Committee of Deans Meeting 17-1992

Meeting No. 17/92 of the Committee of Deans was held on Tuesday, 17 November 1992, in the Clayfield Room, K.H. Boykett Building, at the Caulfield Campus, between 2.15 and 5.00 pm.

There were present:

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

Professor R.J. Pargetter, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Dean of the Faculty of Arts

Professor R. Porter, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine

Professor B. Dunstan, Monash University College Gippsland

Professor J.O. Miller, David Syme Faculty of Business

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

Professor W.A. Sinclair, Dean, 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.J. Snedden, Dean, Faculty of Professional Studies

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

Professor C.B. Chapman, Dean, Victorian College of Pharmacy

Apologies were received from:

Professor L.H.T. West, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Internat'l Programs and Development)

Professor T. Kennedy, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, MUCG

In attendance were:

Mr M.D. Watson, Acting Registrar

Mr J.S. White, Associate Comptroller

Ms L. Gash, Acting Secretary

M I N U T E S

Professor Logan thanked Professor Porter for his assistance as Acting Vice-Chancellor during the period of Vice-Chancellor's absence from the University.

121. Minutes

The minutes of Meeting No. 16/92 held on 27 October, copies of which had been circulated, were confirmed and signed.

122. Matters Arising From the Minutes

122.1 Funding of Academic Support Activities

Mr White tabled the two appended papers on the development of indicative budgets for academic support activities produced in response to a request for a detailed breakdown of costs associated with the Vice-Chancellor's Comptroller's and Registrar's Divisions. Members agreed that the information was useful in that it conveyed something of the scope and complexity of the University's operation. The merit of such information as a source for wider distribution was noted although it was conceded that it may not be practicable to do so, at this time. It was agreed to consider this matter at a future meeting when a paper JSW focussed on several areas within a Division may be examined.

122.2 Allocation of International Student Income

Mr White reported that a paper had been prepared which would JSW clarify and confirm guidelines covering international student fees in 1993. The procedure foreshadowed payment of fees by the end March, reconciliation of fees during March/April and distribution of the fees to the faculties during June. Members noted that this schedule included a facility to permit Deans some flexibility in applying the guidelines where it may be deemed necessary or desirable.

123. Vice-Chancellor's Report

123.1 Overseas Visit - October/November 1992

The Committee received a report from the Vice-Chancellor on a period spent abroad. Professor Logan had attended a conference of the International Association of Universities in Alexandria, delivered a paper at a seminar held at the Sir Robert Menzies Centre for Australian Studies in London, visited Oxford University and attended a meeting of the Universities Funding Council (UK). Professor Logan then went to Korea attending Australia Week and visited Yonsai University. Vice-Chancellor (Dr Song) and Professor Logan discussed a biannual conference then underway linking Canadian and Korean academics. Professor Logan emphasised that the academic content of this conference was significant reflecting the expanding interests of the two cultures in specific fields such as economics and business. The Vice-Chancellor commended this initiative to members as worthy of consideration by Monash. Professor Pargetter supported this proposal as a way of stimulating research and fostering intellectual links between the two countries. Professor Logan advised that Monash should proceed towards a liaison with the Yonsai University, and that a visit anticipated by Dr Song to Monash may promote the initiative.

Professor Logan reported on the conferring ceremony held in Hong Kong where some 200 graduands received Monash awards. Members then noted advice on the educational program developed to improve the qualifications of primary teachers in Hong Kong. Professor Logan proposed that Monash may be interested in participating in this program with a Hong Kong university.

The Vice-Chancellor advised that he would write a report of MIL this period spent abroad for Academic Board.

123.2 ABC Television Report on Overseas Students at University

Members were informed that a program on the ABC TV `7.30 Report' had presented a generally unfavourable impression of the experiences of overseas students in Australian universities. Although Monash had not been singled out the visual images and the interviews presented were predominantly those of Monash, its campus and its students. Concerns were expressed at the impact of this program. Allegations by students of racist attitudes within the University were disturbing and statements asserting that international students were not receiving value for their money at University contributed to an impression that there were no positive aspects of the overseas study programs undertaken by students in Australia.

It was acknowledged that Monash should respond in a positive LHTW way and that Professor West and Mr Neat should pursue this GFN matter. Professor West would ascertain the views of Monash international students on a range of issues and in the course of his enquiry would refer to relevant areas such as CIS. Mr Neat would consider appropriate action designed to counter this adverse publicity.

123.3 AVCC

The Committee noted Professor Porter's report on the meeting of the AVCC held in Wollongong.

123.4 Management Arrangements - Registrar's Division

The Vice-Chancellor referred to advice circulated by the Acting Vice-Chancellor which outlined new arrangements for the Registrar's Division as of 11 November 1992 until March 1993. Professor Logan advised his support for the initiative and the Committee confirmed their approval of the arrangements.

124. Urgent Matters

124.1 Monash University Centre for Policing and Public Safety Professor Snedden tabled the appended paper which sought the Committee's support to proceed with a proposal to establish a Centre for Policing and Public Safety. The Centre, to be located within the Faculty of Professional Studies in 1993 and subsequently reporting through the Faculty of Arts from January 1994, would have carriage of the teaching courses currently offered by the Department of Police Studies. A discussion of the multi disciplinary nature of the proposed Centre ensued and it was agreed that it would be preferable for the Committee to receive a more substantial document in which some of the major educational objectives of the Centre RJS were articulated. It was agreed to receive this document at Meeting No. 1/93. The Committee approved the principle that a Centre model was an appropriate base for the development of Police Studies.

124.2 Establishment of Two Chairs in the Faculty of Computing and Information Technology

Professor Bellamy tabled the appended paper which requested approval for the establishment of a Chair of Computer Technology in the Department of Computer Technology (Caulfield), and, a Chair of Business Systems in the Department of Business Systems (Clayton). Professor Bellamy advised members on the funding arrangements covering the establishment of the two Chairs. Professor Pargetter, in supporting the proposal, emphasised the importance of these appointments as instrumental in developing research within the Faculty.

The Committee approved the proposal to proceed with the CJB proviso that details of the funding arrangements for the two Chairs be referred to Professor Pargetter for approval.

124.3 General Staff - Annual Leave Loading

Professor Pargetter tabled the appended confidential paper concerning the implications of the Annual Leave Loading Payments Act 1992 (Vic). After some discussion of the ramifications of the Act for general staff at Monash, it was agreed to refer the matter to the Vice-Chancellor for attention.

125. Proposal for a Sub-Faculty of Nursing

The Committee considered the appended paper from Professor Pargetter D68/92 which sought the Committee's approval for the establishment of a Sub-Faculty of Nursing within Medicine to operate from January 1993. The proposal encompassed approval for the establishment of a Professor and Head of the Sub-Faculty of Nursing. Professor Pargetter commended the proposal as a logical step in the development of Nursing studies at Monash. The prospect of the parallel development of teaching and research in this field of study in a collaborative mode with the Monash Medical Centre was also worthy of the support of the University. It was noted that a Review of the Sub-Faculty would take place within five years of its establishment. Thus the issue of the future status of Nursing and the question of the viability of a Faculty of Nursing, would be addressed in the course of the Review. The Committee agreed to approve the proposal subject to the formal endorsement of the Faculty of Medicine, the School of Health Sciences and the Caroline Chisholm School of Nursing.

126. Proposals for New Posts in the Faculty of Medicine

The Committee considered the appended papers from Professor Porter D69/92, which sought the Committee's approval for the establishment of the following Chairs: a Professor/Director of Infectious Diseases, a Professor of Venereology, a Professor/Director of Surgery at Box Hill Hospital. The paper also sought the Committee's approval for an appointment to the Chair of General Practice in the Department of Community Medicine.

Professor Porter informed members of the formal arrangements governing these appointments. The Committee approved the proposals.

127. Arrangements for Graduation Ceremonies in 1993

The Committee considered the appended paper submitted by the Registrar D70/92. Mr Watson reported on the schedule for graduations in 1993 advising that Robert Blackwood Hall would remain the major venue for these ceremonies. Whilst the preference of certain groups of students to graduate at the George Jenkins Theatre, Frankston Campus could be realised, the limitations of this venue precluded its use for larger groups. When considering the proposed schedule for the 1993 ceremonies, members asked that further consideration be given to the timing of ceremonies. Members agreed that an earlier commencement would be wise when two ceremonies were scheduled on the same day. A rescheduling and some reprogramming of ceremonies proposed for 5 and 19 May was agreed to which took account of concerns raised by Professors Rae and Sinclair.

Further discussion focussed on two issues: the selection of occasional speakers and the related matter of honorary graduands. This discussion stimulated a desire for more information to be elicited on the protocol covering the selection of honorary graduates.

It was agreed to refer matters raised in this discussion on graduation ceremonies to the Acting Registrar for consultation with relevant staff MDW and a subsequent report to the Committee.

128. Fees Charged for Graduate Courses

Members considered the appended paper referred to the Committee by Professor Porter D71/92. After noting the advice of Professor Porter and Mr White on the need to develop standardised guidelines covering this area, it was agreed to LHTW refer this matter to Professor West and the Comptroller for attention and report. Members confirmed the view expressed by Professor Porter that a fee schedule should be produced and circulated to the faculties via Academic Board.

129. Committee of Associate Deans (Research)

Members received the appended papers D72/92 and D73/92, the minutes of meetings of CADRES held on 17 September and 15 October 1992.

Professor Bellamy proposed and the members agreed, to include MDW the proceedings of CADRES as an agenda item at a future meeting of the Committee.

130. Professor and Head of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts

Members considered the appended paper from Professor Dunstan D74/92 which sought the Committee's approval for the appointment of Head of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences MUCG. Professor Dunstan advised on the nature of the appointment and summarised aspects of the MUCG budget pertaining to the appointment. The Committee approved the proposal.

131. Open Learning Initiative

Members noted the appended paper from the Registrar D75/92 and received a tabled paper from Professor Pargetter who then outlined the salient points of the Open Learning Initiative. It was agreed that regular reports on Open Learning should be submitted in order to promote the orderly dissemination of accurate information about the ALP project. Members agreed that Mr Pritchard should submit reports to RJP Professor Pargetter so that composite reports encompassing TVOL and the business aspects of the project would be available.

132. Appointment of Head of School, School of Engineering, MUCG

Members considered the appended paper D76/92 forwarded by the Assistant Registrar, Engineering which sought the Committee's approval for the appointment of a Professor and Head of School at the Gippsland School of Engineering, MUCG.

Members noted the advice of Professor Darvall concerning the nature of the position and the funding arrangements covering the appointment.

The Committee approved the proposal.

133. Principal Dates 1993

Members received the appended paper D77/92 and noted the document Principal Dates 1993 for attention and reference to Assistant Registrars and relevant staff.

Next Meeting

It was noted that the next ordinary meeting of the Committee, and the last for the year, was scheduled to be held at 3.15 pm on Tuesday, 8 December, in the James McNeill Room, at the Clayton Campus.