Committee of Deans Meeting 2-1996
Meeting No. 2/96 of the Committee of Deans was held between 2.15 pm and
4.35 pm on Tuesday 13 February 1996 in The Sir George Lush Room, Ground
Floor, University Offices 3.1, Clayton Campus.
Janice H Newham
Secretary
There were present:
Professor M I Logan AC, 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 P C Chandler, Pro Vice-Chancellor
Professor L H T West, Pro Vice-Chancellor
Professor M Quartly, Dean , Faculty of Arts
Professor J A Rickard, 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 C B Chapman, Dean and Director, Victorian College of Pharmacy
Associate Professor S Crossley for Dean, Faculty of Science
Apologies were received from:
Professor J W Warren, Dean, Faculty of Science
In attendance were:
Mr P B Wade, General Manager
Dr S Matchett, Executive Director, Marketing and Communications
Ms C E Anderson, Adviser to the Vice-Chancellor
Ms J H Newham, Secretary
M I N U T E S
1. Minutes
The Minutes of Meeting No. 1/96 were confirmed and signed.
2. Matters arising from the Minutes not dealt with elsewhere in the
Agenda
2.1 Selection 1996 - Admission to Nursing Courses
Referring to item 10.3 in the Minutes, Professor Porter, Dean of Medicine
said that since reading Mr Vernon's report on the quality of applicants he
had received advice about the Tertiary Entrance Score (TER) cut off for
nursing at Gippsland. He expressed concerns about the low standard of
applicants admitted to the course, and asked about the procedures in place
for authorising admissions which were contradictory to general guidelines.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Pargetter confirmed the advice given to
faculty registrars and selection officers about authorisation of offers
outside the agreed guidelines. The Committee noted that, contrary to the
agreed procedures, Professor Pargetter had not been consulted in this case.
It was also noted that Professor Bowers, Head of the Sub-faculty of Nursing,
had discussed with Professor Chipman various problems related to the nursing
programs at Gippsland. It was also noted that quality control arrangements
for any course were the responsibility of the Dean.
Professor Pargetter agreed to seek a formal report from Professor Bowers
on selection to nursing, and afterwards, comments from the Dean. He
foreshadowed further discussions on the general matter of the viability of
the two nursing schools.
The Committee noted advice of Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor West
concerning Council's procedures for quality assurance for off- shore
programs.
2.2 Student Load - Campus and Faculty Profiles
Professor West tabled the attached document (D18/96) detailing the
international student enrolments as at 15 November 1995. The matter of the
international student numbers by campus was flagged for future discussion.
In relation to developments in the Faculty of Science, Associate
Professor S Crossley tabled the attached list of courses (D19/96).
3. Vice-Chancellor's Report
3.1 Sub-faculty of Art & Design
Documents pertaining to the management of the Sub-faculty were received
(D07/96, D08/96).
Introducing this item, Professor Pargetter provided a brief background to
the development of the Sub-faculty and the particular management
arrangements which had been proposed. The Dean of Arts, Professor Quartly,
spoke about the work which had taken place over the previous three years to
strengthen the programs and financial management of Art and Design. The
Committee agreed that the title of "college" was particularly appropriate
for a school of art and design, and expressed no dissent over the proposed
change to the title of the Head of the Sub-faculty to "Director". The
planned timing for the review of the Sub-faculty for faculty status was
noted, without any commitment by the Committee on the need for the
Sub-faculty to move to faculty status.
The Committee endorsed for transmission to the Academic Board the report
to the Academic Board dated 25 January 1996 prepared by Professor M Quartly,
Dean of Arts and Professor J Redmond, Head of the Sub-Faculty of Art and
Design.
The Committee noted the information contained in the circular memorandum
from the Vice- Chancellor dated 1 February 1996.
3.2 Status Report on Berwick
Professor J L C Chipman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, reported on the progress
with buildings and facilities on the Berwick Campus, including the
arrangements for multimedia teaching. He indicated that completion dates
were on schedule for the teaching year. In response to a query about the
likely direction of Federal Government thinking on funding for Berwick,
Professor Chipman summarised the outcome of his discussion that morning with
Senator Hill.
The Committee noted this information.
3.3 Update on Selection and Enrolment
The attached document detailing acceptance rates as at 9 February 1996
was tabled and received (D20/96).
Professor R J Pargetter, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, indicated that the
position thus far in relation to overall targets was positive. He and Deputy
Vice-Chancellor Professor Chipman commented upon the particular difficulties
faced by Gippsland campus in reaching the "new to higher education" targets.
The usefulness of campus specific information provided to selection officers
by Mr J Levine, Manager, Budgets and Statistical Services, was mentioned.
The Committee noted this advice.
3.4 Items Discussed at Meetings of the Vice-Chancellor's Executive
A list of items discussed at meetings on 1 and 8 February 1996
was tabled and received (D17/96).
3.5 Items Considered by Council on 12 February 1996
The Vice-Chancellor reported that Professor Chapman, Dean and Director of
the Victorian College of Pharmacy, and Professor White, Dean of the Faculty
of Education, had each been appointed for a further five year term.
In relation to the report of the Higher Education Management Review
(Hoare Committee), Professor Logan informed Deans that, while Council had
deferred action on developing a formal response until after the federal
election, members had expressed interest in pursuing some of the matters
raised in the report. With this in mind, the Vice-Chancellor said he
intended to write to the Minister and Shadow Minister to seek their advice
on what status the report was likely to have after 2 March.
This advice was noted by the Committee.
3.6 Meeting with Melbourne University Deans
The Vice-Chancellor advised the Deans that the Vice-Chancellor of the
University of Melbourne had responded enthusiastically to his proposal for
closer co-operation and more frequent contact between the two universities.
It was noted that the Secretaries of both Committees of Deans had been
asked to arrange a meeting in the Monash City Office, probably on 5 March
1996.
4. Urgent Matters
4.1 MCG Hospitality Box
Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Chandler handed out some brochures relating
to the Hospitality Box managed by the Alumni Association, reminding members
that they would need to book immediately to avoid missing out on the coming
season.
5. Research Matters
There were no matters raised under this item.
6. International Matters
6.1 Monash Campus in Malaysia
A document was received (D09/96).
Speaking to the document, Professor West, Pro Vice-Chancellor, suggested
that the timing was appropriate for a working party to look at academic
planning for the campus in Malaysia, which had been approved by Council at
Meeting 2/95.
Professor Brisk, Dean of Engineering, and Professor Quartly, Dean of
Arts, expressed interest in joining the working party. Professor Williams
was nominated to represent the Committee of Deans and it was also agreed
that a representative of the Faculty of Medicine be invited to join.
Professor West agreed to contact the other faculties and include any
additional nominations.
The Committee endorsed the document prepared by Professor L H T West, Pro
Vice-Chancellor, dated 24 January 1996, and approved the forming of a
working party as proposed in the recommendation therein.
7. Special Items
7.1 Draft Monash University Staff Development Policy Members
This item was taken along with item 7.2.
The draft Staff Development Policy was received and noted (D10/96).
Professor P LeP Darvall, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, introduced this item
with reference to the review of the Professional Development Centre (PDC)
scheduled for July 1996. He invited comments in writing from members on the
draft Policy.
7.2 Review of the Professional Development Centre
Professor Darvall introduced this item.
The Committee received and noted the following documents:
Draft Review Procedures for the review scheduled in July 1996 (D11/96);
Background information pertaining to the PDC (D12/96).
The General Manager, Mr Wade, asked that Mr Marshall, Director of
Personnel Services be kept closely informed and consulted during the
proceedings of the review panel.
8. Matters Raised by Deans
8.1 Process of Re-weighting the EFTSU Value of Individual Subjects and
Courses
Referring to the subject of financial reporting discussed at Meetings
15/95 and 16/95, the Dean of Arts, Professor Quartly, asked if a model was
available for the University wide picture of EFTSU weightings. She also
asked for advice on the process by which individual subjects were to be
weighted.
Professor Pargetter and Mr Wade responded to these queries. The Committee
noted that the current model for University wide EFTSU weightings would be
reviewed over the next two years, commencing shortly. It was noted that Mr
Levine was looking at the process for deciding weightings of new subjects
and re-weightings of current subjects for disciplines which had more than
one weighting, and that such a process would involve the Vice-Chancellor and
the Central Budgets Committee rather than the Education Committee.
9. Reports of Administrative Divisions / Departments
9.1 Report of the Personnel Services Division
A document was received (D13/96).
The Director of Personnel Services, Mr P Marshall, had been invited to
the meeting for this item.
Mr Marshall introduced his report, mentioning the success with the
Enterprise Bargaining process and the comments made in the report about
policy issues such as age retirement. He also drew the Committee's attention
to the statistical information provided.
In response to questions, Mr Marshall agreed to provide Deans with advice
on working with the new legislation covering age retirement, on the status
on the disability surveys conducted in 1995 by the Disability Liaison
Officer, and on the development of salary packaging for heads of departments
which would include motor vehicle allowances.
The Committee noted the report of the Personnel Services Division and the
advice provided by the Director.
10. General Business
10.1 Re structuring of Koorie Reporting
Professor J L C Chipman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, informed the Committee
that reporting arrangements for the Centre for Koorie Studies at Gippsland
were to be similar to those for the other two Koorie centres (MOSA and the
Koorie Research Centre at Clayton) with Ms M Drysdale, Director of the
Centre, reporting direct to him.
10.2 CASMAC
This item was taken together with item 10.3.
A document was received (D14/96).
Mr J S White, Deputy General Manager, had been invited to the Meeting to
speak to this item. Referring to his circulated report, he briefly outlined
the progress with the delivery of CASMAC.
The Vice-Chancellor informed the Committee that financial safeguards were
in place in the event of non-delivery of the product.
The Committee noted the report on CASMAC prepared by Mr J S White, Deputy
General Manager, dated 7 February 1996, and Mr White's advice provided at
the Meeting.
10.3 Status Report on MEMFIS
This item was taken together with item 10.2.
A document was received (D15/96).
The Deputy General Manager, Mr J S White, had been invited to the meeting
to speak to this item. Deans expressed a favourable reaction to the
discussions held individually that week with Mr White and with sample
reports generated by MEMFIS. On the general matter of information systems
planning, Mr White agreed to consult faculties about development priorities.
It was generally acknowledged that the integration of Gippsland students in
the data base was one such priority.
The Committee noted the report on MEMFIS prepared by Ms S Kerr, Manager,
Information Systems Centre, dated 8 February 1996, and the advice of the
Deputy General Manager.
10.4 Working Party on Review of Graduation Ceremonies
A report to the Committee of the meeting of the Working Party on Review
of Graduation Ceremonies held on Tuesday 28 November 1995 was received
(D16/96).
Professor Pargetter informed the Committee that the report was the result
of the routine de-briefing held after each round of graduation ceremonies.
With respect to the recommendations set out in the report, the Committee:
received and noted the report of the Working Party on Review of
Graduation Ceremonies meeting held on 28 November 1995, and the Proceedings
of the Working Party;
made no decision about the size of the academic procession required for
graduation ceremonies. Subsequent to the meeting, however, the Secretary was
asked to suggest to the Working Party that 30 would be the normal
requirement for a procession;
supported the recommendation that only the award being received by
graduands at each graduation ceremony be included in the graduation programs
and that previous qualifications not be included.
11. Next Meeting Members
The next meeting of the Committee of Deans will be held at 2.15 pm on 5
March 1996 in the Vice- Chancellor's Board Room, on the 11th Floor, Monash
City Office, 30 Collins Street, Melbourne.
Distribution
Vice-Chancellor
Deputy Vice-Chancellors
Pro Vice-Chancellors
Deans
General Manager
Executive Director, Marketing & Communications
Adviser to the Vice-Chancellor
Deputy General Manager
General Manager, Monash International
Directors, Administrative Divisions
General Manager, Open Learning
University Librarian
Academic Projects Office
Policy and Legal Counsel Managers, Administrative Branches
Policy and Planning Officer
Faculty Registrars
Director, Computer Centre Personnel Services
Director, Professional Development Centre
SWAS 1994
SWAS 1995
SWAS 1996
|
