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Academic Board Meeting 2-2008

Minutes

Meeting No 2/2008 of the Academic Board was held on Wednesday 16 April 2008, from 3:30pm-5:30pm, in the Council Chambers, First floor, Building 3A, Clayton campus.

There were present:

Professor Jayne Godfrey (Chair), Professors David Abramson, Sam Adeloju, Associate Professors Jean Armstrong, Jason Beringer, Dr Ben Boyd, Professors Chris Browne, Colette Browning, Barbara Caine, Ben Canny, Ray Cas, Keryn Chalmers, Colin Chapman, Iain Clarke, Dr Sandra Cockfield, Associate Professor Brian Cooke, Mr Max Coulthard, Professors Helen De Cieri, Rodney Devenish, Richard Doherty, Merran Evans, Associate Professor Graham Farr, Professors Stephanie Fahey, Raelene Frances, Arie Freiberg, Mark Gabbott, David Garrioch, Ms Cathrine Harboe-Ree, Professors Rod Hill, Bernard Hoffert, Graeme Hodge, Associate Professor John Hurst, Ms Dash Jayasuriya, Dr Colin Jevons, Associate Professor Sally Joy, Professors Helen Keleher, Steven Langford, Tony Luff, Arthur Lowrey, Dr Chandani Lokuge, Associate Professors Margaret Lindorff, Louise McCall, Professor Catriona McLean, Dr Susan Mayson, Professor Dennis Moore, Drs Simone Murray, Bronwyn Naylor, Professors Robert Norris, Brian Oldfield, Harmen Oppewal, Associate Professor Michael Page, Ms Alexandra Phelan, Ms Phuong Dzung Pho, Professors Leon Piterman, John Redmond, Dr Grace Rumantir, Professors Patrick Sexton, Peter Schelluch, John Sheridan, Adam Shoemaker, Michael Skully, Julian Smith, Amrik Sohal, Tam Sridhar, Phillip Steele, Associate Professor Kay Stewart, Dr W Sutherland-Smith, Professors On Kit Tam, Nigel Tapper, Bruce Tonge, Drs Cristine Varsavsky, Sabatino Ventura, Professors Jeff Waincymer, Mark Wallace, Geoff Webb, Ron Weber, Associate Professor Igor Wendt, Professor S Wesselingh, Drs Rita Wilson, Elisabeth Wilson-Evered, Professors Sue Willis, William Young, Xiao-Ling Zhao, Associate Professor Cherrie Zhu.

Apologies were received from:

Associate Professor Hamil Abachi, Professors David Arnott, John Beardall, Dr Becky Batagol, Professor Edwina Cornish, Dr Gloria Davies, Ms Nupur Desai, Professor Tony Dingle, Associate Professor Trevor Gale, Professors Owen Hughes, Christian Jakob, Jenny Keating, Peter Kershaw, Max King, Paul Komesaroff, Dr Joy Lyneham, Professor Andrew Markus, Mr Alan McMeekin, Professor Ross Mouer, Associate Professor Sid Nair, Professors Marilyn Pittard, Tyrone Pretorius, Martin Rhodes, Julian Rood, Dr Jan Schapper, Professors George Simon, Leone Spiccia, Elsdon Storey, Peter Sullivan, David Suter, Mr David Watson, Professor Rob Willis.

Special Leave:
Dr Mita Bhattacharya, Associate Professor Maryanne Dever, Professors John Lattanzio, Donald Poskitt, Graham Webb.

Observers:
Ms Clare Holland, Mr Kendall Williamson.

Overseas Observers:
Professor Walter Wong (Malaysia), Professors Pua, Anuar Zaini, R Edwards, Lee Poh Aun (apology).

In attendance:
Ms R Hinds

AGENDA

A PRELIMINARY AND FORMAL BUSINESS

1 WELCOME

Professor Jayne Godfrey welcomed members to the meeting, including members attending the meeting by teleconference from the Malaysia and South Africa campuses. She noted that the Vice-Chancellor would join the meeting following discussion on the Vice-Chancellor selection process.

2 ARRANGEMENT OF AGENDA

2.1 Alterations to the Agenda and Starring of Items

Professor Godfrey informed members of the following alterations:

  1. Item 6A – Vice-Chancellor Selection Process – discussion would commence at the end of item 2.
  2. Item 8 – International Initiatives – a paper had been tabled.
  3. Item 10.1 – Sunway campus new schools – this item was starred and an amendment to the third recommendation foreshadowed.
  4. Item 15.4 – Board of the Faculty of Science Report – the Report of Meeting 6/2007 was tabled and the title of this item amended to read:
    Item 15.4 Faculty of Science Meetings 6/2007 and 1/2008.
    The consequential recommendation was amended to read:
    That Academic Board receive and note the Reports of Meeting 6/2007 and 1/2008 of the Board of the Faculty of Science.
  5. Item 11 - Load and Admissions Report – a replacement paper was tabled.
  6. Item 16 – Other Business – Approval of Testamurs for PhD Cotutelle Candidates was added and this item starred.

2.2 Approval of Non-Starred Items

Items 2.3, 10.1 and 16 were starred.

The recommendations of the Steering Committee were adopted without discussion for all items other than those starred.

A warm welcome was then extended to James Chin and Alan Peterson as new members of Academic Board.

C 2.3 Confidential Items – Discipline Reports (Members Only)

3 MINUTES

3.1 Minutes of Academic Board Meeting 1/2008

The Minutes of Academic Board Meeting 1/2008, held on 27 February 2007, were confirmed.

3.2 Business arising from the Minutes

3.2.1 Schedule of Action Items

The President introduced the Schedule of Action Items, noting that it was a visible way of demonstrating the Board’s accountability for specified actions.

4 PRESIDENT’S BUSINESS

4.1 President’s Report

Professor Godfrey addressed the Board on a range of issues, including:

  • Professor David Suter’s resignation, noting in particular his extensive contribution to the governance of the University over an extended period of time as a member and Vice-President of the Board and member of Council. His many contributions to the Board’s activities were deeply appreciated.
  • The election to fill the consequential casual vacancy for the position of Vice-President, Academic Board (till the end of the year). Members were advised that ballot material would be received shortly, and were encouraged to vote by the deadline of 5 May 2008.
  • Attendance at meetings of the Boards of the Faculties of Science, Arts, Law and Education and observation of the range of exciting initiatives occurring within faculties.
  • Her participation in Faculty Operational Plan meetings in Law and Arts.
  • The Faculty presentations for the next two Board meetings would be from:
  • Pharmacy (Professor Bill Charman) at the June meeting.
  • Arts (Professor Rae Frances) in July.
  • The Academic Board Composition Working Party was considering several membership models, and options would be presented to the next Board meeting. Meetings to commence reviewing the Board’s principal standing committee structure were also being arranged.

A meeting was recently held with student representatives to discuss their role on Academic Board.

Professor Godfrey then moved to address the issue of the over enrolment of international students in the Faculty of Business and Economics in second semester. Comments were contextualised within the University’s approach to international student enrolments, which was the maintenance (not significant growth) of international enrolments on the larger campuses and the increase to enrolments on smaller campuses, while maintaining academic standards in the process.

Members were advised that the university was currently working on solutions both for the near term and to ensure a robust, quality-driven solution for the future. Discussions were underway between the Faculty, the department most likely affected, the Vice Chancellor’s Group and International Recruitment Services.

Responding to member questions, in particular regarding the point at which it would be possible to cease making offers, Professor Adam Shoemaker advised that:

  • The immediate requirement was to ensure the robustness of data and accuracy of predictors. Projections would be available very shortly, and work was underway on improving data reliability.
  • A quality-driven, long-term framework encompassing a range of matters such as workload, space etc. was imperative.

Concluding her Report, Professor Godfrey also proposed the trialling of a range of practices to encourage participation of a wider group of members and improve the efficiency of the conduct of meetings. These included:

  • Identification of speakers before speaking.
  • In discussion, members should speak to an item no more than twice - once to make a point and once to respond to discussion.
  • Members should be brief and to the point, and generally speak to an item for no more than 2 minutes (excluding members designated to present an item.)

Academic Board received and noted the President’s report.

For information: Professor J Godfrey

5 VICE-CHANCELLOR’S BUSINESS

5.1 Vice-Chancellor’s Report

Members had before them the Vice-Chancellor’s written report. Professor Richard Larkins addressed the Board on a range of issues highlighted in the report, including:

  • The significant strategic advantage to Monash of the establishment of a selective entry high school on the Berwick campus.
  • Council support for the re-location to Caulfield of the Faculty of Law.
  • Attendance at the forthcoming 2020 Summit by a number of Monash staff, and Monash’s hosting of the recent local Summit, which had proved to be an excellent community engagement exercise.
  • Recent protest action by Animal Liberation of Victoria.
  • The recent Universities Australia Board meeting with Mary O’Kane (Innovation Review Expert Panel), in which a range of issues of direct relevance to the University were canvassed. Members were also advised of Professor Denise Bradley’s (Chair of the National Review of Higher Education) wish for ongoing dialogue.

Academic Board received and noted the report of the Vice-Chancellor.

For information: Professor R Larkins

5.2 Award of Honorary Degree

Professor Larkins introduced the report of the Honorary Degrees Committee Meeting held on 27 December 2007 and advised that Mr Nick Cave had been awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws.

Members of the Board were encouraged to consider potential recipients of honorary degrees and were advised that enquiries regarding the nomination process should be made to Mr Brian Corless or Mr Tony Calder.

Responding to member concern regarding lack of information dissemination to nominators, Professor Larkins emphasised that a process of timely feedback was essential and should be implemented.

Academic Board:

  • Received the report and noted the Vice-Chancellor’s advice.
  • Agreed that the President would write to the Esquire Bedel requesting that procedures be implemented to ensure all nominators receive timely feedback regarding the outcome of their nominations.

For information: Professor R Larkins, Mr B Corless

6 QUESTIONS ON NOTICE

There were no questions on notice.

B DIRECTION OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

6A VICE-CHANCELLOR SELECTION PROCESS

The President introduced discussion on this item by observing that Academic Board had the opportunity of providing multi-stage input into the selection process. She explained that a range of comments had been received, and indicated that the purpose of discussion at this meeting was to advise whether there were suggestions contrary to those received that could also be conveyed to the Chancellor, or whether there were additional matters that should be considered. Presentation both of agreed and contrary views to the Vice-Chancellor was, suggested as a reasonable approach.

Members made a number of comments in subsequent discussion, including:

Selection Committee Composition

  • Given that there would be a numerical limit to the membership of the Selection Committee, involvement of senior academics in a structured and meaningful way was vital and would facilitate the assessment of candidates’ strengths and weaknesses.
  • There should be three major groupings of senior people (Education, Research, and Administration) to meet with the candidates, each chaired by a member of the Selection Committee.
  • Consideration should be given to methods of candidate assessment other than formal committee meetings.

Selection Process

The approach should be collegial, rather than corporate, reflecting the collegial nature of the University; therefore the involvement of senior Monash academics in the selection process was crucial.

Adoption of the collegial approach to selection would provide the successful candidate with a consequent and significant mandate.

The offshore campuses should be represented in the selection process.

Selection Criteria

  • Criteria should be prioritised in order of the most essential. The criteria presented should, therefore, be distilled to the highest order. Contra this, it was suggested that as many points as possible should be presented to Council for its consideration.
  • The ideal candidate would be one who has achieved / with the potential to achieve recognition beyond the sector.
  • Criteria relating to indigenous education and sustainability in education should be added to the list.

Professor Godfrey advised members that a meeting to enable Board members to discuss the selection process with the Chancellor had been arranged for 5 May at 3.30 pm.

7 ENVIRONMENTAL SCANNING

Professor Merran Evans introduced the latest environmental scan (on graduate/postgraduate trends) provided by University Planning and Statistics. The following items were highlighted:

  • Huge growth in Coursework masters degrees, to the extent of their evolution as a mass market.
  • Upwards creep in employment qualifications requirements and higher salaries for Masters-qualified employees.
  • The changing nature of a Coursework Masters – although Monash distinguished between graduate and postgraduate Masters degrees, not all institutions did likewise.
  • Changing visa requirements.

Professor Evans emphasised that there was no recognised standard for a Masters degree, though there had been considerable discussion around this issue. She noted that at Monash, enrolments in Masters programs in the Faculty of Business and Economics had significantly increased, those in Information Technology had decreased.

Referring to the summary (page 163 of the agenda papers), Professor Evans observed that it would be necessary for Monash to balance the demands of each segment of the Coursework masters student population to ensure the continued success of these programs, and to ensure it kept a watching brief on developments in other sectors e.g. Asia.

Academic Board received the attached Environmental Scan and noted Professor Evans’ advice.

For information: Professor M Evans

8 INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVES 2008

Professor Fahey reported on a range of initiatives planned for the International Portfolio during 2008, explaining that the objectives for this year would also flow through to 2009.

The major focus would be on broadening and deepening the relationships between Monash and a few selected institutions. However, work with the faculties on strengthening their relationships with other strategically aligned universities would also be ongoing.

Work would progress on building international funding for HDR students, international research funding and to increase collaborations.

Key activities would be to increase staff and student mobility opportunities and increase opportunities for non-Australian campuses and Prato (including building research capacity in addition to educational capacity.)

Members were advised that there was a great deal of information on the International website, including the dynamic international database, which consolidated information on international activities in the one place.

Academic Board received and noted the report on International Initiatives for 2008.

For information: Professor S Fahey

9 ANNUAL PLAN – PROGRESS REPORT

Academic Board received and noted the Annual Plan Progress Report.

For information: Professor M Evans

C SUPERVISION OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

10 UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC STRUCTURE

10.1 Establishment of new Schools on Sunway Campus

The President introduced this item by providing a background to the recommendations, including the consultation that had occurred.

Academic Board then endorsed, for transmission to Council, the proposal of the Sunway campus to:

  • Disestablish the School of Arts and Sciences.
  • Establish the School of Arts and Social Sciences.
  • Establish the School of Science.

For information: Professor R Pollard, Mr A Calder

10.2 School re-organisation – Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Academic Board endorsed, for transmission to Council, the proposal to:

  • Establish the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine.
  • Establish the Eastern Health Clinical School.
  • Rename the Central and Eastern Health Clinical School as the Central Clinical School.

For information: Professor S Wesselingh, Mr A Calder

10.3 Renaming of Centre for Muslim Minorities and Islam Policy Studies

Academic Board endorsed, for transmission to Council, the proposal to rename the Centre for Muslim Minorities and Islam Policy Studies (CMMIPS) to the Centre for Islam and Modernity (CIM).

For information: Professor R Frances, Mr A Calder

11 LOAD AND ADMISSIONS REPORT

Academic Board received and noted the VTAC Admissions and Student Load 2008 Report.

For information: Professor M Evans

D GOVERNANCE

12 LEGISLATION

12.1 Faculties Regulations (Amendment no. 1 2008)

Academic Board endorsed, for submission to Council, the proposal to amend the Faculties Regulations, Schedule 7 – Faculty of Engineering, and Schedule 9 – Faculty of Science.

For information: Professors T Sridhar, R Norris, Ms A Shelton, Mr A Calder

13 ACADEMIC BOARD MEMBERSHIP AND STRUCTURE

13.1 Special Leave

Academic Board approved the requests for special leave from:

Professor John Lattanzio - Science Meetings 2-3/2008
Professor William Young - Engineering Meetings 5-7/2008

For information: Professors J Lattanzio, W Young

13.2 Nominations to vacancies on Academic Board

Academic Board approved the following nominations to fill the casual vacancies for the terms specified:

Professor James Chin - Campus based member (Sunway) to 30/12/2009
Professor Alan Petersen - Arts to 30/06/08

For information: Professors J Chin, A Petersen

14 REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES

14.1 Education Committee Meeting 1/2008

Recommendation:

Academic Board:

  • Received and noted the Report of Meeting 1/2008 of the Education Committee.
  • Noted the Academic Progress Intervention Strategy Procedures.

For information: Ms C Holland, Ms N Mitchell, Mr K Williamson

14.2 Research Graduate School Committee Meeting 1/2008

Academic Board received and noted the Report of Meeting 1/2008 of the Research Graduate School Committee.

For information: Ms A Hussar

14.3 General Library Committee Meeting 1/2008

Academic Board received and noted the Report of Meeting 1/2008 of the General Library Committee.

For information: Ms M Miller

14.4 Monash University Research Committee Meeting 1/2008

Academic Board received and noted the Report of Meeting 1/2008 of the Monash University Research Committee.

For information: Mr K Williamson

15 FACULTY BOARD REPORTS

15.1 Faculty of Engineering Meeting 5/2007

Academic Board received and noted the Report of Meeting 5/2007 of the Board of the Faculty of Engineering.

For information: Professor M Evans

15.2 Faculty of Business and Economics Meeting 1/2008

Academic Board:

  • Received and noted the Report of Meeting 1/2008 of the Board of the Faculty of Business and Economics.
  • Noted the 2007 Review of the Department of Marketing.
  • Noted the appointments to the Faculty’s Senior Management Team.
  • Noted Faculty Board’s establishment of a number of academic prizes.

For information: Ms R Bernarde

15.3 Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Meeting 1/2008

Academic Board received and noted the Report of Meeting 1/2008 of the Board of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

For information: Mr A Evans

15.4 Faculty of Science Meetings 6/2007 and 1/2008

Academic Board received and noted the Reports of Meetings 6/2007 and 1/2008 of the Board of the Faculty of Science.

For information: Ms G Key

15.5 Faculty of Information Technology Meeting 1/2008

Academic Board received and noted the Report of Meeting 1/2008 of the Board of the Faculty of Information Technology.

For information: Ms P Graham

15.6 Faculty of Arts Meeting 1/2008

Academic Board received and noted the Report of Meeting 1/2008 of the Board of the Faculty of Arts.

For information: Ms A Lyubomirsky

E ITEMS OF OTHER BUSINESS

16 OTHER BUSINESS

16.1 Approval of Testamurs for PhD Cotutelle Candidates

Academic Board endorsed, for transmission to Council, the proposal of the Research Graduate School Committee that the following form of words be added to the testamur for PhD Cotutelle candidates:

"This dual award was pursued under a cotutelle program between Monash University and (... insert partner institution name ...)".

For information: Professors R Devenish, M King, Ms D Davidson

17 NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Academic Board will be held on Wednesday 4 June 2008 in the Council Chambers, 1st floor, Building 3a, Clayton Campus commencing at 3.30pm.