Meeting No 5/2007 of the Academic Board was held on Wednesday, 29 August 2007, in the Council Chambers, First floor, Building 3A, Clayton campus from 3:30pm to 4:30pm.

Associate Professor John Hurst (Chair), Professor David Abramson, Dr Phil Andrews, Professor David Arnott, Mr Jason Bagg, Associate Professor Harry Ballis, Professor Greg Barton, Professor John Beardall, Dr Jason Beringer, Dr Mita Bhattacharya, Dr Ross Booth, Dr Ben Boyd, Professor Robert Brooks, Professor Barbara Caine, Associate Professor Ben Canny, Dr Des Casey, Professor Iain Clarke, Associate Professor Brian Cooke, Professor Edwina Cornish, Mr Max Coulthard, Professor Helen De Cieri, Professor Rodney Devenish, Professor Peter Disler, Professor Merran Evans, Professor Stephanie Fahey, Associate Professor Graham Farr, Associate Professor Julie Fisher, Professor Raelene Frances, Professor Arie Freiberg, Professor Mark Gabbott, Associate Professor Trevor Gale, Ms Robyn Harris, Professor Graeme Hodge, Professor Bernard Hoffert, Professor Michael Holland, Mr Colin Jevons, Associate Professor Sally Joy, Professor Helen Keleher, Professor Peter Kershaw, Professor Max King, Professor Paul Komesaroff, Professor Kim Langfield-Smith, Professor Richard Larkins, Dr Robin Lisner, Dr Chandani Lokuge, Professor Arthur Lowery, Dr Joy Lyneham, Associate Professor Louise McCall, Professor Dennis Moore, Professor Ross Mouer, Professor Paul Myles, Professor Robert Norris, Professor Harmen Oppewal, Professor Graham Oppy, Associate Professor Michael Page, Dr Annamaria Pagliaro, Professor Gill Palmer, Professor Ian Prince, Dr Mary Lou Rasmussen, Professor John Redmond, Dr Grace Rumantir, Professor Patrick Sexton, Ms Lee-Anne Sim, Professor Michael Skully, Professor Julian Smith, Professor Leone Spiccia, Professor Tam Sridhar, Professor Phillip Steele, Associate Professor Kay Stewart, Professor David Suter, Professor On Kit Tam, Professor Nigel Tapper, Professor Julian Teicher, Dr Cchristine Varsavksy, Mr David Watson, Professor Ron Weber, Associate Professor Igor Wendt, Dr Rita Wilson and Associate Professor Cherrie Jiuhua Zhu.

Professor Colette Browning and Dr Stephen Saunders via teleconference.

Associate Professor Hamil Abachi, Associate Professor Stephen Barkoczy, Professor John Bertram, Dr Kate Brown, Professor Chris Browne, Dr Susan Burney, Associate Professor Keryn Chalmers, Professor Val Clulow, Dr Sandra Cockfield, Dr Gloria Davies, Professor Graeme Davison, Associate Professor Maryanne Dever, Professor Tony Dingle, Mr Rajesh Dudhani, Professor Jayne Godfrey, Ms Cathrine Harboe-Ree, Professor Owen Hughes, Professor Jenny Keating, Ms Mei-Ling Kok, Professor John Lattanzio, Professor Merilyn Liddell (Malaysia), Professor Tony Luff, Professor Andrew Markus, Professor Catriona McLean, Mr Alan McMeekin, Professor David Murphy, Professor Roger Nation, Professor Brian Oldfield, Professor Leon Piterman, Professor Donald Poskitt, Professor Tyrone Pretorius (South Africa), Professor Martin Rhodes, Professor Julian Rood, Dr Jan Schapper, Dr W Sutherland-Smith, Professor Bruce Tonge, Dr Sabatino Ventura, Professor Marika Vicziany, Professor Bryan Williams, Professor Rob Willis, Professor Sue Willis, Dr E Wilson-Evered, Professor William Young.

Professor Graham Webb

Mr Tony Calder, Ms Sue Gleeson, Ms Cecilia Hewitt, Professor Walter Wong (Malaysia), Professor R Edwards (Malaysia).

Dr Kristina Macrae - Project Manager, University Policy Project.

Mr M Fenaughty
 

1.1  Alterations to the Agenda and Starring of Items

Associate Professor John Hurst welcomed members to the meeting including members attending the meeting by teleconference from the Malaysia and South Africa campuses.

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
 

2.1  Minutes of Academic Board Meeting 4/2007

The Minutes of Academic Board Meeting 4/2007, held on 11 July 2007, were confirmed.
 

3.1  President’s Report

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

• Casual vacancies that are currently available for membership of the Steering Committee of Academic Board.
• Forthcoming elections to Academic Board of a President and Vice-President.
• Tabled Paper B had been withdrawn from the agenda.

Academic Board received and noted the report of the President.

3.2  Role of Academic Board

Associate Professor J Hurst informed members that the debate of the role of Academic Board was a significant discussion. The document accompanying this item detailed the key aspects of the Board’s role and membership, and explored possible models that could be further explored and developed.

A member commented that the debate on the role of Academic Board provided a challenging opportunity to increase the effectiveness of Academic Board.

Academic Board:

Received and noted the "Academic Board and the Academy: Seizing the Moment" paper.

Requested that Steering Committee of Academic Board bring forward a draft statement of Terms of Reference for discussion to the next Academic Board meeting (2007/08).

For information: R Hinds
 

4.1  Report of the Vice-Chancellor

Members had before them the Vice-Chancellor’s "State of the University, August 2007" report to Council. Items from the Report highlighted by Professor Larkins included:

Key Performance Indicators

A select range of complementary data had been presented to Council to highlight major achievements across the education, research and international portfolios, and areas that could be improved.

Monash Open Day

Professor Larkins commended the large number of staff and students who had contributed to the success of the Day and noted that Professor Rob Willis, in his capacity as Chair of the Monash Open Day, had expressed a view that the Day should not be held at almost all Victorian campuses on one day and that the opening times should be amended.

Higher Education Endowment Fund (HEEF)

Professor Larkins informed members that the Federal Government had increased the Fund to $6 billion and that in general its establishment had been welcomed throughout the sector.

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

For information: Professor R Larkins

4.2  Education Portfolio

Associate Professor Hurst informed members that this was the last Academic Board meeting that Professor Merran Evans would attend as Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education). On behalf of the Board, the Vice-Chancellor thanked Professor Evans for the outstanding contribution that she had made as Acting DVC(E) and for her leadership of the Education Portfolio during this time. Members concurred with acclamation.

4.2.1  University Policy Project

Introducing this item, Professor Evans referred members to the briefing paper and informed members that strategic initiative funding had been provided to create a consistent, holistic Policy Bank. Dr Kristina Macrae remarked that the level of cooperation and support she had received from throughout the University during the course of the Project and invited members to forward any comments on the Policy Bank to her.

Academic Board received and noted the briefing paper on the University Policy Project.

4.2.2  External Assessment of Performance

Professor Evans invited members to visit the University Planning and Statistics website to view detailed information on the external assessment of performance.

Academic Board received and noted the reports on External Assessment of Performance.

4.3  Research Portfolio

4.3.1  Update on the Research Portfolio

Professor Edwina Cornish informed members that the inaugural Research Month had commenced with a series of well attended and successful public lectures and debates, in particular a public lecture on water recycling hosted by Professor Nigel Tapper. She encouraged members to attend the remaining events.

Professor Cornish invited Professor Max King to brief members on activities relating to the Research Quality Framework (RQF) and Professor King provided an overview of current activities in relation to formulation of the technical and other specifications for the RQF. Professor King noted that, in the context of the forthcoming Federal Election, the degree of uncertainty surrounding the timelines for completion of the specifications and related documents had been somewhat magnified. In comparision to other universities, preparations at Monash for the RQF were advanced.

Academic Board received and noted the report of the DVC (Research).

For information: Professor E Cornish

4.4  International Portfolio

Introducing this item, Professor Hurst informed members that, in order to reflect the significance of international activities at Monash, there would be a standing item on the International Portfolio included in the Academic Board agenda. Professor Fahey highlighted the following items:

Sichuan University

The visit by Sichuan University representatives to Monash had been very successful and a framework for collaboration on education and research is under development. As Sichuan has collaborative agreements with a number of other international universities, there was potential for development of a consortium.

Official Opening of the new Malaysia campus

To celebrate the opening of the state-of-the-art facilities at the new Malaysia campus, a history of the campus had been commissioned and it would be distributed to guests as a souvenir of the event and in appreciation of the support Monash has received in the region for its international activities.

International Portfolio Website

A new website for the International Portfolio had been launched, with an emphasis on providing a range of resources and a communication tool about international activities across the University.

Academic Board received and noted the report of the DVC (International).

4.5  Question Time

4.5.1  Appointment of a University Ombudsman

A member requested information on progress of the appointment of a University Ombudsman and clarification of the role of the Ombudsman. Professor Larkins advised that recruitment for an ongoing appointee was underway and that the current Ombudsman was performing dual roles of firstly, independently and impartially reviewing student grievances which have not been resolved by departments or faculties and, secondly, providing advice to students. This advice was not intended to substitute for course coordinators or student counsellors.
 

6.1  Membership of Steering Committee of Academic Board

Academic Board received and noted the result of the elections to Steering Committee of Academic Board.

For information: Ms R Hinds

6.2  Nominations to Casual Vacancies on Academic Board

6.2.1  Campus-Based Member

Academic Board approved the nomination by the Berwick Campus Director of Dr Grace Rumantir to membership of Academic Board, with a term of office to expire on 30 June 2009.

For information: Dr G Rumantir, Ms R Hinds

6.2.2  Faculty of Arts

Academic Board approved the nomination by the Board of the Faculty of Arts of Professors Greg Barton, Peter Kershaw, Ross Mouer, and Nigel Tapper, and Drs Chandani Lokuge and Rita Wilson to membership of Academic Board, with terms of office to expire on 30 June 2009.

For information: Professors G Barton, P Kershaw, R Mouer, and N Tapper, and Drs C Lokuge and R Wilson, Ms A Lyubomirsky, Ms R Hinds

6.2.3  Victorian College of Pharmacy

Academic Board approved the nomination by the Board of the Faculty of Pharmacy of Professor Colin Chapman, Dr Ben Boyd, and Associate Professor Kay Stewart to membership of Academic Board, with terms of office to expire on 30 June 2009.

For information: Professor C Chapman, Dr B Boyd, and Associate Professor K Stewart, Ms M Soutward, Ms R Hinds

6.2.4  Faculty of Education

Academic Board approved the nomination by the Board of the Faculty of Education of Professor Dennis Moore to membership of Academic Board, with terms of office to expire on 30 June 2008.

For information: Professor D Moore, Ms S Plowright, Ms R Hinds

6.2.5  Faculty of Law

Academic Board approved the nomination by the Board of the Faculty of Law of Professors Marilyn Pittard and Jeff Waincymer, and Drs Gideon Boas and Dr Bronwyn Naylor to membership of Academic Board, with terms of office to expire on 30 June 2009.

For information: Professors M Pittard and J Waincymer, Drs G Boas and B Naylor, Mrs J Beaton, Ms R Hinds

6.3  2008 Meeting Dates

Academic Board approved the proposed 2008 meeting dates.

6.4  Requests for Special Leave

Academic Board granted special leave from attendance at meetings 5-6 of the Board to Professor Graham Webb.

For information: Professor G Webb
 

Members had before them a proposal to amend the Faculties Regulations (Amendment no. 2 2007) Schedule 5 – Faculty of Engineering.

Members had before them a proposal to amend the Master of Surgery to allow it to be offered in

external mode.

9.1  Credit (including RPL) Policy and Credit Transfer Procedures

Academic Board approved the revised Credit (including RPL) Policy and noted the Credit Transfer Procedures.

9.2  Academic and Administrative Complaints and Grievances Policy and Procedures

Academic Board approved the revised Academic and Administrative Complaints and Grievances Policy and noted the accompanying Procedures.

9.3  Zero Credit Point Coursework Units

Academic Board approved the following:

That zero credit point coursework units only be permitted where:

1. the work undertaken by the student is not at Monash University (viz. students undertaking work experience in industry at a business);

2. the work undertaken by the student at Monash involves minimal resources by the University (e.g. equivalent to 2 credit points or less, no supervision by academic staff, minimal to nil assessment of work);

3. an activity has to be undertaken by a student as a compulsory pre-requisite to undertake a future coursework, load bearing unit (e.g. Hurdle requirements);

4. students require an extension to an already enrolled thesis unit and for which they should be charged as they are consuming University resources. (e.g. Thesis extension units where ‘enrolled credit points’ equal a value >0 and achievable credit points equal a value of 0); or

5. the unit is established to allow the recording and approval of a final Honours grade;

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

10.1  Graduate Attributes

Members were advised that a report would be provided to Academic Board Meeting 6/2007 following establishment of an Implementation Working Party.
 

11.1  Research Graduate School Committee Meeting 6 and 7/2007

Academic Board received and noted the Report of Meetings 6 and 7/2007 of the Research Graduate School Committee.

For information: Mrs P Herman

11.2  Monash University Research Committee Meeting 4/2007

Academic Board received and noted the Report of Meeting 4/2007 of the Monash University Research Committee.

For information: Ms R Hinds

11.3  Education Committee Meeting 4/2007

Academic Board received and noted the Report of Meeting 4/2007 of the Education Committee.

For information: Ms M Soederberg
 

12.1 Faculty of Arts Meeting 3/2007

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

For information: Ms A Lyubomirsky

12.2  Faculty of Business and Economics Meeting 4/2007

Academic Board received and noted the Report of Meeting 4/2007 of the Board of the Faculty of Business and Economics.

For information: Dr R Bernarde

12.3  Faculty of Engineering Meeting 3/2007

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

For information: Mr R Smiley

12.4  Faculty of Law Meeting 5/2007

Academic Board received and noted the Report of Meeting 5/2007 of the Board of the Faculty of Law.

For information: Ms J White
 

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