Committee of Deans Meeting 3-1996
Meeting No. 3/96 of the Committee of Deans was held between 2.15 pm and
4.30 pm on Tuesday 5 March 1996 at Monash University's City Office, 11th
Floor, 30 Collins Street, Melbourne.
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, Pro Vice-Chancellor and 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
Professor J W Warren, Dean, Faculty of Science
In attendance were:
Mr P B Wade, General Manager
Ms C E Anderson, Adviser to the Vice-Chancellor
Ms J H Newham, Secretary
Dr P Swatman, SWAS
Apologies were received from:
Dr S Matchett, Executive Director, Marketing and Communications
Before the items on the Agenda were addressed, the Vice-Chancellor,
Professor M I Logan AC, distributed copies of the list of University of
Melbourne senior staff who had accepted his invitation to join the Committee
members for an informal gathering at the conclusion of the Meeting (D27/96).
M I N U T E S
1. Minutes The Minutes of Meeting No. 2/96 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 (Minute 2.1)
The Committee noted the additional information provided in the memorandum
dated 15 February 1996 from Professor Pargetter which had been circulated
after the meeting.
2.2 Sub-faculty of Art and Design (Minute 3.1)
The Committee noted that the proposals endorsed at the previous meeting
were adopted in their entirety by Academic Board on 28 February, including
the Committee's suggestion that the Sub-faculty be titled the "Monash
University College of Art and Design".
3. Vice-Chancellor's Report
3.1 Co-opted Decanal Members of Council
The Committee was informed that two vacancies existed on Council for two
years from 1 July 1996 for two co-opted decanal members. The positions were
occupied by Professors Chapman and Quartly whose terms were to end on 30
June 1996.
In order to achieve retirement of one dean on Council every year, it had
been suggested that the Dean of Arts be co-opted for a further term of 12
months from 1 July 1996, and that in accordance with the resolution of the
Committee at Meeting 3/94 to base appointments on alphabetical order of
faculties, the Dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics be appointed
for a two year term.
The Dean of Medicine, Professor Porter, said that the distinction between
laboratory and non-laboratory faculties used to be reflected in the decanal
membership on Council. The Secretary was asked to provide for Meeting 4/96 a
proposal to fill the decanal positions on this basis in alphabetical order,
and include in the document: a list of the decanal members of Council over
the last few years; the deadline for the recommendation to reach Council.
3.2 Higher Education Management Review (Hoare Committee Report)
The Vice-Chancellor sought the view of the Committee on whether the
University should begin work on a response to the Hoare Report.
Despite not knowing the views of the newly elected Federal Government on
the Report, the Committee agreed that a response be formulated as the
University's senior management view, which would address key questions of
the role, responsibilities and membership of Council. The Vice-Chancellor
asked Deputy Vice-Chancellors Professor Darvall and Professor Pargetter to
meet with Deans on this matter.
3.3 Monash Development Fund - 1996 Budget
A document provided by Budget and Statistical Services, showing 1996
commitments under the Monash Development Fund, was received (D21/96).
The Vice-Chancellor explained the background to the figures in the
document and then asked the Deans' views on the distribution of the Quality
funding received from round three. There was general agreement that the
funding should be distributed according to where it was earned - research
and community service. The Vice-Chancellor undertook to work on a set of
guidelines for the following meeting, with the assistance of Professors
Pargetter and Darvall and Mr Wade, taking into account this view and any
special requests received by the Vice- Chancellor from Deans for funding.
3.4 Campus Planning
Professor Pargetter, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, informed members of progress
with talks he had arranged about campus profiles. The Committee noted this
advice. Some discussion followed on what the preferred attitude of a faculty
should be towards expanding international student numbers, particularly in
view of the likely Government reaction and in consideration of the realities
of current staff costs. Professor West put the view that the University had,
through Foundation Year (MUFY) enrolments, advance warning of any changes in
the international student market, thus reducing the risk of increasing
dependence upon international student load.
3.5 Open Learning
The Vice-Chancellor informed the Committee that Open Learning enrolments
had increased over the previous year's numbers and that an externally
conducted review of OLAA had been favourable. He confirmed that the
shareholding base for OLAA would be broadened at the right time, and that
the Committee would be advised on possibilities which were in the best
interests of both the University and OLAA.
3.6 Salary Claim
In response to a query received by the Vice-Chancellor prior to the
Meeting it was confirmed that a recently lodged university staff association
pay claim had nothing to do with Monash.
3.7 Monash Alumni Association Inc
The Vice-Chancellor asked for a nomination from among the Deans to
replace Professor Rickard, Dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics,
whose term of office on the Monash Alumni Association was soon to expire. It
was agreed that Professor Brisk, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, would
be nominated to fill the position.
3.8 Sub-faculty of Nursing Management Review
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Pargetter informed the Committee that on
the identification of various management issues by the Dean of Medicine and
the Head of the Sub-faculty, Professors Quartly and Chapman had been asked
to carry out an informal review in the Sub-faculty of Nursing. He invited
comments from other Deans as an input to the investigations.
4. Urgent Matters
4.1 OHS&E and the Union Building Refurbishment
A memorandum signed by Professor Porter, Dean of Medicine, was tabled and
received by the Committee (D28/96). Introducing the item, Professor Porter
informed the Committee of his concerns about potential hazards arising from
the major refurbishment of the Union Building and the action he had
requested as Chair of the OH&S Policy Committee. He raised the question of
protection for the University in its carriage of Occupational Health and
Safety responsibilities.
The Committee noted that the action taken by the Director, Facilities
Services Division had addressed the issues of concern to Professor Porter.
The General Manager, Mr Wade, gave background information on the general
processes in place to provide a safe environment on campus during major
construction projects. Referring to the reporting procedures set up as a
result of Professor Porter's enquiry, Mr Wade indicated that while these
would give the additional guarantees sought, there might be consequences for
the scheduling of the project.
The Committee noted this advice.
4.2 Berwick
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Chipman informed the Committee that the
new campus at Berwick, including the lecture theatres and the microwave
link, was fully operational.
4.3 Personnel Services Survey
Referring to a survey circulated to senior staff as part of a
benchmarking exercise, the General Manager, Mr Wade asked members to note
that the questionnaire had been prepared externally to the University and
its terminology did not reflect the organisational structure at Monash.
5. Research Matters
5.1 Logan Fellowships
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Darvall reported briefly on the success
of the University in attracting high quality applications for the Logan
Fellowships.
6. International Matters
6.1 International Student Enrolments 1996
A document was tabled by Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor West to show
enrolments in 1996 compared with 1995 figures (D29/96).
The Committee received and noted the document.
7. Special Items
7.1 Appointment to Personal Chairs and Related Matters
A discussion paper prepared by Professor P LeP Darvall, Deputy
Vice-Chancellor and Professor C R Williams, Dean, Faculty of Law was
received (D22/96). Professors Darvall and Williams introduced the document.
Drawing the Committee's attention to the eight recommendations listed on
pages 7 and 8, Professor Williams grouped them into categories: the first
three related to appointment to personal chairs, the next four to fixed term
appointments, and the last recommendation to promotion to the position of
professor.
Discussion centred around the distinction between honorary professors and
adjunct professors, and possible additions to the paper such as accelerated
promotion procedures, professorial fellows and professor / director
positions.
The Committee endorsed the eight recommendations. The authors of the
paper were asked to provide a revised version which would include
professor/director, senior principal research fellows and accelerated
promotions, for submission to the Academic Board and Council.
7.2 Recognition of Emeritus Professors
A copy of a memorandum from Ms O Cornelius, Academic Registrar, dated 6
February 1996 was received (D23/96).
The Committee's view was that the recognition of emeritus professors was
more appropriately handled in the faculties.
8. Matters Raised by Deans
9. Reports of Administrative Divisions / Departments
Due to the Meeting being held in the City Office, the Committee was
informed that reports from the Computing, Communications and Multimedia
Advisory Board and the Computer Centre had been re-scheduled for Meeting
4/96 on 26 March when the authors would be available to attend.
10. General Business
10.1 Language and Learning Policy
At Meeting 8/95 of the Academic Board, a number of matters were referred
to various staff and bodies for advice as input to a University Language
Policy. The Committee of Deans was asked to consider the development of a
Policy in the light of the various responses, by 23 April 1996. Responses
had been requested for presentation at Meeting 4/96 of the Committee, in
order that the Policy discussion might take place at Meeting 5/96 on 23
April. The Committee noted that reports provided by the Language and
Learning Services Unit were related to this process. RB RC A report
regarding summary of proposed programs and services for students for 1996
prepared by Rosemary Clerehan, Head, Language and Learning Services Unit (LLS)
dated 21 February 1996 was received and noted (D24/96). The report was
provided further to document D02/96 previously prepared by LLS and in
response to a request from the Committee of Deans (Meeting 1/96, item 10.1).
The Committee agreed to refer the report, along with the previous report
D02/96, to the Academic Board.
10.2 Working Party on Review of Graduation Ceremonies Deans
A brief paper regarding the attendance of academic staff at graduation
ceremonies, prepared by Ms J Allen, Graduations Officer, dated 28 February
1996 was received (D25/96).
The Committee was of the view that rosters would not be necessary to
ensure the participation of academic staff in the processions. Deans assured
the Vice-Chancellor of their assistance in providing sufficient numbers for
each ceremony..
10.3 Fee Issues
10.3.1 Open Learning Fees
Professor Quartly, Dean of Arts, queried the breakdown of the
distribution of the fees collected from Open Learning enrolments. Referring
to an investigation conducted in 1995, the General Manager, Mr Wade, agreed
to provide the Dean with a copy of a paper prepared by Mr J Harris on the
subject of costings, including adjustments for Open Learning and Distance
Education. JL
The Committee noted that the costings were also detailed on pages 13 and
14 of the 1996 Budget document. With respect to the implementation of the
Budget advice on fees from Open Learning and the DEC, Professor Pargetter
informed Deans that the Vice-Chancellor had asked the Central Budgets
Committee to advise on the charges to academic and non- academic
departments.
10.3.2 Clarification of Policy in Relation to Charging Fees for
Domestic Postgraduate Students
In response to a query for clarification from Professor Chipman, Deputy
Vice-Chancellor, the General Manager informed the Committee that Mr J
Levine, Manager Budget and Statistical Services, was to bring to the
following meeting of the Central Budgets Committee a statement concerning
the charging of fees for domestic postgraduate students. JL
10.4 Deans' Reports to Academic Board and Council
At Meeting 1/96 (Item 7.1), Document D01/96 setting out the schedule of
1995 Annual Reports to Council had been endorsed by the Committee.
A document presented by Professor C R Williams, Dean of Law, dated 26
February 1996 was received (D26/96). The Committee noted the advice of the
Secretary that the four annual decanal presentations to Council were oral
presentations on particular issues of interest and did not relate to the
requirement under Section 2.9 of Statute 3.3 for Deans to submit annual
reports through the Academic Board to Council.
The Committee endorsed the proposal in Professor Williams' paper that
Deans' reports be presented at Meetings 2, 3 and 4 of the Academic Board and
Council each year. In the case of the current year it was suggested that the
Secretary re- schedule the reports for Meetings 3, 4 and 5 to give Deans
time to submit them.
In response to a query from the Dean of Business and Economics, Professor
Rickard, the Vice-Chancellor confirmed that the list of points approved by
Council for inclusion in Deans' annual reports were intended as guidelines
only.
11. Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Committee of Deans will be held at 2.15 pm on
Tuesday, 26 March 1996 in The Sir George Lush Room, Ground Floor, University
Offices 3.1, Clayton Campus.
Distribution
Vice-Chancellor
Deputy Vice-Chancellors
Pro Vice-Chancellors
Deans
Head, Sub-faculty of Nursing
Head, Sub-faculty of Art and Design
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
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