Committee of Deans Meeting 8/98

Meeting 8/98 of the Committee of Deans was held at 2.15 pm on Tuesday, 30th June 1998 in the Sir George Lush Room, ground floor, University Offices Building 3a, Clayton campus.

Tony Calder
Secretary

97/0025

MINUTES

Professor P L Waller was in attendance as Acting Dean - Faculty of Law.

The Vice-Chancellor commenced proceedings by noting that Professor Williams was unable to attend this meeting of the Committee, his last as Dean of the Faculty of Law. The Vice-Chancellor wished to record his appreciation for Professor Williams' outstanding service and contribution to the Committee of Deans.

The Committee endorsed the Vice-Chancellor's remarks with acclamation.

The minutes of meeting 7/98were confirmed.

At meeting 7/98, the Committee received advice that the funding basis, supply and housing arrangements for laboratory and experimental animals was under review.

Professor Darvall advised the Committee that:

• the University's licence had been renewed;
• extensive remedial work and Stage 2 was underway with various options for Stage 2 redevelopment being assessed; and
• reporting procedures were under review.

4.1.1 Leading the Way The Monash Plan 1999 - 2003 : report on Council discussion 29^th June 1998.

A copy of Leading the Way The Monash Plan 1999 - 2003, as submitted to Council, was attached (D27/98).

The Vice-Chancellor advised the Committee that Council had received and endorsed the document at its meeting on Monday 29^th June 1998.

Professor Redmond noted that the Faculty of Art and Design had been omitted from the list of faculties conducting major academic activities at the Caulfield Campus (page 23 - 2^nd last paragraph - Ms J Chandler to be advised).

The Vice-Chancellor introduced the matter by noting that issue 7 of Monash Memo detailed the review process to date and the timeline for completion of two major milestones in the review process.

Professor Quartly advised the Committee that following the recent Faculty Board meeting, the NTEU had withdrawn its prohibition on members participating in the process, that the nomination process for faculty based membership of the Faculty of Arts Review Group was in place and that the review process would include appropriate mechanisms for consultation with Deans.

Professor Darvall advised the Committee that:

• Mr Alan McMeekin, Director - Information Technology Services, had taken up his position and was looking forward to discussing his portfolio with Deans;
• tenders had been assessed and confidential negotiations were underway for the supply of a fully integrated administrative system incorporating finance, human resource/payroll and student administration modules; and
• the Committee was informed that litigation relating to the CASMAC project had been settled out of court. The details of the settlement are subject to a confidentiality agreement.

Professor Maloney provided an update on his recent visit to Israel.

Document D28/98 was attached.

Mr P Summers, Executive Officer - Corporate Planning and Support Team was in attendance for this item.

Following discussion during which a range of advice and comment on the content of the document was offered, the Vice-Chancellor advised the Committee that he would forward the document to all Deans subject to the inclusion of a submission date.

Faculties requiring assistance should contact Mr Peter Summers on ext. 55869.

Document D29/98 was tabled. Mr P Marshall was in attendance and introduced the matter.

Noting the benefits to postgraduate students and faculties, the Committee noted that:

• there was a need for a University wide policy on the matter;
• initially, local level arrangements should be reviewed by Personnel Services Division; and
• in appropriate circumstances, faculties were encouraged to use the Research Assistant grade for existing sessional staff.

In addition, the Committee noted that the appropriate length of the probationary period for continuing appointees was under review by Personnel Services Division.

The Committee was advised that the Agreement had been certified and that Mr P Marshall would be invited to provide a presentation at the next meeting of the Committee of Deans.

The Committee was advised that the Industrial Relations Commission had recently handed down a decision supporting the supposition that it was appropriate for a University to terminate a contract position due to the effluxion of time.

The specific case related to a claim of unfair dismissal by a fixed term academic contesting the right of a University to allow a second three-year contract to elapse due to the effluxion of time.

The Committee was advised of a situation where different faculties were involved in offering a fee paying graduate program and each faculty wanted to charge different fees levels for their components of the program.

Noting the importance and complexity of the matter, the Committee was advised that the issue would be considered within the context of a Review of Fees but that faculties could seek the advice of Mr J Levine while this process was underway.

Ms Jenni Chandler, Executive Director - University Marketing and Development, provided a presentation on marketing, promotion plans and their implementation.

7. Items for information

The Committee was advised that Professor Fazal Rizvi would be Acting Dean -Faculty of Education during the absence of Professor White. Professor White will resume as Dean on 5^th January 1999.

The next scheduled Committee of Deans meeting will be held on 21 July 1998 at 2.15pm in the Sir George Lush Room.

Vice-Chancellor
Deputy Vice-Chancellors
Deans
General Manager
Executive Assistant to Vice-Chancellor