Minutes of Academic Board Meeting No. 5/93 held in the Council Room of the University at 2.15 pm on Wednesday, 16 June 1993.
There were present : The Vice-Chancellor (Professor M.I. Logan) presiding, Professor D. Angell, Mr P. Annal, Professors D. Arnott, D. Aspin, R. Bayly, B. Barry, C. Bellamy, J. Breen, Associate Professor J. Cashion, Professor B. Cherry, Mr E. Chow, Professors I. Chubb, G. Clark, Mr J. Cooney, Professors B. Dunstan, A. Edwards, B.G. Firkin, J. Freebairn, C. Gibbs, Associate Professor G. Gill, Professor J. Hamill, Mr B. Harding, Professor M. Hearn, Associate Professor D. Hewitt, Professors M. Holman, T. Hore, M. King, Mr B. Knox, Dr P. Lake, Professor E. Laurenson, Mr E. Lim, Mr D. Lowe, Dr A. Luff, Professor J. McCarty, Associate Professor K. McLaren, Ms M. McVeigh, Professors J. Miller, J. Monaghan, P. Nagley, R. Pargetter, C. Peirson, C. Probyn, M. Quartly, I. Rae, Dr A. Romano, Professor R. Selleck, Mrs S. Sievers, Professor G. Smith, Ms H. Smith, Professors R. Snedden, T. Sridhar, Mr K. Tant, Dr R. Trembath, Mr P. Wade, Professor M. Wahlqvist, Dr I. Ward, Professors B. West, L. West, C. Williams, Mr J. Wingate, Professor J. Zimmer.
Apologies were received from : Professors R. Anderson, G. Davison, H. Emy, Mr J. Goldsworthy, Dr P. Gronn, Mr R. Hagan, Professors W. Jackson, M. Kartomi, W. Melbourne, M. Neave, Dr P. Nestor, Professors J. Pilbrow, R. Porter, Mr B. Searle, Associate Professor W. Veit.
In attendance were : Ms J.A. Dunn, Secretary, Mr M.D. Watson, Acting Academic Registrar, Mr G. Neat, Executive Director of University Development.
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Items marked with an asterisk were discussed by the Board. In all other cases the recommendations of the Steering Committee were adopted without discussion (cf. Item 1 below)
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MINUTES
*1. NOTICE OF MOTION : APPROVAL OF STEERING COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATIONS
The recommendations of the Steering Committee were adopted for all items of agenda other than those starred.
2. MINUTES
2.1 Minutes of Academic Board Meeting No. 4/93 held on 12 May 1993
The Minutes of Academic Board Meeting No. 4/93 had been circulated.
The Board confirmed the Minutes.
3. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF ACADEMIC BOARD
3.1 Matters Arising from Meeting No. 10/92 held on 18 November 1992 (item 3.3.1)
3.1.1 Status of Masters and Graduate Diploma Courses in the University
At Meeting No. 10/92 the Board discussed a report prepared by Professor Porter, which included consideration of the concept of a Monash Graduate School. The Board recommended that the report be referred to faculties for their consideration and comment.
A copy of Professor Porter's report was received (p853) as were copies of responses from faculties (p859).
The Board recommended that Professor Darvall be asked to set up a Professor Darvall small committee, to include Professor Porter, to examine the responses and report back to the Board at a later date.
3.2 Matters Arising from Meeting No. 4/93 held on 12 May 1993
*3.2.1 English Proficiency Requirements for International Students (Item 13.2)
As requested by the Board, the Manager, Higher Degrees and Scholarships Section, had provided a revision of page 778 - English Proficiency Requirements for International Students Intending to Undertake PhD Candidature at Monash University (p906).
The Board approved this revised document, subject to Mrs Herman Recommendation 11 being amended to read as follows:
`In line with the AVCC's Code of Ethical Practice, English language support at a level adequate to the needs of international students who have satisfied the entry requirements should be provided by Monash University.'
3.3 Matters Reported to Council
The enclosed document was received (p908). The Board noted the information.
*4. REPORT OF THE VICE-CHANCELLOR
4.1 Administrative Arrangements in the Vice-Chancellor's Office
The Vice-Chancellor spoke briefly to the document (p1142) which had been circulated. He affirmed the University's commitment to research, asking for the Board's support of Professor Darvall in the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) position.
4.2 Distance Education Centre
Professor Pargetter advised the Board that Professor L. Chipman, as the new Pro Vice-Chancellor (Gippsland), would have academic responsibility for the Distance Education Centre. The Board also noted that Professor J. Harris, the Head of Operations of the DEC, Secretary would be invited to attend meetings of the Board as an observer.
4.3 Aboriginal Programs
The enclosed document was received (p909).
The Board noted the new arrangements for aboriginal programs, needed because of the departure of Professor Ricklefs and Dr Fesl from the University.
4.4 Report of the General Manager
The enclosed document was received (p1144).
The Steering Committee had recommended that Professor Chubb be asked to report back to the Board on the academic implications of the Professional Studies matters. The Steering Committee also queried how a deficit of $285,000 at the end of 1991 could have been allowed to blow out to $824,000 at the end of 1992. It was recommended that the General Manager be asked to advise on the implementation of financial control to prevent such a situation occurring in future.
Mr Wade spoke about the budget process, advising the Board of a monitoring system being set up to provide reports after the first half year. However, he said he was loath to institute proceedings which would be more intrusive on faculty management than had traditionally been the case at Monash. While members did not see a need for additional central monitoring of faculty budgets, plans mentioned by Mr Wade to upgrade the University's accounting system were well supported.
A question was asked about possibilities for addressing the debt being inherited by Arts, Science, and Medicine from the Faculty of Professional Studies. Professor Chubb indicated that he had begun to look at such questions and would be in contact with the faculties affected with the aim of effecting a quick resolution.
4.5 Report on an Accident
The Vice-Chancellor informed the Board that a serious accident had occurred recently in a Faculty of Science laboratory. He said he was being kept informed on both the welfare of the student concerned and on the matter of insurance. Professor Logan undertook to inform the Board at its next meeting about action taken to improve the Professor Logan insurance cover for students, and agreed that input from the Monash Professor Chubb Postgraduate Association would be useful. He invited Mr Lowe and Mr Chow, members of the Board representing graduate students, to be in contact with him through Professor Chubb's office.
4.6 Academic Structure for the Frankston Campus
The enclosed document was received (p1146).
The Vice-Chancellor spoke to the document, advising the Board that the new arrangements for Frankston closely mirrored those at Gippsland, giving the campus a sense of identity and a regional orientation while linking it in academically to the University as a whole. Professor Logan mentioned that this regional identity was an important factor and had been for some time at both Gippsland and Frankston campuses. The University would not want those campuses to lose that identity with the region, though it meant that they would need to have some policies that were different from those elsewhere within Monash. He suggested that it could be timely to think in terms of "Metropolitan Monash" and "Regional Monash" - terms that reflected both the differences within Monash and the academic links that were essential.
The Board endorsed the arrangements.
4.7 Graduate Student Building
The Vice-Chancellor advised the Board that, due to the successful sale of property, funds were available for the construction of a building for graduate students and the related student services. He said this building would not affect the University's commitment to its planned building programme.
The Board noted the preliminary plans with interest.
4.8 Planning and University Budget 1994
As foreshadowed by the Vice-Chancellor at the previous meeting, the Board spent some time discussing issues related to the preparation of the 1994 budget. He referred to two documents which had been circulated: the draft Mission Statement and Objectives (p1147) and a memorandum dated 2 June 1993 entitled The 1994 Budget (p1149). The Board also received two tabled documents: an extract from the Department of Employment, Education and Training National Report on Australia's Higher Education Sector (p1154) and a set of graphs prepared by Statistical Services (p1226).
In response to a query about the implementation of the University's mission and objectives, Professor Chubb said that consultation had begun in the form of a four-part process which included consideration of a `strategies' document. The Vice-Chancellor agreed to a small Professor Chubb amendment to the draft Mission Statement, on page 1147, to read `a broad and critical understanding of knowledge ...'.
The Vice-Chancellor sought the Board's views on a number of matters. These included:
1. The numbers of `higher degree by research' students and `higher degree by coursework' students.
There was general agreement that the numbers should be increased as a proportion of total load. Attention was drawn to the number of CRCs in which Monash had a significant role and the expectation that these Centres would be involved in research training. The importance of coursework higher degrees in parts of the University was also emphasised as was the need for a balanced approach to growth in this area, especially if growth meant transfer of load. A view was put that, while higher degree student numbers could be increased, Monash should not lose sight of its advantages; for example, the University had a large business faculty that could offer a range of courses at various levels that few could match. Monash should match international standards and profiles, not local.
Comments were made about attracting the best students - it was noted that Monash turned away highly qualified applicants for postgraduate places. The importance of a strong, visible research school was mentioned. Professor King, in this context, foreshadowed the submission to the Board of a proposal from the PhD and Scholarships Committee for what amounted to an overdraft facility to enable offers to be made to applicants earlier than was currently possible.
The University will seek extra postgraduate places in the coming Profiles round, and/or a shift of places from undergraduate to the postgraduate level.
2. The Monash Research Fund, and its size
The point was made that a central research fund had to be large enough to support the development of research facilities not just individual projects. A fund was important for both young researchers, which was seen as important, and those more established. Professor Logan suggested that it could be used to attract staff to Monash.
3. The Research Travel Grant Fund, and its size
Professor Logan asked how this fund had worked. It was generally well received, though the priority for its use should be made clear. A suggestion was made that there be more discretion in awarding funds for research travel; the most deserving and younger people should get priority. Members commented on the need for agreed criteria and guidelines for the award of travel grants. The Vice-Chancellor advised members that Professor Darvall would be Professor Darvall setting up a group to review the management of travel funding.
4. University Profile
In relation to profile of the University, the Vice-Chancellor suggested that the University might, for example, have to face the possibility of limiting the size of the new Faculty of Business and Economics. It was agreed that this did not mean that Monash would simply seek to be like another university or the average of all universities. It simply highlighted that Monash needed to discuss its overall profile and determine what it wanted rather than accept the present distribution of students simply because its history yielded that distribution.
5. Cut-off Scores
It was agreed that Monash should aim to get the best students. It was suggested that Monash should look at why some scores are low; that Monash should investigate what students want.
The Vice-Chancellor indicated that the points made during the discussion would be fed into the budget process.
The Vice-Chancellor agreed to meet with the Dean of the Faculty of Professor Logan, Science on the subject of the budget formula. Professor Rae
5. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF DEANS
The enclosed document was received (p911).
5.1 Proposal for the Establishment of an Undergraduate Education Committee
The Board approved the establishment of an Undergraduate Education Professor Chubb Committee as a standing committee of the Academic Board (p912).
Proceedings
The Board noted the information.
6. REPORT OF THE BOARD OF THE FACULTY OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
The enclosed document was received (p914-950).
6.1 Report of Meeting 2/93
The enclosed report was received (p914).
*6.1.1 Reports of Departmental Review Committees
6.1.1.1 Department of Computer Technology - Review Committee Report
The enclosed document was received (p916).
Professor Bellamy commended to the Board the Review Report, which was received and noted.
6.1.1.2 Department of Software Development - Review Committee Report
The enclosed document was received (p922).
Professor Bellamy commended to the Board the Review Report, which was received and noted.
6.1.2 Graduate Diploma in Computing by Distance Education
The enclosed document was received (p925).
The Board approved the proposal for submission to Council. Council
6.1.3 Graduate Diploma in Business Systems by Distance Education
The enclosed document was received (p931). The Board approved the proposal for submission to Council. Council
Proceedings
The Board noted the information.
6.2 Report of Meeting 3/93
The enclosed report was received (p944).
6.2.1 Bachelor of Computing (Information Systems) New Structure
The enclosed document was received (p946). The Board approved the proposal for submission to Council. Council
6.2.2 Change of Degree Title
The Board approved the proposal for submission to Council. Council
6.2.3 University of New South Wales Foundation Year
The Board approved the Foundation Year offered by the University of New South Wales as equivalent to the Monash University Foundation Year for the purposes of admission to undergraduate programmes in Mr K. Hobbs the Faculty of Computing and Information Technology.
Proceedings
The Board noted the information.
7. REPORT OF THE BOARD OF THE FACULTY OF ECONOMICS COMMERCE AND MANAGEMENT
The enclosed report was received (p951-968).
7.1 New Subject Proposal - GSM3XXX Technology Organisations and Change
The enclosed document was received (p953). The Board approved the proposal for submission to Council. Council
7.2 Economic History Subjects - Change of Nomenclature
7.2.1 Designation of 2nd and 3rd Year Economic History Subjects
The Board approved the proposal for submission to Council. Council
7.2.2 Change of Nomenclature - All Economic History Subjects
The enclosed document was received (p967).
The Board approved the proposal for submission to Council. Council
7.3 Change of Assessment - MBA6310 Services Marketing
The Board approved the proposal for submission to Council. Council
7.4 Change of Nomenclature - ECM2410 Basic Econometrics and ECM3440 Basic Econometrics
The Board approved the proposal for submission to Council. Council
7.5 Change of Nomenclature - ECM3450 Forecasting for Business and Economics
The enclosed document was received (p968). The Board approved the proposal for submission to Council. Council
7.6 MBA Prize - Norwich Research Award
The Board approved the proposal for submission to Council. Council
7.7 Prerequisite Requirement for MBA5220 Human Resource Management
The Board approved the proposal.
Proceedings
The Board noted the information.
8. REPORT OF THE BOARD OF THE FACULTY OF EDUCATION
The enclosed document was received (p969-974).
8.1 Amendments to Degree Regulations
8.1.1 Master of Educational Studies
The Board approved the proposal for submission to Council. Council
8.1.2 Master of Special Education
The enclosed document was received (p971). The Board approved the proposal for submission to Council. Council
8.2 Subject Quotas
The Board approved the proposal for submission to Council. Council
Proceedings
The Board noted the information.
9. REPORT OF THE BOARD OF THE FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
The enclosed document was received (p975-1017).
9.1 Proposals for New Courses
9.1.1 Graduate Diploma in Transport and Traffic Engineering
The enclosed document was received (p978). The Board approved the proposal for submission to Council. Council
9.1.2 Graduate Diploma in Electrical Power Engineering
The enclosed document was received (p979). The Board approved the proposal for submission to Council. Council
9.2 Amendments to Schedule I to the BE Regulations - Clayton School of Engineering
The Board approved the amendments for submission to Council. Council
9.3 Annual Report for 1992 of the National Key Centre for Advanced Materials Technology
The enclosed document was received (p985).
The Board noted the report.
9.4 Amendment to the Wording for the Fred Green Memorial Prize in Civil Engineering
The Board approved the amendment for submission to Council. Council
Proceedings
The Board noted the information.
10. REPORT OF THE BOARD OF THE FACULTY OF MEDICINE
The enclosed document was received (p1018-1040).
10.1 Combined MB BS/LLB Degrees
The Board noted that this proposal had been endorsed for Mr B. Ruck submission to Council at Meeting No. 4/93, subject to the approval of the Board of the Faculty of Medicine.
10.2 Review of Master Courses
This matter was dealt with under Item 3.1.1.
10.3 Master of Health Science (Nursing) Regulations
The enclosed document was received (p1020). The Board approved the proposal for submission to Council. Council
Proceedings
The Board noted the information, including the Annual Reports of the Centres for Bioprocess Technology and Molecular Biology and Medicine.
11. REPORT OF THE BOARD OF THE FACULTY OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
The enclosed document was received (p1041-1101).
11.1 Status of Masters and Graduate Diploma Courses in the University
This matter was dealt with under Item 3.1.1.
11.2 Competency Based Approaches to University Education
The enclosed document was received (p1043).
The Board noted the information.
11.3 New Course Proposal - Bachelor of Technology (Industrial Design)(Honours)
The enclosed document was received (p1050).
The Board noted that the proposal had been forwarded to the Mr R. Sebo Faculty of Arts for consideration and agreed to await the advice of this Faculty.
11.4 New Course Proposal - Bachelor of Social Welfare
The enclosed document was received (p1065). The Board agreed that the proposal be referred to the Faculty of Mr R. Sebo Arts for comment.
11.5 New Course Proposal - Double Degree - Bachelor of Arts (Humanities & Social Sciences)/Bachelor of Social Welfare
The enclosed document was received (p1072) The Board agreed that the proposal be referred to the Faculty of Mr R. Sebo Arts for comment.
11.6 Change of Name of Department - Department of Craft Design Frankston
The Board noted that this proposal had been approved at Meeting No. 4/93 (item No. 20) for submission to Council.
11.7 Amended Course Proposal - Master of Social Work
The enclosed document was received (p1081). The Board agreed that the proposal be referred to the Faculty of Mr R. Sebo Arts for comment.
Proceedings
The Board noted the information.
12. REPORT OF THE BOARD OF THE FACULTY OF SCIENCE
The enclosed document was received (p1102-1110).
12.1 Proposed Re-Introduction of the Bachelor of Applied Science
The enclosed document was received (p1105).
The Board noted this information.
12.2 Science Communication Centre
The enclosed document was received (p1106).
The Board approved the proposal for submission to Council. Council
12.3 Amendment to BSc Regulations : Banned Combinations
The Board approved the proposal for submission to Council. Council
12.4 Heads of Departments and Directors
The Board approved the proposal for submission to Council. Council
Proceedings
The Board noted the information.
13. REPORT OF THE PhD AND SCHOLARSHIPS COMMITTEE
The enclosed document was received (p1111-1113).
13.1 Undergraduate Scholarship Selection Sub-Committee
The Board noted that two scholarships were to be awarded in 1993, Professor Chubb but agreed to ask the Undergraduate Education Committee (the Mrs Herman establishment of which was approved under item 5.1) to consider this matter for the future.
13.2 Monitoring of MDS and MRS Scholarship Schemes
The enclosed document was received (p1113).
The Board noted the information.
Proceedings
The Board noted the information.
14. LEGISLATION
14.1 Statute 6.1.2 - Courses and Degrees (Substitution) Statute
The enclosed document prepared by the University Solicitor was received (p1114-1129). The Board approved the legislation for submission to Council. Council
14.2 Statute 2.5 - Committees, Board of Studies and Institute (Amendment No. 22) Statute
The enclosed document was received (p1130).
The University Solicitor had proposed that the above statute be amended to provide for the establishment of the Psychology Advisory Board within the Faculty of Science.
The Board approved the legislation for submission to Council. Council
*15. PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH A CHAIR OF ORGANISATIONAL BEHAVIOUR
The enclosed document, provided by the David Syme Faculty of Business, was received (p1136). Professor Miller spoke briefly in support of the new Chair.
Noting that the proposal had been supported by the Faculty of Council Business and Economics Implementation Task Force and the Committee of Deans, the Academic Board approved the proposal for submission to Council.
*16. COMMITTEE AND BOARD MEMBERSHIP MATTERS
16.1 Chair of the General Library Committee - Vacancy
The Board was requested to nominate a Chair for the General Library Committee.
Professor The Board appointed Professor T. Threadgold. Threadgold
16.2 Vice-Chancellor's Award for Distinguished Teaching
The Board was requested to ratify the Vice-Chancellor's nomination of Professor Ray Anderson to serve as the Academic Board representative on the Committee to select recipients of the Vice-Chancellor's Award for Distinguished Teaching.
Professor The Board ratified the Vice-Chancellor's action. Anderson
16.3 Academic Programs Board of Open Learning
The Board was asked to nominate a member as the University representative on the Academic Programs Board of Open Learning to replace Professor Spearritt, who had become a member of this body ex officio as Academic Adviser.
Professor Quartly The Board appointed Professor M. Quartly.
16.4 Campus Sub-Committees of the Vice-Chancellor's Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities
The Board noted that campus based sub-committees were in the process of being established, with membership as follows:
Caulfield - Convenor and members yet to be nominated.
Clayton - Mr J. Curtis (Convenor), Mr R. Coventry, Ms A. Royal, Ms H. Freris, Ms M. Holden, Mr C. Bourke, Mr F. Fisher
Frankston - Mr J. Dora (Convenor), Mr G. Brown, Mr P. Gibilisco, Ms J. Gourlay, Mrs S. Newman, Mr D. Simpson
Gippsland - Mr G. Joyce (Convenor), Mr D. Kretlow, Mr D. Abbott, Ms Ms H. Dunne R. Curtis, Ms A. Trembath, Mr A. Benn, Dr C. Rodgers, Ms J. Rice, Mrs C. Body.
17. CHAIR SELECTION COMMITTEES
17.1 Chair of Structural Engineering
The Board was requested to nominate a member to serve on the Selection Committee for the Chair of Structural Engineering.
The Board appointed Professor M. Holman. Ms Meredith
17.2 Chair of Public Sector Management
The Board was requested to nominate a member to serve on the Selection Committee for the Chair of Public Sector Management.
Professor Clarke The Board appointed Professor G. Clarke. Ms Meredith
17.3 Chair of Computing, Department of Software Development
The Board was requested to nominate a member to serve on the Selection Committee for the Chair of Computing, Department of Software Development.
Professor King The Board appointed Professor M. King. Ms Meredith
18. APPOINTMENT OF HEAD OF DEPARTMENT
The Board was asked to approve the nomination by Professor Chubb of Associate Professor R.A. Cas as Head of the Department of Earth Sciences. Associate Professor Cas would have a fixed term professorship for the three year period.
The Board approved the proposal for submission to Council. Council