ACADEMIC BOARD MEETING 4/2005

 

Minutes

 

 

Meeting No 4/2005 of the Academic Board was held on Wednesday, 6 July 2005, in Lecture Theatre G121, Building 903, Berwick campus from 2:15 pm to 4:45 pm.

 

 

There were present:

 

Professor C Browne (President), Dr G Acquaah-Gaisie, Professor W Anderson, Mr C Avram, Dr S Blackburn, Professor E Bryne, Dr D Casey, Professors C Chapman, G Coleman, Dr B Cooke, Professors E Cornish,  V Clulow, Associate Professor A De Bono, Professors T Dingle, M Evans, Associate Professor A Farley, Professor K Francis, Ms C Harboe-Ree, Professor G Hodge, Ms C Holgate, Professor O Hughes, Associate Professor J Hurst, Professors M King, M Liddell, B Mackenzie, Dr A Maharaj, D Morgan, Mr J Munoz, Dr J Newton, Professors R Norris, H Oppewal, Associate Professor S Petrovic-Lazarevic, Professors I Prince, J Redmond, Associate Professor S Robinson, Mr E Setyawan, Professors T Sridhar, P Steele, Dr K Stewart, Mr M Vincent, Mr I Walker, Dr S Webster, Professor S Willis, Ms A Wong.

 

 

Apologies were received from:

 

Associate Professor H Abachi, Professors S Adeloju, J Anderson, Dr H Ballis, Mr J Beringer, Professor J Bertram, Associate Professors B Canny, K Chalmers, Professor M Clayton, Dr F Collins, Ms A Crook, Professor S Crowe, R Doherty, Associate Professor C Elder, Professors A Freiberg, J Godfrey, Mr D Gregg, Professors P Gronn, J Hamill, Professor B Hoffert, Associate Professor S Joy, Professors J Kenway, D Kirkpatrick, K Langfield-Smith, R Larkins, H Le Grand, A Lindsay, A Markus, Drs S Mayson, L McCall, Mr A McMeekin, Professors C Mingins, P Nagley, R Nation, Associate Professor R Nelson, Professor On Kit Tam, Associate Professor M Page, Professors G Palmer, S Parker, Associate Professor C Porter, Professor M Rhodes, Dr G Romeo, Associate Professor G Sanson, Professors J Sheridan, G Simon, M Skully, H Smith, G Solarsh, B Srinivasan, P Stewart, Ms K Styles, Professors J Teicher, B Tonge, N Thomson, Dr S Ventura, Professors M Wallace, J Walter, G Webb, R Weber, R Willis.

 

 

Observers:

 

Associate Professor M Alam, Mr T Calder, Ms S Le Grand, Ms S Rose.

 

 

In attendance:

 

Ms C Chatterton

 

*A       PROCEDURAL MATTERS

 

 

1          WELCOME

 

The Chair, Professor Chris Browne, welcomed those in attendance via teleconference from the Malaysia and South Africa campuses, new elected and casual members, and observers. 

 

On behalf of the staff and students of the Berwick campus, Professor Phillip Steele, Academic Director, Berwick campus, welcomed Board members to the first meeting of the Academic Board at Berwick.  Professor Steele informed the Board that the campus was established in 1996 and currently had 1900 students, 90 staff of which 50 were academic staff, 400 international students and 20 HDR students.  The faculties of Art & Design, Arts, Business & Economics and Information Technology were represented on the campus.  Building critical mass and research intensity were challenges facing the campus.  The campus is in a high-growth area and there was a need to increase the number of students on the campus, expand the academic portfolio and explore the possibilities around community building.

 

 

1.1              Starring of Items, Tabled Papers and Amendments to the Agenda

 

Members noted that replacement pages 3 & 4 were tabled for item 4.2 of the agenda.  Items 8.1.1 and 18 were starred at the meeting.  The Chair informed the Board that Professor Jennie Ponsford’s name was to be deleted from item 19.3 of the agenda and, as a consequence, the Faculty of Medicine had a casual professorial vacancy to be included under item 19.2 of the agenda.

 

1.2       Approval of Non-Starred Items

 

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

                       

1.3       Confidential Items                                                                                                       C      

 

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

 

 

2          MINUTES

 

2.1               Minutes of Academic Board Meeting 3/2005 held on Wednesday, 25 May 2005  

 

The Minutes of Academic Board Meeting 3/2005, held on 25 May 2005, were confirmed subject to the following changes:

·         the addition of the words “Concern was expressed about the form of the name ‘E-Research @ Monash Centre’ and” to line 3 of the paragraph commencing “In response to….” at item 4.4 on page v of the minutes.

·         deletion of the word “automatic” in front of the words ‘bracket creep’ on the 4th line of the last paragraph on page ix, item 6.2, and putting the words ‘bracket creep’ into quotations. 

·         the fourth last word on the last line of page ix should read ‘on’ instead of ‘of’.

 

 

*B       STARRED ITEMS

 

 

3                    PRESIDENT’S REPORT                                                                                                              

           

Professor C Browne welcomed Professor John Anderson (in absentia) to Academic Board, in his new role as Pro Vice-Chancellor – Business & Industry, and extended a thanks to Professors Alison Crook (in absentia) and Denise Kirkpatrick (in absentia), who were leaving Monash.  Professor Browne reported on the following:

·         a website for the Academic Board was available at http://www.uaps.monash.edu/committees/academic-board/.  In due course agenda papers would be uploaded to the website.

·         following a request from Monash South Africa, the Steering Committee of Academic Board had suggested that Academic Board meetings commence at 3:30 pm instead of 2:15 pm.

·         Steering Committee had raised the issue of lack of attendance of senior management at meetings.  Professor Browne offered to discuss the issue with the Vice-Chancellor.

 

Academic Board noted the advice of the President and approved the change of timing of meetings to commence from 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm.

            Action: Professor C Browne

 

 

4                    REPORT OF THE VICE-CHANCELLOR’S GROUP                                                   RMO2004/0369

 

4.1              Vice-Chancellor’s Report

                                                                                                                                                    

A report was attached. (p 163-166).  In the absence of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor C Browne offered to transmit comments to the Vice-Chancellor.

 

A student member raised concerns with the focus taken by the Vice-Chancellor in regard to the ‘Voluntary Student Unionism’ legislation. The students viewed the legislation as more than just amenities fees but on the level of autonomy that students would be able to have post-legislation. 

 

In response to a comment about how the university would manage the Berwick Campus Development if the Delfin-Lend Lease proposal did not receive ministerial approval, Professor P Steele, Academic Director of Berwick campus, informed the Board that while the proposal was awaiting consideration by the Minister, a process of public consultations could not be started.  If the proposal was not approved, the university was still committed to building the campus but the process would take longer. 

 

Academic Board noted the report of the Vice-Chancellor.

 

            Action: Professor C Browne

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

4.2              Conflict of Interest Policy                                                                             RMO97/1152

                                                                                                                                                    

A policy was attached. (p 1–14)

 

Professor E Cornish, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), informed the Board that as the university did not have a Conflict of Interest Policy, a working group was convened to develop a policy.  The policy had been through CADRES, VCG and the Student and Staff Services Division.  The policy explicitly states that it is everyone’s responsibility to identify conflict of interest, consult with supervisors and put in place a process to manage it.  There are a number of different ways in which there could be a conflict of interest.  In discussions at VCG, it was suggested that it might be appropriate to establish a broad integrity committee to deal with issues of integrity and eventually an office would take this issue as a key part of its portfolio.

 

Professor Cornish drew attention to the replacement pages 3 & 4 that were tabled, pointing out the modification of ‘close personal relationship’ in dot point 4.

 

In response to a query about external disclosure, Professor Cornish advised that the policy provides for a number of Conflict of Interest Advisory Officers within the university who would advise the person who identified the conflict and they would decide whether there should be an internal or external disclosure and this decision would need to be backed up by the integrity committee.

 

Responding to a comment that the policy was silent on teaching and that there should be explicit guidance for a staff member who assessed work of a close family member, Professor Cornish stated that she was not aware of a parallel policy that dealt with teaching, but dot point 3 on page 4 of the Board’s papers would cover this issue.  It was decided that the footnote on page 4 would be deleted to make it more generic.

 

In response to a question about staff members supervising staff members with whom they have a close personal relationship, Professor Cornish advised that dot point 4 on page 4 of the Board’s papers would cover this situation.  This policy would act as a guideline and normally a close personal relationship would be mentioned in the declaration.

 

Professor Warwick Anderson will monitor the developing national policy and keep the Board informed on consequences for Monash.

 

Academic Board approved the policy, subject to the deletion of the footnote on page 4, and noted the advice of Professor Cornish, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research).

            Action: Professor W Anderson

Professor E Cornish

 

4.3      Quality Matters

 

4.3.1  Quality Audit                                                                                      RMO2001/1011

 

A report was attached. (p 15–24)

 

Professor P Steele, Pro Vice-Chancellor – Melbourne, addressed the Board in the absence of Professor Graham Webb.  Professor Steele advised that in relation to item 1.1, AUQA has an additional $590,000 to allocate.  It seems likely that besides Malaysia and South Africa, the various off-shore partnership arrangements for the delivery of courses may also be subject to audit.  Referring to item 2.1, Monash considers itself as research-intensive, but at an early stage.  A meeting has been scheduled to prepare the university for the audit and it is expected that about 500-600 people from across the university will be involved.

 

Academic Board noted the advice of Professor Steele, Pro Vice-Chancellor – Melbourne and received the report submitted by the Centre for Higher Education Quality (CHEQ).

 

Action/ Information: Professor G Webb, Ms R Harris

            4.4       Report of the International Self-Review                                                 RMO2004/1466

                                                                                                                                                    

A report was attached. (p 25–66)

 

Professor C Browne informed members that the International Self-Review had been led by Professor S Parker and the document reports on the international activities of the university.  The report would be circulated electronically to Board members, who were requested to discuss the document within departments, schools, faculties, campuses and divisions and comments were to be sent to Professor Parker by email.  The report will be presented to meeting 5/2005 of the Academic Board for discussion and endorsement.

 

Academic Board encouraged its members to discuss the report in departments, faculties, divisions and campuses.  Academic Board noted that the recommendations contained in the report would be presented to meeting 5/2005 of Academic Board for endorsement and onward transmission to Council for approval.

Action/ Information: Ms M King, Professor S Parker

 

 

4.5       Report of a Review of the Faculty of Education                                     RMO2005/0968

 

A report was attached. (p 67–92). 

 

Professor S Willis, Dean, Faculty of Education, informed the Board that the review was done with the approach “of getting better, not looking better”.  As the faculty had no schools or departments, five portfolio areas were identified, namely, Curriculum, Research, Development, Staffing, and Environment and Resources, each headed up by one or two associate deans.  In preparation for the 2004 review, each portfolio area developed a set of questions which received feedback from the faculty.  The feedback and concerns were further considered by each portfolio area which produced their own review reports.  The faculty executive considered each review report and produced a brief report which addressed each of the terms of reference of the faculty review.  The faculty executive report was submitted to an external review panel.  The external review panel visited the faculty, met with stakeholder groups and produced the review report which the faculty responded to.  Professor Willis emphasised that, for the faculty, the critical issue was the labelling of the review as an ‘academic review’ which considered both academic and administrative roles within the faculty.

 

In response to a query about the Gippsland development being incompatible with a one-department faculty structure, Professor Willis stated that although the development was contrary to the way the faculty operated, the decision had been made at the university-level and the faculty was committed to making it work.  Professor B Mackenzie, Campus Director Gippsland, added that the Gippsland development would enhance the academic relationships between the academic units of the Gippsland campus and the faculty.  It would be feasible for the Faculty of Education at Gippsland to stay within the single-department faculty structure but be Gippsland-based. 

 

Responding to a question about the accreditation requirements for Schools of Education, Professor Willis stated that accreditation requirements were for teacher-education courses and not for schools.

 

In answer to a query about how the faculty would implement the recommendations in the report, Professor Willis stated that each portfolio area and the Dean’s office had been charged with implementing those recommendations that had been agreed to and with consideration of the recommendations that were not.                                                                                             

 

Academic Board received the report and noted the advice of Professor Willis, Dean, Faculty of Education.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Action/ Information: Professor S Willis

 

 

4.6       Gippsland Campus proposal                                                                     RMO2005/0969

 

A proposal was attached. (p 167-170) 

 

Professor B Mackenzie, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Gippsland), spoke to the proposal for the MAGNET scheme as an alternate course entry pathway at Gippsland campus to increase the number of school leavers on the campus, which had declined by 40%, mainly due to the increase in ENTER score requirements.  The scheme would trial admission by direct entry, based on criteria developed in consultation with local schools, rather than just ENTER scores.

 

Issues raised during lively discussion of this item included:

·         Concern from Monash University Malaysia about perceptions of standards in the marketplace if students are admitted into the global degree

·         Concern about implications for the Monash brand, as ENTER scores are perceived as a surrogate for quality

·         Although the ENTER scores of individuals who gain direct access to Monash will not be published in the local press, they do form part of the public record and can be found out and may be published by DEST as a part of the Minister’s proposed new Capability Index Score for courses

·         Impact on courses that are offered across more than one campus

·         Admittance of students under the MAGNET scheme to the Diploma of Foundation Studies could lengthen the duration of their course of studies and be counterproductive

·         Consideration of recruitment of the students to the campus, rather than to a particular course, with a focus on the course

·         The MAGNET scheme would work as an extension to the middle-band process and in the middle-band, ENTER is seen as a poorer prediction of success

·         Selection officers will have access to information directly from schools which they have never had access to before

·         Alliance with local schools would be productive for the campus and good for the region

·         Berwick and Peninsula campuses face similar issues

·         Consideration of the MAGNET scheme as an equity access scheme

·         Consideration of the admission of students to the Diploma of Introductory Undergraduate Studies, which was approved as an exit award in 1998.

 

Academic Board decided to refer the MAGNET proposal to the Admissions Committee for consideration of the admission of students under this scheme to the Diploma of Introductory Undergraduate Studies and the Diploma of Foundation Studies.  Successful completion of a diploma program would enable admission to a relevant degree program, with credit granted for studies successfully completed within a Diploma program as appropriate.

 

Professor Mackenzie spoke to the proposal for the Co-operative Education scheme and informed the Board that students from the Gippsland area needed a source of income to support them in their studies and employers in the region prefer students with industrial experience.  The scheme is based on schemes in place in other universities in Australia and overseas, and similar to schemes at Boston University and Waterloo University. 

 

In response to a comment that the scheme should be broken-down to individual schemes to obtain approval for credit transfer for courses, Professor Mackenzie stated that credit approvals for each course would have to be negotiated with each faculty and proceed through the relevant course approval system.

 

Academic Board noted the advice of Professor Mackenzie, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Gippsland).

 

Academic Board referred the MAGNET proposal to the Admissions Committee at its meeting on 3 August to consider the option of the Diploma of Introductory Undergraduate Studies as an entry award for students in the MAGNET scheme.

 

Academic Board referred to Education Committee the proposal to offer the Diploma of Introductory Undergraduate Studies as an entry award.

 

Academic Board advised the Pro Vice-Chancellor Gippsland to present a revised MAGNET proposal to Academic Board, incorporating decisions made at Admissions Committee and Education Committee.

 

Academic Board approved, for transmission to Council, the adoption of the Cooperative Education scheme as described in the proposal, with a proviso that permission from individual faculties would have to be obtained for appropriate credit arrangements.

 

Academic Board noted that the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Gippsland), in collaboration with the University Statistical Services Unit, will provide an annual report to the Academic Board on the progress of the Cooperative Education scheme.

 

Academic Board noted that the Cooperative Education scheme would be formally reviewed after three years of operation and the outcome of the review would be reported to the Academic Board.

 

            Action/ Information: Professor B Mackenzie

Secretary, Admissions Committee

Ms S Chong

 

4.7       Research Matters                                                                                                         

 

Professor E Cornish, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), informed the Board that Monash had submitted 22 applications for Federation Fellows and Monash won three of the 24 fellowships awarded nationally.  Monash was awarded two Centres of Excellence and Monash is a key partner in three other Centres of Excellence.  The ARC is likely to call for proposals for the next round soon and Professor Cornish advised the Board of the need for colleagues to put forward a broad range of very good applications.

 

Professor Cornish congratulated faculties, departments and individuals who were awarded ARC Linkage Grants in Round Two.  Monash submitted 28 applications, of which 11 were funded, which gave Monash a success rate of 40% compared to a national average of 53%.  A process has been put in place by which each Associate Dean (Research) has agreed to a target number of applications for the next round.  The overall Monash target is 60 applications for the November round. 

 

Responding to a query about the role of the new Pro Vice-Chancellor – Business & Industry, Professor Cornish advised that linkage was becoming very competitive and part of Professor Anderson’s role would be to develop industry links which would support the bids.

 

In response to a request from a member, Professor C Browne agreed to write a congratulatory letter to each successful applicant on behalf of the Board.

 

Academic Board noted the advice of Professor Cornish, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), and noted that the President of Academic Board would send a congratulatory letter to each successful applicant on behalf of the Board.

 

            Action: Professor C Browne

Professor J Anderson

 

4.8      Question Time

                                                                                                                                                    

4.8.1  Unit as an academic structure                                                                          

 

In response to a query about the policy for the establishment of a unit as an academic structure, Professor C Browne stated that the university had no formal definition of a unit as an academic structure.  Units would be included in the review of centres and institutes that would be taking place.  Units that have already been established would be reviewed at a date to be advised by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research).

 

            Action/ Information: Office of the DVC (Research)

 

 

5          MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

 

6          ITEMS ORIGINATING FROM SECTION C

 

*6.1     PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH AND FILL THE POSITION OF PROFESSOR OF EDUCATION, GIPPSLAND CAMPUS                                                                                     RMO98/1267

 

This item originated at item 16 of the agenda. The proposal (p 93–96) by the Board of the Faculty of Education had been submitted by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) to Academic Board for endorsement and transmission to the Vice-Chancellor for approval.  In view of the urgency, the President of Academic Board provided executive approval and endorsement of the proposal on behalf of the Academic Board.

 

Academic Board ratified the endorsement provided by the President of Academic Board, of the proposal of the Board of the Faculty of Education to establish and fill the position of Professor of Education, Gippsland Campus.

 

            Action: Mr J Noonan

 

*6.2     CHANGE TO SPECIAL CONSIDERATION POLICY                                      RMO2001/1012      

 

This item originated at item 17 of the agenda. A document was attached (p 97–98). The Education Committee endorsed a change to the Special Consideration Policy to allow special consideration for students undertaking four or more examinations in the first week of an exam period.  In view of the need to provide faculties and students with clarification of procedures for the examination period for semester 1, 2005, the President of Academic Board provided executive approval and endorsement of the change on behalf of the Academic Board, for semester one. 

 

Substantial discussion of this item took place and issues raised included:

·         a very large number of students would be effected by the change in policy, rather than the small number initially identified in the Education Committee paper

·         a long term strategy to solve the problem of timetabling of exams needed to be developed, rather than a stop-gap policy

·         a policy that no new material would be taught in week 13 was developed at Education Committee meeting 6/2003 to address this issue, noting that a ‘swot vac’ proposal had been put to Education Committee at that same meeting, 6/2003

·         concern about the difficulty with the process involved in such special consideration

·         unfairness of the change in policy to students

·         administrative workload to individually process each special consideration

·         consideration of revision of the academic and examinations calendar for 2006 and beyond.

 

In view of the number of issues of concern raised with this change in policy, Academic Board decided not to ratify the endorsement provided by the President of Academic Board but suggested that Professors C Browne and M Evans put this matter back on the agenda of Education Committee meeting 4/2005, scheduled for 13 July, to explore long-term solutions to the underlying problem of scheduling of examinations.

 

Academic Board did not ratify the endorsement provided by the President of Academic Board of the change to the Special Consideration Policy. Academic Board referred this issue back to the Education Committee.

 

(Secretarial Note: Following the Board meeting, the President of Academic Board wrote to Faculty Managers and Associate Deans (Teaching) in all faculties directly to inform them that special consideration should not be applied for semester 1, 2005 and beyond, for students sitting four or more exams in the first week of an examination period.)

Action/Information: Professor C Browne

Professor M Evans

Ms S Chong

Associate Deans(Teaching)

Faculty Managers

 

C         ITEMS FOR APPROVAL OR INFORMATION

 

 

7          MATTERS REFERRED TO ACADEMIC BOARD BY COUNCIL

 

8          REPORT OF THE ADMISSIONS COMMITTEE                                                                           

 

8.1       Receipt of Report of Admissions Committee meeting 2/2005              RMO1998/1366                   

           

            A report was attached. (p 99–104)

 

Academic Board received and noted the Report of meeting 2/2005 of the Admissions Committee, held on 5 May 2005.

 

*8.1.1   Change to Committee Title, Terms of Reference and Membership         

                                                                                                                                                 RMO97/1150

                                                                                                                                                                                                 RMO99/2024

This item was starred at the commencement of the meeting.  A change of title for the committee was recommended to reflect that its business related to coursework programs as distinct from research degrees.  The terms of reference were updated to set out the specifics of the committee business and a formal statement of membership.

 

Academic Board discussed the membership of the committee and there was a suggestion to decrease representation from faculties to one representative per faculty.  Professor A Farley, Executive Chair of Admissions Committee, advised that this issue had been discussed previously and it was felt that there should be provision for one administrative and one academic representative from each faculty.  Academic Board decided that the membership should retain the provision of a maximum of two representatives from each faculty, with each faculty reserving the right to send only one representative, if they so desire.

 

Academic Board approved the following change of committee title and terms of reference of the Admissions Committee as follows:

 

Coursework Admissions Committee (Standing Committee of Academic Board)

 

Terms of Reference (to be interpreted as they apply to coursework programs of the University).

1.      To devise and recommend to Academic Board admission policies including those that contribute to the University goal of attracting the most talented students irrespective of their means or circumstance.

2.      To devise and recommend to Academic Board policies relating to the entry requirements for international and local students into undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs.

3.      To devise and recommend to Academic Board policies relating to programs of support, entry pathways, transition, scholarships and bursaries for the provision of fair and equitable access to tertiary education.

4.      To devise and make recommendations to Academic Board on policies relating to credit transfer, advanced standing and Recognition of Prior Learning.

5.      To regularly review policies to ensure they continue to contribute to University goals and objectives.

6.      To provide interpretation of policies as required.

 

Academic Board approved the membership of the Admissions Committee as set out on page 100 with the second last dot point to read as follows:

 

·         A maximum of two representatives from each faculty (one being an academic and the other an administrator) nominated annually by the Dean.

 

            Action/ Information: Secretary, Admissions Committee

Professor A Farley

 

 

 

 

 

9          REPORT OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE                                                                            

 

9.1       Receipt of Report of Education Committee meeting 3/2005                 RMO2004/0611       

           

            A report was attached. (p 105–108)

 

Academic Board received and noted the Report of meeting 3/2005 of the Education Committee, held on 18 May 2005.

 

            Action/ Information: Ms S Chong

 

 

10        REPORTS OF THE RESEARCH GRADUATE SCHOOL COMMITTEE                                        

 

10.1     Receipt of Report of Meeting 4/2005                                                       RMO1997/1156

           

A report was attached. (p 109–112) 

 

Academic Board received and noted the Report of Meeting 4/2005 of the Research Graduate School Committee, held on 6 May 2005.

 

10.1.1   Doctoral Examinations Working Group                                      RMO2004/1028

 

A Research Graduate School Committee working group has reviewed doctoral examination procedures in those instances where there are dissenting reports or a difference of opinion between examiners.

 

Academic Board endorsed the following:

·         that only one examiner be appointed to examine a revised and resubmitted thesis if there is an assenting examiner;

·         that examiners who re-examine be offered the full range of options;

·         that the Examination Review Board be invoked when an examination reaches a revision and resubmission outcome on its second time around;

·         that adjudicators be asked on their report form whether they would act as an examiner for the revised thesis; and

·         that the adjudicator be asked to specify to which examiner/s the thesis should be sent after revision.

 

            Action/ Information: Mrs P Herman

 

 

10.2     Receipt of Report of Meeting 5/2005                                                                         

           

A report was attached.  (p 113–116)

 

Academic Board received and noted the Report of Meeting 5/2005 of the Research Graduate School Committee, held on 3 June 2005.

 

 

10.2.1   PhD and M Phil Monash Malaysia Campus                                 RMO2004/1373

                                                                                                                                                             RMO2003/0998

                                                                                                                                                             RMO1998/1586

In its 10/2004 report to Academic Board, the Research Graduate School Committee reported in its proceedings at item 6 that LAN, a Malaysian registration board, had approved the offering of M Phil and PhD degrees on the Monash Malaysian campus.  Formerly these degrees were offered by external mode on the Malaysian campus.  As administrative policies and processes have now been finalised in accordance with the university’s degree regulations, the Monash Malaysia campus sought permission to commence offering these two degrees by on-campus mode.

 

Academic Board approved the recommendation that PhD and M Phil degrees will be offered on the Monash Malaysia campus.

 

Action/ Information: Ms P Herman

 

 

11        REPORT OF THE BOARD OF THE FACULTY OF ARTS                                                            

 

11.1     Receipt of Report of Meeting 2/2005                                                       RMO1998/0455

           

            A report was attached. (p 117–120)

 

Academic Board received and noted the Report of meeting 2/2005 of the Board of the Faculty of Arts, held on 18 May 2005.

 

Action/ Information: Ms B Shields.

 

 

12        REPORT OF THE BOARD OF THE FACULTY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY                  

 

12.1     Receipt of Report of Special Meeting 3/2005                                         RMO1997/1159

                                                                                                                                                    

            A report was attached. (p 121–124)

 

Academic Board received and noted the Report of the Special Meeting 3/2005 of the Board of the Faculty of Information Technology, held on 10 June 2005.

 

Action/ Information: Ms S Gleeson

 

 

13        REPORT OF THE BOARD OF THE FACULTY OF MEDICINE, NURSING AND HEALTH SCIENCES           

 

13.1     Receipt of Report of Meeting 3/2005                                                       RMO1998/0708

                                                                                                                                                    

            A report was attached. (p 125–126)

 

Academic Board received and noted the Report of Meeting 3/2005 of the Board of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, held on 8 June 2005.

 

            Action/ Information: Ms J Kemp

 

 

14        REPORT OF THE BOARD OF THE FACULTY OF SCIENCE                                                     

 

14.1     Receipt of Report of Meeting 3/2005                                                       RMO1997/0904

                                                                                                                                                    

            A report was attached. (p 127–130)

 

Academic Board received and noted the Report of Meeting 3/2005 of the Board of the Faculty of Science, held on 1 June 2005.

 

 

 

14.1.1   School of Physics                                                                          RMO1998/3049

 

Faculty Board approved the change of name of the School of Physics and Materials Engineering to the School of Physics.

 

Academic Board endorsed, for transmission to Council for approval, the establishment of the School of Physics within the Faculty of Science.

 

14.1.2  Amendment to Faculty Board Membership                                 RMO1999/0846

                                                                                                                                                             RMO1998/3049

              The following changes have been approved by the faculty board and will be presented to Academic Board by the Solicitor’s Office.

 

              Subject to drafting of appropriate legislation, Academic Board endorsed, for transmission to Council for approval, the change of name of the School of Applied Science to the School of Applied Science and Engineering.

 

Academic Board approved the following changes under categories of membership – subsection 7.7:

·               ‘Head of School of Engineering and Science’ to ‘Head of School of Arts and Sciences (Monash University Malaysia)’

·               ‘Faculty Executive Officer’ to ‘Faculty Academic Manager’

·  Deletion of ‘Manager Coursework Programs’.

 

                        14.1.3    Academic Board Nominees

 

                                      (secretarial note:  refer to item 19.3)

 

            Action/ Information: Ms G Key

 

15        LEGISLATION

 

15.1     Amendment pursuant to Faculties Regulations (Amendment 3 2005) RMO1997/1504

 

Documents were attached. (p 131–134)  These regulations amend Schedule 8 of the Faculties Regulations, and effect changes approved by Academic Board and Council.

 

Academic Board endorsed, for submission to Council, the proposal to amend Faculties Regulations (Amendment No 3 2005).

 

Action/ Information: Ms K Kao, Ms J Kemp

 

 

*16      PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH AND FILL THE POSITION OF PROFESSOR OF EDUCATION, GIPPSLAND CAMPUS                                                                                                                      RMO98/1267

 

This item had been starred before the meeting and is dealt with at item 6.1 of the minutes.

 

 

*17      CHANGE TO SPECIAL CONSIDERATION POLICY                                                  RMO2001/1012

 

This item had been starred before the meeting and is dealt with at item 6.2 of the minutes.

 

 

*18      CENTRE FOR REGULATORY STUDIES                                                                      RMO99/1617

 

A proposal was attached (p 135–154).  This item was starred at the commencement of the meeting.  This proposal was approved by the Board of the Faculty of Law and endorsed by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research).

 

A Board member drew the attention of the Board to page 145 of the proposal.  There is no distinction between the number of subjects in the Graduate Diploma in Regulatory Studies and the Master of Regulatory Studies.  This was perceived to be a typographical error.  Professor C Browne stated that as all new courses needed to be approved by the faculty board and go through the relevant course approval process, this issue would need to be considered at that stage, and the proposal to the Board was for the establishment of the Centre.

 

Academic Board endorsed, for transmission to Council for approval, the proposal of the Board of the Faculty of Law to establish the Centre for Regulatory Studies and noted that individual courses would need to go through the relevant course approval process.

 

Action/ Information: Ms J White

 

 

19        ACADEMIC BOARD MEMBERSHIP

 

            19.1     Results of Academic Board Elections                                                      RMO2004/1174      

 

A document was attached (p 155–158) that included final election results of professorial and non-professorial membership on the Academic Board.

                       

Academic Board received and noted the results of the election held for the membership of Academic Board.

 

            19.2     Casual vacancies on Academic Board as at meeting 4/2005                RMO2004/1174

           

                        The following casual vacancies exist on Academic Board as at meeting 4/2005:

 

                        Faculty                                   Vacancy                                       Expiry Date

                        Arts                                        Professorial Member                      30/6/2007

                        Arts                                        Professorial Member                      30/6/2007

                        Arts                                        Non-Professorial Member              30/6/2007

                        Arts                                        Non-Professorial Member              30/6/2007

                        Business & Economics           Professorial Member                      30/6/2007

                        Engineering                            Professorial Member                      30/6/2007

                        Engineering                            Non-Professorial Member              30/6/2007

                        Engineering                            Non-Professorial Member              30/6/2007

                        Law                                        Professorial Member                      30/6/2007

                        Law                                        Professorial Member                      30/6/2007

                        Law                                        Non-Professorial Member              30/6/2007

                        Law                                        Non-Professorial Member              30/6/2007

                        Law                                        Non-Professorial Member              30/6/2007

                        Medicine                                 Professorial Member                      30/6/2007

                        Pharmacy                               Non-Professorial Member              30/6/2007

 

            19.3     Nominations from Faculty Board to fill casual vacancies on Academic Board

 

                                                                                                                                  RMO2004/1174

Academic Board noted the following appointments made by faculty boards to fill casual professorial and non-professorial vacancies on Academic Board:

 

                        Dr. Scott Webster                           Education                    until 30 June 2007

                        Assoc. Professor Catherine Elder   Education                    until 30 June 2007

                        Professor Brian Oldfield                  Medicine                      until 30 June 2007

                        Professor Suzanne Crowe              Medicine                      until 30 June 2007

                        Professor Karen Francis                 Medicine                      until 30 June 2007

                        Professor Keith Murray                   Science                        until 30 June 2007

                        Professor John Hamill                     Science                        until 30 June 2007

                        Professor Ray Cas                          Science                        until 30 June 2007

                        Professor Sam Adeloju                    Science                        until 30 June 2007

 

            19.4     Nomination from the Campus Director to fill a vacancy for a campus-based member of the Academic Board                                                                                          RMO2004/1174

           

Academic Board made the following appointment of a campus-based member of Academic Board:

 

                        Associate Professor Manzurul Alam        Berwick               until 30 June 2007

 

Action/ Information: Associate Professor M Alam

 

19.5     Request for Special Leave from Meetings of the Board                      RMO2004/1174      

In accordance with Statute 2.2 – The Academic Board (section 7), a casual vacancy in the office of an elected member occurs where a member is absent from three consecutive meetings without special leave granted by the Board at or before the last of those meetings.

A request had been received for special leave from:

 

Assoc. Professor Michael Page           Science            Meetings 4,5,6,7/2005

 

Academic Board granted special leave from attendance at meetings of the Board to the member listed above.

 

Action/ Information: Associate Professor M Page

 

 

20        REPORT OF COUNCIL

 

20.1     Receipt of Report of Meeting 3/2005                                                          RMO98/1225

 

            A report was attached. (p 159–162)

 

Academic Board noted the items of interest from Council Meeting 3/2005 held on 2 May 2005.

 

            Proceedings

 

 

21        NEXT MEETING

 

            The next meeting of the Academic Board will be held from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm on Wednesday, 17 August 2005 in the Council Chambers, first floor, Building 3A, Clayton Campus.