Monash University

Academic Board Meeting 8/98

Meeting No 8/98 of the Academic Board was held on Wednesday, 25 November 1998 in the Council Room of the University, between 2:15 pm and 5:00 pm.

Professor AW Lindsay - Chair, Professor DA Robinson (Vice-Chancellor), Professors D Abramson, W Anderson and DR Arnott, Mr C Avram, Professor ML Brisk, Associate Professor C Browne, Professors B Caine and R Cas, Associate Professor JD Cashion, Professors MN Clayton, P LeP Darvall, RW Davies, R Dickson and RR Doherty, Ms A Ellis, Associate Professor A Farley, Professors P Forsyth and CL Gibbs, Associate Professor M Gill, Professors G Griffin and MTW Hearn, Mr J Hurley, Mr D Imber, Professors WR Jackson, JB Jacobs, B Jarrott and J Jarvis, Ms A Johns-Putra, Professor ML King, Ms S Lawson, Ms C Lewis, Professor E Lim, Dr M Lindorff, Dr K Macrae, Professor JE Maloney, Associate Professor K McLaren, Professors W Melbourne and P Nagley, Associate Professor L Nethercott, Professor KT Ng, Associate Professor F Ng, Professor M Neave (Acting Dean - Law), Associate Professor MA Page, Professor B Parmenter, Associate Professor J Peterson, Professors JR Pilbrow, M Quartly, JK Redmond, JA Rickard and F Rizvi, Dr C Rodda, Professors J Rosenberg, A Russell, N Saunders and D Schauder, Associate Professor J Sheridan, Professor P Stewart, Mr PB Wade, Dr CG Worth and Associate Professor HR Wu.

Mr DW Rogers (Chancellor), Professor G Bouma, Mr M Cabrie, Professor CB Chapman, Ms V Clulow, Professors RL Coppel and DM de Kretser, Dr J Edwards, Professors GK Egan and RHJ Grimshaw, Dr H Johnson, Professor HP Lee, Mr A McMeekin, Ms C Mingins, Associate Professors M Pittard and T Seddon, Professors GC Smith, P Tharenou and N Thomson, Mrs J Tooher, Associate Professor K Trace and Professor L Waller.

Professors G Webb (Malaysia), J Harris and RB McKern, Mr J Levine and Ms D Lampard.

In attendance was: Ms K Wilson-Reid (Secretary).

Observers: Mr R Burnet, Associate Professor R Alfredson (Malaysia), Mr P Siggins, Ms S Gleeson, Ms M Lyons, Ms S Stafford, Mr A Owen, Mr P James and Mr A Butfoy.

The Steering Committee had met on Tuesday, 17 November 1998 in the James McNeill Room.

Present were: Professor DA Robinson (Chair), Professors D Schauder and B Parmenter, Associate Professors C Browne and M Gill and Professor M Evans.

In attendance were: Ms K Wilson-Reid (Secretary) and Mr P Siggins.

M I N U T E S

The meeting was held by teleconference between the Clayton campus and the Monash University Sunway Campus Malaysia. The Chair, Professor AW Lindsay, welcomed those attending at the Malaysia campus including Professor J Warren, Dr R Pollard, Professor G Webb and Associate Professor R Alfredson.

The Chair extended thanks and farewell on behalf of the Academic Board to the retiring student members including Mr D Imber, Mr M Cabrie, Mr YL Koh, Mr K Kendall and Ms A Johns-Putra.

Professor Lindsay also reminded members about the opportunity for pre-starring of items on agendas, which would enable members to seek clarification about issues, information and procedures prior to meetings.

The teleconference link to the Monash University Sunway Campus Malaysia was ceased voluntarily by the participants at that campus at the completion of item 4.5.

The agenda items were addressed at the meeting in the following order: 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 4.1, 1.3/4.4, two new items under item 3, 3.1, 3.2, 4.2, 4.3, 4.5, matter arising item 3.3 from the Minutes of Meeting 7/98, 8.6.1, 8.9, 8.6.1 (revisited) and 11.2. (Non members vacated the Council Room for the duration of the confidential item under 1.3/4.4.)

Items 3.3 and 3.4 were added and items 8.6.1, 8.9 and 11.2 were starred at the meeting. An additional item starred as a matter arising was item 3.3 from the Minutes of Meeting 7/98.

The single confidential item on the agenda, item 4.4, was a starred item.

The Chair deferred the confidential item, which was to be resolved at this point in the agenda, until the Vice-Chancellor could be in attendance to speak to it.

Please refer to item 4.4.

The Minutes for Meeting 7/98 were circulated previously.

Action/Information: Secretary

3.1 Budget for 1999 RMO97/0611

The draft University Budget for 1999 (including indicative budgets for 2000 to 2001) and explanatory memoranda, as provided to the Committee of Deans for their meeting held 11 November 1998, was circulated (p 231-300).

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor DA Robinson, introduced this item as a three year rolling budget to be read in conjunction with the Monash Plan. Professor Robinson thanked the General Manager, Mr PB Wade, and all of the staff who had been involved with production of the budget. The Vice-Chancellor also introduced Mr J Levine, Assistant General Manager, Budget and Statistical Services and Ms D Lampard, Director of Quantitative Planning Support, Budget and Statistical Services, who were invited to attend the meeting for this item.

The Board noted a presentation from the General Manager, which highlighted various aspects of the budget, including funding for research, the Learning and Teaching Operational Plan (LTOP), capital works, maintenance and refurbishment, information technology systems, Commonwealth funding, Monash Global and student fee income.

Professor AW Lindsay further informed members about funding for implementation of and activities stemming from the Learning and Teaching Operational Plan. The Chair advised that the final version of the document relating to funding for LTOP would be distributed to members. (This document is attached to the Minutes as Attachment A.)

Discussion occurred regarding:

• accumulated funding for faculty teaching load;
• property sales;
• special purpose funding;
• international student involvement in Monash International and Monash Global;
• funding for information technology; and
• maintenance and refurbishment.

In accordance with the Policy on Admission of Observers to Academic Board Meetings, the Chair declined a request from an observer for speaking rights which was made during the Board's consideration of this item. Professor Lindsay highlighted that under the Observers Policy there were two categories of observers; those observers who are invited by the Chair to attend the Board to speak or answer questions from members pertaining to an item on the agenda; and a maximum of ten observers, being either staff, students or members of the Council of the University, who may apply to the Secretary to attend a particular meeting. Professor Lindsay advised that the latter category of observers who had applied to attend a meeting were not permitted to speak, except where the observer had made a request to the Chair at or before the commencement of the meeting for speaking rights on a particular item and that request had been granted by the Board.

Action/Information: Secretary

3.2 Appointment of the new Chancellor RMOR98/091

(Circulated p 301-302)

The Vice-Chancellor spoke briefly to inform the Board about the recent appointment of Mr JK Ellis as the new Chancellor of Monash University.

This item was added at the meeting by the Vice-Chancellor.

The Vice-Chancellor spoke to this item to inform the Board about the succuss of a combined Science and Law degree student of Monash who had recently been named the Victorian Rhodes Scholar of the year.

This item was added at the meeting by the Vice-Chancellor.

The Vice-Chancellor spoke to this item to inform the Board about the succuss of an assistant lecturer in the University's Faculty of Information Technology who had recently won the Prime Minister's 1998 University Teacher of the Year Award.

Item 4 is used in the agenda to highlight those items which were starred prior to the meeting.

For the relevant minute for this item, please refer to Minute 5.1.

For the relevant minute for this item, please refer to Minute 6.1.

For the relevant minute for this item, please refer to Minute 8.5.1.

For the relevant minute for this item, please refer to Minute 10.1.

For the relevant minute for this item, please refer to Minute 13.

*5.1 Minute 11.1.2 of Meeting 7/98 - Extension of the Master and Graduate Diploma of Public Policy and Management courses by distance education to Singapore RMO97/0466

In the agenda, this item was considered as item 4.1 under Section B - Starred Items. The item was starred at Steering Committee.

These courses were currently offered through the Centre for Public Management and the Distance Education Centre, Gippsland campus. The proposal under this item, which was initiated by the Monash Mt Eliza Business School and endorsed by the Offshore Quality Assurance Committee for submission to the Academic Board, sought to extend the offering of both courses to Singapore through the Technology Management Centre.

This item had been withdrawn from Meeting 7/98 due to uncertainty about whether it had been through all of the appropriate procedures. Further investigation revealed some ambiguity in the procedures and varying practices across faculties. Given this variation with at least some proposals for change of location proceeding to the Offshore Quality Assurance Committee without having been to the Education Committee, it was decided to bring the proposal back to Academic Board for approval. The ambiguity in the procedures was currently being addressed.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Planning), Professor AW Lindsay, spoke to this item to inform members about the appropriate processes for approval such changes to course, and reminded the Board for future reference that the opportunity for the pre-starring of items allowed for the clarification of procedural concern prior to meetings.

The Board noted Professor Lindsay's advice that the Education Committee has been responsible for the approval of matters pertaining to mode and campus. He highlighted that mode of study may involve locally-supported Distance Education and so "location" of the offering may change or be extended. The Chair outlined the query from the previous meeting about whether the Education Committee should re-approve extensions to the locations for "locally supported" Distance Education courses offshore as major amendments to course, or whether the Offshore Quality Assurance Committee (OQAC) should be the sole Academic Board committee dealing with location changes for such courses (which already would have received Education Committee approval). Professor Lindsay advised members that since Meeting 7/98, the administrative staff involved with the Education Committee and OQAC had clarified these procedures and that in future, changes in location for "locally supported" Distance Education would be endorsed by both the Education Committee and the Offshore Quality Assurance Committee. The Chair advised that this change to procedure would be brought to the Board at its next meeting. However until that time, the extension of location should be approved by the Board under the existing procedure, rather than delay for the particular case which had led to the ambiguity in procedure being identified.

Action/Information: Secretary; Professor RB McKern;

Ms S Stafford; Dr G McBurnie

Professor R Cas requested that this item from the Minutes of Meeting 7/98 be starred for potential further consideration at Meeting 8/98.

The Vice-Chancellor commented that the Academic Board had endorsed the School structure at its Meeting 7/97, that the structure had, since that meeting, been formally approved by Council on 9 November 1998, and that it was too late to open the matter to further consideration. Professor Robinson added that Council was expecting to be forwarded certain proposals for amendment to title for some schools at a future meeting.

Brief discussion occurred about the comparative nature and budgetary arrangements for schools and departments.

It was agreed that the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Professor M Quartly, would provide advice about implementation of the school structure of the Faculty Arts for the information of the Academic Board at its meeting in February 1999.

Action/Information: Secretary; Professor M Quartly

*6.1 Undergraduate Diplomas RMO98/0597

(Circulated p 303-304)

In the agenda, this item was considered as item 4.2 under Section B - Starred Items. The item was starred at Steering Committee.

At its Meeting 3/98, Council approved a proposal of the Academic Board to establish the award level of University Undergraduate Diploma, involving forty-eight (48) points of Monash University subjects, in the context of two proposals for sequential diplomas in Languages and Psychology. At that meeting it was foreshadowed that further patterns, such as those involving an academically coherent study across a range of cognate disciplines, would be considered when such proposals emerged.

Two such diplomas, titled the Diploma of Undergraduate Studies and the Diploma of Foundation Studies, were approved by the Academic Board at its Meeting 7/98. It was then recommended to Council that the award category of Undergraduate Diploma be extended to include a focus on breadth, consequently enabling confirmation of the Academic Board's approval of these awards. Council expressed some reservations about the awards, sought clarification regarding certain aspects of the awards (detailed in the document presented) and referred the matter to the Academic Board for further consideration.

The Associate Chair of Academic Board, Professor M Evans, spoke to this item to highlight aspects of the proposal as presented for submission to Council.

Brief discussion occurred about students qualifying for undergraduate and postgraduate diplomas as exit awards.

Action/Information: Secretary; Faculty Registrars / Managers

7. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF ASSOCIATE DEANS RESEARCH (CADRES) RMO98/0450

(Circulated p 1-2)

Action/Information: Secretary

8. REPORT OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE RMO98/0712

(Circulated p 3-16)

Action/Information: Secretary; Ms S Stafford; Faculty Registrars/Managers; Mr R Burnet; University Solicitor

8.1 Graduate Studies Policy - Schedule of Exceptions RMO98/3117

A draft Schedule of Exceptions for the Graduate Studies Policy was attached to the Index of Items and Agenda Papers at pp 17-18. Subsequent to submission of the Education Committee Report, an amended version of that document was received, which was included in the Index of Recommendations and Supplementary Papers. Members disregarded the original version of the document presented, to be substituted by the draft Schedule of Exceptions at agenda pp 305-308.

Refer also to items 4.3, 8.6.2 and 8.6.3.

The Graduate Studies Policy adopted by Academic Board at Meeting 8/95 foreshadowed the development of a Schedule of Exceptions for Masters courses (Recommendations 5 on p11 and 11 on p14). A Schedule was presented for endorsement by the Board in line with recent exceptions to the Policy guidelines (set out in the Schedule) which were approved by the Board at its Meetings 6/98 and 7/98.

Action/Information: Ms S Stafford; Mr T Calder

8.2 Membership Matters RMO98/2400

A document which set out the current structure and membership of the Education Committee was circulated (p 19-21).

The Education Committee endorsed a proposal to extend the formal Education Committee membership to include Associate Deans (Graduate/Postgraduate Studies). This would permit greater input from faculty representatives whose expertise lies in the area of graduate/postgraduate study in line with the Committee's terms of reference (attached) and the increasing number of graduate courses and subjects submitted for consideration by the Committee. The following procedural mechanisms would be adopted:

• Associate Deans (Graduate/Postgraduate Studies) (title and exact role may vary according to the faculty of origin) would be eligible for Education Committee membership.
• Deans would nominate up to two of their Associate Deans with teaching-related responsibilities to become members of the Education Committee.
• To preserve the appropriate balance between academic units, voting rights would be exercised by one Education Committee member from each Faculty.
• Unless the Chair is otherwise advised by the Dean, it would be assumed that the Associate Dean responsible for undergraduate matters would exercise the right to vote.
• As provided in Section 14.2 of Statute 2.2 - The Academic Board (Substitution) Statute, a quorum at a meeting of the Education Committee is 'one third of the members, taken to the nearest whole number where the committee has sixteen or more members' (draft legislation, awaiting ministerial signature). In the case of the Education Committee, this would be taken to mean one third of the total membership, including Associate Deans (Graduate/Postgraduate Studies).
• Presently, each Associate Dean (Teaching) had an alternate to represent his/her Faculty when he/she was unable to attend meetings of the Education Committee. Alternates were designated by the Dean of the relevant faculty.
• The Associate Dean (Teaching) and the Associate Dean (Graduate/Postgraduate Studies) from the relevant faculty would serve as alternates for each other. No additional alternate would be nominated.

Action/Information: Ms S Stafford; Associate Deans (Graduate / Postgraduate Studies)

and the Graduate Certificate in Network Computing RMO98/0697     RMO98/0700

At Meeting 5/98 of the Education Committee, the Faculty of Information Technology submitted proposals for the Graduate Diploma in Network Computing and the Graduate Certificate in Network Computing for approval and endorsement by Academic Board. Academic Board approved those courses to be offered off-campus. However, the course proposal specified their delivery as "flexible". The intention of the Faculty (and the understanding of the Postgraduate Evaluation Panel of the Education Committee) was that the course be offered in on-campus mode with the transition to more flexible delivery over time. At its Meeting 7/98, the Education approved both courses for delivery in on-campus mode.

At its Meeting 6/98, the Education Committee endorsed the proposal of the Victorian College of Pharmacy to change the name of the Graduate Diploma in Hospital Pharmacy to become the Graduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy. Upon advice received from the University Solicitor's Office, it was proposed to amend the award title to become the Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy. Accordingly, at Meeting 7/98 the Education Committee endorsed the proposal for this further change of award title.

8.5 New Course Proposals RMO97/0087

(Circulated p 23-26)

In the agenda, this item was considered as item 4.3 under Section B - Starred Items. The item was starred at Steering Committee.

A document was circulated previously. Refer also to item 8.1 - Graduate Studies Policy - Schedule of Exceptions.

The Education Committee endorsed for submission to Academic Board a proposal of the Board of the Faculty of Business and Economics to establish the Master of Applied Finance proposed in this item. The Committee noted that the Master of Applied Finance was comprised of eight subjects (forty-eight credit points) completed in one year of full time study or two years of part time study.

In discussion of the proposed forty-eight point course, the Education Committee considered the following factors:

• the forces at play in an increasingly competitive market place;
• clear evidence of demand for such a course;
• the availability of a similarly structured course at two highly regarded institutions; and
• the professional orientation of the proposed course.

The Education Committee noted that the proposal involved a significant variation from standard practices or past exceptions. It explored in detail the strengths and justification provided by the Faculty. The Committee agreed that the proposal for the Master of Applied Finance fell within the categories of exception outlined in the Graduate Studies Policy and set out in the draft Schedule of Exceptions (refer item 8.1).

The Chair of Academic Board and the Education Committee, Professor AW Lindsay, indicated that there had been no precedent for this proposal at the Education Committee and invited the Dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics, Professor JA Rickard, to speak about the proposal for the information of the Board.

Professor Rickard elaborated that this proposal had been (somewhat hesitantly) forwarded by the Faculty of Business and Economics as a necessary action resulting from significant marketplace pressures which would otherwise diminish graduate student numbers in this area of the Faculty's teaching. Associate Professor L Nethercott added however, that this was a clearly titled professionally applied Masters, which would not impact on the Faculty's research programs.

Some members discussed the nomenclature use for Masters degrees at Monash and other Australian universities. The Chair advised that a suggestion for use of the title Master of Philosophy should be referred to the PhD and Scholarships Committee for consideration in the first instance.

Further discussion ensued regarding professional accreditation and recognition of the course by professional bodies.

(Circulated p27-28)

(Circulated p 29-32)

(Circulated p 33-35)

(Circulated p 37-38)

(Circulated p 39-40)

(Circulated p 41-42)

(Circulated p 43)

(Circulated p 45-48)

(Circulated p 49-50)

(Circulated p 51-52)

(Circulated p 53-55)

(Circulated p 57-59)

(Circulated p 61-62)

8.6 Major Amendment to Existing Courses RMO97/0906

(Circulated p 63-66)

The Board of the Monash Mt Eliza Graduate School of Business and Government Ltd recommended a proposal to extend the offering of the current, Council approved, Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Graduate Diploma of Business Administration (GBDA) and to establish a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration.

In effect, it was proposed that the Council approved award of Master of Business Administration (External), currently offered in Hong Kong, and the Council approved award of the Master of Business Administration (External) currently offered in Jakarta, be replaced at those locations from 1999 by the Monash Graduate Diploma of Business Administration and the Monash Master of Business Administration respectively, and that those latter awards be offered at other approved off-shore locations in the future.

The Academic Board resolved at its Meeting 2/96 that when major amendments to Monash programs offered by the Monash Mt Eliza Business School were to be considered by the Academic Board, the formal view of the Faculty of Business and Economics would be sought prior to Academic Board's consideration of the proposal. In accordance with that resolution, the Faculty of Business and Economics was advised about this proposal in late October in order to give the Faculty opportunity to provide a formal view. Some members of the Faculty provided comment about the proposal to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Planning) and to the Education Committee at its Meeting 7/98.

This item was starred prior to the meeting. A copy of a memorandum from Professor JA Rickard to Professors AW Lindsay and JE Maloney about offshore courses was tabled at the meeting. The Chair introduced this item, highlighting that the concerns raised in the tabled paper were not academic, but competitive issues.

Some members engaged in discussion about competitive and marketplace issues between the Faculty of Business and Economics and the Monash Mt Eliza Business School, and the operating agreement between the University and the Business School.

Professor D Schauder informed members that some discussion had taken place at the Steering Committee of Academic Board about these issues. Whilst expressing his appreciation of both the Faculty of Business and Economics and the Monash Mt Eliza Business School, Professor Schauder addressed a query to the Vice-Chancellor about the appropriate forums for discussion of such strategic issues, and asked whether it would be an appropriate time for senior officers of the University to consider the effectiveness of the current structures. The Vice-Chancellor responded that such consideration would be appropriate and agreed that a review would be conducted to better organise the management of structural and strategic issues in relation to the Faculty of Business and Economics and the Monash Mt Eliza Business School. Professor Robinson added that the Academic Board should continue consideration of the proposal under this item in its present form, rather than defer its consideration indefinitely pending outcomes of that review.

Further discussion occurred regarding the current operating agreement and its potential for imposing restrictions upon the Faculty's offerings offshore if the item were to be approved at this time.

The Chair moved that the proposal in its present form be passed by the Board. No objections were raised and the original proposal of the Monash Mt Eliza Business School was approved.

(Secretarial note: A member later requested clarification about whether the item had been passed. Professor Lindsay confirmed that no objections to his motion had been received and that the proposal had been passed by the Board. The Chair provided a second opportunity for objections to be raised about approval of the item. No objections were raised at that point and the item was re-confirmed as approved.)

Action/Information: Professors DA Robinson,

JA Rickard and RB McKern

A document was circulated (p 67-69). Refer also to item 8.1.

A document was circulated (p 71-73). Refer also to item 8.1.

(Circulated p 75-82)

(Circulated p 83-84)

(Circulated p 85-86)

(Circulated p 87-88)

(Circulated p 89-91)

(Circulated p 93-105)

(Circulated p 107-108)

(Circulated p 109-116)

(Circulated p 117-124)

(Circulated p 125-126)

(Circulated p 127)

(Circulated p 129-130)

(Circulated p 131-133)

(Circulated p 135)

The Education Committee endorsed a proposal of the Dean of the Faculty of Science to alter the name of the Bachelor of Science (Resource Management) degree at the Sunway campus, to become the Bachelor of Science (Environmental Management), noting that the change of title would be ratified by the Faculty Board at a subsequent meeting.

8.7 New Subject Proposals RMO97/0087

The Education Committee endorsed for submission to Academic Board the subject proposals detailed below. Full documentation was available for perusal by members of the Board upon request to the Secretary.

The Academic Board was advised that ninety-seven (97) new subjects were proposed for approval in the Agenda. Of those, thirty-nine (39) were from the Faculty of Art and Design, six (6) were from the Faculty of Business and Economics, one (1) was from the Faculty of Education, twenty-one (21) were from the Faculty of Engineering, two (2) were from the Faculty of Law and twenty-eight (28) were from the Faculty of Medicine.

Academic Board was noted that, including agenda for this meeting, six hundred and sixteen (616) subjects had been established across all faculties during the 1998 academic year.

8.8 Subject Quotas - Faculty of Law RMO97/0907

(Circulated p 137)

At its Meeting 3/98, Council approved a recommendation of the Academic Board to remove reference to the approval of subject quotas from Statute 6.1.1 - University Entrance and Admission to Courses, and establish a formal procedure whereby subject quotas would be approved by the Education Committee (Resolution CL3/98/84). Enabling legislation for that Resolution is currently being drafted, however until the relevant legislation is finalised, subject quotas would continue to be forwarded to the Academic Board and Council for information, in accordance with a previous, 1994 resolution of Council (Resolution CL7/94/366).

*8.9 Disestablishment of Subjects RMO97/1181

Subsequent to submission of the Committee's Report, this additional item from Meeting 7/98 of the Education Committee was forwarded for inclusion in the Academic Board agenda.

Academic Board noted that, including the agenda for this meeting, one thousand five hundred and ninety-five (1595) subjects and/or alternate subject codes had been disestablished across all faculties during the 1998 academic year.

This item was starred by the Chair, Professor AW Lindsay, who highlighted to members that taking into account the Board's establishment and disestablishment of subjects over the last year, there were currently nine hundred and seventy nine (979) fewer subjects and/or alternate subject codes in the University than at this time in 1997.

9. REPORT OF THE GENERAL LIBRARY COMMITTEE RMO98/0902

(Circulated p 139-140)

Action/Information: Ms M Pernat

10. REPORT OF THE HONORARY DEGREES COMMITTEE RMO97/1110

(Circulated p 141)

Action/Information: Mr B Corless

*10.1 Nominations for the Award of Honorary Degrees RMOR98/012

C CONFIDENTIAL ITEM

In the agenda, this item was considered as item 4.4 under Section B - Starred Items.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor DA Robinson spoke to this item.

Action/Information: Secretary

11. REPORT OF THE PhD AND SCHOLARSHIPS COMMITTEE RMO97/1156

(Circulated p 143-145)

Action/Information: Ms P Herman

(Circulated p 147-150)

(Members noted that further detail regarding the deliberations of the PhD and Scholarships Committee's about this item was contained in item 1 of the Committee's Report.)

Action/Information: Secretary; Mr P Lawford

*11.2 Amendment to the Master of Commerce and Master of Economics - change of title to adopt the Master of x (Honours) nomenclature RMO97/0906

(Circulated p 151-162)

(Members noted that further detail regarding the deliberations of the PhD and Scholarships Committee's about this item was contained in item 2.1 of the Committee's Report.)

In response to a member's query about the nomenclature used for Masters degrees, The Chair reminded members that Council had, at its Meeting 1/98, approved a proposal of the Academic Board to establish the award category of Master of "X" (Honours) (Council Resolution CL1/98/15). Professor JA Rickard highlighted that the proposal under this item was the first instance of a Faculty implementing that resolution by changing the name of a masters degree to comply with that category.

Some further discussion occurred regarding the University's current use of nomenclature for Masters degrees.

Action/Information: Secretary; Ms B Shields; Ms M Grant;

University Solicitor

11.3 New Subject - MKF5990 Marketing Graduate Seminar RMO97/0087

(Circulated p 163)

Action/Information: Secretary; Ms B Shields; Ms M Grant

12. REPORT OF THE BOARD OF THE FACULTY OF ART AND DESIGN RMO98/1742

(Circulated p 165-166)

Action/Information: Ms M Hah

12.1 Change to Academic Structure - Peninsula School of Art RMO98/0174

The Board of the Faculty of Art and Design approved the recommendation of the Dean that with effect from 31 December 1998, the Peninsula School of Art at the Peninsula campus be replaced by the Peninsula Centre for Art & Design. It was proposed that the Centre would provide studio studies for the new double degree courses and education in multimedia design.

Action/Information: Secretary; Mr L Foxton

*13. REPORT OF THE BOARD OF THE FACULTY OF ARTS RMO98/0455

(Circulated p 167-169)

In the agenda, this item was considered as item 4.5 under Section B - Starred Items. The entire Report of the Board of the Faculty of Arts had been starred by the Steering Committee.

Action/Information: Ms C Jordon

13.1    Submission to Council about the Blueprint for Arts RMO98/2498

(Circulated p 171-173)

The Chair informed members that the Faculty of Arts had originally attempted to forward the petition under this item directly to Council. Professor Lindsay advised that the item had instead been submitted to the Academic Board since Statute 2.3 (s8) provides for a Faculty Board to report directly to Academic Board, unless specifically requested to report to Council by the Council. However, transmission through the Board was not appropriate since, by a previous resolution of Council, petitions should be addressed by the sponsor to the Vice-Chancellor for initial consideration. The Vice-Chancellor would then make recommendation to Council about its receipt, consideration and necessary action or redirection where appropriate.

The Chair advised that as the item was in the form of a petition rather than a Faculty Board item, it would be appropriate for the petition to forwarded by the sponsors to the Vice-Chancellor in the first instance in accordance with the Council resolution.

Responding to a request for clarification of the procedure for this item, the Chair confirmed the above process concerning submission of petitions and that the sponsors of the petition should submit it to the Vice-Chancellor.

Action/Information: Ms C Jordon

13.2 Interdisciplinary Centre for Studies in the Classical Tradition RMO97/0553

(Circulated p 175-177)

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Planning) informed members that the information provided in this item was the report of work in progress for noting by Academic Board, and that the Board of the Faculty of Arts was not at this time formally proposing the establishment of a centre. Professor Lindsay highlighted that if expressions of interest were received, the Faculty would forward the matter of central funding for two positions within the centre to the Vice-Chancellor and Council.

13.3 Motion about the Monash University Sunway Campus Malaysia RMO98/1152

(Secretarial Note: Academic Board received a presentation on the Monash University Sunway Campus Malaysia from the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor J Warren, at its Meeting 7/98 (Minute 3.1).)

The Chair informed members that this item did not require further response, as the motion forwarded of the Faculty Board pre-dated several presentations which were made by the Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Monash University Sunway Campus Malaysia to various University committees the University community. Professor Lindsay highlighted that the concerns expressed in the motion had been addressed in those presentations, including Professor Warren's presentation to Meeting 7/98 of the Academic Board at Minute 3.1.

In response to a query the Chair confirmed that the concerns expressed had been previously addressed as detailed above.

13.4      Honorary Appointment RMO98/1018

Professor Lindsay informed members that this item was for noting by the Academic Board, and that it had been included in the section for starred items only as the entire Report of the Faculty Board was starred for consistent presentation.

13.5     Motion about Music Department Process RMO97/0656

The Chair advised that consideration of this item in the form submitted was not a matter for the Academic Board as it primarily involved the spilling of staff which was an industrial matter. The academic basis of re-structuring proposals could of course be the subject of consideration by a faculty board or the Academic Board, but in this instance the Faculty Board had not presented a report or recommendations involving academic matters.

Dr C Williams stated her belief that the motion under this item should be considered by the Academic Board. Dr Williams indicated that other members of the Department of Music may have related concerns of an academic nature, however she stated that it would not be appropriate for her to speak on their behalf at the Academic Board.

A member queried whether relevant arguments of an academic nature in relation to this issue should be brought forward to the next meeting of the Board. The Chair responded that academic matters could be considered but that the matter of spilling positions was clearly an industrial matter and the Board was not the appropriate forum for this issue.

14. REPORT OF THE BOARD OF THE FACULTY OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS RMO98/0456

(Circulated p 179-181)

Action/Information: Ms B Shields; Ms M Grant

14.1     Establishment of a Prize and an Award RMO97/1622

Action/Information: Secretary

15. REPORT OF THE BOARD OF THE FACULTY OF EDUCATION RMO98/1367

(Circulated p 183-184)

Action/Information: Mr P Lawford

15.1     Appointment of Associate Deans RMO98/3120

Action/Information: Secretary; Associate Professors L Angus

and P Gronn; Dr S Marginson

15.2     Faculty Board Membership RMO98/1267

Action/Information: Secretary; University Solicitor

16. REPORT OF THE BOARD OF THE FACULTY OF ENGINEERING RMO98/1368

(Circulated p 185-186)

Action/Information: M D Secomb; Mr R Smiley

Action/Information: Secretary

16.1.2 Amendment to the Esso Engineering Prizes RMO98/1010

Action/Information: Secretary

17. REPORT OF THE BOARD OF THE FACULTY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RMO97/1159

(Circulated p 187)

Action/Information: Mr K Hobbs; Ms S Gleeson

17.1     Appointment of Associate Deans RMO98/3122

Subsequent to submission of the Faculty Board Report, an additional recommendation for appointment was received for the position of Associate Dean Graduate Studies (included below). This appointment was recommended by the Dean and would be submitted to the next meeting of the Faculty Executive (with a delegation from the Faculty Board) for endorsement, prior to the item being forwarded to Council.

Action/Information: Secretary; Professors H Schmidt and R Willis; Associate Professors J Hurst and P Steele; Mr C Avram

17.2     Change to Academic Structure - Establishment of a Cross-Faculty School of Electronic Commerce RMO98/3123

A proposal was presented for the establishment of a cross-faculty School of Electronic Commerce, which would involve the Faculty Information Technology and the Faculty of Business and Economics (as the managing Faculty). Attached also was a supporting memorandum from the Dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics, Professor JA Rickard. (Circulated p 189-192).

The establishment of the cross-faculty School was endorsed by the Board of the Faculty of Information Technology and the Faculty Executive of the Faculty of Business and Economics. The proposal would be ratified by the Board of the Faculty of Business and Economics at its Meeting on 11 December 1998, with Council to be advised directly of that Faculty Board's ratification of the proposal.

Action/Information: Secretary; Ms M Grant; Mr L Foxton

18. REPORT OF THE BOARD OF THE FACULTY OF MEDICINE RMO97/0708

(Circulated p 193-195)

Action/Information: Mr M Lewenberg; Ms J Tong

18.1     Faculty Board Membership RMO97/3124

The Board of the Faculty of Medicine endorsed a proposal that two general staff representatives be appointed on that Faculty Board. The proposal under this item sought to increase the Faculty Board membership by up to two members of General Staff to be elected by the General Staff, and up to two members of General Staff to be appointed by the Dean if he considers that necessary for reasons such as gender balance and representation of constituencies.

Action/Information: Secretary; University Solicitor

18.2    Appointment of Associate Deans RMO98/2972

Action/Information: Secretary; Professors N Thompson, S Holdsworth, G Taylor, ML Wahlqvist, J Rood and L Piterman; Associate Professor J Davies

Proceedings (Members noted an obituary therein for the late Professor Sir Edward Hughes, Professor of Surgery at the Alfred Hospital from 1973 to 1984.)

19. REPORT OF THE BOARD OF THE FACULTY OF SCIENCE RMO97/0904

(Circulated p 197)

Action/Information: Dr P Rodan

20. LEGISLATION RMO98/0839

The University Solicitor had prepared legislation, in accordance with instructions from the appropriate faculties and other offices, to implement proposals which had been approved by the Academic Board for submission to Council.

Copies of the legislation and explanatory memoranda were attached to the agenda.

20.1    Faculty of Medicine (Graduate Diploma in International Health) Regulations 1998 RMO98/0839

(Circulated p 199-202)

20.2    Faculty of Medicine (Graduate Diploma in Child Psychotherapy Studies) Regulations 1998 RMO98/2129

(Circulated p 203-206)

20.3    Statute 6.1.2 - Courses and Degrees (Amendment No 5 1998) RMO97/1038

(Circulated p 207-208)

20.4    Faculty of Science (Undergraduate Degrees) (Amendment No 1 1998) Regulations RMO97/0541

(Circulated p 209-216)

20.5    Statute 6.1.2 - Courses and Degrees (Amendment No 6 1998) RMO97/1038

(Circulated p 217-219)

Action/Information: Secretary; University Solicitor

21. INTERIM REPORT FROM THE LEARNING AND TEACHING OPERATIONAL PLAN (LTOP) WORKING PARTY ON MULTI- FACULTY PROGRAMS RMO98/2483

An interim report from the Learning and Teaching Operational Plan (LTOP) Working Party on Multifaculty Programs was circulated (p221-222).

Action/Information: Professor M Evans; Faculty Registrars/Managers

22. AMENDMENT TO 1999 SCHEDULE OF GRADUATION CEREMONIES RMO98/2398

A revised schedule of 1999 graduation ceremonies was circulated (p 223).

Action/Information: Secretary; Ms L Quin; Ms B Corless

23. COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP RMOR98/148

(Circulated p 225-227)

Members noted that subsequent to submission of this membership to the Academic Board, an amendment was made by the Faculty of Law to the list of nominees from that Faculty (detailed below).

Action/Information: Mr T Calder

23.2    Exclusion Appeals Committee RMOR97/029

(Circulated p 229-230)

Action/Information: Secretary

23.3    General Library Committee       RMO98/0324

The term of office of the Chair of the General Library Committee, Professor T Threadgold, was due to expire in December 1998.

Action/Information: Professor T Threadgold; Ms M Pernat

23.4    Readership/Associate Professorship promotions re-hearing review panel RMOR97/054

Due to a pressing need to establish a panel for a Readership / Associate Professorship re-hearing review, a nomination for a representative of the Academic Board on that panel was made, and accepted, between meetings of the Board.

Action/Information: Mr J Noonan; Professor M Clayton

24. ACADEMIC BOARD MEMBERSHIP RMO97/1106

The Acting Dean of the Faculty of Law, Professor L Waller, had advised that he would be on OSP leave for the period 1 November 1998 to 26 January 1999.

Action/Information: Secretary; Professors L Waller and M Neave

24.2    Special Leave - Associate Professor J Breen RMO97/1106

Action/Information: Secretary; Associate Professor J Breen

25. ITEMS OF INTEREST FROM COUNCIL MEETING 7/98 RMO98/1225

(Circulated p 309-312)

Action/Information: Mr P Siggins

The Chair thanked members of Academic Board for their contributions to the work of the Board throughout 1998. Professor Lindsay also extended thanks to the various people and areas who had been involved with the development and implementation to date of the Learning and Teaching Operational Plan (LTOP), especially to the Chair of the LTOP Working Party and Associate Chair of Academic Board, Professor M Evans.

The Academic Board also extended thanks to the University Secretariat for its support of the Academic Board and some of its committees throughout 1998, including Ms K Wilson-Reid (Secretary to Academic Board), Ms S Stafford and Mr P Siggins.

The meeting finished at 5:00 pm.