Minutes of Academic Board Meeting No. 8/93 held in the Council Room of the University at 2.15 pm on Wednesday, 15 September 1993.
There were present: The Vice-Chancellor (Professor M.I. Logan) presiding, Dr K. Amarasekara, Mr P. Annal, Professors D. Arnott, D. Aspin, B. Barry, Dr J. Brien, Professor L. Cairns, Dr G.K. Cambrell, Ms D. Ceddia, Professors P. Chandler, B. Cherry, L. Chipman, I. Chubb, Mr E. Chow, Professors G. Clark, M. Clyne, P. Darvall, Mr R. Edwards, Professor H. Emy, Associate Professor A. Farley, Professors J. Freebairn, C. Gibbs, Associate Professor G. Gill, Mr J. Glover, Associate Professor M. Gould, Drs J. Grant, I. Griffith, Mr R. Hagan, Professor J. Hamill, Mr R. Hartshorn, Associate Professor D. Hewitt, Professors M. Holman, T. Hore, R. Jarvis, M. Kartomi, Mr C. Kimberley, Professor M. King, Mr B. Knox, Professor E. Laurenson, Messrs E. Lim, D. Lowe, Dr A. Luff, Associate Professor K. McLaren, Ms M. McVeigh, Professors W, Melbourne, J. Monaghan, Mr D. Muschamp, Dr P. Nestor, Associate Professor J. O'Neil, Mr A. Pappas, Professor C. Peirson, Mr A. Podhorodecki, Professors R. Porter, M. Quartly, I. Rae, S. Ricketson, Drs A. Romano, J. Rood, Professor R. Selleck, Mr G. Shanks, Dr A. Shorten, Mrs S. Sievers, Professors M. Skully, R. Snape, R. Snedden, P. Spearritt, T. Sridhar, Mr K. Tant, Professors P. Thomson, T. Threadgold, B. Tonge, Associate Professor R. Trembath, Professors M. Wahlqvist, L. West, Mr J. White, Professor R. Willis, Mr J. Wingate, Drs H. Wong, K. Young.
Apologies were received from: Dr F. Allen, Professors R. Bayly, C. Bellamy, A. Bishop, Associate Professor R. Bywater, Professors R. Cas, C. Chapman, M. Cree, S. Crossley, Ms A. Dean, Associate Professor E. Duffy, Professors A. Edwards, R. Grimshaw, Mr B. Harding, Associate Professor J. Harris, Professors M. Hearn, W. Jackson, F. Kent, J. Levett, J. McNeil, S. Marshall, J. Miller, M. Neave, A. O'Grady, Dr K. Ralston, Mrs S. Richardson, Mr J. Rogers, Professor P. Rossiter, Mr B. Searle, Professors G. Smith, P. Stewart, G. Thorburn, T. Triggs, G. Tucker, Associate Professor W. Veit, Professor E. Walters, Associate Professor I. Ward.
In attendance were: Mr M.D. Watson, Acting Academic Registrar and Ms J.A. Dunn, Secretary.
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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. 7/93 held on 11 August 1993
The Minutes of Academic Board Meeting No. 7/93 had been circulated.
The Board confirmed the Minutes.
3. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF ACADEMIC BOARD
3.1 Matters Arising from Meeting No. 6/93 held on 14 July 1993
3.1.1 Matters Reported to Council
The enclosed document was received (p1780). The Board noted the information.
3.2 Matters Arising from Meeting No. 7/93 held on 11 August 1993 (item 9.1)
3.2.1 Proposal for a Master of Laws by Coursework
At Meeting No. 7/93 the Board approved the proposal for submission to Council subject to the submission, to the next meeting of the Board, of a revised proposal which addressed the issue of quality.
The enclosed document was received (p1781). The Board noted the Secretary proposal, which would be forwarded to Council.
4. REPORT OF THE VICE-CHANCELLOR
4.1 Undergraduate Education Committee
The enclosed document was received (p1786).
4.1.1 Bachelor of Arts (Human Services) - proposed amendments
The Board approved the recommendation of the Committee for Professor submission to Council. Snedden
*4.1.2 Service Teaching in Nursing
The Board's attention was drawn to the recommendation of the Undergraduate Education Committee (UEC) on p1786, and the Steering Committee's endorsement of it.
A query was raised about the role of the UEC in making recommendations to the Board without enclosing the background documentation to proposals. Professor Chubb confirmed that the Committee had been established to carry out, on the Board's behalf, a careful review of the detail of proposals and look at the wider implications of each one.
The Board endorsed the UEC's recommendation, agreeing that both Professor deans should be invited to present their cases at the Committee's Chubb re-examination of the proposal. Ms R. Brooks
4.1.3 Faculty of Engineering Subject Proposals
The enclosed document was received (p1788). The Board approved the recommendation of the Committee for Mr D. Secomb submission to Council. Ms R. Brooks
Proceedings
The Board noted the information.
*4.2 Profiles
The Vice-Chancellor reported on the satisfactory outcome of the recent DEET "Profiles" visit at Monash. He highlighted the likely increase in Monash's graduate student load, and the possibility of the University receiving funding to set up a campus at Berwick.
*4.3 Quality Portfolio
Professor Logan informed members that a submission had been put together, with the involvement of deans, to conform with the Government's guidelines on quality assurance. He said the Monash paper emphasised the University's devolved structure and its diversity.
Professor Chubb advised members that the decisions about funding were expected to be announced about March 1994.
*4.4 ACU Congress
Professor Logan reported briefly on the recent meeting which he and the Chancellor had attended. He said that again, quality had been addressed extensively.
*4.5 Federal Budget
In summarising for the benefit of members the implications of the Federal Budget, Professor Logan referred to the briefing paper on p1795 (attached to the Report of the Committee of Deans). Professor Logan outlined the changes to student load targets and to HECs.
A query was raised in relation to the meaning of the reference to counselling on p1796. In response, Professor Chubb stated the need for the University to review procedures for advising students of Professor entry and course requirements. He said the HECs changes meant that Pargetter inaccurate or misleading advice would have greater implications for Faculty the student than they had previously. Registrars
Members also raised the matter of government control of quality and the problem of defining productivity gains in higher education.
4.6 Research
The enclosed document, which had been submitted to the Committee Dr T. Stokes of Deans, was received (p1867). The Board noted the information.
4.7 Report of the General Manager
The enclosed document was received (p1878). The Board noted the Mr P. Wade report.
*4.8 Graduate Scholarships
The Vice-Chancellor reminded the Board of previous discussions about increasing the number of Monash Graduate Scholarships (MGS). He foreshadowed the University's intention of raising the number from 90 to 100 for 1994, which represented a budgetary outlay of some $3.2 million. Professor Logan also mentioned the expected allocation to Monash of 110 of the new Australian Postgraduate Awards (APA). Acting on a recommendation which he had received from Dr T. Stokes the PhD and Scholarships Committee, he asked and received the Ms P. Herman Board's endorsement of a policy that APA and MGS be reserved for research students (PhDs and Masters by Research).
5. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF DEANS
The enclosed document was received (p1793).
Proceedings
The Board noted the information.
5. Administrative Reports
The Board noted the reporting mechanism, and also that progress with the appointment of service user groups for central administration was as follows:
Research Services User Group
Convenor: Dr T. Stokes (recently appointed Director);
3 students nominated by the Monash Postgraduate Association, at least one from a campus other than Clayton;
3 academic research staff, representing social sciences, natural sciences, and humanities, and with at least one from a campus other than Clayton.
(It was noted that CADRES also represented a user group).
Student Services (3 User Groups)
Community Services User Group
Convenor: Mr G. Briscoe (Manager);
3 student members of Student Welfare Action Board (Ms M. Guli, Mr D. Constable and Ms S. Carson);
Director of International Student Services - Mr B. Tang.
Student Services User Group
Convenor: Mr R. Burnet (Director);
a student (Chair of Monash Association of Students) - Ms M. Guli;
a faculty administrator - Mr K. Hobbs;
Chair, PhD & Scholarships Committee - Professor M. King
President, Monash Postgraduate Association - Mr D. Lowe
President, Student Union Inc. - Mr T. Stiles
Director of International Student Services - Mr B. Tang
Caulfield Student Services User Group
Convenor: Mr R. Burnet;
President, Student Union Inc. - Mr T. Stiles
Faculty administrative staff member - Mr P. Yates
Manager, Student Relations and Enquiries Branch - Ms K. Wilson
Personnel Services User Group
Convenor: Ms S. Harrison (Director);
a member of general staff, Frankston campus administration - Mr B. Bilham;
a resource manager - Ms A. Carle;
a faculty administrator - Mr J. Duncan
Academic staff member/head of department, Caulfield - Professor J. Greig;
Staff development officer, Library - Ms A.E. Reilly
Facilities and Information Services User Group
Convenor: Mr J. White (Director);
Mr N. McCaffrey (student)
Mr B. O'Mara (non Clayton)
Professor R. Snape
Associate Professor J. Cashion
Ms M. Kutner
Ms B. Skarbek
Financial Services User Group
Convenor: Mr A.F. Newbold
Director, Student Services - Mr R. Burnet
Director,Intelligence & Robotic Research Centre - Professor R. Jarvis (as an alternate to Mr Burnet)
Deputy Head of Mathematics Department - Professor J. Monaghan
a laboratory manager - Mr S. Revell
Budget Officer, Faculty of Education - Ms S. Whyte
a faculty registrar - Mrs E. Wilson
University Solicitors User Group
Convenor: Ms S. Bath
Mr J. White
Mr G. Joyce
Ms S. Harrison
Ms J. Dunn
Ms J. Willmore
Mr P. Darvall
Academic Services User Group
Convenor: Academic Registrar
a lay member of Council
a student
an academic member of the Academic Board - Professor J. Monaghan
a faculty registrar - Dr P. Rodan
an executive personal assistant - Ms K. Spierings
a secretary (located in Blackburn Road)
6. REPORT OF THE BOARD OF THE FACULTY OF ARTS
The enclosed document was received (p1797).
6.1 Report of Meeting No. 5/93
6.1.1 Revised MA Social Work Degree Proposal
The enclosed document was received (p1798).
The Board approved the revised proposal for submission to Council. Secretary
Proceedings
The Board noted the information.
7. REPORT OF THE BOARD OF THE FACULTY OF SCIENCE
The enclosed document was received (p1832).
7.1 Membership of Science Faculty Board
The enclosed document was received (p1834).
The Board approved the amendments for submission to Council. Secretary
*7.2 New Course Proposal : Master of Psychology (Geriatric)
The enclosed document was received (p1838).
Clarification was requested about this course, its objectives and relationship to other streams of Psychology. Professor Rae withdrew Professor the proposal so that the matters raised might be considered by the Rae full Psychology Board, yet to be appointed.
7.3 Academic Board - Casual Vacancies
The Board noted the information. Secretary
7.4 Change to Headship - Department of Mathematics
The Board approve the proposal for submission to Council. Secretary
Proceedings
The Board noted the information.
8. REPORT OF THE ADMISSIONS COMMITTEE
The enclosed document was received (p1844).
8.1 Membership of the Committee
The Board approved the membership and recommended that Mr Jason Mr I. Gregory Rogers (Frankston) be appointed as the student member.
Proceedings
The Board noted the information.
9. REPORT OF THE DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE
9.1 Report of Meetings 3/93, 4/93 and 5/93
The enclosed document was received (p1849).
The Board noted the information. Mr H. Dunne
10. REPORT OF THE EXCLUSION APPEALS COMMITTEE
The enclosed document was received (p1852).
The Board noted the information. Mrs B. Linsten
11. REPORT OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE FOR ROBERT BLACKWOOD HALL
The enclosed document was received (p1853). Ms A. Dunemann
Proceedings
The Board noted the information.
*12. REPORT OF THE PhD AND SCHOLARSHIPS COMMITTEE
The enclosed document was received (p1854).
12.1 Attendance and Residency Requirements for PhD Candidates
The enclosed document was received (p1856).
Members representing the Faculty of Arts expressed concern about the Attendance and Residency Requirements for candidates, particularly requirement (ii) on page 1857. It was felt that this requirement did not take enough account of the circumstances of non-laboratory research students, who often needed to work off- campus for extended periods.
In response Professors Cherry and King assured the Board that Professor these points had been carefully considered by the Committee over Clarke some time. It was their view that the requirements were not Dr T. Stokes unreasonable and that faculties would be able to work within them. Ms P. Herman
After some debate, the Committee's recommendation was put and approved.
Proceedings
2. PhD Coursework Program
Members of the Faculty of Arts also raised the matter of unaccredited, ancillary coursework having to be taken outside a coursework program, thereby incurring additional HECs.
In view of Professor Cherry's advice that work on this matter was Professor still in progress, the Vice-Chancellor suggested that the Faculty of Clarke Arts make a submission to the Committee. Mr R. Sebo
The Board noted the other items of Proceedings.
13. LEGISLATION
13.1 Faculties (Amendment No. 117) Regulations
The Regulations were approved by the Board of the Faculty of Education earlier in the year, and required the Board's approval for submission to Council.
The enclosed document prepared by the University Solicitor was received (p1859).
The Board endorsed the legislation for submission to Council. Secretary
13.2 Courses and Degrees (Faculty of Law) (Degree of Master of Laws) (Amendment No. 22) Regulations
The Board of the Faculty of Law had approved an amendment to the Master of Laws Regulations, for transmission to Council through Academic Board.
The amendments give effect to a candidate for the Master of Laws qualifying for the degree by successfully completing six approved subjects.
The enclosed document prepared by the University Solicitor was received (p1860).
The Board endorsed the legislation for submission to Council. Secretary
13.3 Courses and Degrees (Faculty of Law) (Amendment No. 37) Regulations
The proposed changes to the Faculty of Law Regulations to provide for a new combined course (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery and Bachelor of Laws) were approved by Academic Board at Meeting No. 4/93.
The amendments to section 27 are to make special provision for the optional law component of the combined Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery and Bachelor of Laws course. These amendments also incorporate references to all the combined degree courses hitherto approved by Faculty Board.
The enclosed document prepared by the University Solicitor was received (p1864).
The Board endorsed the legislation for submission to Council. Secretary
14. COMMITTEES OF ACADEMIC BOARD
The Administrative Review Statute 1993 had become operative when Governor in Council approval had been given on 27 July. That Statute reflected the revised administrative structures of the University, and corrected and updated a number of statutory provisions. Included in these was the substitution of section 9 of the Academic Board Statute which now specifically referred to appointments of and delegations to committees of the Board. Accordingly, it was appropriate for Academic Board to endorse for the purposes of the new provisions the appointment of the various Academic Board committees in the attached document.
The Board appointed the Committees as listed. Secretary
Academic Board also noted an additional term of reference for the Undergraduate Education Committee as follows -
". consider and make recommendations to the Academic Board on Ms R. Brooks legislation required to be submitted to the Board for consideration and report to Council."
15. COMMITTEE AND BOARD MEMBERSHIP MATTERS
15.1 Readership/Associate Professorship Committee
The Academic Board was requested to endorse Professor Freebairn's Mr A. recommendation that Professor R.L. Brown be appointed as an Armstrong alternate member of the Professorship/Associate Professorship Professor Committee for the 1993 promotions process. R. Brown
The Board approved the appointment.
15.2 Standing Committee for the Centre for Human Bioethics
The Academic Board was requested to nominate a member of the Dr H. Kuhse Committee. The Committee had proposed that Professor R. Short be Professor appointed. R. Short
The Board appointed Professor R. Short.
16. CHAIR OF PSYCHOLOGY SELECTION COMMITTEE
Professor A. Edwards had been nominated by the Board to serve on the Selection Committee, but was now unavailable.
The Vice-Chancellor had nominated Professor P. Thomson to replace Ms B. Professor Edwards. The Academic Board was required to ratify the Meredith Vice-Chancellor's nomination. Professor P. Thomson
The Board approved this proposal.
17. MEETING DATES OF THE ACADEMIC BOARD FOR 1994
The Steering Committee had considered the matter of the monthly meeting cycle of Academic Board, which was not synchronised with the six-week meeting cycle of Council and the three-week cycle of the Committee of Deans. Members acknowledged that difficulties arose when Academic Board missed the agenda deadline for the following Council meeting due to the incompatibility of the cycles. It was noted that the Board had changed from six-weekly to monthly meetings in 1990, particularly to handle the high volume of business generated at that time by the mergers. The Steering Committee held the view that the Board's standing committees, including the new Undergraduate Education Committee, were enabling the Board to focus on major issues.
With this information in mind, the Board agreed to revert to a six-weekly meeting cycle for 1994, and that this arrangement be reviewed at the time of scheduling dates for 1995.
The meeting dates for the Council and the Academic Board in 1994 Secretary would, therefore, be as follows:
Academic Board Council
Wednesday, 2 February Monday, 21 February
Wednesday, 16 March Monday, 11 April
Wednesday, 4 May Monday, 16 May
Wednesday, 8 June Monday, 27 June
Wednesday, 20 July Monday, 8 August
Wednesday, 31 August Monday, 19 September
Wednesday, 12 October Monday, 31 October
Wednesday, 23 November Monday, 12 December