Committee of Deans Meeting 3-1993

Meeting No. 3/93 of the Committee of Deans was held on Tuesday, 30 March 1993, in the Council Room, Sissons Building, Pharmacy College, Parkville, between 2.15 and 4.20 pm.

There were present:

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

Professor I.W. Chubb, Deputy Vice-Chancellor

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 (International Programs)

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

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

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

In attendance were:

Mr P.B. Wade, General Manager - Comptroller

Mr M.D. Watson, Acting Registrar

Mr G.F. Neat, Executive Director, University Development

Ms L. Gash, Acting Secretary

M I N U T E S

Professor Chubb assumed the Chair, explaining that Professor Logan's arrival would be delayed. The agenda was then re-arranged to allow item 21 to be considered at an appropriate time.

19. Minutes

The minutes of Meeting No. 2/93 held on 9 March 1993 were confirmed subject to a rewording of item 18.3, Faculty of Education. It was agreed to refer this minute to the Vice-Chancellor for amendment after MIL consultation with Professor Aspin.

20. Matters Arising from the Minutes

20.1 Chair of Psychology

Professor Chubb, in response to a query from Professor Porter, advised that the revised advertisement for the Chair of Psychology had been submitted to Academic Board.

21. Report of the Vice-Chancellor

21.1 Report of the Committee to Review Administrative MIL Structures

The Committee received the appended paper, D12/93, "Review of Administration" from the Vice-Chancellor as a supplement to a document previously circulated to Deans on 29 March. The Vice-Chancellor affirmed his commitment and that of his senior staff to the organisational plan foreshadowed in the review document. The major objectives of the Review were to promote a process enabling the academic policy of the University to be articulated and implemented, and to facilitate the delivery of an improved service to staff and students. The co-ordinated administrative structure as proposed would contribute to the achievement of these objectives. Professor Logan invited comment on the Review and advised that the operational structure as proposed would be reviewed after a period in operation.

The Committee sought and received some points of clarification on aspects of the Review. Professor Logan advised that further refinement and "fine-tuning" of the structure remained to be completed. The Committee endorsed the Review of Administration.

21.2 Graduation Ceremonies

The Vice-Chancellor informed members of comments made to him about the incorrect pronunciation of names at graduation ceremonies held last year in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Hong Kong. After some discussion it was agreed to explore several MDW options likely to resolve the problem and to discuss them at a future meeting.

22. Urgent Matters

22.1 Chair of Meteorology

The Committee received the appended paper, D11/93, from Professor Rae which sought the Committee's approval to re-advertise the Chair of Meteorology in the Department of Mathematics. After receiving advice from the Vice-Chancellor and Professor Rae the Committee expressed concern at the lapsed appointment to this Chair. It was acknowledged that the position had been a catalyst in developing the CRC associated with the Department.

The Committee approved the proposal to re-advertise and RP endorsed the taking of appropriate action designed to ensure IDR that the on-going responsibilities associated with the position could be fulfilled.

22.2 Chair of Computing

The Committee approved the appended proposal, D10/93, from CJB Professor Bellamy for an appointment to a Chair of Computing in the Department of Software Development. The meeting also endorsed a suggestion from Professor Deans Darvall that, from henceforth, all proposals for chair appointments should carry advice confirming Faculty Board approval.

22.3 Equipment Stocktake

Mr Wade advised that he would be writing to each Dean in PBW reference to the University's responsibility to conduct an annual equipment audit.

23. General Staff Award Restructuring

Members considered the appended paper from Professor Chubb, IWC D6/93, which outlined the objectives and detailed arrangements of a draft agreement, "General Staff Award Restructuring Agreement Made Pursuant to Section 134A of the Industrial Relations Act 1988 (CTH) as Amended By the Industrial Legislation Amendment Act 1992". Professor Chubb advised on the progress of negotiations intended to achieve agreement between the University and the Single Bargaining Unit representing the Unions in this award restructuring exercise.

24. 1993 Academic Promotions

The Committee considered the appended paper, D7/93, from IWC Professor Chubb which sought approval for some enhancement to the promotions process for 1993. The Committee endorsed each of the initiatives with the proviso that, in regard to the sixth `dot point', Deans participate in the deliberations of the Readership/Associate Professorship Committee as non-voting members.

25. Chair of Maternal-Foetal Medicine

The Committee approved the appended proposal, D8/93, from RP Professor Porter for the establishment of a Chair of Maternal-Foetal Medicine in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology located at the Monash Medical Centre.

26. Selection Policy for 1996 TER

The Committee noted the appended paper, D9/93, from Professor Pargetter who informed members that a discussion paper on admission/selection policy for 1996 TER had been forwarded to Deans.

27. Other Business

27.1 Postgraduate Study - PhD Regulations

Professor Bellamy suggested that the concept of postgraduate IWC study be examined with a view to introducing a mode of candidature for certain groups eg, staff, which would have no impact upon EFTSU. The Committee agreed to consider this subject at a future meeting.

Next Meeting

It was noted that the next ordinary meeting of the Committee was scheduled to be held at 2.15 pm on Tuesday 20 April in the Board Room, (Room 115) 1st Floor, Faculty of Computing and Information Technology Building, Clayton Campus.