Meeting 7/2001 of the Committee of Deans was held at 2.30 pm on Tuesday, 16 October, 2001 in the Sir George Lush Room, ground floor, University Offices Building 3a, Clayton campus.

Professor D A Robinson, Vice-Chancellor and President

Professor P Darvall, Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Vice President (Research & Development)

Professor H Le Grand, Dean, Faculty of Arts

Professor G Palmer, Dean, Faculty of Business and Economics

Professor S Willis, Dean, Faculty of Education

Professor M L Brisk, Dean, Faculty of Engineering

Professor J Rosenberg, Dean, Faculty of Information Technology

Professor S Parker, Dean, Faculty of Law

Professor Colin Chapman, Dean, Faculty of Pharmacy

Professor Robert Norris, Dean, Faculty of Science

Professor Bernard Hoffert, Associate Dean, Faculty of Art and Design for Professor Redmond

Professor Leon Piterman, Deputy Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences for Professor Saunders

Mr Peter Marshall, Divisional Director, Student and Staff Services for item 4.3.2

Mr Tony Pollock, Executive Director, Office of International Affairs for item 4.1.1

Apologies were received from Professor Alan Lindsay, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President, (Academic and Planning), Ms Alison Crook, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Resources), Professor Brian Mackenzie, Pro Vice-Chancellor Gippsland, Professor John Redmond, Dean, Faculty of Art and Design, and Professor Nick Saunders, Dean Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

The minutes of meeting 6/2001 of the Committee of Deans were confirmed.

Mr Pollock, Executive Director, Office of International Affairs introduced the paper ‘Integration of Monash College load planning with faculty load planning’ noting that the University’s strategic planning had for some time included an emphasis on the role and delivery of pathway programs. Further, it was noted that it was important that the intake of students into Monash College programs was kept in alignment with faculty planning targets as well as physical limitations such as appropriate teaching space.

During discussion the following matters were raised:

1. Noting that Monash College is a wholly owned subsidiary of Monash University and has informal links with faculties, it was suggested that formal agreements regarding programs, student numbers and guaranteed entry should be put in place, and

2. comments relating to academic issues be forwarded to Professor Brisk (Chair-Monash College Board of Studies) for inclusion in the Academic Review that is currently under way.

4.2.1 Domain Name Policy

Professor Darvall introduced the item and outlined the two options detailed in the document.

Following discussion it was suggested that the domain name www.monash.edu was preferred provided www.monash.edu.au or other country suffix achieved the same outcome.

The Vice-Chancellor introduced this item noting that Offshore Course Delivery Partnerships were an important component of the revised Global Development Framework and Plan. Outlining the next phase in the review process, Deans were advised that by the end of 2002 Monash should be able to state that all partnerships are working well and are of high quality with partners of standing consistent with the name of Monash.

Deans were requested to advise the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Planning) by 2 November 2001 of any revision to the preliminary reports already submitted.

Mr Peter Marshall, Divisional Director (Student and Staff Services) introduced the item and outlined the current process for the appointment of Associate Professors.

Noting that this matter had been the subject of discussion at a previous meeting of the Committee of Deans, Deans were advised that Professor Lindsay (Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic & Planning) had relayed to Mr Marshall, Deans concerns about the appointment process and had requested that the attached paper be brought to this meeting for further discussion.

Matters highlighted by Mr Marshall included:

The Vice-Chancellor noted that any changes to the appointment process must ensure stringent quality standards are retained or the revised process may be subject to criticism during a Quality Audit. Further, following the recent round of ARC Grants, some colleagues had commented unfavourably on Monash’s promotion and appointments standards.

Following discussion, the Vice-Chancellor requested that Mr Marshall circulate a revised paper taking into consideration the comments of Deans.

Mr Peter Marshall advised Deans that the NTEU, Go8 and AHEIA had been engaged in extensive discussions on the establishment of Minimum Standards for Academic Levels and that it appeared that an "in principle" agreement had been reached between the parties on virtually all matters. The outstanding issue, paragraph three of clause 7.2 of the draft award will be determined by Senior Deputy President Duncan at an arbitration hearing within the next two weeks.

Professor Stephen Parker, Dean, Faculty of Law introduced this item and informed Deans that at meeting 6/2001 of the Committee of Deans two matters relating to the acceptance of gifts, benefits and hospitality were identified. These were:

Following discussions, Professor Parker’s offer to review, in consultation with the University Solicitor, the option of Blind Trusts and other possible mechanisms and present a report at a future meeting of the Committee of Deans was accepted gratefully.

Professor John Rosenberg, Dean, Faculty of Information and Technology informed Deans that it was intended to appoint one Professor in Information Technology Research but a second appointment may be made if two outstanding candidates were identified.

Following discussion, the Committee of Deans endorsed the proposal to establish and fill, subject to suitable candidates, two Professors of Information Technology Research.

During discussion, the option of establishing a Chair of Women’s Health was suggested.

The proposal to establish and fill the position of Professor Women’s Health in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and The Jean Hailes Foundation was endorsed subject to further consideration of the suitability of establishing a Chair.

The Committee of Deans endorsed the proposal to establish and fill the position of Professor / Associate Professor of Primary Care Research in the Department of General Practice.

Following an outline of the issues by Professor Gill Palmer, Dean, Faculty of Business and Economics, Professor Sue Willis, Dean, Faculty of Education was requested to:

1. review the principles and process relating to establishing equivalence of qualifications (recognition of prior learning); and

2. the need for a similar program relating to research.

Following discussion, Deans were requested to contact Professor Rob Norris, Dean, Faculty of Science regarding their willingness to contribute to the operation of the Monash Science Centre. Further, it was agreed that how best to fund the Monash Science Centre would be included in the 2003 Budget discussions.

Following discussion on the range of advice given to staff and students contemplating / participating in Monash activities involving international travel, Deans were requested to:

1. provide Mr G Connell, Director, Audit and Risk Management, with a copy of any faculty issued advice re international travel; and
2. provide to the Office of the Vice-Chancellor any comments / advice that Deans consider should be included in advice to students re international travel.

Action: Mr G Connell, Deans of Faculties.

The next meeting of the Deans Discussion Group will be held at 4.00pm on Tuesday 6^th November 2001 in the City Office.

The next ordinary meeting of the Committee of Deans will be held at 2.15pm on Tuesday 20^th November 2001 in the Sir George Lush Room.