Learning Environments Sub-Committee

General Information

• Committee name: Learning Environments Sub-Committee
• Reporting to: Teaching, Learning and Student Experience Committee
• Contact: app@uq.edu.au
• Version (effective date): version 1 (15 June 2026)
• Quorum: 50% of voting membership, plus one
• Notes: abbreviated as LESC

Mission

The Sub-Committee will maintain a formal interface with the Digital Learning Sub-Committee (DLSC) to ensure coordinated advice to TLSEC where matters intersect across physical and digital learning environments. This will include cross-representation (Chair/nominee) and agreed referral pathways for items with shared impacts (e.g., hybrid delivery requirements, in-room learning technologies, accessibility, and learning resources and educational support). 

Terms of Reference

The role of the Learning Environments Sub‑Committee (LESC) is to: 

• Provide pedagogy‑led strategic advice on the planning, design, development and optimisation of centrally controlled learning and teaching environments—formal and informal—to support high‑quality teaching practice, inclusive student experience and future‑focused learning. 
• Ensure alignment between learning environment planning and the University’s teaching and learning objectives, pedagogical practice, accessibility and inclusion commitments, and future growth. 
• Promote alignment between semester timetabling, space utilisation and long‑term physical and digital learning environment planning, including oversight of institutional timetabling principles and priorities. 
• Review utilisation, capacity and demand data to identify systemic risks, constraints and emerging needs affecting the student learning experience. 
• Provide input into planning policy, principles and design standards, and make recommendations to TLSEC on major space‑related proposals (including Gated submissions) and strategic matters relating to centrally controlled learning and teaching environments. 
• The Sub‑Committee will ensure that strategic issues relating to timetabling and learning environment optimisation are addressed in a coordinated and evidence‑informed manner. 

Relevant Legislation

• Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021, under the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act)
• Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act)
• Higher Education Support Act 2003

Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021

The Learning Environment Sub-Committee contributes to the University of Queensland meeting the requirements of the following Domains and Standards within the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 (HESF 2021):

• Domain 2: Learning Environment
  • Standard 2.1 - Facilities and Infrastructure
  • Standard 2.2 - Diversity and Equity
• Domain 3: Teaching
  • Standard 3.3 - Learning Resources and Educational Support

Composition and Membership

Chair: Pro‑Vice‑Chancellor (Education and Student Experience) 

Ex-Officio

• Director, Academic Services and Academic Registrar, or nominee 
• Chair, Digital Learning Sub-Committee, or nominee 
• Senior Manager, Examinations and Timetabling Services 
• Senior Manager, Educational Analysis and Insights 
• University Librarian, or nominee 

Appointed

• One UQ Disability Inclusion Advocacy Network representative 
• One Student Support and Wellbeing Services representative, appointed by the Chair 
• One representative from each faculty, nominated by the relevant Associate Dean (Academic)[1].  
• One representative from Properties and Facilities Management, Campus Planning, nominated by the Chief Property Officer 
• One representative from Properties and Facilities Management, Development & Project Delivery, nominated by the Chief Property Officer 
• One Information Technology Services representative, nominated by the Chief Information Officer  
• One representative from the Institute for Teaching and Learning Innovation (ITaLI) who specialises in Learning Spaces, appointed by the Chair 
• One Indigenous Learning representative with specialist expertise in teaching and learning, nominated by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement) 
• One undergraduate student representative nominated by the University of Queensland Union 
• One postgraduate student representative nominated by the Association of Postgraduate Students 

Secretary

• Secretary: Manager, Learning Spaces
• Assistant Secretary: Administrative Officer from Academic Policy and Programs

Administrative Arrangements

• The Chair may co‑opt additional staff to the Sub‑Committee when required and may nominate permanent observers on an annual basis. 
• Teaching award recipients may be invited by the Chair to contribute to relevant agenda items, where appropriate. 
• The term of membership for all nominees one year.