Our current Chancellor, Mr Gary Smith, advised Senate in March 2022 that, in order to pursue other personal and business interests, he would not be seeking a full second term as Chancellor when his term expires on 7 August 2022.

However, he would continue in the role into the second term in support of the recruitment process for a new Chancellor. Accordingly, on Tuesday 10 May 2022, Senate resolved to appointment Mr Gary Smith as Chancellor for “a term of up to a year commencing 8 August 2022” and commenced the search for a new Chancellor.

As set out the Selection of Chancellor Policy (the policy) a Selection of Chancellor Subcommittee has been convened by the Deputy Chancellor (Chair) to search for candidates for election by Senate to be Murdoch University’s next Chancellor for a three-year term. The members of the Subcommittee are:

• Mr Ross Holt (Deputy Chancellor) (Chair)
• Professor Andrew Deeks (Vice Chancellor)
• Mr Ross Hughes (Lay Senator appointed by the Deputy Chancellor)
• Emeritus Professor Robyn Owens (Lay Senator appointed by the Deputy Chancellor)
• Mr David Ugrinov (Elected Student Senator appointed by the Deputy Chancellor)
• Ms Julie Whitlock (Elected Staff Senator appointed by the Deputy Chancellor)
• Two external members will be co-opted by the Subcommittee

With support to the Subcommittee provided by University Secretary, Trudi McGlade.

To assist the Subcommittee, members of the University community are invited to submit the names of individuals who you think would be a suitable candidate for the office of Chancellor, together with any supporting reasons and information.

The policy provides that the following attributes are desirable in the person who holds the position of Chancellor of Murdoch University:

• Well-respected in the Australian community.
• Understanding of and empathy with the principles on which the University is based.
• General understanding of the political and financial environment within which universities operate.
• Ability to relate to a wide range of people.
• Public presence, including public speaking skills.
• Comfortable with the demands of protocol.
• Available for consultation on a reasonably regular basis.
• Well-developed skills as committee chair.
• Political and negotiating skills.
• A reputation for integrity and probity.
• Ability to establish a close working relationship with the Vice Chancellor, advising on issues of policy, and monitoring but not interfering with management process.
• Ability to establish adherence to appropriate governance principles, particularly the clear separation of Senate and management responsibilities, and the accountability of management to the Senate.

Current members of Murdoch University staff and full-time Murdoch University students are not eligible for the position.

The seniority and status of the Chancellor brings an expectation that candidates nominated for the role will be of the highest calibre possible. You are encouraged to consider diversity amongst those you are nominating.

It is important that you treat any submission you make as confidential. You should not approach any person you are proposing to nominate, nor should you discuss your submission with others.

Submissions should be made via the webform by 22 June 2022. All submissions will be treated as confidential by the University.