Committee of Deans Meeting 3-2002

Meeting 3/2002 of the Committee of Deans was held at 2.15 pm on Tuesday, 12 March, 2002 in the Sir George Lush Room, Clayton Campus.

Professor David Robinson, Vice-Chancellor and President

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

Professor Peter Darvall, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research and Development)

Professor Brian Mackenzie, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Gippsland

Professor John Redmond, Dean, Faculty of Art and Design

Professor Homer Le Grand, Dean, Faculty of Arts

Professor Gill Palmer, Dean, Faculty of Business and Economics

Professor Sue Willis, Dean, Faculty of Education

Professor Michael Brisk, Dean, Faculty of Engineering

Professor Stephen Parker, Dean, Faculty of Law

Professor Robert Norris, Dean, Faculty of Science

Professor Colin Chapman, Dean, Victorian College of Pharmacy

Professor Nick Saunders, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Professor John Rosenberg, Dean, Faculty of Information Technology

Professor Merran Evans, Director, Monash University Centre, London

Mr Tony Pollock, Executive Director, International Affairs

Ms Meredith Jackson, Executive Director, Marketing & Public Affairs

Ms Janty Taylor

Apologies were received from Ms Alison Crook, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Resources).

The minutes of meeting 2/2002 of the Committee of Deans held on 26 February, 2002 were confirmed subject to the following changes:

• section 4.2, to read "....Monash was bidding, for grants for the Information and Communication Technology Centre of Excellence and Biotechnical Centre for Excellence with various partners." and

• section 6.3, to read "….some academic staff had defective English skills,….".

(Further documents were tabled by Mr. Tony Pollock Executive Director, International Affairs, "New partnerships proposals: Access programs" and "An outline of the Decision making Process in relation to Proposals for new Partnerships, Centres and Campuses". Professor Homer Le Grand, Dean, Faculty of Arts, tabled the document "Proposal to establish a Partnership with Civil Service College, Singapore", at the meeting,)

Professor Robinson, Vice-Chancellor and President, introduced the paper, "Supporting Global developments: an organizational initiative", which outlined a decision-making framework for the three different levels of Monash global development - partnerships, centres and campuses. Professor Robinson noted the role of the proposed International Development Group (IDG) within the framework outlined in the paper. 

Mr Tony Pollock, Executive Director, International Affairs spoke to the paper and noted that the processes outlined would enable better evaluation of initiatives for new projects while maintaining alignment with the strategic directions of Monash. Initiatives would be evaluated in terms of such factors as quality assessment requirements, student performance targets and management of risks.

The meeting discussed the role and membership of the proposed IDG and methods of dissemination of information about international projects to Deans. An example of such a project, which may be relevant for dissemination of information to other Deans, was raised by Professor Homer Le Grand, Dean of the Faculty of Arts. Professor Le Grand spoke to a document circulated, "Proposal to Establish Partnership with Civil Service College, Singapore".

Professor Robinson noted the IDG would have a consultative relationship with the Committee of Deans.

Mr Pollock spoke to the document, "New partnerships proposals: Access programs", outlining the proposal for a third offshore site for Monash College in Qingdao, China and the possible establishment of a Monash University English Language Centre in Taipei. Members were advised that a copy of the proposed contract for the Monash College in Qingdao and a copy of the business case for the Monash University English Language Centre in Taipei would be forwarded to Deans for comment and discussion at the next Deans Discussion Group.

Professor Robinson noted that future proposals for Monash College sites would be raised through the processes outlined in the paper, "Supporting Global Developments: an organizational initiative".

Mr Tony Pollock tabled two documents, "International Students Acceptances and Enrolments – March 2002 Intake" and "Applications Status – March 2002", which showed the increase in applications, offers and acceptances in international enrolments in 2002. Mr Pollock noted improved marketing practices and admission processes including better closure mechanisms had contributed to the better enrolment rates in 2002.

Mr Pollock noted that the current level of enrolments in Monash College programs in 2002 would contribute to further increases in international student enrolments in 2003.

The meeting discussed the low level of enrolments of post-graduate research students with AUSAID scholarships in Monash programs. Mr Pollock noted he would look into the reasons for the lower enrolments of these students.

Professor Peter Darvall, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Development) introduced the item. Ms Meredith Jackson, Executive Director, Marketing and Public Affairs, spoke to the paper, "Interim Marketing Strategy", noting the objectives of the interim strategy and how they would be used develop and expand public recognition of the identity of Monash in a co-ordinated and targeted manner. Members were advised that the marketing strategies of faculties were taken into account in the development of the interim strategy.

Ms Jackson advised that faculties were encouraged to use the interim marketing strategy and noted that the strategy was the first stage of a more comprehensive marketing plan that is scheduled for consideration by Academic Board ( 13 November) and by Council (9 December).

In concluding the discussion, Professor Robinson requested Professor Darvall to authorise the global email contained in the strategy and thanked Ms Jackson for the report.

Professor Alan Lindsay, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Planning) addressed the meeting about his recent discussions with City University in Hong Kong regarding the development of a partnership arrangement with Monash. Members were advised that a feasibility study was being undertaken including the identification of appropriate programs and related costs and the profile of Monash in Hong Kong, through this venture.

The meeting discussed the type of proposed relationship, teaching delivery models and articulation entry levels for students from City University. 

Professor Lindsay advised that he would provide a further update to the Deans Discussion Group on Tuesday 19 March 2002. 

Professor Alan Lindsay, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Planning) introduced the item. Professor Merran Evans, Director, Planning and Academic Affairs spoke to the item and noted the paper addressed the alignment between the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) developed by faculties and those of the University. Professor Evans noted faculty KPIs were quantitative or qualitative or both and some included specific issues such as staffing.

Professor Robinson thanked Professor Evans for the paper and noted that the issue of reviewing the alignment of faculty KPIs with the University KPIs should be placed on the agenda again in July2002. 

Professor Gill Palmer, Dean, Faculty of Business and Economics spoke to the item.

The Committee approved the proposal of the Faculty of Business and Economics to rename the Chair of Business Systems to Chair of Business Administration.

Professor Brisk, Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Professor Norris, Dean, Faculty of Science spoke to the item. Professors Brisk and Norris noted that at times a considerable period of time elapsed between the establishment of a Chair and the interviewing of suitable candidates.

The meeting discussed several possible methods of streamlining the process such as short-listing suitable candidates via circulating paperwork to the interview panel rather than through a meeting and employing a personnel recruitment company to identify suitable candidates for short-listing

Professor Robinson noted that Mr Peter Marshall, Divisional Director, Staff and Student Services could direct Deans to suitable personnel agencies which could assist in the identification of suitable candidates where appropriate. Further, Professor Robinson noted that Mr Peter Marshall would be is submitting a paper to the next meeting of the Special Professorial Committee focusing on the Professorial appointment process.

Professor Palmer noted timetabling and room allocation problems which had occurred with the recent implementation of "Syllabus Plus".

Professor Robinson noted a member of the Syllabus Plus Project team would attend the next Deans Discussion Group to further discuss the issues raised by Deans.

Professor Norris noted problems in the processing of resignations from staff while they were on study leave. 

Secretarial note: Subsequent to the meeting it was noted that the problems raised by Professor Norris were being addressed by Staff and Student Services Division. 

7 Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Deans Discussion Group will be held at 4.00pm on Tuesday 19 March 2002 in the city office.

The next meeting of the Committee of Deans will be held at 2.15pm,Tuesday 28 May 2002 in the Sir George Lush Room.

Attachment 1 Minutes of Committee of Deans meeting 2/2002

Attachment 2 Supporting Global Development

Attachment 3 Comparing Key Performance Indicators

Attachment 4 Proposal to rename the "Chair of Business Systems" to "Chair of Business Administration"

Attachment 5 Interim Marketing Strategy

"International Students Acceptances and Enrolments – March 2002 Intake"

"Applications Status – March 2002",

"New partnerships proposals: Access programs"

"An outline of the Decision making Process in relation to Proposals for new Partnerships, Centres and Campuses"

"Proposal to establish Partnership with Civil Service College, Singapore"