Academic Board Meeting 3-2008
MINUTES
Meeting No 3/2008 of the Academic Board was held on Wednesday 4 June 2008 from 3:30pm-5:30pm, in the Council Chambers, First floor, Building 3A, Clayton campus.
There were present:
Professor Jayne Godfrey (Chair), Professor David Abramson, Associate Professors Jean Armstrong, Harry Ballis, Professor Greg Barton, Dr Becky Batagol, Ms Joan Benjamin, Associate Professor Jason Beringer, Drs Gideon Boas, Ross Booth, Professors Barbara Caine, Ben Canny, Ray Cas, Dr Des Casey, Professors Keryn Chalmersd, Bill Charman, James Chin, Graham Coleman, Associate Professor Brian Cooke, Professors Edwina Cornish, Rodney Devenish, Richard Doherty Erik Eklund, Associate Professor Graham Farr, Professors Raelene Frances, Arie Freiberg, David Garrioch, Bernard Hoffert, Owen Hughes, Ms Dash Jayasuriya, Associate Professor Sally Joy, Ms Helen Fletcher-Kennedy, Professors Peter Kershaw, Paul Komesaroff, Kim Langfield-Smith, Steven Langford, Richard Larkins, Associate Professor Margaret Lindorff, Professors Arthur Lowrey, Tony Luff, Dr Joy Lyneham, Professor Andrew Markus, Mr Peter Marshall, Drs Susan Mayson, Simone Murray, Associate Professor Sid Nair, Dr Bronwyn Naylor, Professor Robert Norris, Associate Professor Michael Page, Professor Alan Peterson, Ms Phuong Dzung Pho, Professors Robin Pollard, Donald Poskitt, Dr MaryLou Rasmussen, Professor John Redmond, Dr Grace Rumantir, Professors Peter Schelluch, John Sheridan, Adam Shoemaker, Michael Skully, Julian Smith, Amrik Sohal, Leon Spiccia, Tam Sridhar, Associate Professor Kay Stewart, Professors Elsdon Storey, Peter Sullivan, Dr Wendy Sutherland-Smith, Professors On Kit Tam, Julian Teicher, Drs Cristine Varsavsky, Sabatino Ventura, Professor Marika Vicziany, Mr Evgeny Vizelman, Professor Mark Wallace, Mr David Watson, Professors Geoff Webb, Ron Weber, Associate Professor Igor Wendt, Professors Rob Willis, William Young.
Apologies were received from:
Professors Sam Adeloju, David Arnott, John Beardall, John Bertram, Dr Ben Boyd, Professor Val Clulow, Dr Sandra Cockfield, Mr Max Coulthard, Professor Wendy Cross, Dr Gloria Davies, Professor Helen De Cieri, Ms Nupur Desai, Professors Merran Evans, Stephanie Fahey, Mark Gabbott, Dr Matthew Groves, Ms Cathrine Harboe-Ree, Professor Graham Hodge, Associate Professor John Hurst, Professor Christian Jakob, Dr Colin Jevons, Professor Jenny Keating, Associate Professor Louise McCall, Mr Alan McMeekin, Professors Dennis Moore, Harmen Oppewal, Dr Annamaria Pagliaro, Ms Alexandra Phelan, Professors Leon Piterman, Tyrone Pretorius, Martin Rhodes, Patrick Sexton, Phillip Steele, Nigel Tapper, Bruce Tonge, Jeff Waincymer, Steven Wesselingh, Bryan Williams, Sue Willis, Dr Rita Wilson, Professor Xiao-Ling Zhao, Associate Professor Cherrie Zhu, Professor Ingrid Zukerman.
Special Leave:
Dr Mita Bhattacharya, Associate Professor Maryanne Dever, Professors John Lattanzio, Graham Webb.
Observers:
Ms Lorraine Bennett, Ms Clare Holland, Ms Lisa Smith (for Cathrine Harboe-Ree).
Overseas Observers:
Professor Walter Wong (Malaysia), Professors Pua, Anuar Zaini, R Edwards, Lee Poh Aun, Dr John Zillman.
In attendance:
Ms R Hinds.
AGENDA
A PRELIMINARY AND FORMAL BUSINESS
1 WELCOME
Professor Jayne Godfrey welcomed members and observers to the meeting, including those attending the meeting by teleconference from the offshore and Gippsland campuses. A special welcome was extended to Professor Robin Pollard, attending the meeting in person, and Dr John Zillman, member of Council.
2 ARRANGEMENT OF AGENDA
2.1 Alterations to the Agenda and Starring of Items
Professor Godfrey informed members of the following alterations:
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Item 7.2 – Intellectual Property – would be the first substantive item of business dealt with at the meeting.
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The Faculty of Pharmacy presentation would be taken after item 2.
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There were two tabled papers:
2.2 Approval of Non-Starred Items
The following items were starred:
The recommendations of the Steering Committee were adopted without discussion for all items other than those starred.
2.3 Confidential Items – Faculty Discipline Reports (Members Only)
3 MINUTES
3.1 Minutes of Academic Board Meeting 2/2008
The Minutes of Meeting 2/2008, held on Wednesday, 16 April 2008, were confirmed.
3.2 Business arising from the Minutes
3.2.1 Schedule of Action Items
Academic Board received and noted the updated Schedule of Action Items.
3.2.2 ESOS Policies and Procedures (Minutes 1/2008 item 6.3)
Academic Board received and noted the advice of the Manager, Policy that the scope of the new policies covering ESOS Students, Students Under 18 years and Course Transfer, had been amended to:
4 PRESIDENT’S BUSINESS
4.1 President’s Report
Professor Godfrey addressed the Board on a range of issues, including:
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The election of Professor Barbara Caine as the new Vice President of Academic Board.
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Support by the Vice Chancellor and Deputy Vice Chancellors of the independence of Academic Board, as reflected in revised seating arrangements.
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Vice-Chancellor selection, including the wide consultation by the Chancellor, AB Discussion Forum on 5 May 2008, the Council approval of the Selection Criteria, Position Description and membership of the Selection Committee. Members were advised that it was hoped an announcement would be made at the end of November.
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Council Meeting 3/2008, in particular:
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The Academic Board Composition Working Party.
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Meeting with DVCs to commence a review of the Board’s standing committee structure. Given changes to the education portfolio organisational structure and with the overlap of international, research and education portfolio responsibilities, the need for a structure that worked effectively and efficiently was emphasised.
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Endorsement on behalf of the board of two new professorial positions fully funded from outside the university:
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Participation in several professorial selection committees.
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Work to enhance the profile of Academic Board included:
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Further meetings with Faculty Boards. Discussions at the faculties of Business and Economics, Art & Design, Engineering and Arts have informed Academic Board deliberations, particularly in relation to the composition of the Board.
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In response to a student appeal against Exclusion for Health Reasons, approval on behalf of the Board of the membership of an Appeals Committee consisting of the following three members of the Academic Board (excluding the Dean of the relevant Faculty):
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Academic Board:
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Received and noted the report of the President.
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Approved the composition of the Exclusion for Health Reasons Committee:
For information: Professors J Godfrey, B Caine, Grahame Coleman, Anthony Luff, Associate Professor M Lindorff, Mr K Williamson
4.2 Review of the Composition of Academic Board
Introducing discussion, the President observed that the Review was critical to ensuring that the Board’s composition was appropriate to the discharge of its responsibilities to direct and supervise the University’s academic affairs.
Contextualising the Discussion Paper, Professor Godfrey briefly summarised the genesis of the Review. She then described the salient features of the attached indicative models. Emphasis was placed on the Working Party’s approach to include in the Board’s membership those in charge of leading/supervising academic affairs and the nature of the Discussion Paper as the beginning of the review process, not the end.
Members engaged in wide-ranging discussion which included, but was not limited to, expression of the following views:
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The Board was too large, which was counter-productive to debate. A smaller Board, with provision for alternates, would be workable.
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The focus on reducing membership numbers risked a loss of diversity in composition and broad input into debate and decision-making processes presently provided by the elected cohort, given that the Board was a representative and accountable body. In response, it was noted that the Working Party had proceeded from the compositional rather than numerical standpoint and mindful of the Board’s high-level responsibilities as outlined in the Terms of Reference.
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When issues came before the Board, it was often the first time that they were subject to university-wide scrutiny - therefore it was important to have as members those responsible for implementing consequent decisions. This would effectively increase both the diversity and accountability of the membership.
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The role of the Head of Academic Unit (HoAU) was critical, and consequently there was a need for an appropriate definition of “Head of Academic Unit” (HoAU) for the purposes of the Board’s membership to avoid, inter alia, faculty or campus anomalies.
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Some models would effectively render the Board a sub-committee of VCG, contrary to its role as a forum for debate encompassing a wide range of views.
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Rather than centralising the discussion around numbers, the key issue was to ensure the quality of debate. This placed the onus on members to make a significant contribution, and on voters to elect representatives who would be able to make a significant contribution. It was also suggested that the Board’s role in fostering debate was less important than its role as a very public check/counter-balance and that membership could therefore be allocated on a basis other than that of contributing to debate.
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Student membership needed to be fostered and protected, including a proportionate number of student representatives and undergraduate / postgraduate coursework / higher degree by research membership mix, and need for induction of student members and new members generally.
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To facilitate closer alliance between the campuses, it was critical to ensure campus representation on the Board.
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It was important to maintain balance between membership cohorts – to maximise flexibility and account for changes in staffing levels and structures, the principle of equal representation could be built in to Regulations.
Concluding discussion on this item, the President reminded members that the issues raised would feed directly into the Working Party’s next meeting.
For information: Professor J Godfrey, Ms R Hinds
5 VICE-CHANCELLOR’S BUSINESS
5.1 Vice-Chancellor’s Report
Professor Richard Larkins spoke to his written report, highlighting the following:
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The recent Federal Budget, in particular the allocation to Monash of $29.6m which would advance the rate of Monash’s capital program.
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Commencement of Enterprise Bargaining, and the University’s aim to provide the most generous employment arrangements consistent with Monash’s strategic directions and financial position. Members were cautioned that the University’s cash position was tight and that the borrowing limit had been reached.
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The 50 year celebrations included a successful Gala Dinner held on 29 May 2008, and a planned event for staff to be held on 4 December 2008. The Gala Dinner had provided a platform for the successful public launch of the Monash Fundraising Campaign.
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The official opening of the Gippsland Medical School by the Federal Minister for Health scheduled for 5 June.
Recommendation:
Academic Board received the Vice-Chancellor’s report.
For information: Professor R Larkins
5.2 Award of Honorary Degrees
Academic Board received the report on the award of Honorary Degrees.
For information: Professor R Larkins
6 QUESTIONS ON NOTICE
6.1 Student Discipline
In response to a member question regarding the currency of any review of Statute 4.1 – Discipline, Professor Adam Shoemaker advised that although such a review was not currently underway, some time had elapsed since the Statute was introduced, and that a review would therefore be timely.
Academic Board directed Education Committee to commence review of Statute 4.1 – Discipline.
For information: Professors A Shoemaker, A Luff, Ms C Holland
6.2 Animal Welfare
In response to a question regarding the legality and ethics of live animal experimentation for educational purposes, Professor Ben Canny, Chair of the Research Governance Committee, advised members that the relevant faculty, involved, the University and the Bureau of Animal Welfare all conducted reviews of the process followed to obtain ethical approval and the use of animals for teaching purposes at Monash.
The reviews found that Monash was strictly compliant with all relevant legal frameworks, guidelines and policies in proposing, approving and conducting the specific practical sessions.
The Bureau of Animal Welfare found that all relevant information relating to the teaching session was found to have been provided to the Animal Ethics Committee, whose decisions were also found to be consistent with all laws and guidelines. The Bureau also found that the techniques of animal care adopted during the teaching session were entirely appropriate and consistent with best scientific and veterinary practice.
The School was reviewing educational policies relating to 3rd year practical classes. In addition, EPPC would develop a policy relating to the use of animals for research or teaching purposes, throughout Monash.
For information: Professor B Canny
B DIRECTION OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
7 NATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS
7.1 Australian Federal Budget 2008/09
Members had before them the latest in a series of environmental scans prepared for the Board by University Planning and Statistics, summarising the higher education initiatives in the Federal Budget and ALP higher education policies/election promises.
Professor Adam Shoemaker reminded members that this was the first Budget handed down by the new Federal Government, and the educational aspects thereof should be viewed in the context of the Bradley Review and ERA.
Recommendation:
Academic Board received the Budget briefing paper and noted Professor Shoemaker’s advice.
For information: Professor A Shoemaker
7.2 Intellectual Property (IP)
Mr Peter Marshall, Vice-President (Administration) reported to the Board on the implications of the recent Federal Court decision in the case of the University of Western Australia v Gray. Matters highlighted by Mr Marshall included:
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Confirmation that Monash’s Intellectual Property Statute was made properly, signed and stamped.
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The ongoing process to ensure compliance with the Statute and Regulations, including compliance by the Intellectual Property Committee.
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The recommendation to review future employment contracts, with a view to insertion of a specific IP clause.
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Review of the Paid Outside Work Policy to ensure consistency with the Statute and Regulations.
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It would be helpful if the Governance Review were to confirm in enabling legislation that IP resided with the university.
During discussion, the need for the University to guarantee its own IP when entering into research contracts was emphasised.
Academic Board received and noted the report on the implications of the Federal Court decision in the case of the University of Western Australia v Gray.
For information: Mr P Marshall
8 FACULTY PRESENTATION – PHARMACY
The first in the series of faculty presentations was delivered by Professor Bill Charman, Dean, Victorian College of Pharmacy.
Following an overview of its history and achievements, Professor Charman explained the directions in which the Faculty was moving, including the establishment of the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS) and the opportunities this would offer to improve Monash’s focus on translational activities surrounding the development of new medicines.
Explaining that MIPS brought together the largest and most experienced group of pharmaceutical scientists in Australia, Professor Charman highlighted its therapeutic themes, including infectious disease, cancer and neuroscience. The key themes of collaboration and significant and lasting impact were emphasised.
Responding to member questions, Professor Charman noted that:
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Teaching and research functions were integrated – it was expected that the best researchers would also be teaching.
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There were no plans for collaboration with Indian researchers, given that the MIPS focus was development of new medicines, whilst the Indian pharmaceutical industry focussed on manufacture of generic medicines. However, the faculty was training a significant number of Indian students.
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There were currently a number of “touch points” with other faculties (including a joint venture with MNHS), and Pharmacy would be looking to increase its collaborative activities.
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The “decluttering” process had enabled the faculty to improve its governance and management functions.
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A significant point of difference when sourcing grant funding was the ability to aggregate a wide range and breadth of skills.
Academic Board received Professor Charman’s presentation by acclamation.
For information: Professor B Charman
C SUPERVISION OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
9 UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC STRUCTURE
9.1 Establishment of the Centre for Multimedia Computing, Communications and Applications
Academic Board received the memorandum from the Dean, Faculty of Information Technology regarding the process of consultation between the Faculties of Art and Design and Information Technology and endorsed, for transmission to Council, the proposal to establish the Centre for Multimedia Computing, Communications and Applications.
For information: Professors R Weber, J Redmond
9.2 Establishment of the Department of Architecture
Academic Board endorsed for submission to Council the proposal from the Board of the Faculty of Art & Design to establish a Department of Architecture.
For information: Professor J Redmond
9.3 Renaming of the Centre for Muslim Minorities and Islam Policy Studies
Academic Board endorsed for submission to Council the proposal from the Board of the Faculty of Arts to rename the Centre for Muslim Minorities and Islam Policy Studies as the Centre for Islam and the Modern World.
9.4 Education Portfolio
9.4.1 Education Portfolio Organisational Changes
Professor Adam Shoemaker reported on changes to the structure of the Education Portfolio. He acknowledged the departure of Professor Graham Webb, who had made a significant contribution to quality activities at Monash, staff changes to CALT and CHEQ, and the transfer of quality activities to the portfolio of the new PVC (Planning and Quality) and creation of a new PVC (Learning and Teaching) position.
Academic Board received and noted the report of changes to the Education Portfolio.
For information: Professor A Shoemaker
9.4.2 Establishment of the eEducation Centre
Members had before them a proposal to establish the eEducation Centre. In discussion, Professor Shoemaker explained that the eEducation Centre would focus on technology as it supported pedagogy, with a parallel in the eResearch Centre.
Professor Shoemaker commented that the eEducation Centre should not create additional impost in terms of time and staff effort. Rather, the proposal was focused on providing leadership with a view to developing best practice.
During discussion, members noted that as the proposal was further developed, it was expected that more detail would be brought to the Board for consideration. It was noted that there was a range of partnering opportunities that were likely to generate efficiencies in eEducation activities.
The need to effect culture change, bring on board students and teaching staff and ensure that the technology was functional and well-maintained were also emphasised by members.
Academic Board endorsed the proposal to establish the eEducation Centre.
For information: Professor A Shoemaker
9A QUALITY AUDIT PROGRESS REPORT
Professor Shoemaker introduced the draft Progress Report observing that it represented a collaborative effort, and would be sent to AUQA within the next week. He also noted that Monash had fulfilled its obligations and in almost every area had done so very well.
Academic Board received the report and noted Professor Shoemaker’s advice.
For information: Professor A Shoemaker
10 AWARD OF DEGREES
10.1 MPsych /PhD – Naming of Degree (and Testamur) to be awarded
Academic Board:
For information: Professor M King, Ms A Hussar
D GOVERNANCE
11 LEGISLATION
11.1 Victorian College of Pharmacy
Members had before them the Explanatory Memoranda and proposals for:
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Amendment to Statute 2.3 – The Faculties
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Repeal of Statute 2.14 – Victorian College of Pharmacy
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Amendment to the Faculties Regulations
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Repeal of the Victorian College of Pharmacy Regulations
Responding to a member question regarding representation of other faculties on Faculty Board, Professor Charman noted that the faculty governance structures had been revised with a view to reflecting representation at appropriate levels. The Course Advisory and Stakeholder Group was considered to be the most effective forum in which to include input from, inter alia, other faculties.
That Academic Board endorsed, for submission to Council:
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The proposal to amend Statute 2.3 – The Faculties (Amendment no. 1 2008).
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The proposal to repeal Statute 2.14 – Victorian College of Pharmacy.
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The proposal to amend the Faculties Regulations (Amendment no. 2 2008).
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The proposal to repeal the Victorian College of Pharmacy Regulations.
For information: Professor B Charman, Ms A Shelton
11.2 Discipline
Academic Board endorsed, for submission to Council, the proposal to amend Statute 4.1 – Discipline.
For information: Professor A Shoemaker, Ms C Holland, Ms A Shelton
11.3 Miscellaneous Statutes Review 2008
Academic Board endorsed, for submission to Council the making of the statute entitled Miscellaneous Statutes Review 2008:
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Repeal of Statute 2.3.1 - The Subfaculties.
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Repeal of Divisions II and IV of Statute 2.5 - Committees, Boards of Studies and Institutes.
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Further amendments to Statute 2.5.
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Statute 3.5 – Administrative Staff.
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Chapter 5 –The Library and Computer Centre.
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Statute 6.1.2 – Courses and Degrees.
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Repeal of Chapter 6B – Multi-faculty degrees.
For information: Professor M King, Ms C Holland, Ms A Shelton
12 POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND REVIEW
12.1 Course and Unit Handbook Policy and Procedures
Academic Board:
For information: Professor A Shoemaker, Ms C Holland, Ms A Shelton
13 ACADEMIC BOARD MEMBERSHIP
13.1 Election of Vice-President, Academic Board
Academic Board received and noted the Declaration of the Poll.
For information: Professor B Caine, Ms R Hinds
13.2 Election of Professorial Members to Academic Board
Academic Board received and noted the Declaration of the Poll.
For information: Ms R Hinds
13.3 Election of Academic Staff (other than the Professors) to Academic Board
Academic Board receive and noted the Declaration of the Poll.
For information: Ms R Hinds
13.4 Special Leave
14 FACULTY BOARD AND STANDING COMMITTEES MEMBERSHIP
14.1 Membership of the Board of the Faculty of Law
Academic Board endorsed for transmission to Council the recommendation to appoint the following external members of the Board of the Faculty of Law, with a period of office from March 2008 – March 2011:
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The Hon Justice Shane Marshall, Federal Court of Australia
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Mr David Fanning, Magistrates Court of Victoria
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Ms Kristine Hanscombe SC
For information: Professor A Freiberg
15 REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES
15.1 Research Graduate School Committee Meetings 2/2008 - 4/2008
Academic Board received and noted the Report of Meetings 2/2008 - 4/2008 of the Research Graduate School Committee.
For information: Ms A Hussar
15.2 Education Committee Meeting 2/2008
Academic Board received and noted the Report of Meeting 2/2008 of the Education Committee.
For information: Ms C Holland
15.3 Monash University Research Committee Meeting 2/2008
Academic Board received and noted the Report of Meeting 2/2008 of the Monash University Research Committee.
For information: Mr K Williamson
16 FACULTY BOARD REPORTS
16.1 Faculty of Art & Design Meeting 6/2007
Academic Board received and noted the Report of Meeting 6/2007 of the Board of the Faculty of Art & Design.
For information: Ms N Howard
16.2 Faculty of Engineering Meeting 1/2008
Academic Board received and noted the Report of Meeting 1/2008 of the Board of the Faculty of Engineering.
For information: Mr R Smiley
16.3 Faculty of Law Meeting 1/2008
Academic Board received and noted the Report of Meeting 1/2008 of the Board of the Faculty of Law.
For information: Ms J Beaton
16.4 Faculty of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences Meeting 2/2008
Academic Board received and noted the Report of Meeting 2/2008 of the Board of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences.
For information: Ms R Lavin
E ITEMS OF OTHER BUSINESS
17 OTHER BUSINESS
17.1 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA)
Professor Max King reported that ERA (the replacement for the RQF) had been launched and that the consultation document was now open.
For information: Professor M King
18 NEXT MEETING
The meeting of the Academic Board to be held on Wednesday 16 July 2008 has been cancelled. The next meeting will therefore be held on Wednesday 3 September 2008 in the Council Chambers, 1st floor, Building 3a, Clayton Campus commencing at 3.30pm.
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