Meeting 7/99 of the Deans Discussion Group was held between 4.00 pm and 8.50pm on Tuesday, 7 December 1999 in the Monash City Office, Level 11, 30 Collins Street, Melbourne.

Professor D A Robinson, Vice-Chancellor and President, Presiding

Professor P LeP Darvall, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Development)

Professor A Lindsay, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Planning)

Mr J Trembath, Acting General Manager

Professor J Redmond, Dean, Faculty of Art and Design

Professor H Le Grand, Dean, Faculty of Arts

Professor J A Rickard, Dean, Faculty of Business and Economics

Professor D Gunstone, Acting Dean, Faculty of Education

Professor J Rosenberg, Dean, Faculty of Information Technology

Professor S Parker, Dean, Faculty of Law

Professor N Saunders, Dean, Faculty of Medicine

Professor C B Chapman, Dean, Faculty of Pharmacy

Mr P Siggins, Manager, University Secretariat

In opening the meeting the Vice-Chancellor welcomed Professor Dick Gunstone, Acting Dean of Education, to his first meeting.

Apologies were received from Professor Ron Davies and Professor Mike Brisk.

Mr Trembath provided an update. Utilization of Syllabus Plus was underway through CeLTS. It was intended to aim for implementation of Syllabus Plus on a university wide basis for 2001. A trial run would be undertaken in second semester next year at the Clayton campus. This would be run parallel to normal timetabling processes. Professor Le Grand indicated that the Faculty of Arts would be willing to be available for the trial run.

The Vice-Chancellor indicated that matters were progressing well. Some clarification of recent correspondence would be necessary. At this point it seemed that opening the campus in 2001 was a possibility.

Discussion then moved to the emerging decision making structure for the University’s global developments.

While a pattern was emerging for establishment of advisory groups and the identification of operational managers there was a need for development of these structures for optimal performance and management.

In further discussion the Vice-Chancellor emphasized the need for high quality information technology links between Australia and South Africa to be established.

The Vice-Chancellor updated members regarding the Dean of Education position, two professorial appointments in the Faculty of Education, progress towards appointing the new Dean of Business and Economics, progress toward appointing the new Dean of Science and the appointment of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Resources). The latter title would replace the title of General Manager and the Vice-Chancellor explained the rationale for this and that the change in title had been approved by Council at meeting 7/99 (8 November).

The notes of Deans Discussion Group meeting 6/99 held 26^th October were received.

The following issues were identified during extensive discussion:

Professor Le Grand raised this issue advising that a strong program of ESL was important for international students and for the University’s marketing strategy. Professor Le Grand suggested that such a program might be funded from a small percentage earmarked from the 31.5%.

In discussion Professor Rosenberg noted the excellence of current support arrangements but also the lack of data on how students improve through these programs. There was agreement on the need for the supply of appropriate data and for a rational funding model for ESL/Language Services.

The Vice-Chancellor advised that an important issue for further consideration was the emerging patterns of student use of campus infrastructure. He invited Mr Trembath to comment. Mr Trembath identified changing patterns in occupancy of the Halls of Residence, in the use of sports and recreation facilities, in the consumption of catering services and in car parking. There was a need to understand the nature of these changes and to adjust to meet the needs of students.

There was general consensus that there was a need to survey the use of university infrastructure and put in place appropriate planning in light of the findings.

In response to a question about developments since the last meeting of the Committee of Deans, the Vice-Chancellor advised that the Report on the Gippsland Campus would be considered by Council on Monday 13^th December and a small group established to work toward implementation of the recommendations of the Report by 2001.

There was extensive discussion of the budget process and the distribution of funds between the Faculties and the Centre. The meeting noted the Vice-Chancellor’s advice that the Centre is as much EFTSU funded as the Faculties and is submitted to the same fluctuations in funding as the faculties as determined by the variations in student demand and consequent load. The meeting further noted the Vice-Chancellor’s advice that there was a need for holistic budget planning that took account of all streams of revenue; budget discussions would commence at an early point in 2000.

Professors Darvall and Lindsay briefed the meeting on the current state of play with regard to Enterprise Bargaining negotiations. In discussion it was noted that there was a need to communicate the University’s position through Deans, Heads of Departments and units across the University. Professor Lindsay agreed to provide a short statement summarizing the issues facing the University to assist in these discussions. During discussion the Deans commented individually on their faculty’s financial position in relation to the University’s 10.3% salary increase incorporated in the budget.

The Vice-Chancellor reported that in light of information supplied by Deans, it emerged that the University had 5 links of major importance with North American institutions. In particular, it would be valuable to consider developing further links with Toronto, Duke/North Carolina and Wisconsin over the coming years.

The Vice-Chancellor advised that over the coming year consideration should be given to the structure of honours programs. The current 4-year structure should be reviewed as it was not compatible with international structures. There was also discussion of double degrees and their suitability in the current environment.

There was discussion of the need for staff to acquire the requisite expertise to put in place effective business plans. In this discussion the Vice-Chancellor emphasized that the new Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Resources) would be focussing upon service provision, business orientation and the release of the sleeping value of the University’s campuses.

Other matters raised included the development of policy and procedures for handling external activity. In this context it was agreed that University Practice Policy should be revisited at a future meeting of the Committee of Deans.

At the conclusion of the meeting the Vice-Chancellor thanked the members for their contribution to discussion over the year.

The meeting closed at 8.50pm.

The next ordinary meeting of the Committee of Deans will be held at 2.15 pm on Tuesday, 18^th January 2000 in the Sir George Lush Room.

The next meeting of the Deans Discussion Group will be held at 4.00 pm on Tuesday, 1st February 2000 in the City Office.