Academic Board Meeting 1-2006

MINUTES

Meeting No 1/2006 of the Academic Board was held on Wednesday, 22 February 2006, in the Council Chambers, Building 3A, Clayton campus from 3:30 pm – 5:10 pm.

There were present:

Associate Professor J Hurst (President), Associate Professor H Abachi, Professor D Abramson, Dr G Acquaah-Gaisie, Associate Professor M Alam, Dr R Al-Mahaidi, Professor W Anderson, Mr C Avram, Associate Professor H Ballis, Dr J Beringer, Professors M Berndt, J Bertram, Dr S Blackburn, Dr R Booth, Professors G Bouma, R Brooks, E Byrne, P Cally, R Cas, Associate Professor W Chiu, Professors V Clulow, E Cornish, Dr G Davies, Professor G Davison, Associate Professor A De Bono, Professors R Devenish, T Dingle, M Evans, S Fahey, M Fleer, A Freiberg, Ms K Gray, Professors P Gronn, J Hamill, Ms C Harboe-Ree, Professors G Hodge, B Hoffert, Ms C Holgate, Associate Professor S Joy, Professors J Keating, J Kenway, M King, Mr K Krishnamoorthy, Professors K Langfield-Smith, R Larkins, Associate Professor M Lindorff, Dr S Mayson, Professor C McLean, Mr A McMeekin, Professors C Mingins, D Morgan, Dr D Murphy, Professor K Murray, Drs B Naylor, R Nelson, J Newton, Professors R Norris, H Oppewal, Associate Professor M Page, Professors G Palmer, S Parker, Professors D Poskitt, T Pretorius, I Prince, Ms S Puszka, Professor J Redmond, Associate Professor S Robinson, Professors J Sheridan, G Simon, M Skully, T Sridhar, Dr K Stewart, Professor E Storey, Ms K Styles, Professors J Teicher, N Thomson, Dr S Ventura, Mr C Vernon, Professor M Vicziany, Mr M Vincent, Mr I Walker, Mr D Watson, Professors G Webb, R Weber, S Willis, W Young.

Apologies were received from:

Professors S Adeloju, C Browne, Associate Professor B Canny, Dr D Casey, Associate Professor K Chalmers, Professors M Clayton, G Coleman, Dr F Collins, Dr B Cooke, Professors S Crowe, R Doherty, K Francis, O Hughes, Mr S Kasynathan, Professors B Kent, H Le Grand, M Liddell, B MacKenzie, Dr A Maharaj, Mr R Martin, Dr L McCall, Professors R Nation, L Piterman, Associate Professor C Porter, Professor M Rhodes, Dr G Romeo, Professor H Salem, Associate Professor G Sanson, Professors J Smith, A Sohal, G Solarsh, P Steele, P Stewart, O Tam, B Tonge, J Walter, Associate Professor C de Wilde, Professor R Willis.

Observers:

Mr T Calder, Associate Professor D Garrioch, Ms R Hinds, Ms R Harris.

In attendance:

Ms C Chatterton

*A PROCEDURAL MATTERS

1 WELCOME

The Chair, Associate Professor J Hurst welcomed Professor Stefanie Fahey, Professor Jenny Keating and Dr Ross Booth, the new members to the Board, as well as Ms Stefanie Puszka, Mr Christopher Holmes, Mr Sankaran Kasynathan, Ms Katherine Gray and Mr Kishore Krishnamoorthy, the new student members for 2006. The Chair also welcomed those in attendance via teleconference from the Malaysia and South Africa campuses.

1.1 Starring of Items

The Chair drew attention to the tabled documents:

• Replacement pages 187 and 188 for item 17

• A new agenda item 4.2.6 Associate Degrees - pages 195-204

• Pocket Statistics 2005

• Annual Plan 2006 – printed brochure

• University-wide Key Performance Indicators 2005 – printed brochure.

The Chair drew attention to the following alterations to the agenda:

• New agenda item 4.2.6 Associate Degrees

• A change in the recommendation at item 20 to read "That Academic Board receive the response from the Faculty of Business and Economics in regard to the Department of Business Law and Taxation Review and note that the recommendations have been forwarded to the PVC Quality for consideration at the forthcoming review of review guidelines".

• A change to item 34 – no casual vacancy in the Faculty of Business and Economics.

Members noted that some items had been starred in the agenda for discussion. No further items were starred.

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 7/2005 held on Wednesday, 23 November 2005

The Minutes of Academic Board Meeting 7/2005, held on 23 November 2005, were confirmed subject to an amendment to the first paragraph of item 4.7 to read:

A proposal was attached (p 341-356). Professor R Larkins, Vice-Chancellor, informed members that MUMA had traditionally been based at Clayton but the current space was inadequate for the collection to be on permanent display. As space in Caulfield building F1 had become available with the re-location of Engineering, an opportunity had arisen to co-locate the MUMA with the Faculty of Art and Design. A re-location would support the multi-campus rationale of Monash and promote and leverage one of the university’s cultural assets.

*B STARRED ITEMS

3 REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT

3.1 President’s Report RMO2004/0809

Associate Professor J Hurst introduced himself to Board members and paid tribute to the advances made by Professor Chris Browne who presided over the Board at a time when Monash was progressing the operations of the Board. A/Professor Hurst outlined his vision for the Board to operate in partnership with Council, senior management and staff to further the aims of the university. A/Professor Hurst indicated that he fully supported the notion of collegiality and that an important role of the Board was to uphold the principles of academic governance founded upon consultation, collegiality and broad based representation.

Academic Board noted the advice of Associate Professor Hurst.

3.2 Academic Board Evaluation RMO1997/1318

A summary of responses to the survey was attached as well as an analysis by the President. (p 1-10)

Associate Professor J Hurst noted that all the responses, when represented on the Likert scales, had returned positive results, however, a number of issues had surfaced in the open questions that would need to be addressed by the Board. He drew attention to the implementation of the new format of the agenda and the revised grouping of unstarred items in section C.

Academic Board received the summary of responses of Academic Board members to the survey conducted in December 2005 and noted the advice of the President of Academic Board.

3.3 Future directions RMO2004/0809

A paper was attached. (p 11-12)

Associate Professor J Hurst spoke to his paper which outlined some of the directions that might be explored over his term as President, including the need for the development of terms of reference for the Board, an induction for new members of the Board and electronic dissemination of information.

Academic Board noted the advice of the President.

3.4 Leave of Absence RMO2004/0809

Associate Professor J Hurst informed members that, prior to his election as President, he had applied for long service leave from 1 May 2006 to 21 July 2006. He would be absent for meetings 3/2006 and 4/2006, which Associate Professor S Joy had agreed to chair. As he would be away for more than two months, A/Professor Hurst requested permission for leave of absence from the Board during his period of long service leave.

Academic Board noted the advice of the President and granted leave of absence to A/Professor Hurst for the period 1 May 2006 to 21 July 2006.

4 REPORT OF THE VICE-CHANCELLOR’S GROUP

4.1 Report of the Vice-Chancellor RMO2004/0369

Professor R Larkins, Vice-Chancellor, apologised for not having submitted a written report. He updated members on:

• The successful Senior Management Summit and conveyed his thanks to all participants and to Professor S Parker and Professor M Evans for organising the summit. The outcomes would be reported to a future meeting of Academic Board.

• Visit to India. Monash had positioned itself as a research-intensive university with an international focus. In order to maintain the momentum of high-end research collaboration, the South Asian Steering Group, chaired by Professor T Sridhar, had identified a potential joint research facility based in India. A Monash delegation including the Vice President of BHP Billiton visited a number of cities in India and noted that General Electric had set up the headquarters of its research facility in Bangalore. It was proposed to have a jointly funded institute with the Indian Institute of Technology in Mumbai. Discussions had been held with the Secretary and the Minister for Science and Technology in India who had been very supportive and had offered the prospect of funding. In addition BHP Billiton had offered $1.8 million in scholarships for PhD students in India administered through the new institute. As the Prime Minister would be visiting India in early March to facilitate the progress of science and technology collaborations between India and Australia, Professor Larkins had obtained in-principle support in the form of a Letter of Intent for the joint facility from Council. The financial commitment was expected to be approximately $10 million over a 5-year period. DEST had indicated that there might be funding to accompany the initiative. A formal proposal would be presented to a future meeting of the Academic Board.

Other cities visited included Dhaka with the Department of Management; Calcutta with the Arts Faculty where a conference had been organised at the University of Calcutta; and Pune with the Dean of Education, where a memorandum of understanding had been signed with the University of Pune around programs that had been developed in leadership and physical education.

• The Vice-Chancellor’s student leadership program Ancora Imparo was underway. The program was designed to support and inspire students who had the enthusiasm to make a real difference in the world, not necessarily the high achievers academically. Forty students had been selected from 130 applicants.

• Visit to Malaysia. The new campus development was progressing well and there had been a strong growth in enrolments.

• The South Africa campus had approximately 1100 students in semester one and there should be over 1200 students after the mid-year intake.

• International student recruitment showed a 15% improvement on 2005.

• Research income increased by 16% and the national competitive grants scheme income increased by 30%. Monash was still ranked fifth in the latest benchmarking, just behind the University of New South Wales.

• The MEQ 2005 had shown an overall improvement over a two-year period.

• Berwick campus – discussions were being held with the Department of Education about how best to utilise the large amount of land and assist the campus to grow more rapidly.

In response to a question about the benefit to Monash from a joint institute in India, Professor Larkins stated that Monash would have access to a large number of PhD students who would spend some time in Australia which would count towards HDR load; access to multinational research funding which was not available in Australia but available in India; access to academics who would spend time in Australia and India; and industrial engagement with multinational companies. Professor T Sridhar added that this initiative had been necessary to rectify the HDR student load at Monash compared to other Go8 universities. 70-80% of the global 100 companies were seeking to relocate their research and development facilities to India. The growth of the joint institute would be limited by the amount of income it received.

Academic Board noted the advice of Professor Larkins, Vice-Chancellor and Professor T Sridhar, Chair, South Asian Steering Group.

4.2 Reports of the Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor RMO

Professor S Parker, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, drew the attention of Board members to the Annual Plan 2006 and the University-wide Key Performance Indicators 2005 brochures tabled at the meeting. Earlier versions of both documents had been presented to the Board in 2005. It had been decided to publish the documents in a brochure to maintain the strong emphasis on planning and performance and the intensified focus on performance against the set targets. Professor Parker stated that his portfolio areas: namely planning, quality and education, would report to the Board through his office.

4.2.1 Monash in Europe RMO2001/0171

A paper was attached. (p 13-14)

Professor S Parker, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, reported on:

• the successful application to host the European Union Centre. He acknowledged the work of Professor M Evans, Associate Professor Marko Pavlyshyn who chaired the Working Party, Professor Bill Kent, Dr Annamaria Pagliaro, Dr Ken Coghill, Dr Matt Harvey and Mr Michael Simmonds.

• an alliance with the University of Newcastle upon Tyne which had been one of the most successful universities in accessing European Union Framework Programme funding.

• a memorandum of understanding that would be signed with the University of Nottingham in the pharmacy discipline and with the University of Newcastle upon Tyne in the medicine discipline.

• a joint conference with King’s College that would be held in Prato in the area of vascular medicine.

Responding to a statement that there seemed to be an emphasis on humanities in the European Union Centre, Professor Parker stated that the humanities and social sciences disciplines had initiated the proposal but it would not be exclusive and once the centre was underway, it was anticipated that all areas of the university would participate.

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

4.2.2 VTAC Admission of Undergraduate Domestic Students and Student Load 2006 RMO2001/1605

A report was attached. (p 15-18) Professor S Parker, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, clarified that coursework admission data fell into four groups: VTAC admissions, direct entry by international students, domestic fee-paying students and external partner-supported enrolments and there was no single moment in time when this data was gathered. This report focussed on VTAC admissions only.

Professor M Evans, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Planning), spoke to the report. Although there had been an overall decline in applications in Victoria, Monash admissions had increased. Since this report had been written, a further reallocation from Gippsland, for which permission from DEST had to be obtained, was likely. Professor Evans congratulated selection officers in faculties on the smooth selection process under strict timelines which is made increasingly difficult by DEST micro management.

Professor Parker added that commencing international admissions increased by 15% on 2005, when there was a decline of 18% from 2004. Monash College students comprised 6% of 2005 admissions. Study Abroad students registered the greatest decrease. Professor Parker paid tribute to staff in international recruitment and marketing for their efforts in reversing the trend in 2006.

In response to a query whether Monash would give up load to maintain quality, as universities were not permitted to enrol domestic fee-paying students if the target load had not been met, Professor Evans stated that Monash would have to consider a larger mid-year intake in 2006.

Academic Board received the report and noted the advice of Professor Evans, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Planning) and Professor Parker, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor.

4.2.3 AUQA Audit RMO2000/0766

Professor G Webb, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Quality), updated the Board on preparations for the AUQA audit via a power point presentation (Attachment 1). Professor Webb reminded members that there was still an opportunity to incorporate feedback on the volumes in the portfolio. A preparatory visit by AUQA to Monash was scheduled for 26 June 2006. The areas at Monash that AUQA will focus on would be advised on that date.

Academic Board received the presentation and noted the advice of Professor Webb, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Quality).

4.2.4 Monash Experience Questionnaire (MEQ) 2005 RMO1999/0182

Professor G Webb, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Quality), reported on the results of the MEQ 2005 which had a 34% response rate in comparison to MEQ 2003 which had a 40% response rate. More than 16,000 students responded to the questionnaire, providing valuable data and comments. The demographic profiles in the two surveys were almost identical. Compared with MEQ 2003, the results for MEQ 2005 demonstrated a positive improvement in almost every area of the teaching, learning, support and general university experience. Monash had also rated well against universities used for benchmarking. It is anticipated that, once the improvements that faculties had incorporated as a result of unit evaluations flow through, better results would be expected in future MEQs. A copy of Professor Webb’s power point presentation is attached. (Attachment 2).

In answer to a query for the need to report to two decimal points, Professor Webb stated that an example of why results to two decimal places could be important was to demonstrate that there was only a difference at the second decimal place between treating double degree students as essentially two returns (as requested by Deans) as opposed to the average result for double degree students.

Academic Board received the presentation and noted the advice of Professor Webb, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Quality).

4.2.5 Disclosure of Information about Library Usage RMO2006/0352

A paper was attached. (p 19-24) Professor S Parker, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor introduced this item which arose out of a question that was asked at a Board meeting in 2005 when the Board was informed that a paper would be presented to the Board. Professor Parker added his personal support for freedom to read without interference.

Ms C Harboe-Ree, University Librarian, reported that the paper had been prepared in consultation with the University Solicitor. She highlighted the need to be alert and not alarmed. Members of the university should be aware that the university could be asked under the law to reveal information about any member of the community and they would do so if the University Solicitor’s office deemed the request valid.

With reference to the article in The Australian referred to on page 20 of the agenda papers, the Vice-Chancellor informed the Board that the matter had been followed-up and a letter had been sent to the newspaper threatening legal action. There had been no response for a long time but after speaking to the editor, who stood by his report, the lawyers for the university had advised against pursuing legal action as it would not be successful since a specific librarian had not been mentioned and the university was unable to guarantee that every librarian in the university had not made a statement to the press.

In response to a query about protection for scholars undertaking current research on security and terrorism which would involve the use of the internet, Professor Parker stated that information would only be disclosed if it was lawful to do so. Mr A McMeekin, Director, ITS, stated that records of the sites accessed were stored on proxy servers but the information was confidential and would only be disclosed if the request was lawful.

Responding to a query about record-keeping protocols and the library’s retention of the borrowing history of its patrons, Ms Harboe-Ree stated that the library was not obliged to keep any information. Once a student returns a borrowed item, if there were no fines attached to it, the record was not retained.

Academic Board received the paper and noted the advice of Ms Harboe-Ree, University Librarian.

4.2.6 Associate Degrees RMO

A paper was tabled. (p 195-204)

Professor S Parker, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, informed the Board that in late 2003 the Committee of Deans had approved a pilot scheme for an Associate Degree in Business and Commerce at the Gippsland campus. A student was due to graduate but there was no such award in the Monash Qualifications Framework. A proposal was submitted to Council at meeting 1/2006. Council approved the proposal to create an Associate Degree in Business and Commerce as a qualifications category subject to the approval of the Academic Board.

Academic Board noted the advice of Professor Parker, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, and approved the amendment to the Qualifications Categories Policy to include the qualification category of Associate Degree, specifically for the pilot program of Associate Degree in Business and Commerce at Gippsland campus.

4.3 Question Time

There were no questions.

5 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

6 ITEMS ORIGINATING FROM SECTIONS C, D & E

6.1 Entry Pathways for Monash Staff who do not meet doctoral entry requirements RMO2004/1373

RMO1998/0347

A proposal was attached. (p 183-186) This item originated at item 8 of the agenda and was starred by the Steering Committee. The proposal has been endorsed by the Research Graduate School Committee. Professor M King, Pro Vice-Chancellor Research and Research Training informed the Board that currently there were two pathways that academic staff could take to do a PhD; either by enrolling as a normal student or by staff undertaking research and on completion presenting their thesis for examination, at which point examiners would be appointed. The latter could not comprise HDR load or be eligible under the RTS scheme. Under the proposed new pathway, a staff member who did not qualify would be mentored by their school/faculty in the drafting of their proposal which would then proceed through the normal examination process. If successful, the staff member would be enrolled as a normal student and take an RTS place with a reduced length of candidature.

In response to a query about the third dot point on page 183, Professor King stated that in some cases staff had been asked to complete a Masters Prelim and pay fees and it was more constructive to require them to produce a paper. This could also be viewed as a staff development pathway.

Academic Board noted the advice of Professor King and approved the proposal for a special PhD entry pathway for Monash academic staff who do not meet doctoral entry requirements.

C ITEMS FOR APPROVAL

7 LEGISLATION

7.1 Amendment pursuant to Statute 2.3 Faculties Regulations (Amendment 1 2006) RMO1997/1504

Documents were attached. (p 29-34) These regulations amend Schedule 8 of the Faculties Regulations, and effect changes to the sub-categories of student members and terms of membership. The changes were approved by the Board of the Faculty of Law at meeting 3/2005.

Academic Board endorsed, for submission to Council, the proposal to amend Faculties Regulations (Amendment No 1 2006).

*8 ENTRY PATHWAYS FOR MONASH STAFF WHO DO NOT MEET DOCTORAL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS RMO

This item has been starred by the Steering Committee and was dealt with at item 6.1 of the agenda and is reported on at item 6.1 of the minutes.

9 PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH THE CENTRE FOR POWER TRANSFORMER MONITORING, DIAGNOSTICS AND LIFE MANAGEMENT RMO2005/1347

A proposal was attached. (p 119-138) The proposal of the Board of the Faculty of Engineering had been submitted by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) to Academic Board for endorsement and transmission to Council for approval.

Academic Board endorsed for transmission to Council for approval, the proposal, to establish the Centre for Power Transformer Monitoring, Diagnostics and Life Management.

10 PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH THE MONASH EUROPEAN AND EU STUDIES CENTRE

RMO2005/1359

A proposal was attached. (p 139-176) The proposal of the International Division had been submitted by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) to Academic Board for endorsement and transmission to Council for approval.

Academic Board endorsed for transmission to Council for approval, the proposal, to establish the Monash European and EU Studies Centre.

11 PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH AND FILL THE POSITION OF PROFESSOR AND DIRECTOR, MONASH EUROPEAN AND EU STUDIES CENTRE RMO2005/1359

A proposal was attached. (p 177-178) The proposal of the International Division, to establish and fill the position of Professor and Director, Monash European and EU Studies Centre, had been forwarded to Academic Board by the Office of the Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor.

Academic Board endorsed, for transmission to the Vice-Chancellor, the proposal of the International Division to establish and fill the position of Professor and Director, Monash European and EU Studies Centre.

12 PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH AND FILL THE POSITION OF PROFESSOR AND DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE IN THE SOUTHERN CLINICAL SCHOOL OF THE FACULTY OF MEDICINE, NURSING AND HEALTH SCIENCES AND SOUTHERN HEALTH, EMERGENCY MEDICINE SERVICE. RMO2002/0435

A proposal was attached. (p 35-42) The proposal of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences had been submitted by the Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor to Academic Board for endorsement and transmission to the Vice-Chancellor for approval. In view of the need for a decision to be implemented before the present meeting of the Board, the President of Academic Board had provided executive approval to the proposal on behalf of the Board.

Academic Board ratified the approval provided by the President of the Academic Board to establish and fill the position of Professor and Director of Emergency Medicine in the Southern Clinical School of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences and Southern Health, Emergency Medicine Service.

13 PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH AND FILL THE POSITION OF PROFESSOR OF EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS, SCHOOL OF PHYSICS, FACULTY OF SCIENCE RMO1998/3049

A proposal was attached. (p 189-194) The proposal of the Board of the Faculty of Science had been submitted by the Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor to Academic Board for endorsement and transmission to the Vice-Chancellor for approval.

Academic Board endorsed, for transmission to the Vice-Chancellor, the proposal of the Board of the Faculty of Science to establish and fill the position of Professor of Experimental Physics, School of Physics, Faculty of Science.

DISESTABLISHMENT OF THE AUSTRALIAN CRUSTAL RESEARCH CENTRE

RMO1999/1924

Following changes to research personnel, the Faculty of Science proposed disestablishment of the Australian Crustal Research Centre.

Academic Board approved, for transmission to Council for noting, the disestablishment of the Australian Crustal Research Centre.

15 MEMBERSHIP OF ACADEMIC BOARD COMMITTEES

15.1 Membership of the Exclusion Appeals Committee RMO2003/1059

A document was attached. (p 43-44)

Academic Board appointed Dr Matthew Harvey as a member of the Exclusion Appeals Committee for a term of office from 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2007.

15.2 Membership of the Exclusion Appeals Committee (Health Reasons) RMO2003/1059

A document was attached. (p 45-46)

Academic Board appointed the following nominees to the appeals committee under Statute 6.3 – Exclusion for Health Reasons

• Associate Professor Margaret Lindorff, Faculty of Business and Economics (Chair);

• Associate Professor Ben Canny, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences; and

• Professor Tony Dingle, Faculty of Business and Economics.

15.3 Appointment of Chair of the General Library Committee RMO1998/0324

Academic Board appointed Professor John Sheridan, as Chair of the General Library Committee.

15.4 Membership of the Honorary Degrees Committee RMO1998/0220

Academic Board appointed Professor Kim Langfield-Smith as one of the four alternate professorial representatives on the Honorary Degrees Committee.

15.5 Appointment of Chair of the Oscar Mendelsohn Lecture Committee RMO2005/0451

Academic Board appointed Professor John Bigelow as Chair of the Oscar Mendelsohn Lecture Committee for a period of three years from 01 January 2006 to 31 December 2008.

16 REQUEST FOR SPECIAL LEAVE FROM MEETINGS OF THE BOARD RMO2005/1670

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:

Professor B Srinivasan Information Technology Meetings 1,2,3/2006

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

D PENDING ITEMS

REVIEW OF ACADEMIC POLICIES AND COMPLIANCE WITH ACADEMIC POLICIES

RMO2000/0766

At meeting 7-2005 Academic Board noted that a number of academic policies were due for review by the Academic Board at the end of 2005. Faculties had provided Education Committee with a compliance summary of findings. An initial analysis of faculty responses suggested that there were issues of non-compliance. The matter was being investigated by the Education Committee. A replacement progress report was tabled. (p 187-188)

Academic Board received and noted the ‘2006 Review and Compliance with Education Policies and Procedures’ progress report.

E ITEMS FOR NOTING

18 EDUCATION PLAN 2006-2010 RMO2006/0015

The Education Plan 2006-2010, approved by Academic Board at meeting 7/2005 was forwarded to Council for approval with minor amendments. The Education Plan 2006-2010, as approved by Council, was attached. (p 47-58)

Academic Board noted the Education Plan 2006-2010.

19 MINISTERIAL INTERVENTION IN THE AUSTRALIAN RESEARCH COUNCIL (ARC) GRANTS PROCESS RMO2005/0178

RMO2005/0697

At Academic Board meeting 7/2005 members unanimously passed a motion to write an open letter to the Federal Education Minister condemning his interference in the ARC grants process. A copy of the letter sent to the Minister and a response from the Minister’s office was attached. (p 59-60)

Academic Board noted the response from the Office of the Federal Minister, Education, Science and Training.

20 DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS LAW AND TAXATION REVIEW REPORT RMO2001/1346

Two memos were attached. (p 25-28) This item was discussed at item 6.1 of the agenda of Academic Board meeting 7-2005. Professor G Palmer, Dean, Faculty of Business and Economics, informed the Board that a review of the Department of Business Law and Taxation was undertaken early in 2005. From the review report, the Steering Committee was unable to ascertain which parties had provided submissions for the review and the list of people consulted during the review process. There was also a concern that neither the Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor nor the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) had been consulted nor had they received early draft copies of the report. Professor Palmer agreed to investigate the process undertaken in the review. A response from Professor Palmer was attached.

Academic Board received the response from the Faculty of Business and Economics in regard to the Department of Business Law and Taxation Review and noted that the recommendations had been forwarded to the Pro Vice-Chancellor Quality for consideration at the forthcoming review of review guidelines.

21 REPORT OF THE OUTGOING PRESIDENT OF ACADEMIC BOARD RMO2004/0809

A report from Professor C Browne, outgoing President of Academic Board was attached. (p 61-64) This report would comprise the Academic Board entry in the Monash University 2005 Annual Report.

Academic Board received and noted the report of the outgoing President of Academic Board.

22 2005 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE OSCAR MENDELSOHN LECTURE COMMITTEE

RMO2005/0451

A report was attached. (p 65-66)

Academic Board received and noted the 2005 Annual Report of the Oscar Mendelsohn Lecture Committee.

23 2005 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON ETHICS IN RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMANS RMO1998/1370

A report was attached. (p 67-72)

Academic Board received and noted the 2005 Annual Report of the Standing Committee on Ethics in Research Involving Humans.

24 REPORT OF THE GENERAL LIBRARY COMMITTEE

Receipt of report of meeting 4/2005 RMO1997/0902

A report was attached. (p 73-80)

Academic Board received and noted the report of meeting 4/2005 of the General Library Committee, held on 7 December 2005.

25 REPORTS OF THE RESEARCH GRADUATE SCHOOL COMMITTEE

25.1 Receipt of report of meeting 11/2005 RMO1997/1156

A report was attached. (p 81-84)

Academic Board received and noted the report of meeting 11/2005 of the Research Graduate School Committee, held on 2 December 2005.

25.2 Receipt of report of meeting 1/2006 RMO1997/1156

A report was attached. (179-186)

Academic Board received and noted the report of meeting 1/2006 of the Research Graduate School Committee, held on 3 February 2006.

26 REPORT OF THE BOARD OF THE FACULTY OF ART & DESIGN

Receipt of report of Board meetings 3A/2005, 4/2005, 5/2005 and 6/2005 RMO1998/1742

A report was attached. (p 85-88)

Academic Board received and noted the report of meetings 3A/2005, 4/2005, 5/2005 and 6/2005 of the Board of the Faculty of Art & Design, held on 3 August, 24 August, 2 November and 7 December 2005 respectively.

27 REPORT OF THE BOARD OF THE FACULTY OF ARTS

Receipt of report of Board meeting 4/2005 RMO1998/0455

A report was attached. (p 89-94)

Academic Board received and noted the report of meeting 4/2005 of the Board of the Faculty of Arts, held on 26 October 2005.

28 REPORT OF THE BOARD OF THE FACULTY OF EDUCATION

Receipt of report of Board meeting 4/2005 RMO1998/1367

A report was attached. (p 95-96)

Academic Board received and noted the report of meeting 4/2005 of the Board of the Faculty of Education, held on 7 December 2005.

29 REPORT OF THE BOARD OF THE FACULTY OF ENGINEERING

Receipt of report of Board meeting 4/2005 RMO1998/1368

A report was attached. (p 97-98)

Academic Board received and noted the report of meeting 4/2005 of the Board of the Faculty of Engineering, held on 2 November 2005.

30 REPORT OF THE BOARD OF THE FACULTY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Receipt of report of Board meeting 5/2005 RMO1997/1159

A report was attached. (p 99-102)

Academic Board received and noted the report of meeting 5/2005 of the Board of the Faculty of Information Technology, held on 16 November 2005.

31 REPORT OF THE BOARD OF THE FACULTY OF LAW

Receipt of supplementary report of Board meeting 3/2005 RMO1998/1743

A supplementary report was attached. (p 103-104) The report of meeting 3/2005 of the Board of the Faculty of Law was received by Academic Board at meeting 7/2005.

Academic Board received and noted the supplementary report of meeting 3/2005 of the Board of the Faculty of Law, held on 25 October 2005.

32 REPORTS OF THE BOARD OF THE FACULTY OF PHARMACY

Receipt of reports of Board meetings 1/2005, 2/2005, 3/2005 and 4/2005 RMO1998/0710

Reports were attached. (p 105-112)

Academic Board received and noted the reports of meeting 1/2005, 2/2005, 3/2005 and 4/2005 of the Board of the Faculty of Pharmacy, held on 16 March 2005, 15 June 2005, 21 September 2005 and 7 December 2005 respectively.

33 REPORT OF THE BOARD OF THE FACULTY OF SCIENCE

Receipt of report of Board meeting 5/2005 RMO1997/0904

A report was attached. (p 113-116)

Academic Board received and noted the report of meeting 5/2005 of the Board of the Faculty of Science, held on 30 November 2005.

34 ACADEMIC BOARD MEMBERSHIP

34.1 Casual vacancies on Academic Board as at meeting 1/2006

The following casual vacancies existed on Academic Board as at meeting 1/2006:

Faculty Vacancy Expiry Date

Arts Non-Professorial Member 30/6/2006

Information Technology Non-Professorial Member 30/6/2006

Law Professorial Member 30/6/2007

Law Professorial Member 30/6/2007

Law Non-Professorial Member 30/6/2007

Pharmacy Non-Professorial Member 30/6/2007

34.2 Nomination from Faculty Board to fill casual vacancies on Academic Board

Academic Board noted the following appointment made by the Board of the Faculty of Business and Economics to fill a casual non-professorial vacancy on Academic Board:

Dr Ross Booth Business & Economics until 30 June 2007

35 REPORT OF COUNCIL

Receipt of Report of Meeting 8/2005 RMO

A report was attached. (p 117-118)

Academic Board noted the items of interest from Council Meeting 8/2005 held on 12 December 2005.

36 NEXT MEETING

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