Academic Board Meeting 7-2007

MINUTES

Meeting No 7/2007 of the Academic Board was held on Wednesday 21 November 2007, from 3:30pm-5:30pm, in the Council Chambers, First floor, Building 3A, Clayton campus.

There were present:

Associate Professors John Hurst (Chair), Hamil Abachi, Professors David Abramson, David Arnott, Mr Jason Bagg, Associate Professor Harry Ballis, Professors Greg Barton, John Beardall, Associate Professor Jason Beringer, Drs Jason Beringer, Gideon Boas, Ben Boyd, Professor Barbara Caine, Associate Professor Ben Canny, Dr Des Casey, Associate Professor Keryn Chalmers, Professors Colin Chapman, Iain Clarke, Val Clulow, Dr Sandra Cockfield, Associate Professor Brian Cooke, Professor Edwina Cornish, Mr Max Coulthard, Professor Helen De Cieri, Associate Professor Maryanne Dever, Professors Richard Doherty, Merran Evans, Associate Professor Julie Fisher, Professor Arie Freiberg, Associate Professor Trevor Gale, Professors Jayne Godfrey, Graeme Hodge, Bernard Hoffert, Owen Hughes, Christian Jakob, Dr Colin Jevons, Professors, Helen Keleher, Peter Kershaw, Max King, Ms Mei-Leng Kok, Professors Paul Komesaroff, Kim Langfield-Smith, Richard Larkins, Associate Professor Margaret Lindorff, Dr Robin Lisner, Professor Tony Luff, Dr Joy Lyneham, Professors Andrew Markus, Catriona McLean, Dennis Moore, David Murphy, Drs Simone Murray, Bronwyn Naylor, Professors Robert Norris, Harmen Oppewal, Associate Professor Michael Page, Dr Annamaria Pagliaro, Professors Gill Palmer, Leon Piterman, Marilyn Pittard, Robin Pollard, Tyrone Pretorius, Ian Prince, Martin Rhodes, Julian Rood, Drs Grace Rumantir, Stephen Saunders, Jan Schapper, Professors Patrick Sexton, John Sheridan, Adam Shoemaker, Ms Lee-Anne Sim, Professors George Simon, Michael Skully, Julian Smith, Ms Lisa Smith, Professor Phillip Steele, Associate Professor Kay Stewart, Professors Elsdon Storey, Peter Sullivan, David Suter, Dr W Sutherland-Smith, Professors Julian Teicher, Jeff Waincymer, Mr David Watson, Professor Geoff Webb, Associate Professor Igor Wendt, Professor William Young, Associate Professor Cherrie Zhu, Professor Ingrid Zukerman

Dr Phil Andrews, Professor John Bertram, Dr Mita Bhattacharya, Professors Robert Brooks, Colette Browning, Dr Sue Burney, Professors Bill Charman, Graham Coleman, Dr Gloria Davies, Professors Rodney Devenish, Tony Dingle, Peter Disler, Ron Edwards, Stephanie Fahey, Associate Professor Graham Farr, Professors Raelene Frances, Mark Gabbott, Ms Cathrine Harboe-Ree, Ms Robyn Harris, Professor Michael Holland, Associate Professor Sally Joy, Professors Jenny Keating, John Lattanzio, Arthur Lowrey, Associate Professor Louise McCall, Mr Alan McMeekin, Professors Ross Mouer, Roger Nation, Graham Oppy, Ms Alexandra Phelan, Dr MaryLou Rasmussen, Professors John Redmond, Amrik Sohal, Leone Spiccia, Tam Sridhar, Nigel Tapper, Drs Cristine Varsavsky, Sabatino Ventura, Professors Graham Webb, Ron Weber, Steven Wesselingh, Bryan Williams, Sue Willis, Dr Rita Wilson

Professor On Kit Tam

Mr Tony Calder, Ms Samantha Rose, Mr David Eckstein,

Professors Walter Wong, Pua Eng-Chong, Lee Poh Aun (Malaysia)

Mr David Pitt, Mr Reynold Dias, Professor Mark Davison

In attendance:

Ms R Hinds
 

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. A special welcome was also extended to Dr Annamaria Pagliaro (Director, Prato Centre) and Professor Ian Prince (Sunway campus), who were attending in person and to Professor Adam Shoemaker (DVCE (Education), attending his first Board meeting.

1.2  Approval of Non-Starred Items

Items 10.1 (Special Consideration Policy and Procedures) and 11.1 (Establishment of Centres) were starred.

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

2.1  Minutes of Academic Board Meeting 6/2007

The Minutes of Academic Board Meeting 6/2007, held on 3 October 2007, were confirmed.

B  STARRED ITEMS

3.1  President’s Report

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

• The filling of the casual vacancy for position of Vice-President, Academic Board (1 year term).

• Ratification of membership of the Exclusion for Health Reasons Appeals Committee.

• The Conference of Chairs of Academic Boards, noting in particular that:

  • Academic Boards around Australia were also grappling with issues relating to governance and the role of Boards.

  • The desire for closer co-operation between Board officials from all universities was evident.

• Recent attendance at the SAKI Conference at ANU, which had proved to be very positive.

• The President’s Report to Council, adding that Council members had expressed keen interest in the Board and the challenges facing it.

• A request for Special Leave for this meeting had been received from Professor On Kit Tam.

• The Board evaluation was shortly to be emailed to members, who were encouraged to respond.

• The term of office of a number of the student representatives concluded at the end of the year. All were thanked for their participation and input.

• Professor Gill Palmer would be leaving Monash in March 2008. On behalf of the Board, the President expressed gratitude for Professor Palmer’s contribution as Dean, Faculty of Business and Economics and as a member of the Board.

Academic Board:

• Received and noted the report of the President.
• Delegated to the President the power to identify and appoint a further Vice-President for a one year term.
• Ratified the membership of the Exclusion for Health Reasons Appeals Committee.
• Granted Special Leave from Board Meeting 7/07 to Professor On Kit Tam.
• Expressed its appreciation to Professor Palmer by acclamation.

For information: Associate Professor J Hurst, Professor On Kit Tam, Professor G Palmer, Ms C Holland, Ms R Hinds

The President took the opportunity to thank a range of Monash personnel who had assisted him during his term of office, including:

• Vice-Presidents, Professors Suter and Godfrey.
• Board Secretaries, Ms Chatterton and Ms Hinds.
• The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Larkins, for his strong promotion of the Board’s independence.
• Mr A Calder and staff of Executive Services.
• Ms Samantha Rose.
• Members of the Board for the goodwill expressed to him as President.

For information: Professors J Godfrey, D Suter, R Larkins, Mr A Calder, Ms C Chatterton, Ms S Rose, Ms R Hinds

Professor Jayne Godfrey, President-elect of the Board then moved a vote of thanks to Associate Professor Hurst, referring to his long career at Monash and significant research interests. Reminding members that Associate Professor Hurst was the second independent Board President at Monash, she noted that under his Presidency one of the most important issues that the Board had dealt with was to commence the review of its role, and development of Terms of Reference.

Other significant changes that had occurred during Associate Professor Hurst’s Presidency included an increased in engagement during Board meetings and use of technology to improve key Board processes such as teleconferencing and despatch of Board papers.

Noting that Associate Professor Hurst would remain a member of the Board until 30 June 2008, Professor Godfrey concluded by anticipating his continued contribution to the business of the Board.

Academic Board expressed its appreciation to Associate Professor Hurst by acclamation.

For information: Associate Professor J Hurst

3.2  Role of Academic Board

The President introduced this item by reminding members that the role of Academic Board had been an issue under discussion over several Board meetings and emphasising that the Academic Boards of most Australian universities were also debating their role, including their relationships with Council and university senior management. He added that, together with the election of an independent President, development of its Terms of Reference was a watershed in the history of the Academic Board at Monash.

Members were thanked for their assistance during the process of drafting, which had been facilitated by the many helpful suggestions from members during meetings of Steering Committee, debate at Board meetings and in communication outside formal meetings, including the wiki.

Given that development of the Terms of Reference represented a milestone in the Board’s development, Associate Professor Hurst invited the incoming President of the Board, Professor Jayne Godfrey, to speak further to this item.

Professor Godfrey commenced by thanking Associate Professor Hurst for his leadership during the process of the review of the Board’s role and production of the resultant draft.

She noted that the principles guiding the drafting task had been that the Terms of Reference should:

• Reflect the Board’s statutory framework.

• Confirm the Board’s independence and position as one of the tripartite arms of university governance (the others being Council and senior management).

• Affirm its role as the voice of the academic community at Monash.

The resultant draft was very much a product of the Board as a whole, given that the many and useful suggestions made during debate and other feedback had been incorporated therein. She noted that any matters of an editorial nature could be forwarded to the Secretary, and that there would be review of the Terms of Reference at an appropriate stage.

Emphasising that adoption of the Terms of Reference would enable the scoping of further work, Professor Godfrey observed that as Monash prepared to celebrate its 50^th anniversary, it was notable that the Board would also embark further on the task of ensuring that it was best placed to discharge its responsibilities.

Academic Board approved the draft Terms of Reference.

For information: Associate Professor J Hurst, Professor J Godfrey, Ms R Hinds

4.1  Vice Chancellor

4.1.1  Vice-Chancellor’s Report

Members had before them the Vice-Chancellor’s written report.

Speaking thereto, Professor Larkins highlighted the following:

• The major parties’ apparent lack of attention during the election campaign to sectoral matters.
• Implementation of HEEF, including provision of further information by the Chair of the Advisory Board.
• Increase in demand for domestic undergraduate places..
• Continued strong international student demand.

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

For information: Professor R Larkins

4.1.2  2008 Annual Plan

Professor Adam Shoemaker spoke to the draft Annual Plan, highlighting the cross-referencing of actions between portfolios and emphasising the aspirations towards excellence embodied in the Plan.

Academic Board:

Noted the advice of Professor Shoemaker.

Endorsed the draft 2008 Annual Plan for transmission to Council.

For information: Professor A Shoemaker, Mr A Calder

4.1.3  2008 Budget

Mr David Pitt, Vice- President (Finance) presented the 2008 Budget to the Board. Key elements included:

• $54M operating surplus.

• Improved faculty financial performance, indicating that the target would be for all faculties to be making positive contributions going forward.

• Domination of the capital budget by STRIP 2/3 and expenditure on research equipment (funded by large capital grants).

• Positing of the financial support required for future capital works.

• Improved performance of controlled entities.

Responding to member comments and questions, Mr Pitt also advised that:

• The risk to revenue was constantly monitored.

• Monash had better risk reduction tools than most organisations, including revenue and risk diversification strategies.

• There was a need for constant alertness to and management of the impact of developments such as political change.

• Work to reduce the burden on overloaded areas such as Accounting and Finance (Faculty of Business and Economics) was ongoing.

• Variability of administrative expenses across faculties was diminished amongst faculties of similar size.

Recommendation:

Academic Board:

Noted the advice of Mr Pitt.

Endorsed the draft 2008 Budget for transmission to Council.

For information: Mr D Pitt, Mr R Dias, Mr A Calder

4.2  Education Portfolio

4.2.1  DVC (Education) Report

Professor Shoemaker reported on a range of recent activities and consultations across the University, highlighting several emerging themes:

• Strong reinforcement of teaching excellence – accessible, international and research-led.
• Learning spaces, including work underway to manage emerging problems.
• The need to ramp up the focus on first year transition and retention.

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

4.2.2  2007 Load and Admissions Report

Members had before them the 2007 Load and Admissions Report. Professor Shoemaker drew particular attention to the progressive narrowing of median ENTER scores between Melbourne and Monash.

He also noted that wherever possible, Monash tried not to re-allocate student load unless it was absolutely necessary and within the same campus.

Academic Board received and noted the 2007 Load and Admissions Report.

4.2.3  Learning and Teaching Performance Fund (LTPF)

Members had before them a report on the recent LTPF allocations. Professor Shoemaker introduced this item by emphasising Monash’s outstanding performance in the recent allocations round. He advised members that funding allocated to Monash would be distributed to the upgrade of learning spaces, and strategic projects involving new initiatives in teaching and learning. Financial benefit would flow through to all faculties.

Academic Board received the report and noted Professor Shoemaker’s advice.

4.2.4  University Rankings

Professor Shoemaker introduced the report on the latest university rankings by stressing that rankings were of worldwide importance and of increasing influence. Noting the increasing dominance of Go8 universities in the rankings, Professor Shoemaker suggested that it was now timely to consider what Monash’s position in that group might realistically be.

Academic Board received the Education Portfolio report and noted Professor Shoemaker’s advice.

For information: Professors A Shoemaker, M Evans

4.3  Research Portfolio

4.3.1  Monash Africa Research Institute (MARI)

Professor Cornish introduced the proposal to establish MARI, observing that:

• The concept of MARI was the result of collaboration between the DVC (International), Dean of the Faculty of Arts and other colleagues interested in research into/significant engagement with Africa.

• MARI would be hosted by the Faculty of Arts, but would reach out across the entire university.

• It would provide a portal into African research at Monash for those with a similar interest in or wishing to engage with Africa.

• Similar to MSI, it would have a cross-faculty research enabling function.

• There was a desire to obtain endorsement of the concept, to enable further planning and development to go forward.

Professor Pretorius added his support for the concept.

In discussion, members commented on the relatively small scale of the proposed institute (suggesting that establishment as a Centre would be appropriate) and the lack of budgetary specificity. In reply, Professor Cornish noted that:

• MARI was expected, over time, to evolve into an institute of national significance, at which time rebranding would be difficult.

• A more detailed proposal would be presented to the Board, which would incorporate a period of review of the Institute’s operations.

Academic Board endorsed in principle the concept of establishment of MARI, noting that a more detailed proposal would be developed over the next six months and returned to the Board for formal endorsement and transmission to Council.

For information: Professors E Cornish, S Fahey, R Frances, T Pretorius, Ms J Holt

4.3.2  Centre for Research in Intelligent Systems

Professor Cornish introduced the proposal to establish the Centre for Research in Intelligent Systems, explaining that the proposed Institute had clearly demonstrated critical mass in ARC successes, engagement with industry and ability to bring together a community of researchers.

Academic Board endorsed for transmission to Council the proposal to establish the Centre for Research in Intelligent Systems.

For information: Professors E Cornish, R Weber

4.3.3  Centre for Multimedia Computing, Communications and Applications

Speaking to the proposal, Professor Cornish noted that, whilst this would be a relatively small centre, its establishment was critical to the Faculty’s future directions.

In discussion, Professor Hoffert indicated that consultation with the Faculty of Art and Design was required, given the potential impact of this proposal on some of that Faculty’s intended directions.

Academic Board endorsed in principle the proposal to establish the Centre for Multimedia Computing, Communications and Applications subject to further consultation between the Faculties of Art and Design and Information Technology, and noted that the proposal would, following agreement between the two faculties, be returned to the Board for its formal endorsement and thence transmission to Council.

For information: Professors E Cornish, R Weber, J Redmond, Ms J Holt

4.4  International Portfolio

4.4.1  Statement of International Purpose

Academic Board received and noted the final version of the Statement of International Purpose.

For information: Professor S Fahey

4.5  Question Time

5.1  Graduate Attributes

Academic Board received and noted the summary of the meeting of the Graduate Attributes Implementation Group held on 10 October 2007.

6.1  Associate Degrees

This item originated at 8.1 on the Index of Items and was starred by Steering Committee. Professor Shoemaker introduced this item by explaining that:

• The proposed amendments related to a small proportion of the Monash student population.

• Demand for enrolments at Gippsland would be increased by providing this alternative pathway for disadvantaged students to enter the Monash Gippsland campus and enabling them to take advantage of government scholarships.

• Monash’s commitment to access and equity would be demonstrated in a tangible way.

Academic Board endorsed amendment of the Schedule of Qualifications (Qualifications Categories Policy) to allow use of the Associate Degree award category in all discipline areas.

For information: Professors A Shoemaker, M Evans, Ms C Holland

6.2  Graduate Attributes – Higher Degrees by Research

This item originated at 9 on the Index of Items and was starred by Steering Committee. Professor King introduced this item by noting that the following form of words should precede the list of attributes:

"Monash Higher Degree by Research graduates are capable of …"

He further noted that development of the list of attributes had occurred over time and had been informed by, inter alia, benchmarking with other universities and empirical research into a group of HDR students. Professor King indicated that the Go8 planned to hold a Summit on HDR graduate attributes, from which a range of initiatives would be developed.

In response to member questions, Professor King advised that the list of attributes was generic in nature, catering for discipline and career differences.

Academic Board approved the following revised list of HDR graduate attributes endorsed by the Research Graduate School Committee:

• Monash Higher Degree by Research graduates are capable of:

• conducting research and professional engagement within an international context;

• formulating and articulating a research question;

• thinking critically, analysing and problem solving;

• finding, sorting and assessing the current level of knowledge and information;

• choosing and designing an appropriate methodology to answer a research question and recognising the strengths and limitations of competing methodologies;

• rigorously analysing, evaluating and interpreting research results and assessing the implications of the research;

• working effectively with others as an independent researcher, able to display organisational skills and to plan, lead and manage a research project;

• having the interpersonal skills to work collaboratively in an effective and efficient manner;

• conducting research in a safe, ethical and culturally sensitive manner;

• thinking laterally and with an open mind;

• having the ability and enthusiasm to take the initiative and to handle responsibility;

• communicating the research at a professional level appropriate to the discipline (to a range of audiences).

For information: Professor M King

6.3  Special Consideration Policy and Procedures

At its Meeting 6/2007, Education Committee:

• Endorsed the abolition of mark adjustment as an outcome of Special Consideration.
• Endorsed the draft Special Consideration Policy for approval by Academic Board.
• Approved the Special Consideration Procedures.

During discussion, Board members queried the meaning of mark adjustment in relation to the policy. Professor Mark Davison, Chair of the Special Consideration Working Party, responded by providing the following clarification:

• The purpose of prohibiting mark adjustment is to ensure that students are awarded marks solely for their performance in assessment tasks.

• In some situations, students may not perform an assessment task associated with a small percentage of assessment due to illness or other good cause. In such situations, the unit co-ordinator may, provided it is permitted by Faculty procedures, have the discretion to determine the student's mark for the unit by reference to performance in other assessment tasks.

• Such a practice does not constitute mark adjustment, as intended here, as it involves an assessment of the student by reference to the merit of their performance in the tasks undertaken.

Professor Davison further emphasised that approval of the Policy ought not to be delayed to make definitional amendment, and that further clarification could be appropriately effected by amendment to the Procedures.

Academic Board:

Approved abolition of mark adjustment as an outcome of Special Consideration.

Approved the draft Special Consideration Policy.

Noted that the Special Consideration Procedures would be amended and returned to the Board for noting.

For information: Professors M Evans, M Davison, Ms C Holland, Dr K Macrae

7.1  Election of President and Vice-President, Academic Board

Academic Board received and noted the Poll Declaration Notice for the Election of President and Vice-President, Academic Board.

For information: Professor J Godfrey, Associate Professor B Canny,

Mr A Calder, Ms R Hinds

7.2  Membership of the Exclusions Appeals Panel

Academic Board approved the 2008-2009 Exclusion Appeals Panel membership.

For information: Ms C Holland

7.3  Academic Board Casual Vacancies

7.3.1  Faculty of Arts

Academic Board approved the nomination of Professor David Garrioch and Dr Simone Murray to membership of Academic Board, with a term of office to expire on 30 June 2008.

For information: Professor David Garrioch, Dr Simone Murray, Ms A Lyubomirsky, Ms C Holland

7.3.2  Faculty of Science

Academic Board approved the nomination of Professors Ray Cas, Christian Jakob, Steven Langford and Sam Adeloju to membership of Academic Board, with a term of office to expire on 30 June 2009.

For information: Professors Ray Cas, Christian Jakob, Steven Langford, Sam Adeloju, Ms G Key, Ms R Hinds

8.1  Associate Degrees

Starred by Steering Committee.

8.2 MPsych (Counselling)/PhD and MPsych (Educational and Developmental)/PhD

Academic Board approved introduction of the proposed MPsych (Counselling)/PhD and MPsych (Educational and Developmental)/PhD.

For information: Professor M King, Mrs P Herman

Starred by Steering Committee.

10.1  Special Consideration Policy and Procedures

Starred and considered at item 6.3

10.2 Coursework Scholarships Policy and Procedures

Academic Board:

• Approved the Coursework Scholarships Policy
• Noted the Coursework Scholarships Procedures.

For information: Ms C Holland, Dr K Macrae

10.3  Grading Scales

Academic Board approved the revised Grading Scales for introduction in 2009, following preparatory implementation work in the early part of 2008.

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

10.4  Recognition of Prior Learning

At its Meeting 6/2007, Education Committee approved the Recognition of Prior Learning Procedures.

Recommendation:

Academic Board noted the Recognition of Prior Learning Procedures.

For information: Ms C Holland, Dr K Macrae

11.1  Establishment of Centres

Starred and considered at item 4.3.

11.2  Review of Centres

11.2.1  Van Cleef/Roet Centre for Neurosciences

Academic Board endorsed for transmission to Council the proposal to renew the Van Cleef/Roet Centre for Neurosciences for three years to 19 September 2010.

For information: Professors E Cornish, S Wesselingh, Mr A Calder

12.1  School of Applied Clinical and Public Health Sciences

Academic Board endorsed for transmission to Council the proposal to disestablish the School of Applied Clinical and Public Health Sciences.

For information: Professor S Wesselingh, Mr A Calder

13.1  Monash University Research Committee Meeting 6/2007

Academic Board received and noted the Report of Meeting 6/2007 of the Monash University Research Committee.

For information: Mr K Williamson

13.2  Education Committee Meeting 6/2007

Academic Board received and noted the Report of Meeting 6/2007 of the Education Committee.

For information: Ms C Holland

13.3  General Library Committee Meeting 3/2007

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

For information: Ms M Miller

13.4  Research Graduate School Committee Meeting 9/2007

Academic Board received and noted the Report of Meeting 9/2007 of the Research Graduate School Committee.

For information: Mrs P Herman

14.1  Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Meeting 6/2007

Academic Board received and noted the Report of Meeting 6/2007 of the Board of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

For information: Ms J Tong

14.2  Faculty of Business and Economics Meeting 5/2007

Academic Board received and noted the Report of Meeting 5/2007 of the Board of the Faculty of Business and Economics

For information: Dr R Bernarde

14.3  Faculty of Science Meetings 4 and 5/2007

Academic Board received and noted the Reports of Meetings 4 and 5/2007 of the Board of the Faculty of Science.

For information: Ms G Key

The next meeting of the Academic Board will be held on Wednesday 27 February 2008 in the Council Chambers, 1^st floor, Building 3a, Clayton Campus commencing at 3.30pm.