Administrative Heads Group Meeting 3-1999

Meeting 3/99 of the Administrative Heads Group was held at 8.30am on Thursday 10^th June 1999 in the Council Room, 1^st Floor, University Offices Building 3a, Clayton campus.

Tony Calder, Secretary

MINUTES

Apologies were received from Professor A Lindsay (Deputy Vice-Chancellor A & P), Professor J Harris (Director – Centre for Learning & Teaching Support), Mr R Wortley (University Solicitor), Mr D Secomb (Head of Administration – Faculty of Engineering), Dr P Rodan (Faculty Registrar – Faculty of Science) and Mr P Siggins (Manager – University Secretariat),

The minutes of meeting 2/99 were confirmed

A draft of Leading the Way was attached for information and comment.

In his introductory remarks, Professor Robinson noted that much of the substance of previous versions of the Monash Plan was now included in the various operational plans and that Leading the Way was now a more far sighted document that set "sign-posts" for Monash over the next twenty years.

Professor Robinson invited members to note that greater emphasis had been placed on the following themes:

• Internal differentiation within Monash. Professor Robinson noted that as there was greater confidence in the internal differentiation within Monash, it was opportune to utilise that differentiation via innovative academic programs.

• The Greater Monash. Professor Robinson noted that Monash consists of not only Monash University but also includes Monash University Foundation Year (MUFY), Monash College and an increasing number of important affiliations and associations.

• Self-reliance. Members were advised that Monash must become as independent as possible by seeking to decrease the university’s reliance on Commonwealth funding and by spreading its operations across several countries.

During discussion of the document, the following items of significance were raised:

Following a question on the planning cycle, Professor Robinson advised members that Leading the Way would be updated on a needs basis as it did not contain figures that needed to be rolled forward. Further, members were advised that the various operational plans and the budget were closely linked and that the increased reliance on budget numbers may cause an evolution of the budget process over the next two years – including the way the budget is presented.

Members were advised that discussions with faculties and campus directors were underway and that Mr Peter Summers was available to assist members in the development of their Operational Plans.

The Monash Global Plan is under development and is expected to be available by this time next year.

In response to a question relating to performance indicators, members were advised that:

• performance indicators that measure against both internal and external factors should be included in operational plans, and

• the Vice-Chancellor’s Group and Council were endeavoring to identify a small number of institution-wide indicators that would measure the health of Monash.

During the discussion on campuses members noted that the increased focus on campus planning was welcome. Matters relating to campus planning raised during discussion included the need for a greater emphasis on cross-campus programs and the need to coordinate the timetabling of lectures and tutorials across campuses wherever possible.

Professor Maloney introduced this item by updating members on the following initiatives:

Members were advised that matters were progressing in this area. This includes a team returning to Southern Africa to look at potential sites, undertaking due diligence activities and initiating surveys to assess the market perception of Australian based educational activities compared to other providers.

Members were advised that while Indonesia was still identified as an important area, progress would be slow until the outcome of the impending election is known.

Members were advised that Monash was working with TMC and negotiating to set up an office in Shanghai. The importance focus in this region was expected to be the provision of professional development and training programs and improving the coordination of access programs such as those run by Monash College.

Professor Maloney advised members that Pro-Vice-Chancellor Jim Warren would be leaving at the end of 1999. A short list of three persons had been compiled and it was expected that a successor would be announced shortly.

In addition, Professor Maloney advised the Group that the campus was attempting to enhance its profile in order to compete with the private colleges that had recently been permitted to introduce 3 + 0 (twinning) programs, some of which were in direct competition with Monash programs.

Members were advised that during a recent visit by the Principal of King’s College the possibility of senior staff exchanges had been discussed and that further detail would be made available as soon as practicable.

Summarising recent international activities, the Vice-Chancellor noted that by 2020 Monash may have four to five very close working alliances with overseas universities, the first of these being the King’s College agreement.

In response to questions, members were advised that although offshore campuses provided valuable experience to students both here and overseas and would provide opportunities for staff to enhance their skills through offshore placements, these campuses would need to be financially viable and balance their books.

Additional items of interest raised during discussion included the following:

Monash Abroad had assisted 550 outbound students, the largest number by a single institution in Australia.

Applications for second semester enrolments by international students are up and acceptances are ahead of target.

Between 80 to 100 Monash Diploma students will be entering Monash University.

Members were advised that Monash College had now been in operation for approximately one year and that its operations had been very successful in supplying a pathway for students to articulate into a number of Monash University programs.

In response to a question, Professor Robinson advised members that the Group of Eight intended to establish a Secretariat in Canberra to represent the Go8 both nationally and internationally. A Business Plan, including short-term objectives, is currently under development.

The next scheduled Administrative Heads Group meeting will be held on 29^th July in the Council Room.

Vice-Chancellor Professor David A Robinson (Chair)

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Development)/ Campus Director, Clayton Professor Peter LeP Darvall

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International and Public Affairs) Professor John E Maloney

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Planning) Professor Alan W Lindsay

General Manager Mr Peter B Wade

Campus Director, Caulfield/Peninsula Mr John S White

Campus Director, Berwick/Gippsland Professor John Anderson

Assistant General Manager, Student Services Mr Bob Burnet

Assistant General Manager, Financial Services Mr John Matthews

Assistant General Manager, Facilities and Services Mr John Trembath

Assistant General Manager, Personnel Services Mr Peter Marshall

Assistant General Manager, Budget and Statistical Services Mr John Levine

Manager, Research Grants & Ethics Branch Ms Janet Gaffey

University Librarian Professor Edward Lim

University Solicitor Mr Renn Wortley

Director, IT Facilities Mr Peter Annal

Director, Halls of Residence Mr Vladimir Prpich

Executive Director, Public Affairs Mr Stephen Dee

Executive Director, International Affairs Mr Ian Porter

Director, Centre for Learning and Teaching Support Professor John Harris

Director, Internal Audit and Risk Management Mr Greg Connell

Director, Integrated Administrative Systems Project Mr John Julian

Executive Director, Information Technology Services Division Mr Alan McMeekin

Director, Academic Planning Support Unit Mr Peter Summers

Chief Executive Officer, Monash Unicomm Pty Ltd Mr Joe Curtis

Director, Sports & Recreation Association Mr John Campbell

Manager, University Secretariat Mr Phillip Siggins

Manager, Bookshop Mr Jim McGrath

Associate Director, ITS Information Systems Mr Max Robinson

Manager, Research Training & Support Branch Mrs Pam Herman

General Manager, Monash International Pty Ltd Mr Tony Pollock

Director, Centre for Higher Education Development Professor Graham Webb

President, Managers’ Association Mr Chris Powell

Faculty Registrar - Faculty of Arts Ms Carol Jordon

Faculty Registrar - Faculty ofArt & Design Ms Maureen Hah

Academic Registrar - Faculty of Business & Economics Ms Bronwyn Shields

Faculty Manager - Faculty of Business & Economics Dr Stephen O'Kane

Faculty Manager - Faculty of Information Technology Mr Ken Hobbs

Faculty Registrar - Faculty of Education Mr Peter Lawford

Head of Administration - Faculty of Engineering Mr David Secomb

Faculty Registrar - Faculty of Law Ms Eileen Wilson

Director of Academic Program - Faculty of Medicine Mr Mike Lewenberg

Director of Resources - Faculty of Medicine Ms Janet Kemp

Faculty Registrar – Victorian College of Pharmacy Mr Michael Watson

Faculty Registrar - Faculty of Science Dr Paul Rodan

Secretary

Mr Tony Calder, University Secretariat ext 59004 FAX 55342

Anthony.Calder@adm.monash.edu.au