Meeting No 4/2002 of the Academic Board was held on Wednesday, 14^th August 2002, in the Council Room of the University, between 2.15pm and 4.45pm.

Professor A Lindsay, Dr H Abachi, Associate Professor R Alfredson, Professors J Anderson, M Ariff, M Baird, Dr H Ballis, Ms A Bardoel, Professors J Bigelow, B Bignall, G Bouma, Ms J Brown, Mr R Burnet, Mr L Bull, Professor B Caine, Dr D Casey, Dr B Cooke, Ms A Crook, Professor P Darvall, Dr C Davies, Ms R Dhillion, Professor D de Kretser, Associate Professors T Dingle, T Dix, Professor R Doherty, Associate Professor R Edwards, Professors M Fleer, A Flitman, Associate Professor J Glover, Professors G Griffin, R Gunstone, Hon G Hampel QC, Ms C Harboe-Ree, Mr B Harding, Professors J Harris, G Hodge, K Hourigan, Mr C Hurley, Associate Professor J Hurst, Professors J Jarvis, S Joy, D Karoly, M King, K Langfield-Smith, H Le Grand, Dr C Lewis, Professors A Markus, K McLaren, Mr A McMeekin, Professor B Kent, Associate Professor C Mingins, Ms J Mosse, Professor P Nagley, Associate Professor M Page, Professors G Palmer, S Parker, Dr C Porter, Professor J Redmond, Associate Professor P Reed, Professor M Rhodes, Dr A Robinson, Dr M Rosa, Professors J Rosenberg, J Sheridan, M Skully, J Smith, Dr K Smith, Dr R Smith, Professor D Smyth, Associate Professor I Snyder, Professors T Sridhar, B Srinivasan, P Stewart, Associate Professor M Story, Ms K Styles, Associate Professor J Teicher, Mr J White, Professors R Willis, S Willis, Dr C Worth.

Dr G Acquaah-Gaisie, Mr J Arnold, Mr C Avram, Dr D Bednall, Dr K Blashki, Professors M Clayton, G Coleman, Mr M Davison, Professor R Dickson, Associate Professor D Garrioch, Mr P Handsworth, Mr A Herzberg, Professor O Hughes, Drs H Irving, M Iskander, G Johanson, Professors J Kulkarni, B Mackenzie, R Nation, R Norris, G Oppy, N Saunders, G Smith, K Stewart, N Tapper, N Thomson, G Webb, B Workman.

Ms S Gleeson, Ms M Jackson, Ms S Narayanasamy, Ms S Stafford, Dr D Vella-Brodrick

Mr T Calder (Secretary)

Items 7.3, 10.2, 14.2, 16, 19 and 20 were starred at the meeting. During the meeting, matters relating to item 10.2 were discussed during consideration of item 3.7 and item 20 was unstarred during the meeting.

The recommendations of the Steering Committee were adopted without discussion for all items other than those starred.

There were no confidential items on the agenda for this meeting.

The following documents were circulated (p 127-142) :

• Memorandum to members of Academic Board

• Draft – Vice-Chancellor : Role Description

• Draft Guidelines for the Selection of a Vice-Chancellor

Professor Darvall informed the Board that it was appropriate to reflect on recent events as it had been two months since the Board last met. Referring to the recent departure of Professor Robinson, Professor Darvall noted that it had been a traumatic period, however, comments from external groups indicated that the prevailing view was that Monash had handled a difficult situation in an appropriate, prompt and mature manner.

Outlining how he responded to requests for a view on Professor Robinson’s time at Monash, Professor Darvall stated that the former Vice-Chancellor was an incisive, decisive and visionary leader.

In reference to his term as Vice-Chancellor, Professor Darvall informed the Board that he would continue as Vice-Chancellor until a replacement Vice-Chancellor took up his or her appointment.

Other outcomes resulting from recent events included the appointment of Professor Bouma as Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Development) and a stated recommitment to the directions and initiatives in Leading the Way: 2020, the Research Training and Research Training Management Plan, Learning and Teaching Plan and faculty operational plans. Further, Professor Darvall informed the Board that future activities would be discussed and progressed in a careful, deliberate and ‘university way’.

Introducing the draft Vice-Chancellor: Role Description and draft Guidelines for the Selection of a Vice-Chancellor, members of the Board were invited to comment on the documents and processes outlined in the document. During discussion, the following comments were offered:

A member commented that the use of expert panels was a positive aspect of the process.

Professor A Lindsay, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Planning) spoke to the item. Professor Lindsay informed the Board that he would like to comment on the current challenges facing the academic community.

Issues raised by Professor Lindsay included the need to foster and encourage academic input during the planning cycle even though this placed increased demands an academic staff. Noting the danger of academic staff becoming disengaged from the planning process, Professor Lindsay stated that academic involvement and input to all processes was vital and that academic dimensions must be embedded in all planning processes.

Referring to the role of Academic Board, Professor Lindsay stated that he wished to encourage free, frank and uninhibited discussion with a focus on contributions that were well prepared and succinct. Emphasising that Academic Board was the peak academic body at Monash, members were advised that all processes were open to input and that no member should feel inhibited in any way from making a contribution.

Documentation was circulated. (p143-144)

Professor A Lindsay, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Planning) introduced the item.

Outlining the background of this item, members were reminded that Monash University would have input to the submissions of the AVCC and Go8 but would forward a separate submission that focussed on areas specific to Monash.

The process to be adopted preparing the Monash submission included seeking the views of the Monash community, preparation of a draft submission and seeking the views of the Academic Board and staff and student associations. Following consultation with the staff and student associations, it was proposed that any substantial changes to the draft submission considered by the Board be considered by Steering Committee of Academic Board with a final document submitted to Council at its meeting on 2 September.

During discussion, a member raised the appropriateness of preparing a submission before consultation with stakeholder groups had occurred. A member also suggested that the issue of governance should be included in the submission.

In response, Professor Lindsay informed the Board that the process had been set down by the previous Vice-Chancellor however it was more productive to have a draft submission to discuss with stakeholders. Professor Lindsay agreed that a section on governance would strengthen the submission and would be included if considered appropriate by other stakeholder groups.

Concluding the discussion, Professor Lindsay informed the Board that the final version of the submission would be included on the next Academic Board agenda for the information of members.

Documentation was circulated. (p1-2)

Professor Bob Bignall, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Monash Malaysia introduced the item. Highlights included:

Further issues raised included the progress of the cost estimation exercise for the new campus and the increased responsibility Monash, rather than our current partner, would assume with the establishment of the new campus.

During discussion a member commented that the need to finalise the projected introduction of new programs within the next few weeks was a tight and difficult timeline.

In response, Professor Bignall informed the Board that a campus based Academic Advisory Committee had sought input from faculties and that the planning and design process for the new campus had acted as a trigger for further faculty discussion on proposed new programs over the coming years. However, members were advised that the timeframe for faculties to consider new initiatives on the Malaysia campus was very tight.

Responding to a range of questions, members were informed that:

Documentation was circulated. (P3-4)

Professor Bill Kent, Director, Monash Centre in Prato informed the Board that the Centre consisted of 1500 sq. metres equipped for academic, research and conference activities.

Recent activities had included visits from undergraduate groups from the faculties of Art and Design, Law and Arts, academic conferences, seminars and workshops, a visiting Professor and distinguished visitor program and a variety of cultural activities including two major art exhibitions. Other notable activities included the use of the Centre by other education institutions and visits by several Victorian Year 12 groups.

Outlining future activities and initiatives, Professor Kent informed the Board of the establishment of master classes in operatic singing in conjunction with the Melbourne City Opera and an Italian partner, the setting up of an English School on a trial basis, the establishment of an EC funded research unit on Mediterranean health issues and a proposed Masters course in Information Management for European students.

Concluding his presentation, Professor Kent expressed his thanks to Professor the Hon. George Hampel QC and Ms Felicity Hampel for their benefaction of a flag pole to the Centre.

During discussion, members noted and acknowledged Professor Kent’s pioneering work in establishing the Centre.

In response to questions, Professor Kent informed members that the issue of suitable space at the Centre to accommodate larger conferences and accommodation for visitors in the vicinity were pressing but not insolvable problems.

Professor Parker, Chair of the Europe Steering Group, noted that there was a need to obtain market research in order to inform the development of a Business Plan for the Centre.

Academic Board received the report and noted the advice of Professor B Kent, Director, Monash Centre in Prato.

3.6 Future Directions Report of the Faculty of Pharmacy RMO1998/1382

Documentation was circulated. (p5-8)

Professor C Chapman, Dean, Faculty of Pharmacy was invited to speak to this item.

Professor Chapman informed the Board that it was 10 years since the Victorian College of Pharmacy had become a faculty of Monash University and during that period the faculty’s profile had undergone significant change. Since amalgamating with Monash, the number of students had doubled and new undergraduate and postgraduate programs, including a "pharmacy-specific MBA", had been introduced.

Commenting on the external environment, the Board was informed that three new schools of pharmacy had been established in Australia, including one at LaTrobe University (Bendigo) to address the chronic shortage of pharmacists in Australia and New Zealand.

Outlining the future directions of the faculty, Professor Chapman stated that the dominant objective was to become one of the ten best pharmacy schools in the world. Achievement of this objective would be aided by improving the faculty’s financial self-sufficiency, the establishment in 2000 of the Victorian College of Pharmacy Foundation, further development of double degrees, the planned introduction in 2003 of a Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry, expansion of the faculty’s range of postgraduate programs, and a continuing and expanded focus on research activities, particularly in the areas of drug development and multidisciplinary research across departments, faculties and with other tertiary institutions.

Concluding his presentation, Professor Chapman informed the Board that a permit to construct a six-story building had been obtained from the Melbourne City Council and planning for the project was underway.

Documentation was circulated. (p9-12)

Ms C Harboe-Ree, University Librarian informed the Board that the Annual Report of the University Librarian 2001 (pages 41-62 of the agenda papers) detailed many of the recent achievements of the previous University Librarian, Professor Edward Lim.

Notable highlights for 2001included:

The board was also advised that staff retirements / departures had resulted in five of the top seven senior staff leaving the university. This situation had now been addressed and a revised Library structure had been included in the agenda papers.

Outlining current issues for the Library, Ms Harboe-Ree informed the Board that the trend of a shift in information from print to electronic was continuing with the associated high costs involved and the need to ensure that students/academic/researchers could readily locate and access the information they require.

Other issues brought to the attention of members included the recognition of the need to improve the monograph collection, the ongoing assessment of the budget allocation for the Library and acknowledgement that some of the library buildings, including the fit out, were no longer conducive for good scholarship and independent learning.

Strategies initiated to address the issues included ongoing collaboration with other libraries to reduce the cost of journal subscriptions, simplifying access with the goal of providing one single entry point for the library’s resources and services, the development of an information literacy framework, management of the metadata environment and the development of a master planning project for all Monash libraries in conjunction with Faculties and Services Division.

In response to questions, members were informed that the library was reviewing the provision of services to postgraduate students at the Caulfield campus, had appointed site managers at each of Caulfield, Peninsula and Berwick campuses, would like to see all weather access provided at the Hargrave-Andrew Library and that the Library in consultation with faculties, would review its acquisitions policies and practices in order to maintain and strengthen the collection while at the same time improving access to journals and other electronic resources.

Documentation was circulated. (p13-28)

Following discussion on the appropriateness of the terms "Postgraduate Coursework" and "Graduate Coursework" as a descriptor for all but DEST reporting purposes, Professor Lindsay summarised the discussion and noted that there was not a clear support for the term "Postgraduate Coursework".

Professor Lindsay referred the matter back for further consideration and requested that Professor Evans, with the assistance of Professor Willis, Ms Meredith Jackson and Professor Alan Farley reconsider the issue and bring a proposal back to the Academic Board.

Documentation was circulated. (p29-34)

Documentation was circulated. (p35-36)

Documentation was circulated. (p37-40)

Documentation was circulated. (p41-62)

Documentation was circulated. (p63-64)

Documentation was circulated. (p65-66)

Documentation was circulated. (p67-74)

Documentation was circulated. (p75-77)

Professor Chris Browne, informed the Board that the proposal to deliver the MBBS course in Malaysia had been under consideration and development for three years. The proposed MBBS would be the same program as offered in Australia with some adaptations to ensure it was culturally and regionally appropriate. Professor Browne also outlined matters relating to accreditation of the program both in Australia and Malaysia.

In response to questions, members were advised that the costing model for the new Malaysia campus was still being developed and a proposal for development of the new campus would be considered at a future meeting of Council.

Documentation was circulated. (p90-92)

(Secretarial note: Refer to Item 18.2)

Documentation was circulated. (p 93-96)

Documentation was circulated. (p 97-102)

In response to questions, members were advised that a further analysis of the exclusion figures was underway.

Documentation was circulated. (p 103-116)

Documentation was circulated. (p117-118)

Members were informed that the proposal would conform will the usual Chair selection procedures.

The member informed the Board that there was no longer a need to star the item.

Documentation was circulated. (p123-124)

Documentation was circulated. (p 125-126)