Committee of Deans Meeting 8-1995
Meeting No 8/95 of the Committee of Deans was held on Tuesday 13 June
1995, in The Sir George Lush Room, University Offices, Clayton campus,
between 2.15 pm and 5.15 pm.
There were present:
Professor M I Logan, Vice-Chancellor, in the Chair
Professor R J Pargetter, Deputy Vice-Chancellor
Professor P LeP Darvall, Deputy Vice-Chancellor
Professor J L C Chipman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor
Professor L H T West, Pro Vice-Chancellor
Professor M Quartly, Dean, Faculty of Arts
Professor J A Rickard, Pro Vice-Chancellor & Dean, Faculty of Business &
Economics
Professor C J Bellamy, Dean, Faculty of Computing and Information
Technology
Professor R T White, Dean, Faculty of Education
Professor M L Brisk, Dean, Faculty of Engineering
Professor C R Williams, Dean, Faculty of Law
Professor R Porter, Dean, Faculty of Medicine
Professor J W Warren, Dean, Faculty of Science
Professor C B Chapman, Dean and Director, Victorian College of Pharmacy
Apologies were received from:
Professor P C Chandler, Pro Vice-Chancellor
In attendance were:
Mr J S White, Acting General Manager
Ms O Cornelius, Academic Registrar
Ms C E Anderson, Adviser to the Vice-Chancellor
Mr P Summers, Policy Adviser
M I N U T E S
1. Minutes
The minutes of Meeting No 7/95 were confirmed and signed.
2. Matters arising from the Minutes not listed elsewhere in the Agenda
2.1 Quality Assurance Requirements for Courses
The Dean of Medicine drew to the Committee's attention the document
titled 'Statement of Quality Assurance Requirements for Courses Leading to a
Monash University degree or diploma in Australia by Organisations other than
the University' (D61/95), which had been tabled and considered at Meeting No
7/95 (Minutes, Item 3.6 refers).
The Dean expressed the view that section 1 of the document should be
amended to read as follows (amendment underlined):
1. New Courses
Submission of a new course or significant modifications of an existing
course including modifications to course content and subjects, to the
Chairman of the Academic Board via the Dean of the relevant Faculty
containing the following details:
Name of course
Name of Monash Degree or Diploma to be awarded
Name of Provider Entity
Name of Relevant Faculty, School or Centre
Details required under Headings 2-12 of this Statement.
He suggested that the amendment should be incorporated into relevant
guidelines relating to Monash courses offered on-shore and off-shore. In
considering the issue, the Committee also addressed a tabled document
(D64/95), which detailed the terms of a draft agreement with the Monash Mt
Eliza Graduate School of Business and Government Ltd. This agreement was to
be in addition to the initial operating agreement between the University and
that body and was designed to provide quality assurance processes for
amendments to approved Monash courses offered through Monash Mt Eliza.
The Committee noted:
that processes detailed in the supplementary agreement provided for a
disputed minor change to a course to be reclassified as a major change and
therefore to be referred to Academic Board and Council for approval;
that the agreement was acceptable to the Monash Mount Eliza Board and to
the Chief Executive and Managing Director of the Company;
concerns expressed by the Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean, Faculty of
Business to the effect that staff of the Faculty had not had the opportunity
to comment on the agreement and that he perceived a potential for conflict
between the Program Advisory Council defined in the operating agreement and
its sub-committee responsible for considering proposed minor changes to
courses.
The Committee agreed that the agreement be referred to a sub-committee
comprising Professors Logan, Pargetter and Rickard, for further
consideration in the light of issues raised and to consider possible
amendments to ensure that the University's academic standards would be met
and to provide for monitoring by the Academic Board.
2.2 Quality Round 3 : Research
At its last meeting the Committee had considered the role of campuses in
relation to research (Minutes, Item 2.4 refers).
The Committee received a paper tabled by Professor Darvall and titled
'Statement on Role of the Campuses in Research' (D77/95) and noted a related
paper tabled by Professor White, Dean, Faculty of Education, titled 'Are we
to develop strong research centres at all campuses' (D76/95).
Professor Darvall invited Deans to refer comments on his document to him,
and noted a suggested amendment to paragraph 1 of the document. A copy of
the redrafted document is attached, for information.
2.3 Role of CADeT
Noting comments made by Professor Darvall concerning the proposed role of
Associate Deans (Teaching) and the role of the Education Committee, the
Committee gave further consideration to its previously agreed position in
relation to the future role of Associate Deans (Teaching) (Minutes, Item 2.1
refers). It was agreed:
that a statute for Associate Deans (Teaching) be drawn up in due course,
constituting the group as a full committee of the University;
that the role of the committee was to consider University-wide issues
relating to teaching and learning and to provide advice on these matters to
Professor Pargetter, for referral to the Committee of Deans for
consideration; and
that the role of the committee be reviewed at the end of 1995.
2.4 Policy on Induction to Teaching and Learning
The Committee noted Professor Darvall's advice that the Director of the
Professional Development Centre reported to him (Minutes, Item 2.3 refers).
3. Vice-Chancellor's Report
3.1 Directions for the Future
The Vice-Chancellor advised that comments on the previously circulated
draft document were currently being received and that further comments were
invited over the next few days. Deans were also invited to develop summaries
of faculty future directions.
3.2 Role of the Committee of Deans
The Committee noted that a paper on the role of the Committee was to be
developed in due course.
3.3 Decanal Representative on Personal Chairs Committee
(Subsequent to the meeting the Vice-Chancellor determined that he would
recommend to Council the appointment of Professor M L Brisk, Dean, Faculty
of Engineering, as the decanal representative on the Personal Chairs
Committee for a four year term of office from 1 July 1995 (D62/95).)
3.4 Annual Reports of Deans to Council
Deans noted that, at the Council meeting of 15 May 1995 (3/95), concern
was expressed that the information provided in annual reports of Deans to
Council had not improved despite the consideration that this matter had been
given by Council during late 1994 and the approved standard content for
these documents (D63/95).
The Vice-Chancellor having referred the matter to the Committee, it was
agreed that: Council's attention be drawn to the list of topics previously
approved for inclusion in Deans' annual reports;
Council be asked to note that the reports presented to Council at its
meeting of 15 May had addressed those topics;
Council be invited to identify any problems encountered by it in reports
or with the list of topics; and
Council be advised that Deans would welcome the opportunity to present
their annual reports to Council.
3.5 Monash Mt Eliza
3.5.1 MBA Statute
Issues associated with this item were considered at item 2.1 above in
these minutes.
3.5.2 Monash Mt Eliza Report to Council 1994
The report circulated separately with the agenda was received. It was
suggested that the content of the report was to be considered by the
Committee in due course.
3.6 Items discussed at Vice-Chancellor's Executive Meetings
The Committee noted issues discussed at meetings of the Vice-Chancellor's
Executive held on 25 May and 8 June 1995, as presented in a tabled document
(D65/95), and received a tabled confidential report on progress in
Enterprise Bargaining.
With regard to the current Voluntary Early Retirement Scheme, Professor
Darvall requested Deans to confirm their priorities with him as soon as
possible. The Committee noted the Scheme's target of 50 approved
applications in 1995 had been established in consultation with the
Australian Taxation Office; the Vice-Chancellor advised that it was
anticipated that the Scheme would be offered again in 1996.
4. Urgent Matters
No urgent matters were raised.
5. Research Matters
5.1 Quality Portfolio
The Committee received a tabled revised draft Community Service policy
(Draft 3, D66/95), and noted attachments to the policy which related to
community service activities. The Committee also noted that the draft, when
further developed, was to be included in the Education and Research Policies
folder, for referral with the University's 1995 Quality Portfolio to the
Quality Review Team.
Concern was expressed about aspects of the draft by some members of the
Committee and Professor Pargetter undertook to redraft the document. A copy
of the redrafted policy document is attached to these minutes, for
information.
With regard to the Quality Portfolio generally, the Committee noted the
advice of Professor Darvall that it was anticipated that the document would
be approved by the Vice-Chancellor's Executive Committee during the
following week; additional input from Deans was invited, to be referred to
the Director, Research Services and to Professor Darvall.
6. International Matters
Professor West advised that he had met with Deans to discuss
international matters with a view to updating the core business of Monash
International.
7. Special Items
7.1 Amendments to Guidelines on Criteria for Academic Promotions
The Committee noted that revised Guidelines had been printed for
circulation.
7.2 Accumulated Recreation Leave in excess of 40 Days
The Committee agreed to a proposal presented by Professor Darvall that
Deans and Heads of Department set aside funds to cover the costs of
accumulated recreation leave where staff had not reduced leave below the
limit of 40 days, with all associated correspondence being handled by Deans.
The authority of Deans to direct staff to take recreation leave in excess of
40 days was noted.
7.3 Equity Plan Consultative Committee
The Committee received and noted a paper tabled by Professor Chipman
concerning a review of the University's Equity Plan (D75/95).
Deans were invited to refer their comments to Professor Chipman.
8. Matters Raised by Deans
8.1 Chair Appointments and the Requirement of Searches for Women
Applicants
The Committee considered a document presented by the Dean, Faculty of Law
(D67/95) and noted his view that the University's requirement for searches
for women applicants to be conducted by selection committees should not be
mandatory. He argued that on matters such as this there should be
consultation with Deans. The Dean also suggested that it appeared that
neither the draft guidelines presented at Attachment 3 to his paper, nor the
form letter presented at Attachment 4, had received formal approval, and
that as the matter related to appointment procedures, it should have been
referred to the Committee of Deans for consideration in the first instance.
The Vice-Chancellor noted the Dean's suggestion that the matter be
referred to the Academic Board and, having also noted the role and
responsibilities of the University's Equal Opportunity Committee, subsequent
to the meeting determined that the matter be referred to that body for
consideration.
8.2 Professor / Director Geriatric Medicine at Kingston Centre
The Committee endorsed a proposal from the Board of the Faculty of
Medicine to establish the position of Professor / Director of Geriatric
Medicine at the Kingston Centre, subject to the findings of the Metropolitan
Hospitals Planning Board (D68/95).
8.3 Medical Student Numbers
The Committee received and noted a tabled paper on the above matter,
presented by the Dean, Faculty of Medicine (D74/95).
9. Reports of Administrative Divisions / Departments
9.1 Report on Facilities Services Division
A report on Facilities Services Division was received and noted (D69/95).
9.2 Report on the Deputy General Manager's Office (including CASMAC)
The Committee received and noted the above report (D70/95), and
additional oral advice of the Acting General Manager concerning CASMAC.
10. General Business
10.1 Higher Education Management Review
The Committee received and noted information concerning a forthcoming
review of higher education management instituted by the Minister for
Employment, Education and Training (D71/95).
10.2 Schools : Governance and Names
The Committee considered a proposal, presented by Professor Pargetter,
concerning the use of names of campuses in the titles of campus-based
schools. This matter had previously been considered by Council and Academic
Board; at meeting 8/94, Council agreed, on the recommendation of the Board,
to the principle that titles of all campus- based schools include the name
of the campus first; reconsideration of that decision was subsequently
sought by the Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean of the Faculty of Business and
Economics, and Council had referred the matter to Academic Board for further
advice. The Committee noted that the proposal included a schedule showing
current school names, suggested interim names and proposed school names, to
be adopted in due course, which were distinctive and which included no
reference to campuses.
The Committee was of the view that names of schools currently in place,
as reflected in column 1 of the schedule presented, should remain in place,
subject to the proviso that any proposed changes to current names were to be
referred to Academic Board through the Committee of Deans. A revised list of
current school names, and any proposed new names, would be prepared for the
next meeting.
10.3 Berwick Academic Working Group
A progress report from the Berwick Academic Working Group was received
and noted (D73/95).
10.4 VSU Legislation
The Acting General Manager advised the Committee that all relevant Monash
student groups had signed agreements with the University concerning the uses
to which amenities fees may be put.
11. Next Meeting
The Committee noted that the next meeting of the Committee of Deans was
to be held at 2.15 pm on Tuesday 4 July 1995 in The Sir George Lush Room,
Ground Floor, University Offices 3.1, Clayton Campus.
Distribution
Vice-Chancellor
Deputy Vice-Chancellors
Pro Vice-Chancellors
Deans
General Manager
Director, University Development
Adviser to the Vice-Chancellor
Associate Dean, Business & Economics Director, Organisational Development
Deputy Dean, Business & Economics General Manager, Monash International
Directors, Administrative Divisions General Manager, Open Learning Agency
University Librarian Registrar, Victorian College of Pharmacy
Policy and Legal Counsel Academic Projects Office
Policy and Planning Officer Managers, Administrative Branches
Director, Computer Centre Faculty Registrars
Director, Administration, Gippsland Personnel Branch
Director, Professional Development Centre SWAS Members
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