Committee of Deans Meeting 11-1991

Meeting No. 11/91 of the Committee of Deans was held on Tuesday, 6 August 1991, in the James McNeill Room, University Offices, at the Clayton campus, at 2.15 pm.

There were present:

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

Professor J.A. Hay, Deputy 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.C. Chandler, Dean, David Syme Faculty of Business

Professor C.J. Bellamy, Dean, Faculty of Computing and Information Technology

Professor W.A. Sinclair, Faculty of Economics Commerce and Management

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

Professor P.LeP. Darvall, Dean, Faculty of Engineering

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

Professor R. Porter, Dean, Faculty of Medicine

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

Professor D.G. Ross, Associate Dean, Faculty of Science

In attendance were:

Mr A.L. Pritchard, Registrar

Mr P.B. Wade, Comptroller

Mr I.C. Gregory, Secretary

Mr G. Neat, Director Communications

M I N U T E S

98. Minutes

The minutes of Meeting No. 10/91, held on 16 July, copies of which had previously been circulated, were confirmed subject to amending item 82.2 - Cooperative Arrangements in Malaysia. In the first paragraph of the minute on page 3, it is stated that "it was agreed that Professors Pargetter and Porter should prepare a paper on the matter". This should be changed to read "it was agreed that Professor Aspin, assisted by Professors Pargetter and Porter should prepare a paper on the matter".

ICG

99. Matters Arising from the Minutes

99.1 Work of the Committee of Deans

At the previous meeting of the Committee, item 95, the possibility of establishing a sub-committee of the Committee of Deans was briefly discussed and it was also decided that key issues should be identified and discussion papers should be prepared on each issue for consideration at meetings. At the meeting in hand, it was agreed to establish a sub-committee to consider appropriate items for the agenda and it was agreed that this committee should be composed of Professors Darvall, Williams and Pargetter who should prepare a report for the next meeting.

PLePD CRW RJP

99.2 Review of Faculty Administrative Offices

At the previous meeting of the Committee, item 97, the Committee briefly discussed a paper prepared by the Registrar relating to a review of Faculty Administrative Offices. At the meeting in hand, the Registrar (who was absent from the last meeting) provided a detailed report on the process of the review. Several members expressed concern at the nature of the review and the time being taken to produce a report. The view was expressed that what was required was an analysis of tasks divested or devolved to faculties from the central administration, an analysis of whether such transfers of tasks had freed up resources centrally and whether such resources could be transferred to faculties for the handling of the transferred tasks concerned. Several Deans reiterated the view expressed at an earlier meeting that they were not opposed to devolution as such, it was a question of resources also being devolved to faculties. The Committee asked for a paper to be prepared on the devolution matter for the next meeting.

ALP

100. Report of the Vice-Chancellor

100.1 Australia 2000 Programme

The Committee received the attached letter from the Vice-Chancellor dated 20 June from the Leader of the Federal Opposition (D57/91). The meeting decided that individual Deans should take whatever action they considered appropriate in response to the letter.

Deans

100.2 Co-operative Arrangements in Malaysia

At the previous meeting of the Committee, item 82.2 - Co-operative Arrangements in Malaysia, the Vice-Chancellor agreed that a paper would be prepared for the Committee with respect to Malaysia and a number of other countries to facilitate university strategic planning. Such a paper was prepared and received by the Committee (D61/91). In speaking to his paper, the Vice-Chancellor said that the situation in Malaysia was changing very quickly and that Japan was taking a different role. He mentioned the substantial income resulting from the overseas full-fee student programme and that to maintain this programme, expenditure was required for marketing and the provision of specialised support services. He informed the meeting that two general scholarships had been announced in Malaysia which would be based on merit but might also take into account family circumstances. Two other scholarships were also available, one for each of the co-operative ventures that had been established in Malaysia. A further scholarship would be announced shortly for Hong Kong. Monash had established close links with a number of Asian universities and there was a close relationship between the Vice- Chancellors concerned.

ALP

The Vice-Chancellor informed the meeting that graduation ceremonies being held overseas from time to time was a good way to obtain favourable publicity for the University and he mentioned that La Trobe University was proposing to hold three graduation ceremonies overseas this year. A number of difficulties were being encountered in the export of services, not least of which were matters relating to immigration, the issuing of student visas and so on. He also mentioned a meeting he had attended of the International Business Centre which was considering the export of goods and services to the Asian region. He said that the University needed to undertake more strategic planning and to expand into the USA and Asia. The meeting discussed the possibility of establishing overseas campuses, especially in Malaysia. The Committee noted the success of the Monash University Foundation Year; last year of 32 students enrolled, seven failed and all the remaining students had been enrolled on a Monash campus except for two students, one of whom had been admitted to the University of Melbourne in Law and the other in Medicine.

The Committee noted the extensive Study Abroad Programme operating at a large number of universities in the United States and that Monash should endeavour to attract these students. The Comptroller drew the Committee's attention to the conditions under which the export incentive scheme operated and that he was reviewing the situation to ascertain whether some structural rearrangements would be necessary to maintain the incentive payments to the University.

PBW

The Committee noted the information.

100.3 Budget Process

The Comptroller reported that his division was investigating the implications of applying the DEET relative funding formula to the University and various modifications to the formula. It was noted that at an earlier meeting, it had been agreed that the Committee should have the opportunity to discuss the proposed budget well in advance of the deadline. The Comptroller informed the Committee that work was proceeding on a quantification based on explicit parameters relating to the relative funding model and the views of the Deans would be sought on the parameters. It was noted that the timetable previously received by the Committee for the budgeting process was being adhered to. The Comptroller mentioned that the key date was the next meeting of the Central Budgets Committee and it was agreed that following this meeting, the possibility of holding a special meeting of the Committee of Deans, possibly at 5.00pm, should be investigated.

101Urgent Matters

101.1Academic Promotions Committee

Professor Hay referred to a paper he had circulated requiring faculties to nominate members from adjacent faculties for each Faculty Academic Promotions Committee. He requested that nominations be made shortly and that the Deans should contact him if they had any queries.

Deans

101.2 Christmas Closedown

The Committee endorsed a change in the previously reported period for the Christmas closedown which would now be from the close of business on Tuesday, 24 December with the University reopening on Friday, 3 January 1992.

103.3 Discussion Paper on University Profile

At the previous meeting of the Committee, items 83.1 and 95, Professor Pargetter agreed to prepare a paper for the Committee. A copy of this paper was circulated prior to the meeting (D62/91). In speaking to his paper, Professor Pargetter reminded the Committee of the prolonged discussion which had ensued in respect of the allocation of the 205 additional funded load for next year and that this indicated the necessity for long term planning. The paper contained statistics relating to the University in the pre-merger and post-merger situation, comparisons with the University of Melbourne, and it was noted that the latter was endeavouring to change its profile by reducing the education proportion. Professor Chandler indicated his appreciation of the discussion paper, although he disagreed with some of the conclusions. He suggested that consideration should be given to the possible changes that would occur if there was a change in the Commonwealth Government in two years time and suggested that a small working group be established to investigate the Opposition's policy. The Committee discussed at some length the views which had been expressed by Dr Kemp and the affect on the University if a type of voucher system was introduced. The Comptroller mentioned two market research studies which had been undertaken relating to Law and Engineering and agreed to prepare an edited version for circulation to members of the Committee.

PBW

The Committee also discussed the necessity for improved interaction with schools and the provision of information. Concern was expressed at the advice often given to pupils in independent schools that students should apply for courses with the highest cut-off scores to which they could aspire.

Professor Williams pointed out that the Pargetter Paper needed to be considered independently of the previous discussion relating to the possible affects of the change of Government. A long term view needed to be taken rather than profiles being decided on the basis of current demand from prospective students. The Comptroller also mentioned the interconnection between profiles and funding models. Professor Snedden reminded the Committee of the multi-campus nature of the University and the necessity to recognise the degree of diversity which might result. There were different features at each campus which would appeal to different groups of students.

The Committee agreed to establish a sub-committee comprising Professors Pargetter, Chandler and Darvall, to be chaired by Professor Hay, to produce a revised discussion paper which would concentrate initially on principles. When Planning & Analysis Branch completes its current urgent task of producing figures for the budgeting process, it could be made available to undertake work relating to long term profile planning. The Comptroller agreed to appoint one of his staff to assist the sub-committee. It was agreed that a workshop session of the Committee of Deans should be held at the meeting on 17th September to consider the matter further.

JAH

102. Research Matters

The Committee agreed that principles relative to the allocation of funds from the Development Fund should be placed before the Committee of Deans. Reports relating to future research directions in the University should also be placed before the Committee of Deans prior to being forwarded to the Academic Board.

Professor Vaughan informed the Committee of some initiatives relating to ASTEC and projects which were being financed from the Strategic Research Foundation.

The Committee noted the information.

103. New Course Proposals

The Committee received a document submitted by Professor Hay (D58/91).

The Committee resolved to adopt the procedures outlined in the document.

104. Honorary Appointments - Faculty of Medicine

The Committee received a paper from Professor Porter (D59/91). In speaking to his paper, Professor Porter informed the Committee that the major issue involved had subsequently been resolved. Professor Hay informed the Committee that if the proposal was for the designation of Clinical Associate Professors which affected only the Faculty of Medicine, then the procedures for dealing with the allocation of such titles could be devolved to that Faculty. On the other hand, if it was a question of a title of Honorary Associate Professor, then such a title might be extended across the University and would therefore need to be dealt with centrally by the Academic Board. After discussing the matter further, it was agreed that Professor Hay should prepare a procedural paper for the next meeting.

JAH

105. Emergency Evacuation Procedures

The Committee received a paper from Professor Vaughan (D60/91).

The Committee decided that the Deans in whose areas the buildings shown in the list were located, should provide Occupational Health and Safety Branch with the names of the wardens and deputy wardens.

Deans

The Comptroller reported to the Committee the escalating cost of Workcare and the funding implications for 1992.

Next Meeting

The next ordinary meeting of the Committee of Deans will be held on Tuesday, 27 August, commencing at 2.15 pm. The Committee agreed that the budget should be the major item to be discussed at the next meeting and that papers relating to the budget should be circulated at least three or four days prior to the meeting.