Committee of Deans Meeting 2/97
Meeting No. 2/97 of the Committee of Deans was held from 2.15 to 4.40 pm
on Thursday, 27 February 1997 in the Sir George Lush Room, Ground Floor,
University Offices 3a, Clayton Campus.
Janice H Newham
Secretary
MINUTES
1. Attendance and Apologies
Present:
Professor D A Robinson, Vice-Chancellor, Chair
Professor P LeP Darvall, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Development)
Associate Professor N White for Professor M Quartly, Dean, Faculty of Arts
Professor J A Rickard, Dean, Faculty of Business and Economics
Professor R J Willis, Acting Dean, Faculty of Computing and Information
Technology
Professor R T White, Dean, Faculty of Education
Professor M L Brisk, Dean, Faculty of Engineering
Professor M Neave for 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 R W Davies, Dean, Faculty of Science
Apologies:
Professor M Quartly, Dean, Faculty of Arts
Professor C R Williams, Dean, Faculty of Law
Mr P B Wade, General Manager
In attendance:
Ms H Dunne, Executive Assistant to Vice-Chancellor
Ms J H Newham, Secretary to the Committee of Deans
The Vice-Chancellor welcomed Professor R J Pargetter who had been invited
to attend the meeting for item 4.1.1, and members of the Vice-Chancellor's
Corporate Planning Group - Mr D Phillips, Mr P Summers, Ms D Lampard, Mr I
Dobson and Ms C Mingins - who attended for items 4.1.1 and 4.1.2.
(87/0410)
2. Minutes
The minutes of meeting 1/97 were confirmed and signed.
3. Matters arising from the Minutes not dealt with elsewhere in the
Agenda
3.1 International Student Fees
A request had been received under item 4.3.1 at the previous meeting from
the Faculty of Business and Economics for approval to set its international
course fees taking account of likely CPI increases over the course duration
and then to maintain that fee for the course duration. Consideration of the
request had been deferred until this meeting.
The Committee was advised by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor D A Robinson,
that fees should be set and advertised in advance, and be maintained at that
advertised level for the normal duration of the course.
Action/information: Deans; General Manager; Managing Director, Monash
International; Manager, Budget and Statistical Services; Secretary
(95/0536)
4. Vice-Chancellor's Business
4.1 Vice-Chancellor
4.1.1 Admission Matters
Full fee undergraduate places. Deans had received a memorandum
dated 13 February 1997 from Professor R J Pargetter, Special Adviser to the
Vice-Chancellor on Admission Matters, relating to the selection of full
fee-paying undergraduate students from 1998.
Professor Pargetter outlined the major issues raised in his paper. Of
particular interest to Deans was his recommendation that full fee
undergraduate places be handled by VTAC alongside HECS funded places,
forming an integrated preference system. Deans also noted Professor
Pargetter's proposal for an "early offer at predetermined levels" approach,
particularly beneficial for marketing of courses. The matter of scholarships
and equity places was raised, and Mr Phillips confirmed his intention to
propose a suite of scholarship / exemption arrangements to assist some
students and to attract particular groups of students to particular courses.
The Committee noted that each Dean was to advise Professor Pargetter on
the matters listed on page 4 of the paper.
Action/information: Adviser to the Vice-Chancellor on Admission
Matters; Deans; Adviser to the Vice-Chancellor on Corporate Planning &
Review; Manager, Admissions & Records; Manager, Budget & Statistical
Services (96\0979)
VCE Review. Tabling copies of a memorandum dated 19 February 1997
which, as Chair of the VTAC Management Committee, he had sent to Victorian
Vice-Chancellors, Professor Pargetter informed Deans about the VCE review
announced on 10 February by the (State) Minister of Education. Copies of the
Minister's press release were also tabled. (D 14/97) (These documents are
not available electronically).
Deans noted Professor Pargetter's establishment of a reference panel to
facilitate the review process by communicating with universities and with
the review committee.
For interested Deans, Professor R T White, Dean of Education offered a
copy of the report of an extensive review of the VCE completed by Professor
J Northfield, titled Lessons for all.
Action/information: Faculty Registrars; Manager, Admissions & Records
(96/0342)
4.1.2 Corporate Planning Update
Deans had received correspondence from the Vice-Chancellor dated 13
February 1997, which, as promised, provided additional information for Deans
to assist them in their response to the earlier memorandum of 22 January.
Professor Robinson confirmed the deadline for response was 14 March 1997. Mr
Phillips said that three papers his group was providing as additional
background - papers about resourcing scenarios, fee options, and average vs
marginal costs - would be sent to Deans within about a week.
The Vice-Chancellor responded to a query about the University's
international focus. He said that Professor Maloney, DVC (I&PA) would be
taking a strategic approach to determine Monash's directions, and he
encouraged Deans to consider all options for delivery, locations and
partnerships in their proposals.
Action/information: Special Adviser to the VC on Corporate Planning &
Review (97/0195)
4.1.3 Open Days 1997
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor D A Robinson informed the Committee that
the dates for Open Day in 1997 were Saturday 2 August (Peninsula, Berwick,
Gippsland and perhaps Parkville) and Sunday 3 August (Clayton, Caulfield and
perhaps Parkville). Due to local public events which might interfere with
Open Day at Parkville campus, the Dean was yet to advise whether the
Saturday or the Sunday was more appropriate.
To clarify instructions to staff participating in Open Day about time
taken in lieu, Professor Robinson stressed that Open Day be seen as part of
the normal business of university life. He expected managers to manage staff
time to enable them to take part in this essential exercise.
Action: Deans; General Manager; Director, University Union;
Administrative Heads; Faculty Registrars (97/0220)
4.1.4 Higher Education Review Committee - Submission Guidelines
A media release, enclosing submission guidelines, which was dated 18
February 1997 from the Chair of the Committee, Mr Roderick West, was
received. (D8/97 p5-12)
The Vice-Chancellor asked Deans if they wished the University to respond
in particular to any of the themes or terms of reference of the review
committee. In the context of the stated policy of the review committee to
place all submissions on the Internet, the Vice-Chancellor agreed to ask Mr
West to return all submissions from Monash staff which pre-dated the
publication of the guidelines, and to inform Monash staff that their
personal submissions would be made public and could reflect on Monash.
On the suggestion of Professor M Neave who was representing the Dean of
Law at the meeting, it was agreed that under theme three, "Regulatory and
administrative framework", a strong statement be sent about the futility and
waste of time involved in certain government initiated reports and audits
such as the recent research publications audit and re-collection.
Action: VC (97/0078)
4.2 Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Development)
4.2.1 IT Policy
At meeting 1/97 Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Darvall had invited
Deans to consider the draft document tabled at the meeting and provide
comments or suggestions to his Associate, Mr I Dobson before this meeting.
"Version two" of the document, which took into account comments already
received, was received. (D9/97, p 13-16)
The Committee noted that the document was by no means a final draft, and
Professor Darvall asked Deans to provide Mr Dobson with further constructive
input.
Action: Deans; Associate to Professor Darvall (96/0686)
4.3 Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International and Public Affairs)
4.3.1 Off-shore graduation ceremonies 1997
A schedule of off-shore graduation ceremonies dated 12 February 1997
prepared by the Academic Registrar was received. (D10/97, p 17-18) The
Committee noted that to achieve bulk discounts the Academic Registrar's
office would make all travel and accommodation bookings, as per the
schedule.
The Vice-Chancellor advised the Committee that the core party would be
smaller than before and that two Deans would be invited to participate,
funded by the off-shore graduations budget. He asked that Deans interested
in participating in the ten day program let him know as soon as possible.
Action/information: Vice-Chancellor; Deans; Academic Registrar
(96/0876)
4.4 Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Planning)
4.4.1 Enterprise bargaining
Professor P LeP Darvall, in his role as acting for the DVC (A&P) -
Designate, Professor A W Lindsay, made comment on the progress with the
formation of bargaining units who would be negotiating on matters of
remuneration and working conditions. Professor Darvall indicated that staff
would be informed in writing shortly about the process.
There was some discussion by the Committee about the way forward in
relation to the anticipated salary increases.
Action/information: Director, Personnel Services
4.4.2 Selection of Director, CHED
Professor P LeP Darvall informed Deans that an offer had been made for
appointment to the new position of Director, Centre for Higher Education
Development.
Action/information: Director, Personnel Services
4.4.3 National Teaching Development Grant
Deans noted Professor Darvall's advice that applications had been invited
for National Teaching Development Grants.
Action/information: Deans
4.5 General Manager
5. Matters Raised by Deans
5.1 Part-Time Graduate Students & Amenities Fee
A memorandum from Professor C R Williams, Dean of Law, dated 12 February
1997 regarding the amenities fee paid by graduate students of the Faculty of
Law, was received. (D11/97, p19-20) Deans agreed that the issue raised by
the Dean of Law affected students of all faculties.
The Committee referred the matter to the General Manager for
consideration.
Action: General Manager; Director, Student Services; Manager, Budget &
Statistical Services; Secretary (93/1855)
5.2 CASMAC
Dean of the Victorian College of Pharmacy, Professor C Chapman, referred
to a memorandum circulated concerning the ending of the contract with CHA.
He asked that opportunities be provided for Deans to be informed on a
continuing basis and involved in discussions about the CASMAC project.
Action/information: General Manager; DVC (R&D)
5.3 Research contract awarded to the Faculty of Education
The Dean of Education, Professor R T White, informed the Committee about
a current difficulty over the terms of a contract awarded to the Faculty of
Education for a review of schools.
There was some discussion about the right of instrumentalities and
companies paying for university expertise to limit the scope or the
methodology of the research.
6. Other Business
6.1 Review of the Council of Monash University
The Committee noted that a report prepared by Deputy Chancellors, Ramler
and Knights and Professor M L Brisk, dated 18 February 1997, on the outcomes
of the Council Retreat, had been placed on the Internet for information and
response by members of the Monash community.
The web location is:
http://www.monash.edu.au/unisec/notice.htm
The document was approved by Council at its meeting 1/97 held on 17
February 1997. The relevant extract from the minutes of the Council meeting
was received and noted. (D12/97, p 21-22)
Professor Brisk asked Deans to note that Council had accepted a
recommendation that the Committee of Deans report to Council through the
Vice-Chancellor, thus creating a way for Council to obtain the views of
Deans on non academic matters. Professor Brisk also mentioned the impending
appointment by Council of a senior academic on Council's new Corporate
Planning Committee.
The Committee noted this advice.
Action/information: Academic Registrar; Adviser to the Vice-Chancellor
on Corporate Planning & Review (97/0327)
6.2 Deans' Representative on the Monash University Club Committee
A memorandum from the Club President, Mr J McGrath, dated 29 January
1997, seeking the appointment of a replacement for the late Professor C
Bellamy on the Committee, was received. (D13/97, p23). It was noted that
three appointments on the Club Committee were made to protect the
University's interests as a condition of a grant made in 1991.
The Vice-Chancellor confirmed that he wished to renew his nomination of
Professor R J Willis as his representative on the Club Committee.
Noting that the Vice-Chancellor and the General
Manager were both represented on the Club Committee, members agreed that it
was not necessary for the Committee of Deans to be represented on that body.
Action/information: Professor Willis; Monash Club President; Secretary
(95/0225)
6.3 Marketing and publications
Deans noted the Vice-Chancellor's suggestion that they utilise the
expertise of the Marketing Unit in preparing brochures or copy for press
publication.
Action/information: Deans; Director, University Development
7. Next Meeting
The next Committee of Deans meeting will be held on Thursday, 20 March
1997 at 2.15 pm in the Sir George Lush Room.
Distribution
(Hard copy):
Vice-Chancellor
Deputy Vice-Chancellors
Deans
General Manager
Executive Assistant to Vice-Chancellor |
