Meeting 1/2000 of the Deans Discussion Group was held between 4.00 pm and 9.05pm on Tuesday, 1 February 2000 in the Monash City Office, Level 11, 30 Collins Street, Melbourne.

Professor D A Robinson, Vice-Chancellor

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

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

Mr P Marshall, Acting General Manager

Professor J Redmond, Dean, Faculty of Art and Design

Professor H Le Grand, Dean, Faculty of Arts and Acting Dean, Faculty of Science

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

Professor D Gunstone, Acting Dean, Faculty of Education

Professor M L Brisk, Dean, Faculty of Engineering

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 all members to the first meeting for the year and welcomed Mr Peter Marshall as Acting General Manager.

Apologies were received from Professor John Rosenberg.

The Vice-Chancellor updated members on matters arising from the notes of the last meeting (7/99 – 7^th December 1999)

The Vice-Chancellor advised that an appointment had been made and that an announcement would follow shortly. The new Dean would take up the appointment in July 2000.

Professor Le Grand advised that following further discussion, the Chair would not be retitled. Members noted the Vice-Chancellor’s advice that there was provision for three Sir John Monash Distinguished Professor Awards and that consideration would be given to the filling of available vacancies under these awards.

The Vice-Chancellor requested that Deans provide further advice on links with three major institutions – Toronto, Duke/North Carolina and Wisconsin. Ms Hayes would be contacting Deans to request this advice. It was noted that Professor Darvall would also be seeking advice on global links and would circulate an email on this matter shortly.

The Vice-Chancellor indicated that matters were being progressed with the Assistant General Managers, (Financial Services and Facilities and Services) together with the University Solicitor being on site in South Africa to facilitate discussion regarding development of the campus. There was a possibility that construction might begin as early as March and be concluded around November.

The Vice-Chancellor advised that Ms Katherine Lock had been released from other duties to facilitate further development of internal communication and to provide a strategy for continued progress in this area. It was anticipated that these developments would have a positive impact on staff morale.

The Vice-Chancellor advised that the report of the Gippsland Working Party had been adopted by Council. A Working Group comprising Professor J Anderson, Ms K Spierings and Dr Kristina M^cCrae had been formed to progress the implementation of academic and other recommendations. The Vice-Chancellors’ Group would take carriage of recommendations concerning the appointment of a Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the campus and the establishment of the Institute of Regional Studies and the Academic Forum. The implementation of other recommendations would be taken up by academic and administrative heads of departments/units.

Professor Parker provided an update on budget arrangements for ESL. In discussion it was agreed that Professor John Harris be invited to the 28^th March meeting of the Committee of Deans to speak to the ESL budget and programs.

Professor Parker requested clarification of the background to this matter which was raised at the last meeting. In discussion it was agreed that there was a need for information on the pattern/s of honours degrees offered in South Africa.

This was the major item for discussion at this meeting. The Vice-Chancellor noted that as a major policy, the University Practice Policy (the policy) merited close attention and he led the members through discussion of each section of the policy.

This consideration led to major changes in the draft document including inter alia:

Mr Peter Marshall was present for the discussion and noted the amendments to the policy. At the conclusion of discussion, it was agreed that the policy, as amended, would be submitted directly to the next meeting of Council (14^th February 2000).

Professor Lindsay and Mr Marshall briefed the meeting on the current state of negotiations.

At the conclusion of discussion, it was agreed that Mr Marshall would supply to Deans, as background for their discussions with staff, a brief summary of key points presented by the University.

On behalf of the members, the Vice-Chancellor farewelled Professor John Rickard who was attending his last meeting of the Deans Discussion Group and who departs from the University at the end of February. The Vice-Chancellor thanked Professor John Rickard for his contribution to the work of the Discussion Group and for his wider contribution to the Faculty of Business and Economics and the University.

The meeting closed at 9:05pm.

The next ordinary meeting of the Committee of Deans will be held at 2.15 pm on Tuesday, 22^nd February 2000 in the Sir George Lush Room. The next meeting of the Deans Discussion Group will be held at 4.00 pm on Thursday, 9^th March 2000 in the City Office.

Vice-Chancellor
Deputy Vice-Chancellors

Deans
Acting General Manager