Meeting No. 5/2001 of the Academic Board was held on Wednesday, 5 September 2001 in the Council Room, Administration Building 3A, Clayton campus, commencing at 2:15 pm.

Professor AW Lindsay (Chair), Dr H Abachi, Professor D Abramson, Dr G Acquaah-Gaisie, Associate Professor R Alfredson (via teleconference – Malaysia), Professors W Anderson and M Ariff, Mr C Avram, Dr D Bednall, Mr K Bensley, Professors B Bignall (via teleconference – Malaysia), A Bond, G Bouma, ML Brisk and R Cas, Ms A Crook, Professors P LeP Darvall, G Davidson and R Dickson, Associate Professors T Dingle and T Dix, Professor R Doherty, Associate Professor R Edwards, Professor M Evans, Associate Professor A Farley, Professor G Griffin, Mr B Harding, Professor J Harris, Associate Professor B Hoffert, Professors K Hourigan and O Hughes, Associate Professor J Hurst, Dr G Johanson, Professors S Joy, D Karoly, ML King, H LeGrand and E Lim, Dr M Lindorff, Professor B Mackenzie, Mr A McMeekin, Professors R Norris, G Palmer, S Parker, J Redmond and DA Robinson, Dr M Rosa, Professor J Rosenberg, Associate Professor P Reed, Professors N Saunders, T Seddon, J Sheridan, M Skully, D Smyth and T Sridhar, Dr K Stewart, Associate Professor J Teicher, and Professors G Webb and S Willis.

Associate Professor L Angus, Dr K Blashki, Associate Professor C Browne, Ms J Brown, Professors J Crossley and DM de Krester, Associate Professor J Glover, Professor M Hearn, Mr A Herzberg, Ms H Hortis, Dr H Irving, Dr M Iskander, Professor J Jarvis, Associate Professor K McLaren, Professor P Nagley, Dr C Porter, Professors J Rood and GC Smith, Associate Professor M Story, Dr A Tokita, Mr J White and Professor R Willis.

Mr L Bull

Kerri Wilson-Reid (Secretary)

The Chair welcomed the new and returning members who had recently been appointed to fill casual vacancies on the Board, and Professor S Joy and Associate Professor M Page, as new members of the Steering Committee.

No further items were starred at the meeting.

There were no confidential items under this agenda.

A document titled ‘After Election 2001: Key Higher Education Issues’, presented by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor DA Robinson, was circulated (p 119-124).

The Vice-Chancellor spoke to this item and highlighted details of the key issues that had been identified as ‘gaps’ that would require attention from the next government to enable Australia to participate fully in the knowledge-based global economy. Professor Robinson informed members that, once the paper had been considered and supported by the appropriate forums, it was intended that it would represent the views of the whole university in the form of a statement signed by the Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor and President, the Chair of the Academic Board, the President of the Monash branch of the NTEU and the presidents of the Monash student organisations. The statement would be issued to all Victorian candidates in the forthcoming Federal election and to all Ministers and Shadow Ministers in the current parliament. It was noted that a systematic approach would be taken by the AVCC and Go8 universities. Further information could be located on the Monash home page via the Go8 link.

Discussion occurred regarding the need for greater direct support to students and a balanced focus in relation to teaching and research requirements. Members noted that some more specific issues eg. differential HECS, may be raised in other forums where more detailed consideration could occur.

3.2 Monash University Gippsland Academic Plan RMO2001/0662

A document was circulated titled ‘Monash University Gippsland Academic Plan 2001 – 2005’ (p 1-58).

The Chair, Professor AW Lindsay, introduced this item noting the extensive consultation that had occurred during development of the Plan following the review of the campus in 1999. Professor B Mackenzie, Pro Vice-Chancellor Gippsland Campus, informed the Board about key aspects of the Plan and recorded thanks for the contributions that had been made by campus staff, students, Deans and others involved with its development.

As a related campus matter, members noted advice from Ms A Crook, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Resources), regarding the allocation of Federal Government funding for a multimedia centre to be built at the Berwick campus.

3.3 Monash Institutional Self-Review RMO2001/1152

A brief report was circulated (p 59-60).

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Planning) noted that whilst Monash would not be audited by AUQA in 2002, it was timely to consolidate the university’s review processes across its local and global operations.

Professor S Parker, Chair of the Monash Institutional Self Review Team, advised that, further to the papers ‘Quality at Monash’ and ‘Guidelines for Academic Review’, and in accordance with directions outlined in ‘Leading the Way: Monash 2020’, a Monash institutional self-review would be conducted commencing September 2001. The Board noted information regarding key aspects of the self-review and its validation. Professor Parker advised that themes for the review would be drawn from ‘Leading The Way’, in order to evaluate various aspects of the university’s activities. Members noted that the self-review would be independent from the normal Monash course / unit review processes and the AUQA national audits. However, it would provide an excellent opportunity for Monash to substantiate claims about its strengths, reinforce its quality and institutional review processes and build a foundation for future AUQA audit. Professor Parker advised that following validation, a public report about the self-review would be prepared. Mechanisms for feedback about the outcome of the self-review would be considered once results were known.

The Chair highlighted the core responsibility of Academic Board for academic quality matters and foreshadowed a key role for the Board in considering the outcomes of the Review and ensuring appropriate follow through actions were taken.

With regard to AUQA processes, members noted advice from Professor G Webb, Director, Centre for Higher Education Quality, that two AUQA reviewers would be nominated from each institution and that he and Professor Parker had been nominated by Monash for this purpose. The Board noted that Monash was working soundly towards responding to the future AUQA audit.

Discussion occurred regarding a possible theme for an international focus by AUQA. Minor amendments to the attached report were also noted.

The Academic Board received and noted the report from Professors S Parker and G Webb, regarding the Monash Institutional Self-Review.

3.4 Benchmarking Monash Research Performance RMO2001/1153

A document was circulated titled ‘Benchmarking Monash Research Performance – Status Report 23 August 2001’ (p 61-76).

Professor P LeP Darvall, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Development), spoke to this item and highlighted the significance of the research benchmarking as a self-review exercise. Professor Darvall informed members about the source and categories of 1998 data used for the benchmarking and the methods for calculation of relative performance between Monash departments and appropriate comparator departments from seven of the Go8 universities. The Board noted the relative weakness in a number of areas and the substantial challenges in maintaining and building Monash’s research reputation and encouraging consistently high research performance throughout the institution. Professor Darvall advised about how the benchmarking data might be used as a management tool, for quality assurance and review purposes and for the allocation of funding. The data could also be used to compare the health of research activity and performance from year to year. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor commended the report to the Board and noted that work was underway in relation to further reports for 1999 and 2000.

Discussion occurred regarding related issues including the ways in which the benchmarking data might impact on the budget process and allocation of research funding, and the effect of the staffing profile of a department on the outcome of the data.

3.5 Monash Global Scholarship Program RMO2000/1180

A proposal for establishment of the ‘Monash Global Scholarship Program’ was circulated (p 125-126).

Professor M Evans, Director, Planning and Academic Affairs, introduced the proposal and noted that the scholarship program aimed to promote Monash as an institution with true international experience for its students. Members noted information about the key features of the program and the potential for its future expansion. Professor Evans thanked Professor J Redmond for his efforts in relation to the proposal.

It was agreed that the details of the Program would be amended to reflect that it was initially intended to support eligible students enrolled in Australia to study at Monash offshore campuses or exchange institutions. (Members also noted advice from Professor R Bignall regarding funds for Australian students to study at Malaysia under a proposed Columbo Plan Commemorative Scholarship.)

Action/Information: Professor M Evans; Mr A Lawrie; Ms D Aitken

3.6 Allocation of New University Places RMO1998/2788

RMO2001/0271

A document was circulated for information (p 127-128).

Members noted advice from Associate Professor M Page regarding the allocation of the one hundred new Monash places allocated under the Federal Government’s Innovation Action Plan, ‘Backing Australia’s Ability’. (This allocation involved three degrees and two double degree courses within the Faculties of Science, Engineering and Information Technology.) Professor Lindsay informed the Board that Professor Mackenzie was also progressing the allocation of the twenty new regional places that Monash had received from the 2001 Federal Budget.

3.7 Funding for Major National Research Facilities RMO2001/0686

A document was circulated for information (p 129-130).

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Development) informed the Board about the Major National Research Facilities (MNRF) Program, that was part of the Commonwealth Government’s ‘Backing Australia’s Ability’ statement. Professor Darvall highlighted the facilities that involved Monash that had successfully received funding from the MNRF Program, including the National Centre for Advanced Cell Engineering, the National Neuroscience Facility, the Australian Computational Earth Systems Simulator, the Australian Synchrotron Research Program and the Australian Phenomics Facility.

A document was circulated (p 77–82).

7.2 New Course Proposal for Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Honours) RMO1997/1365

A document was circulated (p 81-82).

Action/Information: Ms K Wilson-Reid

8.1 Report of the Research Graduate School Committee Meeting 6/2001 held 13 July 2001 RMO1997/1156

A document was circulated (p 83–86).

8.2 Report of the Research Graduate School Committee Meeting 7/2001 held 3 August 2001 RMO1997/1156

A document was circulated (p 87–88).

Action/Information: Ms P Herman

9 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF ASSOCIATE DEANS (RESEARCH) RMO1998/0450

A document was circulated (p 89–90).

Action/Information: Ms J Gaffey

10 REPORT OF THE BOARD OF THE FACULTY OF LAW RMO1998/1743

A document was circulated (p 91–92).

Action/Information: Mr A Patterson; Ms J Beaton

11 REPORT OF THE BOARD OF THE FACULTY OF SCIENCE RMO1997/0904

A document was circulated (p 93–98).

11.2 Proposal to establish and fill a new Chair of Applied Sciences Personnel File

A document was circulated (p 95-98).

Members noted that the Committee of Deans had approved the proposal to establish and fill a Chair of Applied Sciences.

Action/Information: Dr K Macrae; Ms J Holloway

12.1 Selection Committee for the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Distinguished Teaching RMO1997/0534

Following receipt of correspondence from the Centre for Learning and Teaching Support (CeLTS), the Steering Committee of Academic Board was requested to bring forward a nomination for membership of the Selection Committee for approval by the Board.

Further information on this award was available at the CeLTS web site:

http://www.adm.monash.edu.au/ched/Awards___Grants/VC_Awards/vc_awards.html

Action/Information: Associate Professor M Page; Ms L Wiasak

12.2 Selection Committee for the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Postgraduate Supervision RMO1997/1540

Following receipt of correspondence from CeLTS, the Steering Committee was requested to bring forward a nomination for membership of the Selection Committee for approval by the Board.

Further information on this award can be obtained at the CeLTS web site:

http://www.adm.monash.edu.au/ched/Awards___Grants/VC_Awards/vc_awards.html

Action/Information: Dr K Smith; Ms L Wiasak

12.3 Selection Committee for the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Team-based Educational Development RMO2000/1362

Following receipt of correspondence from CeLTS, the Steering Committee was requested to bring forward a nomination for membership of the Selection Committee for approval by the Board.

Further information on this award can be obtained at the CeLTS web site:

http://www.adm.monash.edu.au/ched/Awards___Grants/VC_Awards/vc_awards.html

Action/Information: Professor T Seddon; Ms L Wiasak

12.4 Declaration of Poll for vacancies on Steering Committee RMO1997/1103

A document was circulated (p 99–100).

12.5 Filling of Casual Vacancies on Steering Committee RMO1997/1103

Action/Information: Professor S Joy; Associate Professor M Page; Secretary

13 REPORT OF THE EXCLUSION APPEALS COMMITTEE RMO1999/101

A document was circulated (p 101–106).

The Academic Board received and noted that Report of Meetings 1-15/2001 of the Exclusion Appeals Committee, held between 16 February and 24 May 2001 at the Clayton campus, and Meeting 1/2001 (Gippsland) held 26 March 2001 at the Gippsland campus.

Action/Information: Ms T Grinham

14 PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH AND FILL THE LOUIS WALLER CHAIR IN Personnel File

A document was circulated. (p 107 – 110)

Members noted that the proposal to establish and fill the Louis Waller Chair in Law was approved by the Committee of Deans.

Action/Information: Mr A Patterson; Ms J Beaton

15 PROPOSAL OF THE FACULTY OF ART AND DESIGN TO MERGE THE EXISTING DEPARTMENTS OF FINE ARTS AND APPLIED ARTS INTO THE DEPARTMENT OF FINE ARTS RMO1998/0174

A document was circulated (p 111–112).

This proposal was endorsed at the Committee of Deans.

Action/Information: Ms J Zahmel; Ms W McLean

16 PROPOSAL OF THE FACULTY OF ART AND DESIGN TO ESTABLISH A DEPARTMENT OF MULTIMEDIA AND DIGITAL ARTS RMO1998/0174

A document was circulated (p 113-116).

This proposal was endorsed by the Committee of Deans.

Action/Information: Ms J Zahmel; Ms W McLean

17 ACADEMIC BOARD NOMINATIONS TO FILL VACANCIES ON HONORARY DEGREES COMMITTEE RMO1998/0174

Action/Information: Professor B Caine; Professor E Kendall; Mr B Corless

A document was circulated (p 117-118).

Meeting 6/2001 of the Academic Board will be held at 2:15 pm on Wednesday, 24 October 2001, in the Council Room, first floor of Administration Building 3A, Clayton campus.