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Multi-Faith Chaplaincy and Community Service Policy

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Section 1 - Purpose and Scope

(1) This Policy:

  1. sets out the principles and requirements for the operation of The University of Queensland (UQ, or The University) Multi-Faith Chaplaincy and Community Service; and
  2. applies to all members of the UQ Community.
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Section 2 - Principles and Key Requirements

(2) The University is a secular organisation that recognises that members of the UQ Community may have faith and beliefs.

(3) The University operates a Multi-Faith Chaplaincy and Community Service (the Service) that is available to the UQ Community seeking its counsel and support.

(4) The University may grant standing to faith and community bodies to join the Service.

(5) Faith and community bodies granted standing under clause 4 of this Policy may nominate for the University’s consideration suitably qualified people to be appointed as Chaplains within the Service. Chaplains are unpaid positions at UQ.

(6) Chaplains and Volunteers must not proselytise. They may work in a wider faith / spiritual / community service context and will work collaboratively to:

  1. support UQ Community members with general pastoral or personal needs; and
  2. refer UQ Community members to appointed Chaplains from other faiths or community bodies as appropriate.

(7) The Service works in conjunction with other support services at UQ including Student Support and Wellbeing Services, Human Resources, Academic Services Division, UQ Res, UQU, and UQ’s affiliated Residential Colleges.

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Section 3 - Roles, Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Vice-Chancellor

(8) The Vice-Chancellor is responsible for:

  1. granting standing to faith and community bodies; and
  2. approving the appointment of Chaplains from faith and community bodies that have standing.

Director, Student Enrichment and Success

(9) The Director, Student Enrichment and Success, is responsible for ensuring that:

  1. faith and community bodies have a clear opportunity to apply for UQ standing, including information on process, expectations, and benefits;
  2. recommendations for granting standing to a faith and/or community body and the appointment of Chaplains are pursuant to this Policy and associated Guideline and made to the Vice-Chancellor through the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic);
  3. the Service is provided in line with the expectations of this Policy and informed by community feedback; and
  4. managing and supporting Chaplains and Volunteers as required to undertake their activities in accordance with this Policy.

Chaplains and Volunteers

(10) Chaplains and Volunteers will be required to:

  1. comply with this Policy and other relevant UQ policies, procedures, and guidelines;
  2. complete a Working with Children check prior to commencing; and
  3. maintain and update any documentation required by UQ.
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Section 4 - Monitoring, Review and Assurance

(11) The Director, Student Enrichment and Success, will:

  1. review this Policy in consultation with key stakeholders to ensure that it is accurate, fit-for-purpose, and meets the needs of the UQ Community; and
  2. ensure all records relating to this Policy are maintained and in accordance with the relevant UQ policies and procedures.
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Section 5 - Appendix

Definitions

Term Definition
Chaplain Means an appropriately qualified Volunteer from a faith or community body with UQ standing.
Community Body A body established by a community for the purposes of supporting or promoting the welfare or cultural values of the community that has good standing in Australian Society and is appropriately registered with the Australian Taxation Office and the Australian Business Register.
Faith Body Means a faith/religious organisation that has good standing in Australian Society and is recognised by the Australian Taxation Office, the Australian Business Register, and the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission.
UQ Community Means UQ students, staff, alumni, other workers, volunteers, official visitors, recognised individuals, honorary position holders, adjunct academic and support position holders, suppliers of academic placements or official suppliers of academic related activity, and anyone else contractually bound to comply with this Policy.
Volunteer Means ‘volunteer’ as defined by the UQ Volunteers Policy.