Committee of Deans Meeting 15-1995
Meeting No. 15/95 of the Committee of Deans was held on Tuesday, 7
November 1995, in The Sir George Lush Room, University Offices, Clayton
Campus, between 2.15 pm and 4.45 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 P C Chandler, Pro Vice-Chancellor
Professor M Quartly, Dean, Faculty of Arts
Professor A Russell for 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 Raper for Professor C B Chapman, Dean and Director, Victorian
College of Pharmacy
In attendance were:
Professor R Davies
Mr P B Wade, General Manager
Dr S Matchett, Executive Director, Marketing and Communications
Ms C E Anderson, Adviser to the Vice-Chancellor
Dr N White (SWAS member)
Ms J H Newham, Secretary
Mr J Levine, Manager, Budget and Statistical Service, was present for
item 3.1.
M I N U T E S
1. Minutes
The minutes of Meeting No. 14/95 were confirmed and signed.
2. Matters arising from the Minutes not listed elsewhere in the Agenda
2.1 Monash University Travel Service Contract
At the last meeting the Committee had asked for details relating to the
travel contract with Qantas. A paper from the Director of Financial Services
Division was received (D129/95), along with Qantas "kits" circulated to
members with the agenda. The General Manager spoke briefly on the background
to the award of the contract to Qantas. The Committee noted this
information.
3. Vice-Chancellor's Report
3.1 1996 Operating Budget
The Budget document was received (D130/95). The Committee was briefed by
the General Manager, Mr P B Wade, and the Manager, Budget and Statistical
Services, Mr J Levine. The University's position in relation to transitional
funding arrangements for Gippsland campus was clarified: members of the
Executive confirmed that 1996 was the last year that "off the top" funds
were to be allocated for academic developments at Gippsland.
In response to various comments from Deans, the Vice-Chancellor undertook
to review the weightings assigned to higher degrees, early in 1996 before
the commencement of the 1997 budget planning process.
The Committee noted the 1996 Budget Planning documentation and the
information provided orally at the meeting, including the requirement to
budget for a 2% salary increase resulting from the enterprise bargaining
process.
3.2 Report of the Associate Deans (Teaching)
The report of the meetings held on 6 September and 1 November 1995 was
received (D131/95).
Referring to item 5 in the Report's Proceedings, the Deputy
Vice-Chancellor, Professor P Le P Darvall, elaborated on the action to be
taken to handle applications for Committee for Advancement of University
Teaching (CAUT) grants in 1996. This information was noted by the Committee.
3.3 Performance Indicators
The Vice-Chancellor advised the Committee that he intended to bring to a
later meeting a short information paper on performance indicators.
3.4 Berwick
The Vice-Chancellor advised the Committee that he would be speaking with
Professor Chipman about continuing arrangements for management of Berwick
campus.
3.5 Items Discussed at Meetings of the Vice-Chancellor's Executive
A list of items discussed at a meeting on 6 November 1995 is attached to
these minutes for information (D140/95).
4. Urgent Matters
4.1 Monash University Action Plan under the Disability Discrimination
Act 1992 (DDA)
The Dean of Medicine, Professor R Porter, referred to documentation which
had been circulated on 2 November by Professor Chipman concerning the work
of the Monash University Advisory Committee on People with Disabilities and
the Disability Liaison Office on the development of an Action Plan under the
Disability Discrimination Act. He expressed his concern that, although the
Act itself allowed for what could be classified as "discrimination" in order
that professional requirements were met in employment, the documentation
circulated appeared to ignore such possibilities. As an example of legal
discrimination, the Dean tabled the attached advice given to prospective
medical students (D141/95).
Professor Chipman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor with responsibility for equal
opportunity, explained that the pro formas circulated to all departments in
the University were required by the Federal Government for reporting by all
industries and organisations. He agreed however to challenge the Government
agency about what appeared to be excessive reporting requirements. The
Committee noted his advice that the University had flexibility in the
content of the Action Plan to be developed in consultation with faculties.
4.2 Bonus Percentage Admission Scores for Disadvantaged Applicants
Professor Porter expressed his concern about a formula approach
recommended by the Manager, Student Admissions and Records for the
calculation of a percentage bonus to be given to disadvantaged applicants to
courses at Monash. He expressed the view of the Faculty of Medicine that a
percentage was inappropriate and that such applicants should be handled on a
case by case basis. The General Manager, Mr Wade, advised the Committee that
equal opportunity legislation required the University to have guidelines for
handling disadvantage and that the existence of standard exceptions to such
guidelines could expose the University to legal action.
Professor Pargetter, Deputy Vice-Chancellor with responsibility for
admissions, informed Deans that the proposed formula for bonus scores had
been circulated to faculties by Mr C T Vernon for comment before submission
to the Admissions Committee for approval.
4.3 Deadline for Approval of Courses for 1997
Professor Pargetter reminded Deans that new undergraduate courses
intended for inclusion in the VTAC Guide for offering in 1997 should be with
the Education Committee for its first meeting in 1996.
5. Research Matters
5.1 Research Publications
The Committee received and noted documentation prepared by DEET showing
the universities' performance in Research Publications in 1994 (D131/95).
6. International Matters
6.1 AUSAID Project
Professor L H T West, Pro Vice-Chancellor, informed the Committee that
Monash had won the bidding for the AUSAID Project as part of a consortium.
He asked that his appreciation be recorded for faculties' co-operation in
meeting with visitors from Thailand. Members noted that further discussions
would take place with the Faculties of Engineering and Science after the
contract was signed.
7. Special Items
7.1 Enterprise Agreement
The draft Enterprise Agreement was received (D132/95). Professor Darvall,
Deputy Vice-Chancellor, reported briefly on the process undertaken by the
General Manager and himself with the NTEU. He and Mr Wade commented upon
changed holiday arrangements, staff to be omitted from the 2% salary
adjustment, and the exclusion from the agreement of any requirements to take
long service leave. Professor Darvall agreed to check the omission of the
date of termination of employment in the wording of sections 15.1.1.4 and
15.2.1, and the apparent exclusion of the dean from the process outlined in
section 13.3.3.
7.2 Promotions to Associate Professor / Reader
Professor Darvall reported on the positive outcome of the recent round of
promotions and the high proportion of promotions proposed by the faculties
which were accepted by the central committee. He advised Deans that he would
be suggesting a few minor amendments to the promotions procedures for the
next year.
8. Matters Raised by Deans
8.1 Chairs in Economics and Marketing
The Committee received documentation in support of the filling of a
replacement Chair in Economics and a second Chair in Marketing (D133/95).
The Committee endorsed the proposals to advertise and fill both Chairs.
With respect to the Chair in Economics, the Committee noted that the chairs
occupied by Professors Snape and Head were soon to be vacated and suggested
that the Chair in Economics be advertised with these staff changes in view.
8.2 Chair in Jewish Civilisation
The Committee received and endorsed a proposal to establish a Chair in
Jewish Civilisation (D134/95).
8.3 Chair in Digital Systems
The Committee received and endorsed a proposal to advertise and fill a
Chair in Digital Systems (D135/95).
8.4 Gippsland Campus Structure and Budgetary Matters
Professor R T White, Dean of the Faculty of Education, had foreshadowed
at the previous meeting that he would raise some budgetary matters
pertaining to Gippsland campus. The Committee received a tabled document
(D142/95, attached).
The General Manager, Mr Wade, responded to each of the queries set out in
the document, focussing on the process of integration of the Gippsland
budget. In particular he explained the mechanism by which Deans could
renegotiate through the Central Budgets Committee and Professor Pargetter
the EFTSU load set centrally for Gippsland. It was noted that, while
faculties were responsible for their own funding, there were some central
funds available to the Campus Director for faculty support. Mr Wade also
informed the Committee that the library at Gippsland was funded by the
faculties and that no central allocation had been made in the 1996 budget
for the library.
Professor Chandler, Pro Vice-Chancellor, expressed the view that an
overall review of the support systems provided for all campuses should be
undertaken. The Vice- Chancellor and the General Manager agreed that this
would be carried out with the proviso that the particular problems of
distance be remembered. It was noted that the Committee would be kept
informed about these matters and about the results of further discussions to
be held with Professor Chipman.
In response to a request for a PC based accounting system to assist Deans
with financial management, Mr Wade advised that Budgets and Statistical
Services would be able to provide a PC based download of the student load
information for each faculty.
8.5 Representation of Deans on Executive Committees
The Committee received a tabled document (D139/95, attached). Professor
Quartly spoke to the document, raising the matter of the greater involvement
of Deans in decision making processes. The Vice-Chancellor suggested that
some arrangement might be made for Deans to have an input to the work of the
Campus Planning Committee, and he affirmed statements made in previous
meetings about involving Deans early each year in the budget planning
process.
9. Reports of Administrative Divisions / Departments
The Committee noted that reports from Research Services and CASMAC would
be presented at Meeting No. 16/95 on 28 November 1995. In response to a
query from the Vice- Chancellor, the Committee agreed that divisional
reports were useful, but it was suggested that they be reduced in length.
10. General Business
10.1 Gender Representation on University Decision Making Bodies
On 1 November 1995 the Education Committee had been asked to consider the
matter of gender representation in its membership. The Education Committee
was reminded that at Academic Board Meeting 2/94 the Board had agreed that
each of its committees be asked to achieve a membership of 50% by the end of
1996. In view of the difficulties in achieving such a target, and the
workload pressure placed on the small number of senior women academics who
were available to serve on committees, the Education Committee agreed that
the matter be referred to the Committee of Deans for further consideration.
The following documentation was received (D136/95):
Policy on gender representation on decision making bodies, approved by
Council on 17 May 1993;
A copy of the relevant minute from Council Meeting 3/93;
An outline of various approved targets for women at Monash.
Professors Pargetter and Williams summarised the views expressed at the
Education Committee meeting on 1 November. The Secretary advised the
Committee that the Equal Opportunity Committee had recently reviewed
progress with gender representation on decision making bodies. It was agreed
that Professor Chipman be asked to make the information available to the
Committee.
10.2 Decanal Presentations to Council 1996
The schedule of decanal presentations to Council for 1994 and 1995 was
received (D137/95). The Committee agreed on the following schedule for 1996:
Monday 18 March 1996 - Dean of Engineering
Monday 1 July 1996 - Dean of Science
Monday 23 September 1996 - Dean of Education
Monday 16 December 1996 - Dean of the Victorian College of Pharmacy.
The usefulness of the decanal presentations and the possibility of
arranging other opportunities for Deans to advise Council were discussed.
Deans agreed that it might be more useful to schedule the presentations
earlier in the Council agenda and include reports on specific faculty issues
as part of the Vice-Chancellor's Report. It was considered however that more
frequent decanal presentations would not be advisable. The Vice-Chancellor
agreed to take up these points in discussion with the Chancellor.
10.3 Multi-Departmental Schools Legislation
An early draft of the legislation had been circulated with the agenda
(D138/95). A revised version was tabled.
The Committee endorsed the Multi-Departmental Schools legislation for
submission to the Academic Board and Council.
11. Next Meeting
The last meeting of the Committee of Deans for the year will be held at
2.15 pm on Tuesday 28 November 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
Executive Director, Marketing and Communications
Adviser to the Vice-Chancellor
Associate Dean, Business and Economics
Deputy General Manager
Deputy Dean, Business and Economics
General Manager, Monash International
Directors, Administrative Divisions
General Manager, Open Learning
University Librarian Policy and Legal Counsel
Academic Projects Office
Managers, Administrative Branches
Policy and Planning Officer
Faculty Registrars
Director, Computer Centre
Personnel Services
Director, Professional Development Centre
SWAS 1994
SWAS 1995
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