Meeting 6/2000 of the Deans Discussion Group was held between 4.00 pm and 8:55 pm on Tuesday, 5 September 2000 in the Monash City Office, Level 11, 30 Collins Street, Melbourne.

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

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

Ms A Crook, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Resources)

Professor J K Redmond, Dean, Faculty of Art and Design

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

Professor G Palmer, Dean, Faculty of Business and Economics

Professor S Willis, 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

Mr Tony Pollock, Chief Executive Director, Monash International

Phillip Siggins, Manager, University Secretariat

The notes of meeting 5/2000 of the Deans Discussion Group held 25 July 2000 were received.

The Vice-Chancellor noted that the working groups formed to discuss the Monash Name and to consider Marketing and Recruitment had met and that these matters were being progressed.

The Vice-Chancellor advised that the papers concerning Intellectual Property considered by the Deans Discussion Group at its last meeting were being further refined. They had received Council approval and would be accompanied by further papers concerning participation and equity, insider trading and conflict of interest. A proposal for how Deans might further reward their staff was being developed.

Professor Saunders raised the matter of recent government publications regarding Intellectual Property and it was agreed that a University wide response to these policy statements would be desirable and comments may be forwarded to Professor Darvall for his consideration as the Intellectual Property Officer of the University.

A paper titled Course Delivery Environment, prepared by Professor Alan Lindsay, had been circulated. Professor Lindsay introduced the paper noting that course delivery methods at Monash were being transformed by the introduction of flexible approaches to teaching and learning and the development of new forms of partnership with external organizations. He suggested that it was timely to reassess basic academic policy principles governing course delivery in terms of whether they were still appropriate for flexible delivery options and partnership relationships. Professor Lindsay invited comments and suggestions from Deans. It was envisaged that following consultations, the paper would be considered by relevant committees and Academic Board for approval.

Discussion focused on the draft recommendation outlined in the second part of the paper dealing with partnerships and responsibilities for provision. In particular the following four points were considered:

The Vice-Chancellor explained that revision of these points should be the focus of the discussion. He commented that the on-site program academic director mentioned in the first dot point above should be preferably a member of the Monash staff.

There was also general agreement that Monash must approve the appointment and supervision of the teaching staff and the second dot point above be amended to reflect this. Professor Le Grand raised the issue of quality assurance processes to accompany the appointment and supervision of staff in this context. He suggested that more specifics (for example, lengths of contracts etc) should be detailed in this part of the paper. Professor Redmond commented on the need for induction programs for staff appointed where Monash teaching input is limited. At this point in the discussion the focus shifted to a broad overview of the future of teaching. The Vice-Chancellor emphasized that Monash had identified engagement with its students as a major theme. He indicated that future growth would include working with partners and sharing their resources.

Professor Parker noted that the Monash name was central to the discussion. It could be damaged if assessment statements dropped and/or if the educational experience offered by the University was below standard. Accordingly, the draft recommendation should include reference to examination and assessment standards being controlled by Monash. The recommendation should also be expanded to deal with particulars of the Monash educational experience. Professor Lindsay agreed that it was important to protect and maintain the University’s reputation and for there to be a clear lead as to the fundamentals of business planning and partnerships. In further discussion, it was agreed that the set of recommendations should be amended to comprise a statement of principles about the Monash Name, its importance and the need for its protection and maintenance. This statement would then be followed by say, three cases/models providing specifics of the Monash experience.

There was also comment on the recommendations on page three of the paper setting out definitions of ‘on campus’ and ‘off campus’ subjects. Professor Parker suggested that the definitions of ‘on campus’ was of primary importance and that a broader definition of ‘off campus’ subjects as ‘any other subject’ may be sufficient in the circumstances. Members inclined to the view that very close literal definitions may not cope with an evolving situation.

Members endorsed the broad directions of the paper subject to the suggestions for amendment made in the discussion.

A paper, Terms of Reference and Composition of an International Advisory Group had been circulated. The Vice-Chancellor advised that the establishment of the International Advisory Group had been approved by Council. The next step was to bring together five people in addition to the Deputy Chancellor and a member of Council to form the group. In the discussion, various names were brought forward for the five vacancies and the Secretary agreed to confirm details with the members and provide for the Vice-Chancellor a consolidated list.

The meeting agreed to invite Professor Brian Mackenzie to become a member of the Committee of Deans. The meeting also approved the recommendation that the next meeting of the Committee of Deans, to be held on Monday 9^th October, 2000 would be held at the Gippsland Campus at 2:15pm in the Green Inc building. It was agreed that as Professors Le Grand and Rosenberg, anticipated difficulties attending this meeting, they would be permitted to allocate nominees to attend in their places.

Members noted the Vice-Chancellor’s advice that expressions of interest in making donations to Faculty Foundations had been received and Deans were encouraged to follow up these approaches.

The Vice-Chancellor introduced this item noting that the Chancellor had acknowledged the quality of Deans and senior staff of the University but had stressed the need for a uniformly high standard to be achieved at other levels to ensure the University kept pace in an ever changing and competitive environment.

The Vice-Chancellor provided an overview of Faculty performance in relation to the Engagement Profiles exercise. The discussion covered topics including staff workloads, rules governing appointment of Associate Deans and Heads of Departments/Schools, faculty governance, supervision of supervisors and promotions and promotions criteria.

The Vice-Chancellor introduced this item and expressed the view that Deans were not adequately supported in terms of research development services. While there were ethics and grants branches there were further functions that should be provided to achieve a higher ‘strike’ rate to enhance speedy applications and to assist the researchers to ‘tune in’ to the wider research environment. Members readily identified further research service needs.

These included:

Discussion of support services for the research effort led to broader consideration of facilities and skill bases that would need to be developed or further developed to support the work of faculties and Deans. Ms Crook emphasized that the University needed to move toward development of greater skills in project management and to sharpen abilities to work at the edges of organisational parameters and between organisational units.

The Vice-Chancellor advised that faculties would need to appoint people with business planning skills – increasingly faculties were business not budgetary units. The appointment of professionals with relevant business expertise would be vital for future growth and development.

The next ordinary meeting of the Committee of Deans will be held at 2.15pm on Monday, 9^th October 2000 at the Gippsland Campus.

The next meeting of the Deans Discussion Group will be held at 4.00pm on Tuesday, 31st October 2000 in the City Office.

Vice-Chancellor and President
Deputy Vice-Chancellors and Vice-Presidents,