Minutes of Academic Board Meeting No. 7/93 held in the Council Room of the University at 2.15 pm on Wednesday, 11 August 1993.
There were present : The Acting Vice-Chancellor (Professor I.W. Chubb) presiding, Drs F. Allen, K. Amarasekara, Mr P. Annal, Professors D. Arnott, D. Aspin, B. Barry, C. Bellamy, A. Bishop, J. Breen, L. Cairns, Dr G. Cambrell, Professor R. Cas, Ms D. Ceddia, Professor P. Chandler, Mr E. Chow, Professors G. Clark, M. Clyne, D. Craik, M. Cree, S. Crossley, P. Darvall, D. de Kretser, Ms A. Dean, Professor P. Dowling, Associate Professor E. Duffy, Professors A. Duggan, B. Dunstan, A. Edwards, Mr R. Edwards, Professor H. Emy, J. Freebairn, Mr J. Glover, Associate Professor M. Gould, Dr I. Griffith, Mr R. Hagan, Associate Professor J. Harris, Professor M. Hearn, Associate Professors D. Hewitt, M. Hooper, Professor T. Hore, W. Jackson, R. Jarvis, M. Kartomi, Associate Professor R. Keller, Professor F. Kent, Mr C. Kimberley, Professor M. King, Mr B. Knox, Professors E. Laurenson, J. Levett, Mr D. Lowe, Professor J. McCarty, Associate Professor K. McLaren, Professors S. Marshall, W. Melbourne, Associate Professor E. Mellor, Professors J. Miller, J. Monaghan, P. Nagley, A. O'Grady, Associate Professor J. O'Neil, Mr A. Pappas, Professors R. Pargetter, C. Peirson, J. Pilbrow, Mr A. Podhorodecki, Professor R. Porter, J. Powell, M. Quartly, I. Rae, Dr K. Ralston, Mrs S. Richardson, Drs A. Romano, J. Rood, Professor P. Rossiter, Mr B. Searle, Professor R. Selleck, Mr G. Shanks, Dr A. Shorten, Mrs S. Sievers, Professors M. Skully, R. Snape, R. Snedden, P. Spearritt, T. Sridhar, P. Stewart, Mr K. Tant, Professors P. Thomson, B. Tonge, Associate Professor R. Trembath, Professors T. Triggs, G. Tucker, Associate Professor W. Veit, Mr P. Wade, Professors M. Wahlqvist, E. Walters, Associate Professor I. Ward, Professors L. West, J. Williamson, R. Willis, Mr J. Wingate, Dr H. Wong.
Apologies were received from : Professor M. Logan, Dr J. Brien, Associate Professors R. Bywater, J. Cashion, Professor C. Chapman, Associate Professor G. Clarke, Professor C. Gibbs, Associate Professor G. Gill, Dr J. Grant, Professors R. Grimshaw, J. Hamill, Messrs B. Harding, R. Hartshorn, Professor M. Holman, Mr E. Lim, Professors M. Neave, J. Ratnatunga, S. Ricketson, G.C. Smith, G.W. Smith, G. Thorburn, T. Threadgold.
In attendance were : Ms J.A. Dunn, Secretary, Mr M.D. Watson, Acting Academic Registrar, Ms C.E. Anderson, Adviser to the Vice-Chancellor, Mr G. Neat, Executive Director of University Development.
* * * * * * * *
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. 6/93 held on 14 July 1993
The Minutes of Academic Board Meeting No. 6/93 had been circulated.
The Board confirmed the Minutes, subject to the following amendments:
Item 3.3.2 University Budget 1994
The wording in the second line of the first paragraph to read "..the budget for each administrative service division ...".
The insertion of the word "overseas" between "on" and "travel" in Secretary the second line of the second paragraph and in between "for" and "research" in the third line.
3. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF ACADEMIC BOARD
3.1 Matters Arising from Meeting No. 3/93 held on 7 April 1993 (item 3.3.1)
*3.1.1 Gender Representation on Decision-making Bodies
At Meeting No. 3/93 the Board endorsed a policy on gender representation on decision-making bodies which was adopted by Council on 17 May 1993 on the recommendation of the Equal Opportunity Committee.
Academic Board was requested to review its membership in the light of the policy and to refer the policy to the Board's Standing Committees.
The enclosed document was received (p1485). The Board established a committee to review the male and female representation in the membership of Academic Board, and to recommend short and long term strategies to increase female participation on Secretary the Board. Professor M. Neave was appointed to chair the committee, Prof. M. Neave with a membership of Dr M.E. James, Professor J.J. Monaghan, and Ms J.A. Dunn as Secretary.
3.2 Matters Arising from Meeting No. 6/93 held on 14 July 1993
3.2.1 Appointment of a Professor to a Casual Vacancy on Academic Board
Further to the appointments made at the previous meeting (item Secretary 22), the Board noted the appointment of Professor A.J. Duggan as a member representing the Clayton campus.
*3.2.2 Accumulated Debt in the Faculty of Professional Studies
The General Manager was asked to clarify the answer he had given at the previous meeting to a question about the Professional Studies debt, recorded on page 3 of the Minutes under Item 3.3.1. The issue was whether the new monitoring procedures would monitor the expenditure of each department or the total expenditure of a faculty.
Mr Wade said that he did not wish to be specific about this matter until he had had the opportunity to discuss it with Deans. He said that, although monitoring and intervention at a departmental level had always been technically possible, he was reluctant to impinge on faculty management and thus destroy the virement which had been a positive feature of the University. Mr Wade acknowledged that the mergers might justify a change in the approach to budget reporting and that Deans needed to have access to budget reports in time to address problems.
Summarising the situation, Professor Chubb assured the Board that this matter was being taken seriously and that both problems - of recovering the debt incurred by Professional Studies, and ensuring that such over-runs did not occur in future - were being resolved.
4. REPORT OF THE VICE-CHANCELLOR
*4.1 General Observations on the Budget
Professor Chubb outlined, for the information of members, some of the likely implications for the University of the Federal Budget to be announced on 17 August. He predicted little if any growth for the higher education sector, and that any allocated would be specifically targetted to particular regions.
*4.2 Staffing in Physics
Professor Chubb referred to a request he had received and outlined for the Board the steps being taken in dealing with the surplus of staff in the Physics Department. He said that the award provisions were being followed and that the University had taken the additional step of using Professor D. James from Deakin University as a consultant. In addition to the consideration of options of retraining and redeployment, negotiations were taking place with the academic staff union on an early retirement package which would have provisions more favourable than the standard formula.
Professor Pilbrow, as Head of the Department of Physics, spoke of a five-year staffing projection which had been prepared as an input to the process. He sought leave of the Board to table an extract from the projections document titled "Submission by Department of Physics directed towards redress of its budget deficit".
The Board agreed to this request. Copies of the document have been circulated with the minutes (p1778).
*4.3 Professional Studies Budget
Professor Chubb referred to the recent further increase in the faculty's budget deficit. He explained that the freeze placed on the budget from 4 May 1993 had had to be temporarily lifted so that the faculty could meet its teaching commitments in second semester. Professor Chubb assured the Board that steps had been taken which should freeze the deficit at about its present level and then recover the debt.
4.4 Equity Plan 1994-96
The enclosed document was received (p1488).
The Board noted the Plan and that it had been submitted to DEET.
4.5 Review of Exclusion Appeals Procedures
As a result of queries arising from a faculty board report to a previous meeting (item 9.3, Meeting No. 4/93), Professor Chubb had initiated a review of the University's exclusion appeals procedures.
The enclosed document was received (p1490).
The Board approved the membership and terms of reference for the Secretary Review Committee, and nominated Associate Professor I.D.S. Ward and Ms S. Sievers to serve on the Review Committee.
4.6 Undergraduate Education Committee
The enclosed document was received (p1491).
4.6.1 Graduate Certificate of Employment Skills/Professional Skills
The Board approved the Committee's recommendation.
4.6.2 Bachelor of Business (Honours) - Gippsland Campus
The Board approved the Committee's recommendation.
*4.7 Quality Assurance Program : 1993 Guidelines for Higher Education Institutions
The enclosed document was received (p1743).
In response to a question about the University's response to the Guidelines, Professor West outlined the approach being taken by his working group in preparing a portfolio to meet the 20 September deadline.
Professor Chubb informed the Board of the rationale behind the Guidelines and the terms under which the expected $76 million funding would be allocated for quality assurance.
*4.8 Report of the General Manager
The enclosed document was received (p1493).
The Board noted the report. In relation to the recommendations on p1497 concerning Examinations, the Board noted that the full report appeared on p1734-1742 of the Agenda under item 17. The Board approved the recommendations with the exception of the second dot point, which was omitted.
Referring to the matter of student insurance appearing on page 1493, Mr Lowe put the views of the Monash Postgraduates Association about the particular insurance needs of research students. Mr Wade commented that he had received valuable inputs from Mr Lowe and others and said that he expected to be in a position to report on a Mr Wade resolution of the various options at the next meeting of the Board.
In response to another question Mr Wade said that there was no move by universities to work together in this matter.
*4.9 Profiles
Professor Chubb advised the Board about DEET's expected focus for the Profiles visit on 3 September. He informed members that, as a consequence of the Board's discussion on the Budget at a previous meeting, the University would be asking for 100 new postgraduate places. This bid, he said, was related to the research training commitment generated by Co-operative Research Centres and other developments.
5. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF DEANS
5.1 Report of Meeting held on 13 July 1993
The enclosed document was received (p1499).
Proceedings
The Board noted the information.
5.2 Report of Meeting held on 3 August 1993
*5.2.1 Filling of Vacant Chairs in the Faculty of Arts : Japanese Studies and Geography and Environmental Science
The enclosed document was received (p1774).
Professor Clark, the Acting Dean, spoke briefly to the proposals.
The Board approved the proposals for submission to Council. Council
5.2.2 Chair of Paediatrics
This matter was considered under item 10.1.
6. REPORT OF THE BOARD OF THE FACULTY OF ARTS
The enclosed document was received (p1500).
6.1 Report of Meeting No. 3/93
6.1.1 Appointment of Chief Examiners
The enclosed document was received (p1502).
The Board made the appointments. Mr R. Sebo
6.1.2 Membership of Faculty Board
The enclosed document was received (p1511).
The Board endorsed these amendments for submission to Council. Council
6.1.3 Student Grievances: Annual Report 1992-1993
The enclosed document was received and noted (p1513).
The Board agreed that the report be discussed with the Acting Secretary Dean to ensure that faculty procedures are in line with the provisions of the Discipline Statute.
Proceedings
The Board noted the information.
6.2 Report of Meeting No. 4/93
The enclosed document was received (p1514).
6.2.1 New Subject Proposal - HBM5205 Advanced Issues in Bioethics and Applied Ethics
The enclosed document was received (p1517).
The Board approved the proposal for submission to Council. Council
*6.2.2 Associate Dean (Graduate Studies) - Appointment
The Steering Committee had recommended that the Acting Dean be asked to speak about the rationale for having an Associate Dean (Graduate Studies) in addition to an Associate Dean (Research).
Professor Clark advised the Board that the two positions represented quite different roles and that the size of the faculty meant that both were needed.
The Board approved the proposal for submission to Council. Council
6.2.3 New Course Proposal - Bachelor of Technology (Industrial Design) (Honours)
This proposal had been submitted for approval by the Board of the Faculty of Professional Studies at Academic Board Meeting 5/93, and had been referred to the Faculty of Arts for advice.
The Board approved the proposal for submission to Council. Council
6.2.4 Amended Course Proposal - Master of Social Work
This proposal had been submitted for approval by the Board of the Faculty of Professional Studies at Academic Board Meeting 5/93, and had been referred to the Faculty of Arts for advice.
The Board approved the proposal for submission to Council. Council
Proceedings
The Board noted the information.
7. REPORT OF THE BOARD OF THE FACULTY OF EDUCATION
The enclosed document was received (p1522).
*7.1 New Subjects 1994
The enclosed document was received (p1523).
The Steering Committee had recommended that the Dean be asked to speak about the proposed new subjects. After Professor Aspin had given a brief outline of the rationale behind the proposals, a number of members expressed concerns about the content and the assessment planned for the subject "The Psychology of Health and Wellness" proposed for the Master of Educational Studies degree (p1530-1532). In particular, several comments were made about the need for the Faculty of Education to mount such a course given the expertise in Medicine and Psychology elsewhere within the University.
The Board referred the proposal to offer this subject back to the Mr C. Vernon Faculty of Education for some inter-faculty discussion to be arranged. The Faculty was also requested to seek the view of the interim Psychology Board. The Board also affirmed its advice given Faculty at a previous meeting that, where cross-disciplinary or Assistant cross-departmental interests might exist, appropriate consultation Registrars should have taken place before a course proposal was submitted to the Board. The Board approved the other subjects for submission to Council. Council
Proceedings
The Board noted the information.
8. REPORT OF THE BOARD OF THE FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
The enclosed document was received (p1577).
8.1 Proposal to Formally Establish a Centre for Electrical Power Engineering at Monash University
The enclosed document was received (p1579).
The Board approved the proposal for submission to Council. Council
8.2 Proposal to Advertise a Chair in Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering
The enclosed document was received (p1629).
The Board approved the proposal for submission to Council, subject to its subsequent endorsement by the Committee of Deans. Council
8.3 Annual Report for 1992 of the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Centre
The enclosed document was received (p1633). The Board noted the information. Mr D. Secomb
Proceedings
The Board noted the information.
9. REPORT OF THE BOARD OF THE FACULTY OF LAW
The enclosed document was received (p1678).
9.1 Proposal for a Master of Laws by Coursework
The enclosed document was received (p1680).
The Board approved the proposal for submission to Council subject Ms E. Wilson to the submission, to the next meeting of the Board, of a revised proposal which addressed the issue of quality.
Proceedings
The Board noted the information.
10. REPORT OF THE BOARD OF THE FACULTY OF MEDICINE
The enclosed document was received (p1696).
*10.1 Chair of Paediatrics
The enclosed document was received (p1698).
The Board noted that the Committee of Deans had endorsed the proposal at its meeting on 3 August 1993.
The Dean of the Faculty spoke briefly to the proposal.
The Board approved the proposal for submission to Council. Council
10.2 Faculty Representation on Academic Board
The Board noted the information. Mr B. Ruck
10.3 Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health
The enclosed document was received (p1701).
This diploma had been approved under the title of "Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety" by the Professorial Board at Meeting 5/89, and subsequently by Council.
The Board approved the change of title and the Regulations for Council submission to Council.
10.4 Award of Doctor of Medicine Degree
The Board approved the proposal for submission to Council. Council
Proceedings
The Board noted the information.
11. ANNUAL REPORTS TO COUNCIL
11.1 Report of the Dean of the Faculty of Professional Studies
The enclosed report was received (p1703).
The Board noted the report. Dean (Prof. Studies)
12. REPORT OF THE COMPUTING COMMITTEE
The enclosed document was received (p1706).
Proceedings
4. Desktop Information Technology and Services
The attention of the Board was drawn to the wording of Item 4 on page 1706. In particular, the use of the word "corporate" was considered inappropriate. Mr Annal confirmed that the strategy document he had prepared related to facilities used for normal desktop purposes and imposed no constraints on the choice of Ms A. equipment intended for teaching or research. Professor Chubb said Dunemann that the Committee's report would be amended to clarify this.
The Board noted the other items of Proceedings.
13. REPORT OF THE PhD AND SCHOLARSHIPS COMMITTEE
The enclosed document was received (p1708).
13.1 Scholarships Selection: Principles and Procedures Review Report 1993
The enclosed document was received (p1711).
The Board endorsed the variations to scholarship selection Mrs P. principles and procedures. Herman
13.2 Enhancement of the MUSIS Student Data Base System
The enclosed document was received (p1725).
The Board endorsed the proposals. Mrs P. Herman
13.3 Accreditation of Centres for the Purpose of Enrolment of PhD Candidates
The enclosed document was received (p1727).
The Board endorsed the proposal. Mrs P. Herman
Proceedings
The Board noted the information.
14. LEGISLATION
14.1 Courses and Degrees (Faculty of Education) (Degree of Bachelor of Teaching) Regulations
The Bachelor of Teaching (Gippsland Campus) had been approved by the Board at Meeting 1/93.
The enclosed document prepared by the University Solicitor was received (p1729).
The Board endorsed the legislation for submission to Council. Council
15. COMMITTEE AND BOARD MEMBERSHIP MATTERS
15.1 Halls of Residence Committee
The Academic Board was requested to nominate a professorial member to this Committee to replace Professor R. Jackson, whose three year term had expired.
The Board appointed Professor M.J. Kartomi. Ms A. Dunemann
15.2 Vacancies for Academic Board Nominees on Council Committees
The enclosed document was received (p1733).
Adjunct and Honorary Professors Selection Committee: Mr A. Armstrong
The Board appointed Professor M. Neave.
Affiliation Committee: Mrs B. Linsten
The Board appointed Professor V.C. Marshall.
Bookshop Board: Mrs B. Linsten
The Board reappointed Mr R. Skinner and appointed Dr D. Welch.
Honorary Degrees Committee: Mrs B. Linsten
The Board appointed Professor J.R. Pilbrow and appointed Professor J. Ratnatunga as his alternate.
Nominations Committee: Mr M. Watson
The Board nominated Professor I.W. Chubb.
Patents Committee: Mrs R. Bruce
The Board reappointed Professor S. Ricketson and appointed Associate Professor J. O'Neil.
15.3 Performing and Creative Arts Committee
The Academic Board was asked to appoint a nominee to this Mr I. Gregory committee.
The Board appointed Dr K. Ralston.
16. CHAIR SELECTION COMMITTEES
16.1 Chair of Meteorology
The Board was requested to nominate a member to serve on the Ms B. Selection Committee for the Chair of Meteorology. Meredith
The Board appointed Professor R.E. Johnston.
*17. EXAMINATIONS AND RESULT PROCESSING
The enclosed document was received (p1734).
The Board noted that the recommendations on p1734 were considered under item 4.8 - Report of the General Manager.
Professor Monaghan commended the implementation document and said Professor that the Department of Mathematics had a number of additional J. Monaghan details which might be incorporated. He said that he would send these direct to Mr Thorburn.