Committee of Deans Meeting 1-1993

Meeting No. 1/93 of the Committee of Deans was held on Thursday, 18 February 1993, in the Clayfield Room, K.H. Boykett Building, at the Caulfield campus, between 2.15 and 4.30 pm.

There were present:

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

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

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

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

Professor B. Dunstan, Acting Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Gippsland Campus

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

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

Professor J.W. Freebairn, Acting 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, Director, Victorian College of Pharmacy

In attendance were:

Mr P.B. Wade, Comptroller

Mr M.D. Watson, Acting Registrar

Ms C.E. Anderson, Advisor to the Vice-Chancellor

Ms L. Gash, Acting Secretary

M I N U T E S

1. Membership

The Chairman welcomed Professor Freebairn, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Economics Commerce and Management, and, Professor Dunstan, Acting Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Gippsland campus, to the Committee.

2. Minutes

The minutes of Meeting No. 18/92 held on 18 December 1992, copies of which had been circulated, were confirmed and signed.

3. Matters Arising From the Minutes

3.1 The Vice-Chancellor's Special Research Fund Travel Grants

The Vice-Chancellor canvassed on the views expressed by Academic RP Board regarding the guidelines covering travel grants to be awarded under the Vice-Chancellor's Special Research Fund in 1993. The Board's response indicated that a more equitable and democratic system was preferred by staff. Members then agreed that the faculties should be requested to rank applications prior to transmission to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research). This procedure would allow Deans to express support for large and small grants. A number of related issues were raised including alternative sources of travel funds, a minimum/maximum grant for the 1993 awards and, the university's policy on travel and research. Professor Porter agreed to consider these issues in the light of the Academic Board's comments and to bring suggestions to a future meeting.

4. Vice-Chancellor's Report

4.1 Memorandum of Understanding - Monash University and University of New South Wales

The Committee received the appended paper tabled by the Vice-Chancellor `Memorandum of Understanding Between Monash University, Clayton, Victoria and University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW'.

The Vice-Chancellor informed members of the rationale underlining this agreement. It was agreed that this informal affiliation, which was non-prescriptive in nature, would prove beneficial to both universities.

4.2 Arrangements in the Vice-Chancellor's Office for 1993

The Committee received the appended paper tabled by the Vice-Chancellor which outlined the responsibilities and delegated duties of Professors Logan, Chubb, Porter, Pargetter, West and Darvall in 1993. The Vice-Chancellor informed members that Professor Darvall would be assisting in specific areas such as, industry liaison on a part time basis. Professor Darvall would remain Dean of Engineering. Professor Logan assured members that decanal access to the Vice-Chancellor would remain unchanged by these arrangements.

Members also noted advice from the Vice-Chancellor regarding a proposal to change the title of Mr Wade's position from Comptroller to General Manager - Comptroller.

4.3 Reporting Mechanisms for CRCs and Key Centres

The Committee discussed the reporting provisions for Co-operative RP Research Centres and National Key Centres, the issue being whether these reports were adequate and appropriate given the University's commitment to the establishment and operation of the Centres. After noting advice from Professors Porter and Pargetter it was agreed that formal lines of reporting should be re-affirmed with the requirement that regular reports be forwarded through relevant faculty boards to Academic Board by CRCs and National Key Centres. It was also agreed that a protocol outlining Monash policy for the Centres should be produced for circulation to the Directors/Boards of Management of the Centres, including formal reporting requirements.

4.4 The Role of Faculty Assistant Registrars

The Vice-Chancellor said the role and function of Faculty LMG Assistant Registrars needed clarifying, and that he would like this to be achieved promptly. With only the Acting Registrar dissenting, the prevailing view of the meeting favoured the transfer of Faculty Assistant Registrars to Deans establishments. There was also an acknowledgment that the variation in size and complexity of Faculties pointed to different management structures being set in place to meet particular needs. It was agreed to take up this matter further at the next meeting.

4.5 Academic Planning - Commonwealth Election

The Committee agreed that the University should proceed to address CJB issues likely to emerge in the event of a change of Commonwealth PLePD Government at the forthcoming election. It was noted that the PBW Academic Board had established a sub-committee for this purpose and the Vice-Chancellor invited Professors Bellamy and Darvall to join its membership. Mr Wade suggested that Mr John Harris may also attend this sub-committee.

Professor Bellamy then drew attention to an issue requiring attention if the current government remained in office, namely the quota system. Aspects of the quota procedure posed problems, eg. students transferring courses absorbed places in new course quotas. It was agreed to note this matter for discussion, if necessary, at a future meeting.

5. URGENT MATTERS

5.1 Audit of International Students

Mr Wade advised that a project team from the Auditor General's Department were undertaking an intensive audit of international students at Monash. Swinburne, RMIT and La Trobe had also been selected for the study.

5.2 Research Infrastructure Questionnaire

Professor Porter reported that participation in the NBEET survey on funding of higher education infrastructure had proved an exasperating exercise. The report "Research Infrastructure Questionnaire" had been conducted by a consultancy (Bostan Consultancy Group). Professor Porter's view, shared by other Deputy Vice-Chancellors (Research), was that the questionnaire was not appropriate for the purpose.

5.3 NUS Research - Student Support Services Australia

After noting advice from the Vice-Chancellor, it was agreed to refer a survey document received by Professor Logan to the Director, Community Services and the Manager, Planning and Analysis Branch, for attention. This project had been initiated by NUS and funded by MIL DEET.

5.4 Monash University - Potential Educational Links with Vietnam

The Committee noted the advice of the Vice-Chancellor that some form of reciprocal co-operation focussed on education and training may develop between Monash and relevant institutions in Vietnam.

5.5 Guidelines Covering Amendments to Courses

Professor Pargetter referred to the inter-faculty implications, both academic and financial, that could occur as a consequence of unilateral action taken by a faculty to amend or introduce a course. RJP He proposed a consultative procedure intended to resolve any difficulties prior to such action being taken in future. It was MDW also agreed that the Acting Registrar should ascertain the procedure which had in the past governed this initiative and report back to the Committee.

5.6 Performance Evaluation - Academic Staff

In responding to a query from Professor Darvall as to the current RJP status and the overall objectives of the staff evaluation program, members agreed that an up to date report on this matter would be useful. Professor Pargetter agreed to provide a paper outlining the program operating at the University of Melbourne. It was also noted that advice in this area was available to all universities from the AVCC and the AHEIA.

6. Quality

Professor Porter informed members that a number of meetings would be required in order to articulate and disseminate the concept of quality at Monash. Both Professors Porter and Pargetter would be involved with faculties in this initiative.

7. AINSE-ANSTO Interactions

The Committee considered the appended paper D1/93 forwarded by MIL Professor Rae which drew attention to the expense incurred by the PBW University in subscribing to the Lucas Heights facility. This affiliation benefited very few members of staff although some scholarships from AINSE were awarded to Monash students. The financial outlay seemed out of proportion to the benefits received. It was agreed that Monash should advise AINSE-ANSTO of their intention to cease subscriptions from 1994. Members noted that the link with the University of New South Wales may represent a viable alternative to staff requiring access to the facility.

8. Personal Chairs Committee

The Committee appointed Professor Williams as its nominee, CRW replacing Professor Sinclair, on the Personal Chairs Committee, with JWF Professor Freebairn as the alternate.

9. 1993 Meeting Schedule

Members noted the schedule of meetings including venues for 1993.

10. Working Group on Special Consideration/Special Admissions Schemes

The Committee noted the appended paper, D2/93, the Report of the RJP Working Group on Special Consideration/Special Admission Schemes forwarded by Professor Pargetter. Members also received a tabled paper `Admissions Policy 1994' and noted the advice of Professor Pargetter regarding the major thrust of the document.

Next Meeting

It was noted that the next ordinary meeting of the Committee was scheduled to be held at 2.15 pm on Tuesday, 9 March, in the Council Room on the Clayton campus.