Meeting No 2/97 of the Academic Board was held on Wednesday, 26 February 1997 in the Council Room of the University, from 2.15 pm to 3.15 pm.
There were present:
Vice-Chancellor Professor DA Robinson - presiding, Mr P Annal, Professor Dr Arnott, Mr C Avram, Professors DH Barkla, AJ Bishop, A Bond, Dr J Brien, Professor ML Brisk, Dr C Browne, Assoc Professor RAR Bywater, Professors B Caine, R Cas, C Chapman, RL Coppel, Ms O Cornelius, Professors JN Crossley, PLeP Darvall, RW Davies, G Davison, DM de Kretser, H Emy, Assoc Professors M Evans, A Farley, Professor C Gibbs, Assoc Professor M Gill, Professors G Griffin, RHJ Grimshaw, P Grundy, RF Gunstone, JD Hamill, Mr B Harding, Assoc Professor M Hooper, Mr D Imber, Professors MJ Kartomi, ML King, Assoc Professor A Lill, Professor E Lim, Professor P Nagley, Assoc Professor P Nestor, Professor I Nicholls, Assoc Professor F Ng, Professors J Northfield, JR Pilbrow, R Porter, J Powell, C Probyn, U Proske, J Ratnatunga, Dr J Redman, Professors J Redmond, B Reed, JA Rickard, A Rizvi, D Schauder, MT Skully, P Spearritt, Ms C Spencer, Professor PJ Stewart, Assoc Professors P Swatman, GV Taylor, Professor P Tharenou, Ms S Varney, Mr M Vitlin, Mr PB Wade, Assoc Prof N White, Professors RT White, RJ Willis, Mr D Wong.
Apologies were received from:
Professor W Anderson, Ms ML Brien, Professor RL Brown, Assoc Professor JD Cashion, Professor MN Clayton, Ms V Clulow, Dr G Davies, Professor RR Doherty, Professor GK Egan, Ms C Fletcher, Mr R Garnett, Ms R Gedge, Professor J Harris, Dr B Hateley, Professor MTW Hearn, Professors WR Jackson, JB Jacobs, R Jones, B Parmenter, M Quartly, GW Smith, Ms J Southcott, Dr K Stewart, Professors N Thomson, PL Waller, CR Williams
In attendance were:
Ms JH Newham, Secretary to Academic Board, Ms E R Brooks, Acting Executive Officer to Academic Board, Ms H Dunne, Executive Assistant to Vice-Chancellor.
Present by invitation:
Professor T Hore, Mr D Phillips, Mr C Vernon
Observers:
Mr R Burnet, Professor D Goldsworthy, Ms C Mingins
The Steering Committee had met on Tuesday, 18 February 1997 in the James McNeill Room.
Present were:
Professor DA Robinson (Chair), Professors J Pilbrow, P Tharenou, B Caine and Dr C Browne
Present by invitation were:
Professor PLeP Darvall, Ms O Cornelius
In attendance were:
Ms JH Newham, Ms ER Brooks, Ms H Dunne, and Ms B Hatley (SWAS Observer)
M I N U T E S
*1. ARRANGEMENT OF AGENDA AND PROCEDURAL MATTERS
1.1 Starring of Items
Items 2.1 and 12.2 were starred by members of the Board.
1.2 Approval of Non-Starred Items
The recommendations of the Steering Committee were adopted without discussion for all items other than those starred.
2. MINUTES
*2.1 Minutes of Academic Board Meeting No 1/97 held on 29 January 1997
Previously circulated.
A member of the Board asked about the intended University response to the review of governance of tertiary education institutions, and was advised by the Vice-Chancellor that Monash would probably refer the review committee to relevant parts of the response being prepared by the AVCC and add information of particular relevance and importance to Monash. Professor Robinson said that any members intending to make individual submissions to the review panel should know that all responses would be posted on the WWW. The Vice-Chancellor also said that he would present some Monash-specific information to the three members of the review panel who had arranged to visit on 13 March, and he invited members to submit to his office matters they wished to be considered for inclusion in this response.
The Minutes of Academic Board Meeting 1/97 held on 29 January 1997 were confirmed and signed, subject to:
Action/Information: Secretary
3. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
3.1 Chairing of Committees
Circulated (pp 65-66).
The Academic Board noted the document presented, approved the appointments to Chairs of Committees of Academic Board as detailed therein, and referred the document to Council for information and appointment of Chairs of Committees of Council.
Action/Information: Secretary
4. MATTERS REFERRED TO ACADEMIC BOARD BY COUNCIL
4.1 Report of the Review of Council Structure and Function
The Academic Board noted that the Report of the Review of Council Structure and Function, referred by Council to the Board under item 7 of the unconfirmed Minutes of Council Meeting 1/97, would be considered under item 5.1 of this Agenda.
4.2 Report on Promotions to Reader/Associate Professor
Circulated (pp 67-68).
The Academic Board noted with acclamation the promotions, effective 1 January 1997, approved by the University Readership/Associate Professorship Committee and noted by Council at meeting 8/96, as detailed in the document presented.
Action/Information: Ms B Meredith
*5. VICE-CHANCELLOR'S BUSINESS
The Vice-Chancellor reminded the Board of his recommendation, through the Board to Council, regarding the chairing of the Academic Board. Since Council had approved an amendment to the Statute determining the Chair of the Board (see Resolutions CL1/97/46 and CL 1/97/19), at this point the Vice-Chancellor passed the Chair to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Development), whom Professor Robinson nominated to chair the Board on behalf of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Planning)-Designate until June 1997.
Action/Information: Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Planning)-Designate
5.1 Report of the Review of Council Structure and Function
Circulated (pp 69-94). See item 4.1.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor DA Robinson, introduced this item, commending the working parties of Council for their work which had culminated in the document presented. The Board also noted the commendation of the Vice-Chancellor for the working party of the Academic Board chaired by Professor J Pilbrow, which had made a submission to the Council review, and which had seen the majority of its recommendations accepted.
The Board considered the Report of the Review of Council Structure and Function, with a view to making a final submission regarding the report to Council Meeting 2/97.
Members commented that the role of the Academic Board was not clearly defined in the review document. The Board noted the Vice-Chancellor's advice that the Board would have an opportunity to comment on its role and function as part of a corollary review of the committee structure of the University to be undertaken following the conclusion of the review of Council.
The Academic Board received and noted the Report of the Review of Council Structure and Function and made the following points to be submitted to Council Meeting 2/97 regarding the Review of Council Structure and Function:
Action/Information: Secretary
5.2 Corporate Planning - Update
Mr D Phillips advised the Board that the group assisting in the development of the draft corporate plan was nearing the end of its consultation phase, and expected to have a first draft prepared for general distribution towards the end of April. A member of the Board suggested that it would be useful to the University community to see a brief outline of the direction of the plan placed on the WWW for general access.
The Academic Board noted the advice of Mr Phillips that the group assisting in the development of the corporate plan was nearing the end of its consultation phase and expected to present a first draft to the University community towards the end of April. The Board also asked Mr Phillips to consider placing on the WWW some information about the directions being taken for general access by the University community.
Action/Information: Mr D Phillips
5.3 Selection and Admissions Matters
Circulated (pp 95-110).
Mr CT Vernon, Manager, Admissions and Records, advised the Board that the University was well placed to meet the DEETYA targets, particularly those for undergraduate enrolment. Although on-campus enrolments at the Gippsland campus and for international students were slightly lower than anticipated, Mr Vernon advised the Board that he expected that this would alter as more off-campus and Distance Education enrolment information was processed.
In response to a question about the effects of changes to the Austudy scheme, Mr Vernon said there was no noticeable variation in enrolment patterns which could be seen as due to the Austudy changes.
The Academic Board received and noted the document presented and the advice given by Mr Vernon regarding selection and admissions matters.
Action/Information: Mr CT Vernon
6. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF DEANS
Receipt of Report
Circulated (pp 1-4).
The Academic Board received and noted the Report of Meeting 1/97 of the Committee of Deans held on 28 January 1997.
7. REPORT OF THE DEAN OF THE FACULTY OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS
Circulated (pp 111-114) (members only).
The Academic Board received and noted the document.
7.1 Special Offer of a Place in the Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Communication degree, Berwick Campus.
On behalf of the Board of the Faculty of Business and Economics, the Dean had proposed that the Faculty be permitted to make an offer of a place to an applicant who had completed the International Baccalaureate certificate rather than the International Baccalaureate diploma. Full details were submitted to members of the Board.
On the recommendation of the Board of the Faculty of Business and Economics and in accordance with Statute 6.1.1 section 2.1, the Academic Board deemed the applicant as having satisfied admission requirements to the Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Communication at the Berwick campus.
Action/Information: Dean, Faculty of Business and Economics; Ms A Pilgrim
8. REPORT OF THE BOARD OF THE FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
Receipt of Report
Circulated (pp 5-8).
The Academic Board received and noted the report of the decision of the Board of the Faculty of Engineering, reached subsequent to the circulation of a memorandum to all members dated 11 December 1996.
Action/Information: Mr D Secomb
8.1 Restructure of Faculty
Circulated (pp 5-8).
The Faculty of Engineering had proposed a restructure of the Faculty, detailed in the draft amendments to regulations and explanatory notes submitted by the Faculty.
The restructure was intended to merge the existing multi-divisional departments into single departments (previously Clayton and Caulfield divisions of the departments of Civil, Electrical and Computer Systems and Mechanical Engineering) each with representation by both the Head of department and the Deputy Head of department on the Faculty Board (previously the head of each of the two divisions was a member of the Faculty Board). In addition, distance education students would gain representation, minor amendments to structure and title were incorporated, and the concept of the "Caulfield School" and the "Clayton School" were abolished in the draft amendments. The academic staff composition of the Faculty Board would be reduced by two (the heads of the former Clayton and Caulfield schools).
The Board noted that the recommendations made by the Faculty did not include amendment of the representation of graduate students on the Faculty Board in accordance with the policy on Student Representation on Senior University Committees, approved by Council at Meeting 7/96 (resolution CL 7/96/464), which required that there be at least one research graduate student and one non-research graduate student as members of each Faculty Board. The Board further noted that the provisions relating to undergraduate representation on the Board of the Faculty of Engineering complied with the policy.
Action/Information: Faculty Registrars; University Solicitor; Academic Registrar; Secretary
9. REPORT OF THE BOARD OF THE FACULTY OF MEDICINE
Receipt of Report
Circulated (pp 9-18).
An obituary for Professor SR Stone, whose death was referred to under the proceedings of the Faculty Board report, is attached to the Minutes of this meeting for the information of members (Attachment 1).
The Academic Board received and noted the Report of Meeting 1/97 of the Board of the Faculty of Medicine held on 5 February 1997.
Action/Information: Mr B Ruck; Secretary
9.1 Faculty Structure and Appointment of Associate Deans
9.1.1 Faculty Structure
Circulated (pp 11-14).
The Board of the Faculty of Medicine proposed that the structure of the Faculty be amended to establish two clinical schools, one to facilitate interaction in teaching, research and clinical activities with the Inner and Eastern Health Care Network, and the other to facilitate interaction in teaching, research and clinical activities with the Southern and Peninsula Health Care Networks.
The clinical schools would each be led by an Associate Dean (see item 9.1.2 below), and would have departments as defined in the document presented.
Advice from the Faculty Administrator indicated that there were no legislative amendments required to accommodate these changes, although the Faculty would be required to reconsider this point as recommended in Minute 8.1 above.
The Academic Board approved for submission to Council the proposal of the Faculty of Medicine to establish two clinical schools of the Faculty, to be titled the "Inner and Eastern Clinical School" and the "Southern/Peninsula Clinical School".
9.1.2 Appointment of Associate Deans
The Academic Board approved for submission to Council the proposal of the Board of the Faculty of Medicine to appoint:
for terms of office from 1 January 1997 to 31 December 1998.
9.2 Review of Department of Anaesthesia
The Academic Board approved the proposal of the Board of the Faculty of Medicine that Professor CS Goodchild be re-appointed as Professor of Anaesthesia for a further term of five years (expiring 31 December 2002), and that the Department continue as an independent entity until such time as the departmental structure of the Faculty was changed.
9.3 Disestablishment of the Centre for Biomedical Simulation
Circulated (p 15).
The Academic Board approved the proposal of the Board of the Faculty of Medicine to disestablish the Centre for Biomedical Simulation.
9.4 Establishment of the Australian Orthopaedic Association Prize
The Academic Board approved the proposal of the Board of the Faculty of Medicine to establish a monetary prize, to be awarded annually to the best student in Orthopaedic Surgery in the sixth year of the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery; said prize to be named the "Australian Orthopaedic Association Prize".
9.5 Appointment of Acting Head and Acting Deputy Head of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
The Academic Board approved for submission to Council the appointment by the Board of the Faculty of Medicine of Associate Professor BN Preston as Acting Head and Associate Professor RN Devenish as Acting Deputy Head of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology until such time as the Headship of the Department, vacated by the untimely death of Professor S Stone, was filled.
9.6 1995 Annual Report of the Institute of Reproduction and Development
Circulated (pp 17-18).
The Academic Board received and noted for transmission to Council the Executive Summary of the 1995 Annual Report of the Institute of Reproduction and Development.
10. REPORT OF THE ADMISSIONS COMMITTEE
Receipt of Report
Circulated (p 19).
The Academic Board received and noted the report of Meeting 4/96 of the Admissions Committee held on Tuesday 19 November 1996.
11. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF ASSOCIATE DEANS (RESEARCH)
11.1 Report of Meeting 8/96
Circulated (pp 21-24).
The Academic Board received and noted the report of Meeting 8/96 of the Committee of Associate Deans (Research) held on 5 December 1996.
11.2 Report of Meeting 1/97
Circulated (pp 115-118).
The Academic Board received and noted the report of Meeting 1/97 of the Committee of Associate Deans (Research) held on 6 February 1997.
12. REPORT OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Receipt of Report
Circulated (pp 25-31).
The Academic Board received and noted the Report of Education Committee Meeting 1/97 held on 5 February 1997.
12.1 Chairing of the Committee
The Academic Board noted that Professor PLeP Darvall would be the Interim Chair of the Education Committee (until June 1997).
*12.2 Calculation of Duration of Double Degrees
The Education Committee had approved for submission to the Board a proposed policy statement relating to the advertised length of double degree programs. The proposal and its background are reproduced in these Minutes as submitted in the Index of Recommendations which was circulated prior to the Academic Board meeting.
"In various faculties there has been a practice of underweighting the subjects in some degree programs which require the completion of more than 48 credit points in an academic year. In general the underweighting has applied to subjects in double degree programs, to enable students to complete both degrees in a minimum period of time. The practice has led to disadvantage for the faculty in terms of funding, to such an extent that the future of some double degree programs is in doubt. The Committee agrees with the widespread view that the current situation, in which some subjects are allocated different EFTSU weights depending upon whether they are to be undertaken by students enrolled in single degrees or in double degree programs, is inequitable.
"The Board is reminded that a student overload of up to 8 credit points per year, to a maximum of 56 points per year, was approved at its meeting 5/96 (item 14.4). This means that, for example, a double degree program of four years' duration can comprise up to a total number of 224 credit points (4 x 48 plus 4 x 8). The Education Committee also asks the Board to note that the Education Policy (Section 5.1) equates workload and credit points, and further equates 48 credit points to 1.0 EFTSU (100%) for statistical, HECS and fee purposes.
"To address the funding difficulties and inequities outlined above, the Education Committee proposes that, for the purposes of DEETYA reporting and calculation of student HECS and fee liabilities, the subjects comprising the individual degrees of a double degree program be weighted as for the same subjects in single degree programs. This change would mean that courses with an enrolment requirement of more than 48 credit points per year would advertise their true lengths in terms of a 48 point year.
"For many double degree courses, this policy will result in an extension of the advertised length of the course, so that it reflects the number of 48 point years in which the course would be completed (eg 4.5 years for a 216 point course, 5.5 for a 264 point course, 4.67 for a 224 point course). Students should be advised that a four year double degree program based on the maximum number of points (56 points per year, a total of 224) is the equivalent of over four and a half years in length.
"Under the recommended policy students might choose to undertake double degree programs in an accelerated manner (as they now do, to complete the program in minimum time), and faculties may encourage this practice. However an EFTSU enrolment / HECS overload in any year would be voluntary and will not be adjusted to equal 1.0 EFTSU."
A member of the Board queried whether this new policy would affect those students currently enrolled in double degree programs, and was advised that, as was usual, the University should make every effort to quarantine currently enrolled students from the changes. The member also questioned the proposed date of introduction, commenting that faculties might require more time to re-evaluate their double programs in order to reduce them in length. Advice on this latter point confirmed the general view that these changes should take effect from January 1998, and therefore should be reflected in the VTAC Guide currently in production. It was noted, however, that the changes did not require faculties to restructure their programs, as the policy was not intended to alter academic requirements but only the advertised lengths of the double degree programs available.
A suggestion was also made that the proposed policy might affect Monash's enrolment levels because of additional costs involved for students. In response a student member of the Board pointed out that students would be pleased to see more realistic advertising, as it would introduce a greater awareness that the courses were indeed more strenuous. The Board also acknowledged that while overpricing of courses was to be avoided, there was some merit in the argument that quality programs were worth paying a little extra to complete.
The Academic Board approved, for immediate introduction, the policy recommended by the Education Committee regarding the advertised lengths of double degree programs as follows:
The advertised length of double degree courses should be equal to the total credit points for the course divided by 48 (being the standard credit point load per academic year). EFTSU will therefore have a unique, directly proportional relationship to the credit point value of a subject (48 credit points equals 1.0 EFTSU).
Action/Information: Faculty Registrars; Associate Deans (Teaching)
12.3 New Course Proposals
12.3.1 Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Education
This course was proposed for introduction from Semester One 1998 on the Clayton campus.
Circulated (pp 33-39).
The Academic Board approved the proposal of the Faculties of Business and Economics and Education to establish a new course, to be titled Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Education.
Action/Information: Ms A Pilgrim, Mr P Yates
12.4 Amendments to Existing Courses
12.4.1 Bachelor of Arts - Approved Arts Disciplines
The Board noted the advice of the Faculty that within the structure of the Bachelor of Arts there would remain sufficient scope (52 points) for students to complete subjects in disciplines other than those taught by the Faculty of Arts. This scope, it was further noted, would permit students to complete a 52 point major from another faculty (for example, psychology from the Faculty of Science) along with the minimum Arts requirements of a major, minor and first year sequence.
The Academic Board approved the proposal:
"that for the purposes of defining the structure of the Bachelor of Arts, disciplines and subjects referred to as "Arts" be considered to be those taught by departments of the Faculty of Arts in an approved schedule."
Action/Information: Ms C Jordon
12.4.2 Bachelor of Business - amendment to Accounting major
Circulated (pp 41-44).
This amendment was proposed for introduction from Semester Two 1997, and the Board noted that appropriate transition arrangements would be made available for current students.
The Academic Board approved the proposal of the Faculty of Business and Economics to amend the Accounting major of the existing Bachelor of Business available at the Gippsland campus as detailed in the document presented.
Action/Information: Ms A Pilgrim
12.4.3 Bachelor of Applied Science - Amendment to structure and title
Circulated (pp 45-53).
The Faculty of Science had recommended the introduction of a new course structure on the Gippsland campus for the existing Bachelor of Applied Science and its associated tagged degrees.
The new course structure was proposed to take effect from Semester One 1998 on the Gippsland campus and by Distance Education, and would affect all courses with the current Bachelor of Applied Science as a component of a double degree.
The Board noted that the Bachelor of Applied Science would have no further intake after 1997 and that there would be no further transfer into the tagged degrees associated with the Bachelor of Applied Science after 1998.
The Academic Board approved the proposal of the Faculty of Science to amend the existing Bachelor of Applied Science as detailed in the document presented, and to amend the title of the course so that it became Bachelor of Science. The Board noted that this amendment affected all double degrees associated with the existing Bachelor of Applied Science.
Action/Information: Dr P Rodan
*12.4.4 Bachelor of Applied Science - tagged degrees - amendment to
structure and title
Circulated (pp 55-61).
The Faculty of Science had recommended that the tagged awards associated with the Bachelor of Applied Science be revised as part of the restructure of the existing Bachelor of Applied Science.
The new streams and titles would be available from 1998, but would not be made available for intake at the first year level. It was intended by the Faculty that existing students would transfer into the new streams at the end of 1997, although arrangements would be made for any individual who wished to continue with their current stream.
A member expressed concern that the use of the title Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology) at the Gippsland campus might have a detrimental effect on the development of similar programs at the Clayton campus. The Dean of the Faculty of Science reminded the Board that since the Gippsland programs were largely offered through distance education, the course was not intended to be campus-specific and that far from stifling future developments this course could enhance future offerings at other campuses of the University. It was also noted that this course would replace the existing Bachelor of Applied Science (Biotechnology).
The Academic Board approved the following tagged degrees, indicating streams of the Bachelor of Science to be available to students on the Gippsland campus, noting that these tagged degrees are available only for later year intake:
Action/Information: Dr P Rodan
12.4.5 Bachelor of Science - amendment to major/minor structure
Circulated (pp 63-64).
The Academic Board approved the proposal of the Faculty of Science to amend the structure of the Bachelor of Science so that the course requirements would be as follows:
"A candidate for the degree must include subjects to the value of at least 144 points, including:
two major sequences
or
a major sequence and a minor sequence
or
a linked-major package."
Action/Information: Dr P Rodan
12.5 Resolution of Matters Raised at Previous Meetings of the Academic Board
12.5.1 Bachelor of Science / Bachelor of Education
The Academic Board noted that the conditions placed upon the original approval of the new double degree program, Bachelor of Science / Bachelor of Education (Minute 16.2, Education Committee Meeting 6/96), had been met.
Action/Information: Dr P Rodan; Mr P Yates
12.5.2 Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Education
The Academic Board noted that the condition placed upon the original approval of the amendment to the double degree program, Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Education (Minute 16.1, Education Committee Meeting 6/96), had been met.
Action/Information: Ms C Jordon; Mr P Yates
12.6 New Subject Proposals
The Academic Board approved the subject proposals from the Faculty of Business and Economics and the Victorian College of Pharmacy as detailed below:
Action/Information: Ms A Pilgrim; Mr M Watson
12.7 Disestablishment of Existing Subjects
The Academic Board noted the disestablishment of existing subjects of the Faculty of Engineering:
Action/Information: Mr D Secomb
13. REPORT OF PHD AND SCHOLARSHIPS COMMITTEE
Receipt of Report
Circulated (pp119-122).
The Academic Board received and noted the report of Meeting 1/97 of the PhD and Scholarships Committee held on Friday 7 February 1997.
13.1 New Subject Proposals
The Academic Board approved the subject proposals from the Faculty of Education as listed below:
Action/Information: Mr P Yates
13.2 New Course Proposals
13.2.1 Doctor of Psychology
This program was intended for introduction in 1998.
The Academic Board noted that the condition (viz. approval by the PhD and Scholarships Committee) placed at Academic Board Meeting 8/96 upon its approval of the establishment of a new course, Doctor of Psychology, had been met.
Action/Information: Dr P Rodan; Mr B Ruck, Ms E Wilson
14. LEGISLATION
The University Solicitor had prepared legislation in accordance with instructions from the appropriate faculties and other offices, to implement proposals which were approved by the Academic Board for submission to Council. A copy of the following item of legislation was tabled for perusal by members of the Board, and a copy of the explanatory memorandum prepared with this item of legislation was attached to the Agenda.
14.1 Faculty of Education (Amendment No 1 1997) Regulations
Circulated (p 123).
The Academic Board approved for submission to Council the above draft legislation.
Action/Information: University Solicitor
15. COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP MATTERS
15.1 Chair Selection Committee - Professor/Director of Surgery
The Academic Board nominated Professor M Clayton as the representative of the Board on the Selection Committee for a Professor/Director of Surgery in the Faculty of Medicine.
Action/Information: Professor M Clayton
15.2 Nominations Committee
This item was included in the Agenda in error.
15.3 Exclusion Appeals Committee
The Academic Board ratified the appointments to the Exclusion Appeals Committee, made by the Steering Committee on behalf of the Board, as follows:
Mr J Duns, Faculty of Law
Dr S Kneebone, Faculty of Law
Professor D Aspin, Faculty of Education.
Action/Information: Professor D Aspin, Mr J Duns, Dr S Kneebone
The Meeting concluded at 3:15 pm.
7 March 1997 E R Brooks
Acting Executive Officer, Academic Board
Attachment 1
STUART ROBERT STONE
Stuart Robert Stone was a successful biochemist who had a distinguished career at institutions both overseas and in Australia. He died very suddenly in Melbourne on December 16, 1996, having only recently taken up the appointment as Professor and Head of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
Born at Gosford, New South Wales in 1951, he attended Gosford High School, then studied Agriculture at Sydney University. During his undergraduate years 1970-73, he was awarded some twelve prizes and scholarships, culminating in nomination for the University Medal in 1974 as the most outstanding graduate of the year. This followed his award of a first class Honours degree.
Stuart Stone remained in the Department of Agricultural Chemistry to undertake postgraduate research which led to the award of a Doctor of Philosophy in 1978 for his investigations into the enzyme glutamate dehydrogenase.
In 1978 he accepted a position of postdoctoral research associate with Herb Fromm in the Biochemistry & Biophysics Department in Iowa State University where he continued to work in mechanisms of enzyme action. On his return to Australia in 1980, he joined John Morrison in the Department of Biochemistry, John Curtin School of Medical Research where again he expanded his expertise in the analysis of kinetic behaviour of enzymes.
In 1984 Stuart Stone took up the position of Group Leader at the Friedrich Miescher-Institut, Basel, Switzerland where he commenced investigations in what was to become his main scientific interest, that of the structure and activity of the protease, thrombin, and related receptors and inhibitors. He continued these studies when in 1991 he was appointed as a lecturer in the Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge. During the period 1984 until 1996, Stuart Stone authored and co-authored in excess of 110 papers and chapters in the area of thrombin and the related area of serpins.
Stuart Stone was a person of immense charm and wit. He displayed remarkable tolerance to students and colleagues alike. He was a skilled communicator and was in great demand to participate in international scientific meetings.
Stuart was not just a scientist; he had other interests in which he immersed himself with great enthusiasm. Throughout his life he was an active sportsman, taking part in team sports at school and university, progressing to marathon running and later swimming. He obtained swimming coaching qualifications, and regularly assisted with coaching at the local Cambridge Swimming Club. He was an excellent cook who delighted in surprising guests with his skills.
Stuart’s moves around the world were not only inspired by career opportunities, but also by a strong interest in travel and experiencing other cultures. During his spare time in Canberra he studied Italian and later enjoyed conversing with Italian colleagues in their own language. After moving to the German-speaking part of Switzerland, he became fluent in German.
In the very short time that Stuart Stone was at Monash University, he had inspired his staff and instilled in them great hope for the future. The Department, Faculty and University mourns the loss of a brilliant scientist and much loved man who would have undoubtedly brought much distinction to the institution.
He is survived by his wife Eleanor Mackie, two daughters Brangwen and Meredith, and son Simon.