Meeting No 4/2007 of the Academic Board was held on Wednesday, 11 July 2007, in the Council Chambers, First floor, Building 3A, Clayton campus from 3:30 pm to 5:45 pm.

Associate Professor John Hurst (Chair), Professor David Abramson, Dr Jason Beringer, Professor John Bertram, Dr Ross Booth, Professor Barabara Caine, Drs Des Casey, Sandra Cockfield, Professor Graham Coleman, Associate Professor Brian Cooke, Professor Edwina Cornish, Mr Max Coulthard, Dr Gloria Davies, Professors Rodney Devenish, Tony Dingle, Associate Professor Adrian Evans, Professors Merran Evans, Stephanie Fahey, Raelene Frances, Arie Freiberg, Mark Gabbott, Associate Professor Trevor Gale, Professor Jayne Godfrey, Ms Catherine Harboe-Ree, Professor Owen Hughes, Mr Colin Jevons, Professors Helen Keleher, Max King, Ms Mei-Ling Kok, Professors Richard Larkins, Merilyn Liddell, Associate Professor Margaret Lindorff, Dr Robin Lisner, Professor Arthur Lowery, Dr Joy Lyneham, Professors Andrew Markus, Robert Nelson, Robert Norris, Harmen Oppewal, Graham Oppy, Associate Professor Michael Page, Professors Gill Palmer, Leon Piterman, Donald Poskitt, Tyrone Pretorius, Ian Prince, Drs Majid Sarvi, Stephen Saunders, Professor Patrick Sexton, Ms Lee-Anne Sim, Professors Michael Skully, Phillip Steele, Elsdon Storey, David Suter, Drs Wendy Sutherland-Smith, Cristine Varsavsky, Mr David Watson, Professors Graham Webb, Ron Weber, Bryan Williams, Rob Willis, Sue Willis, William Young, Associate Professor Cherrie Zhu.

Associate Professor Hamil Abachi, Dr Harry Ballis, Professor John Beardall, Dr Mita Bhattacharya, Professor Robert Brooks, Dr Kate Brown, Professors Colette Browning, Bill Charman, Iain Clarke, Val Clulow, Associate Professor Maryanne Dever, Professors Peter Disler, Richard Doherty, Bernard Hoffert, Associate Professor Sally Joy, Professors Jenny Keating, Kim Langfield-Smith, John Lattanzio, Tony Luff, Associate Professor Louise McCall, Professors Catriona McLean, David Murphy, Roger Nation, Brian Oldfield, Ms Alexandra Phelan, Dr Mary-Lou Rasmussen, Professors John Redmond, Martin Rhodes, Associate Professor Stephen Robinson, Professor Julian Rood, Dr Jan Schapper, Professors John Sheridan, George Simon, Julian Smith, Amrik Sohal, Leone Spiccia, Tam Sridhar, Associate Professor Kay Stewart, Professor Julian Teicher, Dr Sabatino Ventura, Professor Mark Wallace.

Mr Tony Calder, Dr Kristina Macrae, Ms Sue Gleeson, Ms Cecilia Hewitt, Professors Kingfa Siontoovongse – Thailand, Professor Chantana – Thailand, Professor Walter Wong - Malaysia

Professor Anuar Zaini – Malaysia, Professor Ian Prince, Professor Lee Poh Aun, Professor R Edwards

Associate Professor Heinz Kreutz

Ms R Hinds
 

1.1  Alterations to the Agenda and Starring of Items

The President welcomed members to the meeting including members attending the meeting by teleconference from the Malaysian and South Africa campuses.

The President then drew attention to the following alterations to the agenda:

Tabled paper - Plagiarism Policy and Procedures - item 4.2.2

The following item was starred:

Item 9.2 - Unit Evaluation Policy and Procedures

1.2  Approval of Non-Starred Items

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

C 1.3  Confidential Items

1.3.1  Report of Faculty Discipline Committee Proceedings – Faculty of Business and Economics

Attention was drawn to Statute 4.1 (clause 17.1.2), requiring reporting of faculty/central discipline committee proceedings to the Board on an annual basis.

Academic Board noted the Report of Faculty Discipline Committee Proceedings – Faculty of Business and Economics.

For information: The Deans, Mr A Calder, Ms R Bernarde
 

2.1  Minutes of Academic Board Meeting 3/2007

The Minutes of Academic Board Meeting 3/2007, held on 23 May 2007, were confirmed.
 

3.1  President’s Report

Associate Professor J Hurst reported on a range of matters of interest to the Board, including:

• A welcome was extended both to new members and members returning after the recent Board elections.

• In addition to the casual vacancies noted in item 7.2, Engineering Faculty Board had endorsed the nomination of Professor Arthur Lowery to fill a casual professorial vacancy to 30/6/2009.

• The timelines for the elections to Steering Committee had been extended - nominations would now close midday, Wednesday 18 July.

• Members were encouraged to contribute to further debate on the Board’s role, including accessing and use of the wiki (http://bendigo.infotech.monash.edu.au/ajhwiki/AcademicBoard).

• It was expected that this subject would be a key item for discussion at the forthcoming Chairs of Academic Board conference.

Academic Board noted the report of the President and endorsed the Engineering Faculty Board nomination of Professor Arthur Lowery to fill the specified casual vacancy.

For information: A/Professor J Hurst, Professor A Lowery, Mr M Fenaughty
 

4.1  Report of the Vice-Chancellor

Members had before them the Vice-Chancellor’s written report. Items from the Report highlighted by Professor Larkins included

Monash University Golden Jubilee

Reminding members that the Golden Jubilee of the university’s proclamation would be celebrated in 2008, Professor Larkins advised that an outline of the program of activities would be brought before the Board in due course. High-profile events would include a Gala Dinner and Graduation in the Exhibition Buildings.

Sichuan University Delegation

Support for the visit by the cohort of Deans from Sichuan University was encouraged. Members were also advised that the Chinese Government was likely to view this visit with keen interest.

EMBL

Congratulations were extended to Professor Cornish for her significant leadership of the process whereby an Australian consortium (headed by Monash) had become an associate member of EMBL.

Staff Attitude Survey

Preliminary analysis of the results of the survey indicated a pleasing improvement in the overall satisfaction benchmark, from 3.3 to 3.7 (Likert scale).

Carrick Citations

Five (5) citations had been awarded either to individuals or groups of staff from Monash in the recent awards round.

Academic Board received and noted the Report of the Vice-Chancellor.

For information: Professor R Larkins, Professor E Cornish

4.2  Education Portfolio

4.2.1  Graduate Attributes

Introducing this item, Professor Evans remarked that:

• The draft Graduate Attributes presented for the Board’s consideration represented the culmination of a lengthy developmental process.

• Education Committee had recommended that the University - level attributes be restricted to three, aligned with the University’s strategic objectives and which could be regarded as characterising the Monash student.

• Presuming the Board’s approval of the Graduate Attributes, the next step would be their implementation, which would involve, inter alia, analysis of courses to ensure embedding of the attributes.

Members were advised that implementation details were to be worked through, and would be further considered by Education Committee.

Members generally endorsed the view that development of the three attributes represented a significant forward step for Monash. Significant issues identified in subsequent discussion included measuring achievement of attributes and understanding their impact on assessment, the importance of connectedness between the attributes and employer requirements, and the difficulties that may be attendant on implementing and monitoring cultural concepts.

A number of general amendments were suggested, including:

• Adoption of a streamlined version of the attributes suggested by Steering Committee.
• Reversal of the order of Graduate Attributes 1 and 2.

Members also suggested a number of detailed amendments to specific attributes, including:

Graduate Attribute 1

Replace "demonstrate an understanding of" with "display an ability to engage in"

Graduate Attribute 2

Replace "demonstrating ... teaching" with "and demonstrate the effects"

Graduate Attribute 3

Replace "verbal" with "oral"; delete "jargon"; add "s" to discipline".

Academic Board:

Approved the Graduate Attributes, subject to their review (in accordance with the above suggestions) and amendment by Professor Evans and Associate Professor Kreutz.

Noted that an amended version would be presented to the next Academic Board meeting for noting.

For information: Professor M Evans, A/Professor H Kreutz

4.2.2  Plagiarism Policy and Procedures

Members had before them the revised draft Plagiarism Policy and Procedures and a tabled paper containing responses to issues raised at the previous Board meeting. Speaking to this paper Professor Evans noted that:

• In order to remove any student concerns regarding intellectual property issues, an amendment had been proposed which gave students the option of deleting the express license currently included on the student statement.

• In relation to use of standard plagiarism checking software, the working party considered that different disciplines had different needs, which would not be best served by standardising software.

• In relation to the Plagiarism Register, amendments to the draft had been introduced to provide for destruction at the end of the student’s course. In addition, the Register would be securely kept. The Register was viewed as an important tool in assisting the Chief Examiner in forming a judgment regarding intention.

As a result of issues canvassed during consideration of the revised draft, the following amendments were recommended:

• Insertion of a pre-eminent policy statement that "Plagiarism is unacceptable at Monash University."

• Insertion of a definition of "faculty" – "the faculty that owns the unit i.e. the teaching faculty".

• Insertion of a link to the Discipline Statute in paragraph 9 of the Policy.

• In order to deal with the situation of multiple courses of study, in paragraph 12 of the Policy replace "until the completion of their course" with "whilst still enrolled."

• That part of the Student Statement regarding retention of the student’s work required delineation – therefore, the second sentence of bullet point 5 of the Student Statement should be divided.

Other comments made by members included:

• The need for clarity in the guidelines for access to and use of the Register.

• The status of the Register, as an entity sitting below formal academic misconduct proceedings.

• The process to be followed where a staff member suspected plagiarism.

• The need to reference one’s own prior work in subsequent pieces of assessment.

Responding to a member question, Professor Evans advised that a report on the Policy Bank Project would be made to the next Board meeting.

Academic Board:

Approved the amended Plagiarism Policy subject to the above amendments.

Noted the Plagiarism Procedures.

For information: Professor M Evans, Dr C Hewlett, Ms M Soederberg, Dr K Macrae

4.2.3  Early offers pathway into the Diploma of Foundation Studies

Professor Evans introduced this item by reminding members that introduction of the early offers pathway had been approved (at Academic Board Meeting 5/2005) as a trial, subject to reporting back to the Board.

Noting that six (6) of the original 39 participants had scored an ENTER below 50, Professor Evans also reported that overall progress had been mixed.

It was proposed that applicants be required to achieve the English language requirements, and score an ENTER of at least 50 (on which proposal work was still progressing).

Academic Board approved the recommendation of the Coursework and Scholarships Committee that the early offer pathway into the Diploma of Foundation Studies be continued for the three year pilot period originally approved, with the proviso that the early offers are to be conditional on applicants meeting the University’s English language entry requirements.

For information: Professor M Evans, Dr K Jensen

4.2.4  Monash University Library Annual Report 2006

Ms Cathrine Harboe-Ree presented the Library’s 2006 Annual Report, copies of which had previously been provided to members.

Amongst many achievements during the reporting year, mention was made of:

• Improvements to domestic and offshore infrastructure, particularly the creation of more contemporary and supportive learning spaces and the evolution of the learning commons.

• Increased visits to and usage of libraries, including a 55% increase in the use of electronic resources.

• Expenditure of $16.1 million on material for the Library’s collection.

• Continued expansion of the Library’s information literacy capacity, which would continue in 2007 with assumption of responsibility for provision of learning skills support.

• Provision of increased services to alumni, a service for which Monash was setting the standard in Australia.

• Expansion of ePress.

• Increasing support for research at Monash, including implementation of the Research Support Plan, support of the mock RQF and leadership of ARROW.

Noting that its overall goal was the same as the university’s, Ms Harboe-Ree advised that the Library now ranked third amongst the Go8.

During subsequent discussion, it was agreed that future Annual Reports would be made to the Board via electronic means

Academic Board received and noted, with acclamation, the Monash University Library Annual Report 2006.

For information: Ms C Harboe-Ree

4.2.5  Quality Improvement in Education Measures

Introducing this item, Professor Graham Webb remarked on the timeliness of reporting on Monash’s tracking against various education monitoring devices.

Unit evaluation data indicated overall improvement in performance, and improvement in response rates.

Noting the strong MEQ response, Professor Webb reported that improvement in each of the scales for MEQ 03-05 had been demonstrated. MEQ benchmarking also demonstrated comparative improvement in performance.

The importance of the benchmarking exercise in indicating comparative performance, with a view to the next AUQA audit, and in driving further improvement, was emphasised.

Members were informed that a report on the CEQ06 would be presented to the next meeting of the Board.

Academic Board received and noted the "Quality Matters: quality improvement in education measures" report.

For information: Professor G Webb, Ms R Harris

4.3  Research Portfolio

4.3.1  Research-Only Academic Staff Appointment

Professor Cornish introduced the draft Procedures for Research-Only Academic Staff Appointment to a Higher Research Level by observing that their aim was to provide for a formal process through which research-only academic staff (typically ARC/NHMRC Fellows) would be able, in consultation with the appropriate Dean, to apply for appointment to a higher research-only academic level.

The matter of reliance on available funding was a matter of concern raised in discussion – members were advised that, given the funding mechanism applicable to the university, the research-only career path could not be funded in the same way as that applying to research/teaching staff.

Academic Board approved the Procedures for Research-Only Academic Staff Appointment to a Higher Research Level for implementation in 2007.

For information: Professor E Cornish, Ms J Holt

4.3.2  Benchmarking Research Performance

Emphasising the utility of continuing to benchmark Monash’s research performance, Professor Cornish outlined the benchmarking process, noting that there had been a slight methodological change to reflect the way in which performance-based funding was received.

After some discussion, it was agreed that arrangements to benchmark against like, non-Go8 institutions would be investigated.

Academic Board received and noted the Benchmarking Research Performance Report.

For information: Professor E Cornish, Ms J Holt, Ms H Oswald

4.4  Question Time

4.4.1  2008 Targets

Responding to a member question, Professor Larkins advised that:

• Faculties would be set revenue targets relating to international and domestic student numbers; the targets would be based around an assumption of the same number of commencing students.

• Fee increases were necessary to cover, inter alia, salary increases required by the Enterprise Agreement.

For information: Professor R Larkins, Mr D Watson
 

6.1  Unit Evaluation Policy and Procedures (from item 9.2)

Responding to a member comment regarding the perceived amount of procedural detail encapsulated in the Policy, Professor Evans indicated that a decision had been taken to apply a standardised approach to the presentation of policies across the university.

Academic Board:

Approved the Unit Evaluation Policy.

Noted the Unit Evaluation Procedures.

For information: Professor M Evans, Mr D Watson, Ms M Soederberg, Ms N Mitchell, Dr K Macrae
 

7.1  Elections to Academic Board

Academic Board received and noted the Poll Declaration Notice for the election to Academic Board of 11 academic staff (other than the professors) members of the Faculty of Business and Economics.

For information: Mr M Fenaughty, Ms R Hinds

7.2  Nominations to Casual Vacancies on Academic Board

7.2.1  Faculty of Business and Economics

Academic Board approved the nomination by the Board of the Faculty of Business and Economics of Professors Robert Brooks, Val Clulow, Donald Poskitt, and Amrik Sohal to membership of Academic Board, with a term of office to expire on 30 June 2009.

For information: Professors R Brooks, V Clulow, D Poskitt, A Sohal, Dr R Bernarde, Ms R Hinds

7.2.2  Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Academic Board approved the nomination by the Board of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences of Professors Colette Browning, Iain Clarke, Rod Devenish, Peter Disler, Michael Holland, Tony Luff, Patrick Sexton and Dr. Sue Burney to membership of Academic Board, with terms of office to expire on 30 June 2009.

For information: Professors C Browning, I Clarke, R Devenish, P Disler, M Holland, A Luff, P Sexton, Dr. S Burney, Ms J Tong, Ms R Hinds

7.3  Membership of Education Committee

Academic Board approved inclusion of the University Librarian in the membership of the Education Committee.

For information: Ms C Harboe-Ree, Ms M Soederberg

7.4  Requests for Special Leave

No requests for special leave were received.
 

8.1  Exclusion for Unsatisfactory Progress

Members had before them proposals for amendments to Statute 6.2 – Exclusion for Unsatisfactory Progress and the Exclusion for Unsatisfactory Progress Regulations.

Academic Board endorsed, for submission to Council, the proposal to amend:

Statute 6.2 – Exclusion for Unsatisfactory Progress (Amendment No 1 2007).

Exclusion for Unsatisfactory Progress Regulations (Amendment No 1 2007).

For information: Ms A Shelton, Mr A Calder, Professor A Luff, Ms M Soederberg
 

9.1  Language Policy

Academic Board approved repeal of the Language Policy.

9.2  Unit Evaluation Policy and Procedures

Starred and dealt with at item 6.1.

9.3  GPA/WAM Methodology

Academic Board approved:

Withdrawn Fail as a formal university grade which will only be awarded to students who withdraw after Week 10; and

The inclusion of Withdrawn Fail into the university’s Grading Scale policy and procedures.

For information: Professor M Evans, Ms M Soederberg, Ms N Mitchell, Dr K Macrae
 

Academic Board ratified the approval by the President of the recommendation that applicants 21159637 and 21204586 be exempted from the university entrance requirement of English and be deemed to have satisfied the entrance requirements of the University in accordance with clause 2 of Statute 6.1.1.

11.1  Monash University Animal Welfare Committee (MUAWC)

Academic Board received and noted the report of the meetings and activities of the Monash University Animal Welfare Committee (MUAWC) during 2006.

For information: Ms A Wright

11.2  Education Committee Meeting 3/2007

Academic Board received and noted the Report of Meeting 3/2007 of the Education Committee.

For information: Ms M Soederberg

11.3  Monash University Research Committee Meeting 3/2007

Academic Board received and noted the Report of Meeting 3/2007 of the Monash University Research Committee.

For information: Ms R Hinds

11.4  Research Graduate School Committee Meeting 5/2007

Academic Board received and noted the Report of Meeting 5/2007 of the Research Graduate School Committee.

For information: Mrs P Herman

11.5  General Library Committee Meeting 2/2007

Academic Board received and noted the Report of Meeting 2/2007 of the General Library Committee.

For information: Ms M Miller
 

12.  FACULTY BOARD REPORTS

12.1  Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Academic Board received and noted the Reports of Meetings 2/2007 and 3/2007 of the Board of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

For information: Ms J Tong

12.2  Faculty of Engineering Meeting 2/2007

Academic Board received and noted the Report of Meeting 2/2007 of the Board of the Faculty of Engineering.

For information: Mr R Smiley

12.3  Faculty of Business and Economics Meeting 3/2007

Academic Board received and noted the Report of Meeting 3/2007 of the Board of the Faculty of Business and Economics.

For information: Dr R Bernarde

12.4  Faculty of Information Technology Meeting 3/2007

Academic Board received and noted the Report of Meeting 3/2007 of the Board of the Faculty of Information Technology.

For information: Mr R Gillon

12.5  Faculty of Arts Meeting 2/2007

Academic Board received and noted the Report of Meeting 2/2007 of the Board of the Faculty of Arts.

For information: Ms A Lyubomirsky
 

The next meeting of the Academic Board will be held on Wednesday 29 August 2007 in the Council Chambers, 1^st floor, Building 3a, Clayton Campus commencing at 3.30pm.