Committee of Deans Meeting 6-1994
Meeting No. 6/94 of the Committee of Deans was held on Wednesday, 4 May
1994, in the James McNeill Room, University Offices, at the Clayton campus,
between 12.00 and 2.00 pm.
There were present:
Professor M.I. Logan, Vice-Chancellor, in the Chair
Professor I.W. Chubb, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Dean, Faculty of
Business and Economics
Professor R.J. Pargetter, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Projects)
Professor P.LeP. Darvall, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and
Development) and Dean, Faculty of Engineering
Professor L.H.T. West, Pro Vice-Chancellor (International Programs and
Development)
Professor M. Quartly, Dean, Faculty of Arts
Professor C.J. Bellamy, Dean, Faculty of Computing and Information
Technology
Professor R.T. White, Dean, Faculty of Education
Professor C.R. Williams, Dean, Faculty of Law
Professor R. Porter, Dean, Faculty of Medicine
Professor C.B. Chapman, Dean, Victorian College of Pharmacy
Professor I.D. Rae, Dean, Faculty of Science
An apology was received from Professor J.L.C. Chipman.
In attendance were:
Mr P.B. Wade, General Manager
Professor R.McD. Anderson, Campus Director, Peninsula
Ms O. Cornelius, Academic Registrar
Ms C.E. Anderson, Advisor to the Vice-Chancellor
Mr R. Burnet, Director, Student Services
Mr P Summers, Policy Adviser, Policy and Planning Directorate
M I N U T E S
53. Minutes
The minutes of Meeting No. 5/94 held on 6 April 1994, copies of which had
been circulated, were confirmed and signed.
54. Matters Arising From the Minutes not listed elsewhere in the
Agenda
54.1Allocation of Scholarships
PLePD
In response to a query at a previous meeting, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor
(Research and Development) presented a report on the scholarship status of
PhD candidates as at 6 April 1994 (D33/94). The various types of
scholarships held by candidates were clarified, and the Committee noted
that, of a total of 1426 PhD candidates as at the date of the report, 758
were without stipend. This total included 310 full-time candidates, or 21%
of all candidates, some of whom would have held scholarships earlier in
their candidature. Data presented did not include candidates at the
Victorian College of Pharmacy.
In response to a suggestion from the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, to the
effect that provision needed to be made to enable members of staff
undertaking PhD study to enrol at the point of submission, and thus free up
EFTSU for other candidates, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and
Development) advised that similar provisions were currently in place; he
undertook to review those provisions in the light of the suggestion, and
prepare a proposal for consideration by the PhD and Scholarships Committee,
for subsequent consideration by the Academic Board.
54.2 1994 Undergraduate Enrolments
RP
The Committee received a report (D34/94) presented by the Director,
Student Services, and noted that:
. the load reflected by MUSIS enrolment data as at 31 March was very
close to target; and
. there may be some variation between the data presented and data to be
finalised for submission to DEET by the end of May 1994.
The Dean of Medicine was invited to develop strategies to overcome
underenrolment in school leaver and undergraduate categories of enrolments
in the faculty.
54.3 Revised Procedures for Academic Promotions
IWC SEH
The Committee considered draft revised procedures for academic promotions
(D35/94), noting that the draft had been discussed with and agreed to by
representatives of the NTEU, and was to be considered by the Academic Board
at its meeting that day.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor presented the proposal, drawing the
Committee's attention to key aspects, including criteria for promotion,
consultation by candidates prior to application, membership of the
University Readership/Associate Professorship Committee and appeals
provisions.
In considering the proposal, the Committee noted the most significant
change to current procedures, namely, membership of the University
Readership/Associate Professorship Committee, to include representatives of
each faculty and an external member, and the role of Deans in the selection
process.
The Committee agreed to recommend to Council:
(i) that Council delegate authority to the University
Readership/Associate Professorship Committee to determine successful
applicants for promotion; and
(ii) that Council delegate authority to Deans to approve recommendations
for promotion from faculty-based Lectureship/Senior Lectureship Committees.
In further discussion, the Committee agreed that the document be amended
to:
. delete any reference to a two year period during which previously
unsuccessful candidates would not normally be considered for promotion; and
. clarify the method of appointment of external members to faculty
Readership/Associate Professorship Advisory Committees.
55. Report of the Vice-Chancellor
55.1 Voluntary Student Unionism
IWC
The Committee considered a tabled paper (D43/94) which detailed relevant
aspects of proposed state legislation relating to voluntary student
unionism, and discussed the wisdom of becoming involved in what could appear
to be an argument with the state government.
Noting the deficiencies in the Bill currently before state parliament,
and implications for the University, together with the position taken on the
issue by AVCC and other universities, and recognising the issue of student
representation as fundamental to the quality assurance exercise, the
Committee agreed to recommend to the Academic Board as follows:
It is recommended that the Academic Board resolve as follows:
. the provision of a diverse range of student services and amenities,
including cultural, social and recreational activities, is necessary and
desirable;
. availability of well researched, balanced and representative advice
from students is vital to ensure appropriate recognition of client
interests;
. all these activities are best provided, operated and funded by students
themselves and not by the University; and
. that the University oppose the state government's Bill on the issue of
VSU as presently drafted and authorise the Vice-Chancellor to make
representations to the State Government in conjunction with other Victorian
Vice- Chancellors.
55.2Academic Staff - Career Development
IWC SEH
The Committee received a tabled paper (D44/94) detailing policy and
procedures relating to career development of academic staff proposed to
replace existing provisions as detailed in Section 7.6 of the Staff
Handbook.
OC
It was noted that:
. the paper was to be considered at the next meeting of the Committee,
and was to be referred to the Academic Board that day;
. comments were to be invited from Board members, to be returned to the
Deputy Vice-Chancellor in three weeks; and
. a finalised proposal was to be referred subsequently to the Committee
of Deans and to Academic Board for consideration.
55.3 Quality Assurance Program Funds
IWC
Correspondence from the University to DEET was tabled (D45/94) which
outlined a broad indication of the University's intentions with regard to
the expenditure of its allocation ($6,006,000) of quality assurance program
funds.
The Committee noted that submissions from Deans were currently being
considered by the Working Party established to consider allocation of funds;
where necessary, the Working Party would seek clarification from Deans about
their submissions.
56. Urgent Matters
56.1 Desk Top Information Strategy
In response to a query, the Vice-Chancellor advised that a review of
equipment currently in place in faculties was to be undertaken to assist in
the identification of equipment required to implement the University's Desk
Top Information Strategy and to identify associated costs.
56.2 Appointment of new Head of School (Peninsula Campus) in the
Faculty of Education
SEH BM
The Committee approved a tabled proposal (D46/94) from the Faculty of
Education to advertise the position of Head of School, Peninsula Campus. The
position, at professorial level, was to provide administrative leadership at
Peninsula campus, have cross-campus responsibilities and promote an area of
scholarship throughout the faculty.
56.3 Affirmative Action Initiatives for Women
SEH
The Committee endorsed initiatives to be introduced in 1994, and noted
details of two schemes, one titled `Women and Leadership' and the other
titled the `Senior Women Advancement Scheme', as detailed in a tabled
document (D47/94).
56.4 Checklist - Faculty Activities - Teaching and Learning
IWC
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor presented a tabled document (D48/94) which
listed faculty activities relating to teaching and learning. Forthcoming
meetings between Deans and Dr G Baldwin and Ms V Kelly were to be arranged,
at which identified activities were to be considered, as part of the process
of preparing the next quality portfolio.
56.5 Education Policy
IWC
The Committee noted that about 30 submissions from staff in response to
the draft policy had been received. The finalised policy document was to be
distributed to all members of academic staff by the end of June, together
with other policy documents relating to teaching and research.
56.6 Items discussed at the Vice-Chancellor's Executive Meetings
The Committee received a tabled paper (D49/94) which listed items
considered at meetings of the Vice-Chancellor's Executive on 20 April and 3
May 1994, and noted the advice of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (International
Programs and Development) on a confidential item.
56.7 Principal Lecturers
Deans
Deans were invited to consider appropriate action which may be taken to
resolve problems relating to academic staff at Principal Lecturer level.
56.8 Report of Legal Action against Monash University for breaches of
the Occupational Health and Safety Act
CT
The Committee considered a separately circulated report (D50/94) and,
noting that departments had already been asked to review house keeping in
the areas under their control, endorsed the recommendations therein.
57. Research Matters
No items were reported.
58. Training of Postgraduate Students in OHS
PBW CT
The Committee noted that training in OHS was provided to postgraduate
students as part of informal induction procedures. The General Manager
undertook to advise Deans of procedures in place.
59. Leave to Care for Dependants
PBW SEH
The Committee endorsed proposed policy on leave to care for dependants,
subject to an amendment to the recommendation contained in the document
presented (D36/94), the recommendation to the Equal Opportunity Committee to
read as follows:
In view of the above and in the light of the University's commitment to
equal opportunity, it is recommended that:
. staff members may use up to five days of sick leave per annum to care
for dependants subject to provision of a medical certificate specifying that
such care is necessary;
. additional unpaid leave may be taken to care for dependants where the
above provision is inadequate; and
. the above provisions will only apply if the staff member's annual leave
balance is not excessive. Staff may apply for this leave if their balance is
not more than one year's entitlement, that is 20 days.
60. The Vice-Chancellor's Awards for Provision of Exceptional Service
by General Staff
PBW SEH
The Committee endorsed proposed policy for Vice-Chancellor's awards for
provision of exceptional service by general staff (D37/94).
61. Job Rotation Scheme for General Staff
PBW SEH
At the suggestion of the General Manager, the Committee considered
proposed new policy in relation to job rotation for general staff in
conjunction with proposals relating to general staff redeployment policy
(agenda item 63) (D38/94 and D40/94).
The Committee endorsed the proposals and, in response to a query, the
General Manager undertook to refer to a future meeting a proposal to cover
salary costs of staff on maternity leave whose positions were to be filled
in their absence by transferred staff.
62. General Staff Probation Procedures
PBW SEH
Proposed probation procedures were endorsed, subject to amendment being
made to the document presented to confirm that the procedures applied only
to newly appointed staff (D39/94).
63. General Staff Redeployment Policy
See item 61 above in these minutes.
64. Berwick Development
RJP
The Committee received a report on the Berwick development (D41/94),
noting that student members were to be appointed to appropriate
committees/groups.
65. Proposal for the establishment of a post of Professor/Director of
Burns Surgery at Alfred Hospital
SEH BM
The Committee approved a recommendation of the Board of the Faculty of
Medicine for the establishment of a post of Professor/Director of Burns
Surgery at Alfred Hospital, noting that the funding for the post would be
available through case-mix funding for the hospital and that the appointment
would be made through the joint University/Alfred Hospital process (D42/94).
66. Other Business
No items were reported.
67. Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Committee of Deans is scheduled for 2.15 pm on
Tuesday 24 May 1994 in the Clayfield Room, Caulfield campus.
Distribution
Vice-Chancellor
Deputy Vice-Chancellors
Pro-Vice-Chancellors
Deans
General Manager
Campus Director, Peninsula
Director, University Development
Adviser to the Vice-Chancellor
Deputy Deans, Business and Economics
Heads, Administrative Divisions
Librarian
Director, Computer Centre
Policy & Planning Directorate (2)
Director, Administration, Gippsland
Director, Centre for International Students
Director, HEARU
Director, Buildings and Development
General Manager, OLA
Registrar, Victorian College of Pharmacy
Assistant to Deputy Vice-Chancellor
Special Projects Officer, Clayton
Managers, Administrative Branches
Faculty Administrators
Personnel Branch
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