Dear Luke,

 

I refer to your request of 13 November 2024. We apologise for the delay in
providing a response. The University’s response follows.

 

“On 12 November, the Vice-Chancellor announced a proposal to combine the
Faculty of Law with the Faculty of Business and Economics.

1.            Who in the Faculty of Law was consulted about this proposal
prior to the announcement, and what was their position?”

 

The Vice-Chancellor consulted with the University Executive Committee on 5
November 2024, before meeting with the deans of both faculties on 11
November 2024, where she asked for their review of the consultation
document (which was in a draft state) and on the approach to consultation.

 

“2.          In designing this proposal, has the University considered
examples of joint faculty law schools overseas? If so, what were they?

3.            In designing this proposal, did the University consider or
recognise that no large internationally recognisable University has its
Law School as part of a joint faculty with Business or Economics?”

 

The University’s considerations for the proposal are described in the
attached internal memorandum that went to the University Executive
Committee on 5 November 2024.  The proposal is still being consulted on,
and therefore, further considerations may arise during the consultation
and feedback process.

 

“4.          Has the University considered, or does it have plans to close
the Davis Law Library permanently should the Faculties be merged?”

 

Separate to the proposal to combine the Faculty of Law with the Faculty of
Business and Economics, the University has a proposal to build a new Law
and Performing Arts building on the City campus.  Attached is a copy of
the proposal for this new building.  This proposal envisages that the
current Law collection will move to the General Library when the new
building is occupied.  The proposal for a new Law and Performing Arts
building is entirely independent to the proposal to merge the Law, and
Business and Economics faculties and is therefore not contingent on the
proposed faculty combination proceeding.  Attached is a document titled
‘Law FAQs August 2024’ which has been provided as part of the consultation
process and gives further detail regarding the Davis Law Library.

 

“5.          Has the University measured or considered the reputational
harm and/or loss of goodwill associated with restructuring the Faculty of
Law?”

 

As above, the University’s considerations for the proposal are described
in the attached internal memorandum that went to the University Executive
Committee on 5 November 2024.  The proposal is still being consulted on,
and therefore, further considerations may arise during the consultation
and feedback process.

 

Yours sincerely,

Farleigh Quinlivan

 

show quoted sections