is an offence to publish this Act without approval or to make any unauthorised change to an electronic version of this Act.



Aumua Ming Leung Wai
Attorney General of Samoa


Revised by the Legislative Drafting Division under the supervision of Papalii Malietau Malietoa (Parliamentary Counsel).


REVISION NOTES 2010


The following amendments were made by the National University of Samoa Amendment Act 2010:


Section 2 - The terms and definitions for "Academic Board" and "Joint Committee of Senate and Academic Board" were deleted.


Reference to "the Academic Board," in the definition of "Committee of the Council" was deleted.


Section 3 - Subsections (3), (4), (5) and (6) were deleted, and subsection (7) was remubered as subsection (3).


Section 4(4) - The word "not" was deleted from this section.


Section 5 - The second mention of the word "and" in paragraph (e) was deleted.

- The full stop at the end of paragraph (f) was deleted and substituted a semicolon.
- New paragraphs (g), (h) and (i) were inserted after paragraph (f).

Section 11 - New subsections (1), (2) and (3) were substituted.


Section 14(1) - Paragraphs (d) and (h) were repealed.

- A new paragraph (f) was substituted.
- The number "5" was deleted and substituted "6".
- The words "fun-time" and "full-time" were deleted.
- The number "3" was deleted and substituted "4".
- The paragraphs were rearranged accordingly.

Section 15 - Reference to "section 14(1)(i)" and "section 14(1)(j)" were deleted and substituted "section 14(1)(g)" and "section 14(1)(h)" respectively.


Section 18(2)(d) - The words "or students" were deleted.


Section 19(5) - The word "tenor" was deleted and substituted "tenure".


Section 23 - In the section heading, the words "Acadmic Board and Joint Committee" were deleted.

- A new subsection (1) was substituted.
- Subsections (2) and (3) were repealed, and a new subsection (4) was substituted and renumbered as subsection (2).

Section 24 - In the section heading, the words "Acdamic Board and Joint Committee" were deleted.


- In subsection (1), the phrase "and the Acdamic Board" was deleted.
- In subsection (1)(a), the phrase "within their institutes".
- Subsection (2) was repealed.
- In subsection (3), both mentions of the phrase "or Academic Board" were deleted.
- In subsection (4), reference to "subsection (3) was deleted and substituted "subsection (2)".
- The subsections were renumbered accordingly.

Section 25(2)(c) - The words "Academic Board, Joint Committee of Senate and Academic Board" were deleted.


Section 33 - A new subsection (1) was substituted.


Section 34 - This section was repealed.


Section 37 - Subsections (2), (3) and (4) were repealed, and subsections (5) and (6) were renumbered as subsections (2) and (3) respectively.


Sections 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 44 and 45 - These sections were repealed.


Sections 43, 46 and 47 - The National University of Samoa Amendment Act 2010 provides that sections were renumbered as sections 40, 41 and 42 respectively. The general powers of the Attorney General to edit, amend, etc. have been applied to
maintain the renumbering of the sections as is for consistency.


Schedule 1 - In clause 1(a), reference to "section 14(1)(f)" was deleted and substituted "section 14(1)(e)".


- In clause 1(b), reference to "section 14(1)(c), (d), (e), (i) and (j)" was deleted and substituted "section 14(1), (d), (g) and (h)".

- In clause 1(c), reference to "section 14(1)(c), (d), (e) and (f)" was deleted and substituted "section 14(1)(c) and (e)". The words "may be" were also dleted from this clause.

- In clause 1(d), reference to "section 14(1)(c), (d), (e) and (f)" was deleted and substituted "section 14(1)(c), (d) and (e)".

- In clause 1(e), reference to "section 14(c), (d), (e), (f), (i) and (j)" was deleted and substituted "section 14(1)(c), (d), (g) and (h)".

- In clause 2(2), the words "Academic Board or" were deleted. After the first mention of "University" the words "or enrolled students who are not members of the staff of the University" were inserted. At the end of the subclause, the full stop was deleted and substituted "or an enrolled student.".

- In clause 2(3), "(other than the Vice-Chancellor)" was deleted.

- In clause 2(4), the phrase "Vice-Chancellor" was deleted and substituted "Pro-Chancellor".

This law has been consolidated and revised by the Attorney General under the authority of the Revision and Publication of Laws Act 2008 and is an official version of this Act as at 31 December 2010. It is an offence to


publish this Act without approval or to make any unauthorised change to an electronic version of this Act.



Aumua Ming Leung Wai
Attorney General of Samoa


Revised and consolidated by the Legislative Drafting Division under the supervision of Papalii Malietau Malietoa (Parliamentary Counsel).


The National University of Samoa Act 2006 is administered in the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture.

© 1998 University of the South Pacific

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