Education Committee - Meeting 5-2008

Meeting No. 5/2008 of the Education Committee was held on 3 September 2008 in the Sir George Lush Room, Building 3a, Clayton campus.

Minutes

Part A Procedural Matters

1. Attendance and Apologies

There were present:

Professor Adam Shoemaker (Chair), Dr Lorraine Bennett, Ms Sue Bell, Dr Ross Booth (attending on behalf of Professor Hughes), Dr Angela Carbone, Mr Joe Choy, Associate Professors Gary Codner and Craig de Wilde, Dr Melissa De Zwart, Professor Rod Devenish (attending on behalf of Professor King), Professor Merran Evans, Ms Catherine Harboe-Ree, Ms Glenda Key, Mr Terry Masocco, Associate Professors Louise McCall and Sid Nair, Mr Con Moraitis (attending on behalf of Ms Tyler), Dr Geoff Romeo, Professor Phil Steele, Associate Professor David Taylor, Dr Cristina Varsavsky, and Mr Peter Yates.

Welcome to new member:

The Chair welcomed Dr Helen Nesadurai, attending via teleconference as the representative of Sunway campus, Malaysia, and acknowledged the significant contribution by Professor Walter Wong as an Education Committee member. The Chair also welcomed Dr Booth, Professor Devenish, and Mr Moraitis attending on behalf of Professor Hughes and King, and Ms Tyler respectively.

Apologies were received from:

Dr Amanda Berry, Professors Rob Brooks, Barbara Caine, Jayne Godfrey, Owen Hughes, Max King, Guojun Lu, Tony Luff, Peter Schelluch and Peter Stewart, Ms Dash Jayasuriya, and Ms Joanne Tyler. In attendance: Mr Michael Fenaughty (Secretary).

*2. Arrangement of Agenda and Starring of Items

The Chair invited members to star for discussion any items and to raise any items for consideration under other business. Members were advised that although item 13 had been starred, this item was only for noting.

Resolution:

That the unstarred items on the agenda be adopted without discussion and that the actions recommended be taken or the information therein noted.

*3. Minutes

The minutes of meeting 4/2008, held on Wednesday 30 July were confirmed as an accurate record.

4. Chair’s Report

4.1 Educate08

Professor Shoemaker tabled the most recent version of the extensive program of events scheduled for Educate08 at Monash. He noted in particular the:

• Australasian Higher Education Forum 2008 to be held on Thursday 2 October; Strategic Indigenous Awareness Workshop to be held at Gippsland campus and the Enhancement Forum at Berwick campus on Friday 3 October;
• participation in Educate08 by all campuses and, for the first time, the scheduling of events at the Monash University Law Chambers, Bourke St, Melbourne;
• Great Alumni and Friends Debate of 2008 debating the topic Is it a good thing that I have forgotten more than I have learned? Professor Shoemaker advised members that bookings for this event on Tuesday 7 October at the Clarendon Ballroom, Southbank are essential; and
• launch of the Monash-Oxfam Partnership at an Internationalisation of the Curriculum in Action event on Tuesday 7 October. He noted that the Hon. Julia Gillard, Deputy Prime Minister, had been invited to attend this important event and it was hoped that she would be able to do so.

Executive Services Note: the full schedule of Educate08 activities is available at http://www.odvce.monash.edu.au/educate08/educate08-program.html

4.2 Vice-Chancellor’s Showcase of Teaching Excellence

The Chair informed members that Vice-Chancellor’s Showcase of Teaching Excellence will be held on Monday 6 October at Caulfield campus during Educate 08. All Faculties and Monash College had been invited to nominate two presenters.

Following a request made at Learning, Teaching and Quality Committee meeting 4-2008, it was anticipated that the structure of the Showcase would be reviewed to minimise the number of sessions that will run concurrently. This will allow participants to attend as many sessions as possible.

4.3 Monash Passport Program

The Chair informed members that the Monash Passport concept consisted of Monash undergraduate degrees which offer all students a number of transformational opportunities that include, but are not limited to, paid internships, field work, and international exchanges, with an emphasis on these elements as integral components of undergraduate education at Monash.

Part B Policy And Committee Matters

5. Matters Arising from the Minutes

*5.1 Monash Honours Project Taskforce

The Chair referred members to item 4.2 of the minutes of meeting 4-2008 and noted that the creation of sub-committees of Education Committee required the approval of Academic Board. Following consultation by the Chair with Professor Jayne Godfrey, President, Academic Board, the nomenclature for the project body had been amended from a sub-committee of Education Committee to a Taskforce. Following Education Committee (EC) meeting 4-2008, the terms of reference for the Taskforce had been circulated to EC members, accompanied by an invitation to participate.

The Chair informed members that the Monash Honours Project would be aimed at the elite top five per cent of undergraduate students at Monash and would encourage students to consider a research career or to undertake higher degrees by research, by demonstrating the pathways that are available at Monash.

The next phase of the development of the Monash Honours Project would commence in 2009. This phase would include an emphasis on the identification of best practice and would include consideration of whether the number of courses could be rationalised and what current courses could be redeployed under an Honours model.

*5.2 Online Availability of Recorded Lectures (refer item 12.1)

The Chair referred members to item 12.1 of the minutes of meeting 4-2008 and informed members that the online availability of recorded lectures had been referred for consideration to Professor Gordon Sanson, Director, Centre for eEducation.

During discussion, the following points were made:

• a discussion of the pedagogy of online availability of recorded lectures at Monash should take place;
• there were varying levels of concern about the protection of intellectual property throughout the Monash academic community;
• the experience of institutions who were early adopters of software such as iTunes U would be valuable in assessing the cost effectiveness of such software;
• the lack of password protection for recorded lectures that are available online at the University of California, Berkeley had led to academic staff receiving large numbers of emails from the general public in response to lecture content;
• the feasibility of developing a Monash software product and the associated technical issues could be explored;
• funding for such a product would be considered in the 2010 budget cycle; and
• the current service offered by Monash University Library was cost effective and there is a high level of satisfaction amongst students who utilise the service.

As the student member of Education Committee was not in attendance, it was agreed that the matter would be considered by a future Education Committee meeting.

6. Academic Board Matters – Meeting 4-2008

Items referred to Academic Board 4-08

As Academic Board meeting 4-08 was cancelled, items referred by Education Committee to Academic Board will be considered at meeting 5-08 scheduled for 3 September.

*7. Sunway campus Education Committee

Receipt of Report

Members noted the report of the inaugural Sunway campus Education Committee (CEC) meeting 1/2008 held on 25 July 2008, accompanied by documents detailing the Sunway campus, Malaysia committee structure, the CEC terms of reference, and the unconfirmed minutes of CEC meeting 1/2008.

The Chair informed members that the CEC is an advisory committee that will work in partnership with faculties and the joint venture partner at Sunway campus. Malaysian law required that the committee be created and it was anticipated that the committee would act as a reference point for new initiatives e.g. organisers of the Non-Government Organisations Fair that was held at Sunway campus recently had sought advice from the committee as to whether such an event had been held previously at Monash and where in-house expertise to coordinate such an event could be accessed.

Dr Nesadurai advised the meeting that the committee would enhance communication at Sunway campus between the joint venture partner and schools, facilitating the discussion of issues such as attrition and academic progress at the campus level, while working in parallel with faculty education committees.

During discussion, the following points were made:

• the reporting lines and delineation of which committees would be responsible for actioning resolutions appeared to be ambiguous;
• the CEC would be an excellent platform for Education Committee to be informed of viewpoints at the Sunway campus level; and
• the context within which Sunway campus operates is unique, in that it involves maintenance of a constructive relationship with a joint venture partner.

Resolution:

Education Committee noted the:

a) formation of the Sunway campus Education Committee;

b) revised role and membership of the Academic Advisory Board at Sunway campus;

c) nomination of Dr Helen Nesadurai to Education Committee as the Sunway campus representative;

d) acknowledged the contribution of Professor Walter Wong during his membership of Education Committee; and

resolved:

e) that Dr Nesadurai liaise with the Sunway Campus Education Committee with regard to the creation of a position for a representative of Monash University Library on the Campus Education Committee and the filling of this position; and

f) that a working party consisting of Professors Evans and Steele, and two faculty representatives of Education Committee, would be formed to refine the terms of reference of the Campus Education Committee, in consultation with Professor Robin Pollard, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Sunway campus, Malaysia, and Dr Nesadurai.

For Action/Information: Professors Evans and Steele, Dr Nesadurai

8. Learning, Teaching and Quality Committee (LTQC)

Receipt of Report

Resolution:

Education Committee received and noted the report of the Learning, Teaching and Quality Committee meeting 4/2008 held on 7 August 2008.

9. Education Policy and Programs Committee (EPPC)

9.1 Receipt of Report

Resolution:

Education Committee received and noted the report of the Education Policy and Programs Committee meeting 5/2008 held on 5 August 2008.

9.2 Matters referred by EPPC to Education Committee

*9.2.1 Revised Recognition of Excellence Policy and Procedures

Professor Merran Evans informed members that, following the circulation of the agenda papers, the revised Recognition of Excellence Policy and Recognition of Excellence Procedures: Coursework Awards had undergone further revision. A further iteration of the policy and procedures was tabled.

Resolution:

Education Committee:

i) received and endorsed the revised Recognition of Excellence Policy for transmission to Academic Board, as tabled;

ii) noted that, prior to submission to Academic Board, the revised Recognition of Excellence Policy with be forwarded to the Research Graduate School Committee for endorsement;

iii) received and approved the revised Recognition of Excellence Procedures: Coursework Awards; and

iv) noted that the revised Recognition of Excellence Procedures: HDR Awards will be forwarded to the Research Graduate School Committee for approval.

For Action/Information: Mr Tom Ford, Dr Anna Lucas

*9.2.2 Revised Grading Scale Procedures

Professor Merran Evans informed members that the amended Grading Scale Procedures which define the time frame for the award of a Withdrawn Fail grade had been revised and tightened.

A member informed the meeting that students cannot discontinue a unit on the last day of the teaching period and requested that the criteria for the award of a Withdrawn Fail grade be amended to:

Withdrawn Fail is awarded to students who withdraw after Monday of Week 10 in a standard semester and the last day of the teaching period.

Resolution:

Education Committee requested that Professor Evans liaise with Mr Gerard Toohey, Director, Student Administration and Systems, with regard to revision of the definition of a Withdrawn Fail grade.

For Action/Information: Professor Evans, Mr Gerard Toohey

10. Education Technology Committee

No meeting held.

11. Coursework Admissions and Scholarships Committee (CASC)

11.1 Receipt of Report

Resolution:

Education Committee received and noted the report of the Coursework Admissions and Scholarships Committee meeting 3/2008 held on 7 August 2008.

11.2 Matters Referred by CASC to Education Committee

11.2.1 Revised English Language Requirements Policy

CASC meeting 3/2008 endorsed a revised English Language Requirements Policy. The Policy was revised to remove outdated procedural information.

Resolution:

Education Committee received and endorsed the revised English Language Requirements Policy as detailed for transmission to Academic Board for approval.

For Action/Information: Ms Rhonda Hinds, Mr Mark Hatwell

11.2.2 Revised Deferment Procedures

CASC meeting 3/2008 endorsed revised Deferment Procedures, which clarify the “final” date by which a commencing student can apply to defer and include definitions of Census Date, deferral, and managing faculty.

Resolution:

Education Committee received and approved the revised Deferment Procedures as detailed. For Action/Information: Mr Mark Hatwell

12. Report of the Honours Scholarships Working Party on the Creation of Conjoined Honours-PhD Scholarships

At Education Committee 3/2008, it was agreed that a Working Party be established to investigate the development of conjoined Honours-PhD scholarships.

Resolution:

Education Committee:

i) endorsed the concept of conjoined Honours-PhD scholarships, as proposed by the Honours Scholarships Working Party; and

ii) referred the proposals to the Coursework Admissions and Scholarships Committee for approval.

For Action/Information: Mr Adrian Devey, Mr Mark Hatwell

13. The Bologna Process and the Creation of the European Higher Education Area

A document on the Bologna Process and the creation of the European Higher Education Area was noted.

Resolution:

Education Committee received and noted the update on the Bologna Process.

*14. Faculty Education Policies and Procedures Compliance Audit Report – May 2008

The Faculty Education Policies and Procedures Compliance Audit Report – May 2008 was noted.

Professor Evans informed members that this annual report reflected a high rate of compliance by faculties with the education policies and procedures located on the University’s Education Policy Bank. A notable exception was implementation of multi-campus policy, with collegiality and working in teams across campuses requiring further development. Other areas that require improvement include admissions, assessment, and audit procedures.

Professor Steele informed members that he will work with Associate Deans (Education) to formulate guidelines and create a document trail for consideration by the next audit of Monash by the Australian Universities Quality Agency.

Professor Steele noted that the Faculty of Engineering has a checklist to assist staff to work together across campuses and that multi-campus course management groups have a leadership role to play to improve collegiality and team work.

Resolution:

Education Committee:

a) received and noted the Faculty Education Policies and Procedures Compliance Audit Report – May 2008; and

b) requested that Professor Steele provide an update on implementation of multi-campus policy, with collegiality and working in teams across campuses a particular focus, to the next meeting of Education Committee.

For Action/Information: Professor Steele, Ms Shona Arnott

*15. Revised Monash University Graduate Attributes

Professor Shoemaker informed members that the finalisation of the Monash University Graduate Attributes was a central pillar of the Monash Passport and represents a distinctive point of difference from the major competitors to Monash. The Graduate Attributes Implementation Group, led by Professor Tony Luff, had undertaken extensive consultation across the University during the revision of the Graduate Attributes.

A member noted that the critical components of the attributes were listed under the sub-heading Monash University Graduate Attributes, as detailed on page 64 of the agenda.

Resolution:

Education Committee received and endorsed the revised Monash University Graduate Attributes for transmission to Academic Board for approval.

For Action/Information: Ms Rhonda Hinds, Ms Helen Fletcher-Kennedy

16. Disestablishment of the Transnational Quality Assurance and Improvement Committee

Resolution:

a) Education Committee received and endorsed the proposal to dissolve the Transnational Quality Assurance and Improvements Committee; and

b) Following endorsement, the proposal be transmitted to Academic Board for approval.

For Action/Information: Ms Rhonda Hinds, Ms Kate Roth

Part C Other Items

17. Multi-Campus Education Forum

Members noted the schedule of activities for the Multi-Campus Education Forum and Professor Steele encouraged members to disseminate the schedule to colleagues.

Resolution:

Education Committee received and noted the schedule of activities for the Multi-Campus Education Forum to be held on 17 November 2008 at Caulfield campus.

Part D Biannual Faculty Reports

18. Biannual Faculty Reports on Approved Course and Unit Developments

Resolution:

Education Committee received and noted the Summary Report and Biannual Faculty Reports on Approved Course and Unit Developments.

19. Other items

19.1 2008 Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Teaching Excellence

Dr Bennett informed members that nominations for the 2008 Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Teaching Excellence close at 5.00pm on Wednesday 10 September and encouraged faculty representatives to consider suitable staff to nominate.

19.2 CL Butchers Pharmacy Library

Ms Harboe-Ree informed members that the renovation of the CL Butchers Pharmacy Library in the Manning Building at Parkville campus had been completed and the Library had reopened last week. Feedback from users on the new facilities has been very positive and had created a vibrant learning environment for staff and students.

Part E Next Meeting

20. Next Meeting

Meeting 6/2008 will be held on Wednesday 15 October commencing at 3.15pm in the Sir George Lush Room, Building 3a, Clayton Campus. Final submissions for the agenda for this meeting are due by close of business on Monday, 29 September 2008 to michael.fenaughty@adm.monash.edu.au