Academic Board Meeting 4-2006

MINUTES

Meeting No 4/2006 of the Academic Board was held on Wednesday 12 July 2006, in the Council Chambers, first floor, building 3A, Clayton campus from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm.

Associate Professor S Joy (Vice-President), Associate Professor H Abachi, Professor D Abramson, D G Acquaah-Gaisie, Associate Professor M Alam, Dr R Al-Mahaidi, Mr C Avram, Dr H Ballis, Associate Professor S Barkoczy, Professor J Beardall, Drs J Beringer, R Booth, Professor G Bouma, E Byrne, B Caine, Associate Professor B Canny, R Cas, Dr D Casey, Associate Professors K Chalmers, W Chiu, Drs F Collins, B Cooke, Professor E Cornish, Associate Professor C De Wilde, Professors R Devenish, R Doherty, M Evans, S Fahey, Associate Professor G Farr, Professors A Freiberg, J Godfrey, P Gronn, J Hamill, Ms C Harboe-Ree, Ms R Harris, Professors G Hodge, B Hoffert, O Hughes, H Keleher, B Kent, M King, P Komesaroff, Mr K Krishnamoorthy, Professors K Langfield-Smith, J Lattanzio, H P Lee, Associate Professor M Lindorff, Dr A Maharaj, Professor A Markus, Mr R Martin, Drs S Mayson, L McCall, Mr A McMeekin, Professors D Murphy, K Murray, P Myles, R Nation, Dr B Naylor, Associate Professor R Nelson, Dr J Newton, Professors R Norris, G Oppy, G Palmer, S Parker, Associate Professor C Porter, Professor D Poskitt, Ms S Puszka, Professors J Redmond, M Rhodes, Associate Professor S Robinson, Professors J Rood, J Sheridan, Dr J Simmonds, Professor G Simon, Dr P Snow, Professors A Sohal, L Spiccia, T Sridhar, P Steele, E Storey, R Summers, D Suter, O Tam, J Teicher, B Tonge, Dr C Varsavsky, Mr M Vincent, Mr I Walker, Mr D Watson, Professor G Webb, Associate Professor I Wendt, Professors R Willis, S Willis, B Williams, W Young.

Professors S Adeloju, R Brooks, C Browne, C Chapman, V Clulow, G Coleman, R Coppel, S Crowe, Dr G Davies, Associate Professor M Dever, Professor T Dingle, Associate Professor J Fisher, Professor J Goldsworthy, Ms K Gray, Mr C Holmes, Associate Professor J Hurst, Mr S Kasynathan, Professors J Keating, R Larkins, Dr I Larson, Professors H Le Grand, B Mackenzie, Professors C Mingins, D Morgan, H Oppewal, Associate Professor M Page, Professors L Piterman, M Skully, J Smith, Dr K Stewart, Professor P Stewart, Drs W Sutherland-Smith, S Ventura, Professors M Vicziany, R Weber.

Mr N Wood

Mr T Calder, Ms Z Edwards, Mr V Garth, Mr T Hogan, Mr D Taft, Mr P Yates

Ms C Chatterton

The Chair, Associate Professor S Joy, welcomed new members of Academic Board as well as members attending by teleconference from the Malaysia and South Africa campuses.

As there was no provision in the statute for alternate student members, the Chair requested permission of members for two students, Mr David Taft and Ms Zoe Edwards to attend the meeting with full speaking and voting rights in place of two student members who were unable to attend.

1.1  Starring of Items

Members noted that some items had been starred in the agenda for discussion. Item no. 9 was starred at the commencement of the meeting.

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.
 

2.1  Minutes of Academic Board Meeting 3/2006 held on Wednesday, 24 May 2006

The Minutes of Academic Board Meeting 3/2006 held on 24 May 2006, were confirmed.
 

3.1  Report of the Vice-Chancellor RMO2004/0369

A report was attached. (p. 1-2)

Academic Board received the report of the Vice-Chancellor.

3.2  Reports of the Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor

Professor S Parker, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, reported on the results of the 2006 Carrick Awards for Australian University Teaching. Out of a total of 210 citations for outstanding contributions to student learning, each university had been required to nominate upto10 and rank them. If the panel did not agree with a ranking of 7 made by a university, then those ranked 8-10 by that university would also be ineligible. Monash had won six and the following winners were congratulated:

• Dr Susan Edwards – Faculty of Education
• Ms Nell Kimberley – Faculty of Business and Economics
• Professor Steven Langford – Faculty of Science
• Dr Ramesh Rajan – Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
• Dr Bronwyn Stocks – Faculty of Art and Design
• Dr Kok-Soo Teoh – Monash Malaysia.

Professor Parker advised that 14 providers had received funding in 2006 under the Learning and teaching Performance fund scheme. Monash University had received $4.6 million. For 2007 changes had been made and funding would be allocated on the following discipline areas:

• Science, Computing, Engineering, Architecture and Agriculture
• Business, Law and Economics
• Humanities, Arts and Education
• Health.

Changes had also been made to the seven performance indicators which would be weighted equally and progress rates would include all undergraduate students.

Academic Board noted the advice of Professor Parker, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor.

For information: Professor S Parker

3.2.1  AUQA Audit RMO2000/0766

A report was attached (p. 3-4). Professor G Webb, Pro Vice-Chancellor Quality, introduced this item and reported on the preparatory visit by AUQA which took place on 26 June and advised that the printed version of the audit portfolio for general circulation was being distributed and would be the reference point as the audit progresses.

Ms R Harris, Acting Director, Centre for Higher Education Quality (CHEQ), advised that at the preparatory visit of AUQA, 62 questions and an additional 74 items of documentation had been requested. Areas identified included cross-campus communication and its effectiveness; planning at faculty and campus level and links between faculty and campus plans; performance management of staff including promotion and probation; course approval and review – 5 courses had been selected as samples; equivalence of academic standards across campuses; internationalisation of the curriculum; action being taken on student unit evaluation – 30 units had been identified from all faculties except the Faculty of Art & Design; research review and identification of research strengths and priorities; new international plan; and Monash College and its relationship with the university and quality assurance. The joint AUQA/HEQC panel had made nine requests. There would be six AUQA visits. From the transnational programs, the Bachelor of Information Technology at TMC and the Master of Practising Accounting program offered through SPACE in Hong Kong had been selected. AUQA would be spending two days at the Malaysia campus, three days at South Africa and was scheduled to visit the Clayton campus from 11-15 September and Gippsland campus on 5^th September. In total there would be 13 days of audit visits and approximately 500 people would probably be interviewed.

AUQA had requested a session with Academic Board to include the President, a member of the Academic Board who is also a member of Education Committee, a member from Berwick and Peninsula campuses.

In response to a query from the Dean, Faculty of Business and Economics, that the Accounting and Finance Department, which is one of the departments selected by AUQA, and is also undergoing an external department review at the same time, Ms Harris advised that the timeline of the external department review was a matter for the faculty to decide and could be moved if the faculty thought this would be useful.

Academic Board received the report and noted the advice of Professor Webb, Pro Vice-Chancellor Quality and Ms Harris, Acting Director, CHEQ.

For information: Professors G Webb, G Palmer,

Ms R Harris, Associate Professor J Hurst

3.2.2  Monash University Library Annual Report 2005 RMO2006/0352

The Monash University Library Annual Report 2005 was attached to the agenda. Ms C Harboe-Ree, University Librarian, advised that the trend in libraries demonstrated a reduction in the traditional kind of usage and an increase in the use of electronic resources. There had been a modest growth in the physical collection and a 20% growth in the electronic collection. Although telephone enquiries had dropped, the door count was increasing in 2006 and there had also been an increase in inter-campus loans. There were no statistics in the Annual Report on the usage of electronic resources as it was difficult to obtain accurate reports, however one indicator suggests rises in the order of 20%. The library’s overall goal is the same as the university; that is, to move into the top three in the Group of Eight as a KPI. Currently the library is 4^th or 5^th depending on the way it is rated. The master plan is for all buildings to be updated. The Hargrave-Andrew library has been refurbished and is the model for all the libraries. The Berwick Library and Learning Commons has been very successful in 2006. New libraries at Malaysia and South Africa are due to open in 2007. The website had been improved with a positive response. There were on-going efforts to integrate information skills development into courses in preference to relying on library classes. The Monash University ePress had its full year of operation and was publishing four journals for Monash editors, as well as a number of monographs. $4.3M had been received for ARROW Stage 2 to support the RQF and to develop the software.

Ms Harboe-Ree advised that the library had performed well In the Monash Staff Survey and had improvements in all categories in the national survey. Monash was the national leader in provision of library services to alumni.

Professor Cornish informed the Board that Ms Harboe-Ree played a very important role nationally in a number of spheres and had assisted in setting the national agenda through her positive relationship with the Department of Education, Science and Training and her lead role in the ARROW (Australian Research Repositories Online to the World) project.

In response to an observation by a member of the Board that Caulfield campus had 4000 sq. metres of holdings and space and a research-intensive university requires 10,000 sq. metres of holdings and space, Ms Harboe-Ree stated that consultants will be engaged to explore options for increase of space and their report will inform an overall decision.

Academic Board noted the advice of Ms Harboe-Ree, University Librarian, and received the ‘Monash University Library Annual Report 2005’.

For information: Ms C Harboe-Ree

3.2.3  Re-structure of committees RMO

A document outlining the current and proposed committee structure for the Academic Board was attached (p. 109-110). Professor S Parker, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, reported on two processes that were converging: a general re-arrangement of committees of Academic Board which commenced under the former President of Academic Board and a review of committees of Education Committee which commenced when responsibility for the academic portfolio moved to the Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor. Professor Parker advised that there would be a net reduction in meetings.

Responding to a query about the Readership/Associate Professorship Committee of Academic Board, Professor Parker stated that he was unsure if the committee was operational and would discuss it with the President of the Academic Board.

For information: Professor S Parker,

Associate Professor J Hurst

Education Committee had endorsed the establishment of a revised committee structure of the Education Committee which included the establishment of the following as subcommittees of Education Committee:

3.2.3.1  Admissions Committee RMO1997/1150

The proposed terms of reference and membership of the Coursework Admissions and Scholarships Committee was attached (p. 31-32)

Academic Board disestablished the Admissions Committee as a committee of Academic Board.

Academic Board established the Coursework Admissions and Scholarships Committee as a subcommittee of Education Committee.

Academic Board approved the terms of reference and membership of the Coursework Admissions and Scholarships Committee.

For information: Mr K Jensen

For information: Professor G Webb

3.2.3.2.1  Transnational Quality Assurance and Improvement Committee (TQAIC) RMO2006/0605

The revised terms of reference and membership structure of TQAIC, endorsed by TQAIC and the Education Committee, were attached. (p. 17-18). Professor Parker advised that there was a small change to the first dot point of the draft revised Terms of Reference on page 17 of the agenda papers, and the words "and Monash College" were to be deleted.

Academic Board disestablished the Transnational Quality Assurance and Improvement Committee as a standing committee of Academic Board.

Academic Board established the Transnational Quality Assurance and Improvement Committee as a subcommittee of the Learning, Teaching and Quality Committee.

Academic Board approved the revised terms of reference and membership structure of the Transnational Quality Assurance and Improvement Committee.

For information: Professor S Fahey, Ms C Chatterton

3.2.3.3  Education Policy and Programs Committee (EPP) RMO2006/0606

The proposed terms of reference and membership structure of the Education Policy and Programs Committee were attached. (p. 15-16)

Academic Board approved the establishment of the Education Policy and Programs Committee as a subcommittee of Education Committee.

Academic Board approved the proposed terms of reference and membership structure of the Education Policy and Programs Committee.

3.2.3.3.1  Exclusion Procedures Review Working Party RMO2006/053

The Education Committee had recommended a change of name of the Exclusion Procedures Review Working Party of Education Committee to the Exclusion Procedures Advisory Committee. A change to the reporting line was also proposed to establish it as a subcommittee of the Education Policy and Programs Committee. It was noted that there was an error in the link on the diagram on page 110 of the agenda papers and this committee would report to the Education Policy and Programs Committee,

Academic Board disestablished the Exclusion Procedures Review Working Party of Education Committee.

Academic Board established the Exclusion Procedures Advisory Committee as a subcommittee of the Education Policy and Programs Committee.

Academic Board approved the nomination of Associate Professor Tony Luff as the Chair of the Exclusion Procedures Advisory Committee.

For information: Associate Professor T Luff,

Professor M Evans

For information: Professor T Pretorius

3.2.4  Re-introduction of an official Swot Vac Period RMO1998/2085

• The examination process and the speed with which large numbers of students have to be processed;
• Moderation of overseas students;
• Over-examination of students;
• Decrease in teaching time in a 12-week semester would not be viewed favourably by overseas markets;
• Courses with practical/clinical components would be unable to complete the course content and sustain a 12-week semester;
• In courses that have continual assessment, the concept of a Swot Vac is invalid;
• Students surveyed report some non-adherence to the Week 13 policy which would be further investigated by the faculties concerned;
• Large number of student complaints and students seem to be willing to accept a slightly congested exam timetable in return for a Swot Vac;
• In some faculties reliance on examinations was the best check of validity;
• A review of coursework programs may lead to a 12-week semester recommendation.

For information: Professors S Parker, M Evans, P Steele, M Liddell

3.3  Reports of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International)

3.3.1  International Plan RMO2002/0171

For information: Professor S Fahey

3.3.2  Monash College Group (MCG) RMO1998/2673

For information: Professors S Fahey, G Webb, Mr Nigel Wood

3.4  Report of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research)

Professor E Cornish, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), updated members on performance in 2005 based on recently exchanged data with the GO8. In category one Monash is ranked 6^th and moving in terms of total research income from 5^th to 4^th. The gap between Monash and the university ranked 3^rd is $40M but Monash is closing the gap. In terms of the total number of publications, Monash had moved from 4^th to 3^rd. Focus needed to be placed on HDR load. Monash is performing less well in regard to its share in the national competitive grants. A copy of the presentation is attached. (Attachment C).

Academic Board noted the advice of Professor Cornish, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research).

For information: Professor E Cornish

3.5  Question Time

3.5.1  New unit (subject) in the Faculty of Engineering RMO

Professor J Teicher, Head, Department of Management, Faculty of Business and Economics, raised the issue of a new unit TCE 3199 titled ‘Management’ to be offered by the Faculty of Engineering. Concern was expressed that there had been no consultation with the Faculty of Business and Economics.

The Chair responded that the issue would be referred to the Education Policy and Programs (EPP) subcommittee of Education Committee.

Academic Board noted that this issue would be referred to the Education Policy and Programs (EPP) Committee.

For information: Professors J Teicher, M Evans.
 

5.1  Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences RMO1999/1617

A proposal (p. 35-56) to establish the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS), approved by the Board of the Faculty of Pharmacy, had been forwarded to Academic Board with the endorsement of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research). This item originated at item 9 of the agenda and was starred at the commencement of the meeting.

A member of the Board commented that institutes at Monash would normally involve more than one faculty, which did not appear to be the case with MIPS and questioned the level of consultation that had taken place.

Professor E Cornish, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), advised that there were two sorts of research institutes at Monash: those within a faculty which attempt to bring faculty-based research into an institute framework; and cross-faculty institutes which are facilitating mechanisms for multi-disciplinary research. In regard to MIPS, it will be similar to the Monash Institute of Medical Research, but with a strong agenda to engage faculties in research. It was a strategic investment the faculty wanted to make in drawing together its research with a focus on the future directions of the faculty agenda. The governance structure would consist of a high profile advisory board for a number of such institutes with a mechanism to allow cross-fertilisation between the institutes.

Associate Professor C Porter added that the faculty had no intention to exclude other areas of the university but rather to use this model to provide a focal point for research and foster further collaboration, in particular, with the Faculty of Science. There are a number of institutes in the Faculty of Pharmacy precinct and MIPS would give Monash a higher profile.

Professor E Byrne, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, suggested a slight revision to the proposal to include the other institutes.

Academic Board endorsed, for transmission to Council for approval, the proposal of the Faculty of Pharmacy to establish the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS), subject to the deans of the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, approving the final documentation.

For information: Professors E Cornish, E Byrne, R Norris, Ms J Holt.
 

6.1 Statute 2.10 Associate deans (teaching) RMO1999/2160

Documents were attached. (p. 33-34) At meeting 2/2006 the Education committee resolved that the Learning and Teaching Quality sub-committee would subsume the role of the Committee of Associate Deans (Teaching).

Academic Board endorsed, for submission to Council, the proposal to repeal Statute 2.10 – Associate deans (teaching).

For information: Solicitor’s Office
 

A revised policy document was attached in tracked changes. (p. 107-108) The Education Committee had endorsed an amendment to the rationale of the Special Consideration Policy.

A proposal to establish the specialisation of the Master of Arts in English as an International Language was attached. (p. 75-78) The proposal had been endorsed by the Research Graduate School Committee.

A proposal (p. 35-56) to establish the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS), approved by the Board of the Faculty of Pharmacy, had been forwarded to Academic Board with the endorsement of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research). This item was starred at the commencement of the meeting and is dealt with at item 5.1 of the minutes.
 

Noting the establishment of the European Union Centre, the Board of the Faculty of Arts had endorsed the disestablishment of the Centre for European Studies within the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics.

A document was attached. (p. 57-58) In view of the urgency of the matter, Associate Professor S Joy, Vice-President of Academic Board, had provided executive approval, on behalf of Academic Board, of the membership of the Central Discipline Committee as set out in the document for a term of office from 1 July 2006 to 30 June 2008.

12.1  Nominations from faculty boards to fill casual vacancies on Academic Board RMO2005/1670

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

Professor Barbara Caine Arts until 30 June 2008

A/Professor Maryanne Dever Arts until 30 June 2008

Professor Graham Oppy Arts until 30 June 2008

Dr Peter Snow Arts until 30 June 2008

Professor Marika Vicziany Arts until 30 June 2008

Professor Tony Dingle Business & Economics until 30 June 2008

Professor Owen Hughes Business & Economics until 30 June 2008

Professor David Arnott Information Technology until 30 June 2008

Professor Mark Wallace Information Technology until 30 June 2008

Professor Geoff Webb Information Technology until 30 June 2008

Professor Ingrid Zukerman Information Technology until 30 June 2008

Professor Chris Browne Medicine until 30 June 2008

Professor Ross Coppel Medicine until 30 June 2008

Professor Helen Keleher Medicine until 30 June 2008

Professor Paul Komesaroff Medicine until 30 June 2008

Professor Paul Myles Medicine until 30 June 2008

Professor Julian Rood Medicine until 30 June 2008

Professor Harald Schmidt Medicine until 30 June 2008

Professor Elsdon Storey Medicine until 30 June 2008

Professor Shane Thomas Medicine until 30 June 2008

Professor Bruce Tonge Medicine until 30 June 2008

Professor John Beardall Science until 30 June 2008

Professor John Lattanzio Science until 30 June 2008

Dr Cristina Varsavsky Science until 30 June 2008

Professor Roger Nation Pharmacy until 30 June 2008

12.2  Nomination from undergraduate students to fill a casual vacancy on Academic Board RMO2005/1670

Academic Board approved the following appointment made by the undergraduate students to fill a casual vacancy on Academic Board:

Ms Emily Greco until 31 December 2006

12.3  Appointment of Heads of Academic or Support Units RMO2005/1670

The President of Academic Board had nominated Professor Graham Webb, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Monash College Group, as an appointed member of Academic Board, for the term of his tenure as CEO.

Academic Board appointed Professor Graham Webb to the Academic Board for the term of his tenure as CEO of the Monash College Group.

The President of Academic Board had nominated Ms Robyn Harris, Acting Director, Centre for Higher Education Quality, as an appointed member of Academic Board, for the term of her tenure as Acting Director, CHEQ.

Academic Board appointed Ms Robyn Harris to the Academic Board for the term of her tenure as Acting Director, CHEQ.

For information: Professor G Webb, Ms R Harris
 

In accordance with Statute 2.2 – The Academic Board (section 4), 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:

A/Professor M Page Science Meetings 4, 5, 6 & 7/2006

Professor C Browne Medicine, Nursing & Health Science Meeting 4/2006

A report was attached. (p. 5-32 & 107-108)

14.1 Educational Technology Committee (ETC)

Academic Board noted that a proposal to establish the Educational Technology Committee as a subcommittee of the Learning, Teaching and Quality Committee, would be forwarded to a future meeting of the Academic Board for approval once the terms of reference and membership composition had been determined.

For information: Secretary Education Committee,

Professors G Webb, D Murphy.
 

A report was attached. (p. 59-64)

A report was attached. (p. 65-66)

Reports were attached. (p. 67-78)

A report was attached. (p. 79-80)

A report was attached. (p. 81-84)

A report was attached. (p. 85-88)

Reports were attached. (p. 89-92)

A report was attached. (p. 93-98)

A report was attached. (p. 99-100)

A report was attached. (p. 101-102)

A report was attached. (p. 103-106)

The following casual vacancies existed on Academic Board as at meeting 4/2006:

Art & Design Non-Professorial Member 30/6/2008

Art & Design Non-Professorial Member 30/6/2008

Education Professorial Member 30/6/2008

Education Non-Professorial Member 30/6/2008

The next meeting of the Academic Board will be held on Wednesday, 30 August 2006 in the Council Chambers, first floor, Building 3A, Clayton Campus from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm.