Committee of Deans Meeting 8-1991

Meeting No. 8/91 of the Committee of Deans was held on Thursday, 20 June 1991, in the James McNeill Room, University Offices, at the Clayton campus, at 5.00 pm.

There were present:

Professor M.I. Logan, Vice-Chancellor, in the Chair

Professor J.A. Hay, Vice-Chancellor (Academic)

Professor G.N. Vaughan, Deputy Vice-Chancellor

Professor T. Kennedy, Pro-Vice-Chancellor

Professor R.J. Pargetter, Dean, Faculty of Arts

Professor P. Chandler, Dean, David Syme Faculty of Business

Professor J.R. Greig, Associate Dean, Faculty of Computing and Information Technology

Professor J.W. Freebairn, Faculty of Economics Commerce and Management

Professor D.N. Aspin, Dean, Faculty of Education

Professor W.A. Brown, Faculty of Engineering

Professor C.R. Williams, Dean, Faculty of Law

Professor D.A. Lowther, Deputy Dean, Faculty of Medicine

Professor R.J. Snedden, Dean, Faculty of Professional Studies

Professor I.D. Rae, Dean, Faculty of Science

In attendance were:

Mr A.L. Pritchard, Registrar

Mr P.B. Wade, Comptroller

Ms E. Anderson, Executive Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor

Mr J. White, Associate Comptroller

Mr I.C. Gregory, Secretary

Ms S. Kerr, Assistant Manager, Budget Branch

Mr B. O'Mara, Deputy Comptroller

Mr J.R. Trembath, Director, Buildings & Development Branch

were present for item 66.6

M I N U T E S

The minutes of Meeting No. 7/91 held on 14 June 1991, copies of which had been circulated, were confirmed and signed subject to a number of amendments set out as follows:

64. Budget

(page 3) 3(i) Outline of Estimated Income for 1991 should be changed to 1992. 64. (ii) (page 5) - change the reference to a new building to "designated Arts/Law/Economics" not "Arts/Science/Economics". 64. (iv) (page 7) - the third last line of the paragraph should read "not in favour of further devolution at this time" 64. 6. (page 7) - the working group to which the item refers was established by the Committee of Deans, not the Academic Board as stated.

ICG

66. Budget for 1992

66.1 Documents

A paper entitled `1994 Capital Submission' (D30/91) was circulated prior to the meeting. At the meeting, the following additional papers were tabled.

D31/91 - Discussion items for Committee of Deans meeting

D32/91 - Enrolment Statistics Revised 20 June 1991

D33/91 - Copy of letter and attachments received from DEET dated 14 June 1991.

66.2 Funding

In regard to D33/91, the Comptroller informed the meeting that the income figures estimated by the Comptroller's division presented at the last meeting of the Committee closely approximated those supplied by DEET although there were a number of changes. On page 1 of D33/91, the Commonwealth commencing load target for 1992 had been reduced by 55, resulting from an adjustment of 5 in regard to the number of Aboriginal places and, a nett adjustment figure shown on the second bottom line of the table indicating an intake adjustment of 60 which could be assumed to be DEET's response to the University's overenrolment, ie it could be reduced by 60 in 1992 without a reduction in funding. A further minor change appeared on the last page of the document where the anticipated additional funded intake of 200 had been increased to 205.

In respect to D32/91, the Comptroller drew Deans attention to the corrected figures from those contained in earlier preliminary enrolment statistics which had been distributed to the Deans. The total overenrolment was now shown as 1,128 compared with the previous figure of 1,305 when comparing the actual numbers with the Monash negotiated target. The main reason for the changes from the previous statistics were State Government Youth Guarantee students had been included in the previous figures incorrectly, and there were a number of other minor errors, particularly in regard to the classification of a number of full-fee overseas students.

In regard to the State Funded Youth Guarantee Scheme, the Comptroller mentioned that at a meeting of Comptrollers and Registrars from other universities in Victoria, a range of opinions had been given but the overall view was pessimistic and the Comptroller considered that the budget estimates should not include provision for the receipt of any funds from the State Government for these students.

66.3 1992 Load

At the previous meeting, it had been reported that Professor Penington had issued a public statement to the effect that The University of Melbourne intended to take the same number of commencing students in 1992 as it did in 1991. The Comptroller had discussed this matter with the Registrar of The University of Melbourne who explained that it was intended to take the same number of school leavers but that non- school leaver commencing students were likely to be reduced. The University of Melbourne had about the same level of overenrolments in 1991 as Monash, most of the enrolment was claimed to be in the area of the university which was previously called the State College.

The Vice-Chancellor reported on discussions concerning the overenrolments that had taken place at the AVCC and that all of the Vice-Chancellors present had agreed to refuse to meet DEET commencing student targets in 1992. Whether this intention was implemented might depend upon the financial penalties that could be imposed as a result.

Attachment 1 to D31/91 contained three suggested options for discussion. Option 1 contained the figures which would result if the DEET commencing target was observed and it was noted that this would result in a total overenrolment of 2142 in 1992 (compared with 1681 in 1991 when actual numbers are compared with the original DEET target). Option 2 showed the reduction in commencing load target (from 8205 to 6063) which would be required to reach a situation of no overenrolment in 1992. Option 3 was based on a commencing load the same as that negotiated with DEET for 1991 plus 200 additional funded places which had been indicated by DEET (205 additional places would be funded - see D33/91). This would result in a similar level of overenrolment in 1992 as in 1991.

The Comptroller informed the Committee that funding for the additional 200 students was included in the revenue estimates discussed at the last meeting of the Committee.

The Committee discussed which option would be preferred and the starting point for negotiations with DEET during the profile visits. It was noted that although DEET agreed to a reduction of about 400 students in commencing numbers for 1991, this reduction was not shown in any published figures - it was acknowledged in a letter received by the University from DEET.

The Committee agreed to the adoption of option 3 as a basis for negotiations with DEET and that the numbers contained in this option might be the best that could be expected. Nevertheless, the meeting agreed that attempts should be made to try to reduce the overenrolments over a number of years and that the University should suggest around 7500 as a basis for commencing negotiations in regard to commencing load for 1992.

66.4 Faculty Strategy Plans - 1992

Attachment 2 of D31/91 contained a summary of bids received from the faculties for additional funded places over 1991. The Comptroller informed the Committee that Deans had been asked to supply faculty strategy plans and following the receipt of these, the bids from the faculties had been quantified during discussions with the faculties concerned which resulted in a total of 843 excluding Engineering, MUCG and the DEC compared with an additional 205 funded load indicated by DEET.

It was noted that the strategy plans were prepared in December 1990, and it was possible that some of the Deans may wish to change their priorities. A discussion ensued as to whether the additional funded 205 commencing load should be absorbed in the total commencing load or whether the additional load should be used for implementing strategy plans. It was noted that as the number was relatively small, it would not accommodate substantial growth in a number of areas. The Committee agreed that the additional funded commencing numbers should be used for strategic planning. A suggestion was proposed by Professors Snedden and Chandler to allocate numbers to the Distance Education Centre and to encourage the growth of graduate student numbers in the three Caulfield based faculties.

It was agreed that the distribution of the additional funded load should be decided at the next meeting of the Committee.

66.5 Faculty Strategy Plans - 1994

The Committee discussed the strategy plans in respect of 1994 and it was noted that the total numbers resulting from the faculty strategy plans was an additional commencing load of 1942 over 1991 EFTSU not including Engineering, MUCG or the DEC. Professor Chandler said that in bidding for growth, the University should try to ascertain the Government's priorities as this might effect the likelihood of obtaining additional funded numbers.

There was general agreement that the University should endeavour to expand the postgraduate load and reduce the undergraduate student numbers.

The Committee agreed to resolve the bids for the load growth for 1994 at the next meeting of the Committee.

On page 2 of D31/91, the Comptroller informed the Committee of the additional funds that would be available for teaching if the National Priority Reserve Fund clawback arrangements were reduced by 50% for one year. The Committee agreed to suggest such an arrangement to DEET.

The Vice-Chancellor informed the Committee that at the AVCC meeting, it was agreed that DEET should be requested to specify one total target rather than separate targets for total load and commencing load. Professor Kennedy mentioned that at a meeting he attended recently, there was some indication that the Commonwealth Government was giving consideration to the age distribution of the population and with the anticipated reduction in the number of school leavers, more mature age students might need to be taken. The Committee also discussed the need to expand the Distance Education Centre.

66.6 Capital Submission 1994

The Committee discussed D30/91 relating to the 1994 Capital Submission. It was noted that the cash flow for the Economics/Law/Arts building of $M11 would mainly be received in 1994. In regard to the unsuccessful bids for 1993, it was noted that the additional $M5.2 for the Computing and Robotics building at Caulfield was listed in some statements issued by the Minister as being possibly available in 1994 and some of the other unsuccessful bids for 1993, including student residences at Gippsland, might be brought forward again in the next capital submission.

It was noted that the initiative proposed by VPSEC at Berwick was not contained in the approved capital programme. The Committee discussed at some length the location of the Graduate School of Management. The Comptroller pointed out that the location of the Graduate School at Caulfield was a major factor in being able to reallocate funding from building projects valued at $M1 at Clayton and $M2 at Frankston for the Business building at Caulfield.

The Comptroller explained the basis of the calculation of the assessment of requirements by faculty based on a space allocation model used in the Province of Ontario, in Canada. Page 3 of D30/91 contained a list of deficiencies and surpluses in building space (it was noted that these included the proposed $M11 building for Economics/Law/Arts at Clayton). The Committee discussed whether these assessments of space differed from those produced by the Physical Resources Committee. The Committee noted that moving teaching between campuses would have a substantial effect on the deficiencies/surpluses. Furthermore, one faculty shifting students and changing the data could impact upon bids for capital projects for the university as a whole if relative needs basis models were adopted. Professor Chandler mentioned the need for larger lecture theatres at both Caulfield and Frankston to place the Caulfield based faculties in a comparable position to those based at Clayton. The Committee also briefly discussed the need to press for funding for refurbishment.

It was agreed that the Deans should carefully consider the proposals in the document to enable decisions to be made at the next meeting of the Committee. The Committee also noted that the review of the Faculty of Economics Commerce and Management and The David Syme Faculty of Business should be finalised soon. The Committee discussed the procedure which should be followed when the report is available and it was agreed that when the report of the review is available, and after obtaining comments from the faculties concerned, a recommendation should go to the Academic Board with the support of the Deans. In view of the urgency of the capital programme, it will be necessary for a decision to be made concerning the location of the Graduate School of Management and any planned shifts of teaching between campuses as the capital submission needs to be finalised at the next meeting.

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Committee of Deans will be held on Tuesday, 25 June commencing at 2.15 pm in the James McNeill Room.