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Education Committee Meeting 2-2009

Meeting No. 2/2009 of the Education Committee was held on 29 April 2009 in the Council Room, Building 3a, Clayton campus.

MINUTES

Part A     Procedural Matters

1.    Attendance and Apologies

There were present: Professor Adam Shoemaker (Chair), Professor Stephen Barkoczy, Dr Lorraine Bennett, Professor Rob Brooks, Dr Angela Carbone, Associate Professor Gary Codner, Professor Merran Evans (Chair), Ms Helen Fletcher-Kennedy, Ms Cathrine Harboe-Ree, Professors Bernard Hoffert and Owen Hughes, Ms Glenda Key, Dr Stephen Legg, Professor Tony Luff, Mr Terry Masocco, Mr Jeff McLean, Dr Helen Nesadurai, Ms Lauren O'Dwyer, Associate Professor Toni Patti, Ms Bracha Rafael, Dr Geoff Romeo, Professors Peter Schelluch, Phillip Steele and Peter Stewart, Associate Professor David Taylor, Ms Joanne Tyler, Associate Professor Cristina Varsavsky, Ms Andrea Waller.

Apologies: Ms Jodie Burgess, Professors Jayne Godfrey, Mr Corey Jacobsen, Professors Max King and Guojun Lu, Associate Professor Louise McCall, Dr David Squire, Ms Emma Weir, Mr Peter Yates.

Nomination to the Learning, Teaching and Quality Committee of a student member of Education Committee

Resolution:

Education Committee approved the nomination to the Learning, Teaching and Quality Committee of Mr Corey Jacobsen.

2.    Arrangement of Agenda and Starring of Items

Professor Evans informed members that, due to a clash with a Vice-Chancellor’s Group meeting with the Sunway campus executive, she would chair the first half of the meeting and Professor Shoemaker would chair the second half. The Chair invited members to star items for discussion. The following items were starred: 4.2.2, 5.3, 8, 12.2.2, 14, 18, and 20.

Resolution:

The recommendations were adopted without discussion for all items other than those starred.

3.    Minutes

Resolution:

The minutes of Education Committee Meeting 1/2009 were confirmed, subject to the following amendment of item 10.2.2 Use of Animals in Coursework Policy and Procedures (deletions in italic):

A member sought clarification on whether the policy applied to a student undertaking a research project in a coursework program such as honours. Dr Ford advised that honours and masters research projects were outside the scope of the policy. It was agreed that Professor King and Dr Ford would refine the policy to reflect that research undertaken by honours and masters by coursework students was outside the scope of the policy and procedures.

Resolution:

Education Committee:

  • Endorsed the Use of Animals in Coursework Programs Policy for transmission to Academic Board, subject to an explicit articulation within the policy that research undertaken by honours and masters by coursework students was outside the scope of the policy and procedures;
  • Approved the Use of Animals in Coursework Programs Procedures; and
  • Recommended that annual reports to Monash University Animal Welfare Committee on approved projects using animals for teaching purposes include the information listed under section three of the Use of Animals in Coursework Programs Procedures, in order to avoid duplication of reporting processes.


Part B    Policy and Committee Matters

4.     Education Policy and Programs Committee (EPPC)

4.1   Receipt of Report

Resolution:

Education Committee received and noted the report of the Education Policy and Programs Committee meeting 2/2009 held on 7 April 2009.

4.2     Matters referred by EPPC to Education Committee

4.2.1    Special Consideration Procedures

Resolution:

Education Committee approved the:

  • changes to subsections 5.6, 6.2.1.1 and 6.2.5.3 and 6.2.6.2 of the revised Special Consideration Procedures; and
  • inclusion of subsection 6.2.2 of the revised Special Consideration Procedures.

For Action/Information: Ms N Mitchell, Mr V Garth

4.2.2    Student Evaluation Policy and Procedures

Members discussed the delegations within the Unit Evaluation Procedures, in particular the issue of whether Faculty Managers should, in tandem with Associate Deans (Education), have responsibility for analysis of survey results and development of academic action plans to address areas for improvement. It was agreed that delegations to Faculty Managers at parts 14 and 17 of the Unit Evaluation Procedures would be deleted.

Resolution:

Education Committee:

  • endorsed the Student Evaluation Policy for transmission to Academic Board; and
  • approved the Monash Experience Questionnaire and Monash Support Experience Questionnaire Survey Procedures and Unit Evaluation Procedures, subject to the deletion of delegations to Faculty Managers from parts 14 and 17 of the Unit Evaluation Procedures.

For Action/Information: Ms R Hinds, Dr K Macrae

5.    Matters Arising from the Minutes

5.1    Freedom of Information and Surveying the Use of Assessment Question Banks throughout the University

Members were advised that a consolidated report will be considered at meeting 3/2009.

5.2    Academic Review Procedures

Resolution:

Education Committee approved the revised Academic Review Procedures.

For Action/Information: Dr K Macrae, Ms N Mitchell

5.3    Non-Award Study Policy and Procedures

Introducing the item, Ms Waller informed members that the draft Non-Award Study Policy and accompanying procedures would provide a framework for non-award study practices across the University. Members requested that the Policy and Procedures be refined, as follows:

  • Award study: that the scope of award study be defined, with accompanying references to sub-categories of award study.
  • Non-award study: that references to cross-institutional, study abroad, and student exchange apply to incoming students.
  • A statement that incoming cross-institutional, incoming (non-Monash) exchange, and incoming study abroad students are classified as non-award.
  • Students undertaking units on a non-assessed basis will be enrolled in faculty defined non-assessed non-award single unit course codes.

Resolution:

Education Committee:

  • endorsed the proposed Non-Award Study Policy for transmission to Academic Board; and
  • approved the proposed Non-Award Study Procedures, subject to the amendment of the Policy and Procedures to indicate that:
    • Non-award study undertaken on cross-institutional, (non-Monash) exchange/incoming study abroad will apply to incoming students.
    • Incoming cross-institutional/incoming (non-Monash) exchange/incoming study abroad students are classified as non-award.
    • Students undertaking units on a non-assessed basis will be enrolled in faculty defined non-assessed non-award single unit course codes.

For Action/Information: Ms R Hinds, Ms N Mitchell, Ms A Waller

6.    Plagiarism at Monash: detection, prevention, and future directions

This item will be considered at the next Education Committee meeting.

7.    Mapping Sustainability in the Curriculum Project Report

Professor Shoemaker welcomed Mr McLean to the meeting. Mr McLean informed members that Monash became a signatory to the Talloires Declaration in 2007 and subsequently established the Talloires Implementation Task Force to implement a university-wide initiative and the Vice-Chancellor’s Group (Environment). The ten action points of the Declaration are:

  1. Increase awareness of environmentally sustainable development.
  2. Create an institutional culture of sustainability.
  3. Educate for environmentally responsible citizenship.
  4. foster environmental literacy for all.
  5. practice institutional ecology.
  6. involve all stakeholders.
  7. Collaborate for inter-disciplinary approaches.
  8. Enhance the capacity of primary and secondary schools.
  9. Broaden the service and outreach nationally and internationally.
  10. Maintain the movement.

Mr McLean informed members that in 2008 a project to map sustainability issues at Monash was funded as an Education Portfolio Strategic Initiative. The project was sponsored by the Faculty of Business and Economics, in collaboration with the Monash Sustainability Institute, and undertook a wide range of activities across the majority of the Talloires action points that included:

  • Development of a sustainability website: http://www.buseco.monash.edu.au/sustainability.
  • The introduction of a sustainability major in the Bachelor of Commerce at Clayton campus.
  • Development of a number of new elective in the Master of Business.
  • A survey of Faculty of Business and Economics unit leaders to gauge the level of awareness of the Talloires Declaration and sustainability issues.
  • Activities to promote awareness of sustainability issues amongst internal and external stakeholders.

The issue was a major theme of the recent Senior Management Summit and Mr McLean advised members that, although Monash had undertaken a significant amount of work in comparison to other institutions, the rapid acceleration of climate change required an urgent and enhanced response across the University community.

Members acknowledged the work undertaken by the project team and noted that:

  • although the low response rate to the survey of 18.3% was disappointing, factors other than lack a of interest in sustainability may have influenced the response rate;
  • if sustainability objectives were incorporated into every aspect of the graduate attributes, there would be a significant impact on resources;
  • there is ongoing debate within the Faculty of Business and Economics about the role of sustainability in education in its courses;
  • it was important to take an holistic approach that would consider how to implement sustainability in education in a cost-effective way that would not impact on funding for other learning and teaching activities;
  • the Education for Sustainability (EFS) Working Group would engage both internal and external stakeholders to identify key initiatives and work towards the integration of sustainability in education activities across the University community. Such activities could include student-centred initiatives to empower and engage Monash students, proposals for Monash to work in cooperation with non-government organisations such as World Vision, and a sustainability component for commencing students during orientation to Monash that would add value to the Monash Passport; and
  • an online resource located on the University Library website to promote sustainability could be established.

Education Committee noted that:

  • Ms Harboe-Ree and Mr McLean would liaise in relation to the creation of an online resource located on the University Library website to promote sustainability; and
  • that expression of interest to join the Education for Sustainability (EFS) Working Group should be forwarded to Mr Jeffrey Bender, Project Officer, Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education).

For Action/Information: Mr J Bender, Ms C Harboe-Ree,
Education Committee members, Mr J McLean

8.    Report of the Review of Education Committee

Members discussed the recommendations of the report of the review of Education Committee, as follows:

  • Proposed Education Committee student membership: a member noted that Education Committee is a major forum for students to participate in debate on draft policy and procedures relating to learning and teaching. The proposed model of two undergraduate representatives or alternates would, in effect, limit campus representation and the sharing of information by student organisations, and could lead to discord between student organisations.
  • Recommendation 1b: “That Faculty Education Committees report to Education Committee rather than to Academic Board via Faculty Board reports.” Members noted that Faculty Education Committees currently make recommendations to the relevant Faculty Board and expressed concern that this recommendation would alter the governance structure and create an additional reporting requirement. Professor Shoemaker informed members that, as Academic Board has oversight of all portfolios, a model with a designated reporting line, whereby Faculty Education Committees provided a summary of emerging key issues to Education Committee, was preferred.
  • Recommendation 3b: “That membership of subcommittees minimise duplication and overlap with membership of Education Committee and with each other.” A member noted that the nomination of faculty representatives to subcommittees of Education Committee is an operational matter for deans to consider within the context of the allocation of resources.
  • Coursework Admissions and Scholarships Committee (CASC) membership structure: a member sought clarification of the rationale for membership of Faculty Managers (one member) and Associate Deans with teaching-related responsibilities (ten members), in the context of appropriate skills sets. It was agreed that Professor Merran Evans, Chair, CASC would be consulted in relation to this matter.

Resolutions:

Education Committee:

  1. approved recommendations 1 – 3a and 3c – 3e for transmission to Academic Board, subject to:
    • the amendment of recommendation 1a (additions in bold, deletions struckthrough), as follows: That Faculty Education Committees report provide a summary of key emerging issues to Education Committee rather than to Academic Board via Faculty Board reports; and
    • the deletion of recommendation 3b;
  2. approved the revised terms of reference and membership of Education Committee and its subcommittees for transmission to Academic Board, subject to:
  •  
    • the amendment of the proposed membership of Education Committee to retain the current structure of six undergraduate student representatives; and
    • consultation with Professor Merran Evans, Chair, CASC in regard to the proposed membership of the Coursework Admissions and Scholarship Committee of Associate Deans (10) and Faculty Managers (1).\

Executive Services Note: in relation to the proposed CASC membership structure, the issue was discussed with Professor Evans at a Faculty Managers Group meeting held on Friday 8 May. Professor Evans confirmed that the proposed membership of the CASC would include one Associate Dean and ten Faculty Managers.

For action/information: Professor M Evans, Dr C Hewlett, Ms R Hinds

9.    Academic Board Matters – Meeting 1/2009

Items referred by Academic Board Meeting 1/2009.

No items referred.

10.    Sunway Campus Education Committee

Resolution:

Education Committee received and noted the report of the Sunway Campus Education Committee meeting 1/2009 held on 27 February 2009.

11.    Board of Studies, Monash South Africa

No report.

12.    Learning, Teaching and Quality Committee (LTQC)

12.1    Receipt of Report

Resolution:

Education Committee received and noted the report of the Learning, Teaching and Quality Committee meeting 1/2009 held on 19 February 2009.

12.2    Matters referred by LTQC to Education Committee

12.2.1    Proposal for the revision of the Unit Evaluation survey

Resolution:

Education Committee approved the proposed revision to the number and wording of items in the Unit Evaluation survey as detailed.

12.2.2    Academic Programs offered from Multiple Campuses Policy: Faculty Implementation Guidelines and Checklist

A member requested clarification of section four of the checklist, as follows:

  • the definition of teaching resources and their allocation to chief examiners;
  • the capacity of faculties to ensure that timetabling of unit offerings on multiple Melbourne campuses would maximise opportunities for students to complete units on a campus other than their home campus; and
  • whether the checklist item on the timetabling of unit offerings on multiple Melbourne campuses was to be completed on a semester or annual basis.

Professor Steele advised members that the pro forma was intended as a guide only, to inform faculties in the implementation of the Academic Programs offered from Multiple Campuses Policy. He noted that faculties may decide to implement selected elements of the guidelines and checklist, and that it would allow for a variety of approaches to ensure effective implementation of the policy.

During discussion, the following points were made:

  • in relation to proposals for new courses, there was an implicit assumption of adequate faculty support;
  • faculties do not control the timetabling of units; and
  • a separate section for resource elements of the checklist could be created and completed by faculty managers.

Resolution:

Education Committee:

  • received and noted the Faculty Implementation Guidelines and Checklist for the Academic Programs offered from Multiple Campuses Policy; and
  • resolved that the Faculty Implementation Guidelines and Checklist would be revised to include a separate section for resource elements that would be completed by faculty managers.

For action/information: Professor P Steele

13.    Coursework Admissions and Scholarships Committee (CASC)

Resolution:

Education Committee received and noted the report of the Coursework Admissions and Scholarships Committee meeting 1/2009 held on 19 March 2009.

14.    Educational Technology Committee (ETC)

A member requested clarification of the roles and reporting lines of the Educational Technology Committee, Monash University Studies Online (MUSO) Steering Committee, and the MUSO Operations Committee. Professor Shoemaker advised the meeting that a decision on the Learning Management System was pending.

For action/information: Professor G Sanson

Part C  Other Items

15.    Chair’s Report

Professor Shoemaker provided a verbal update on the:

  • Selection process for the position of Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching): there was an exceptional field of candidates for the position and it was anticipated that the appointee would be announced in the coming weeks.
  • Learning and Teaching Showcase Series: the topic of the first seminar would be “Is there a Crisis in International Learning?”
  • Likely outcomes of the Bradley and Cutler Reviews: in light of the global financial crisis and the anticipated emphasis in the forthcoming Federal Budget on infrastructure projects and funding to stimulate the economy, it was likely that recommendations from the reviews would be implemented in stages. It was anticipated that a greater emphasis on student-centred policy would include funding to increase enrolments by students from low socio-economic backgrounds and, possibly, to develop e-Education alternate entry pathways.
  • Developments in the area of eEducation: Professor Gordon Sanson and Mr Nathan Bailey are undertaking an analysis of campus and faculty needs.

Executive Services Note: Copies of the poster promoting the Learning and Teaching Showcase Series were circulated to Associate Deans (Teaching/Education) by Dr Bennett prior to the meeting.

16.    Proposal to restructure the Graduate Certificate of Higher Education (GCHE)

A document detailing the restructure of the GCHE was tabled. Introducing the item, Dr Bennett informed members that the proposal before them provided a comprehensive and flexible approach with a discipline-based focus. The basic structure of a 24 credit point course consisting of four units, each of six credit points, will be maintained and will provided articulated pathways and integrate the GCHE with teaching and research activities. It was anticipated Commonwealth-supported places would be available to Monash staff. The course would also be offered to international and full-fee paying students.

Dr Bennett commended the work of Dr Geoff Romeo and his team in the Faculty of Education during the preparation of the proposal. The proposal would be considered by the Faculty of Education Faculty Board, followed by submission to Academic Board. During discussion, the following points were made:

  • there are a number of academic staff in various faculties who have prepared existing modules that could be adapted for the GCHE;
  • the course will be available to staff from Sunway campus if online support is secured for podcasts of guest speakers, pre-readings, and follow on support;
  • further options beyond Level 1 accreditation will become available if there is a sufficient cohort of students from the GCHE or Level 1 accreditation; and
  • the supervision and leadership electives would be very beneficial to Honours supervisors.

Resolutions:

Education Committee:

  • received and warmly endorsed the draft proposal to restructure the Graduate Certificate of Higher Education; and
  • referred consideration of the potential to offer the Graduate Certificate of Higher Education at Sunway campus to the Sunway Campus Education Committee.

For action/information: Dr Nesadurai, Dr Bennett

Executive Services note: a copy of the tabled paper accompanies the minutes.

17.    Revision of the Monash Experience Questionnaire

Resolution:

Education Committee approved the proposed revision to the number and choice of items in the Monash Experience Questionnaire as detailed.

18.    Update on Sessional Academic Support and Development Project

A member requested that an additional dot point be inserted at sub-section “3.2 Supporting Learning and Teaching” of the Monash Sessional Training Framework, as follows: Library resources and services.

Resolutions:

Education Committee:

  1. received and noted the progress report on the Sessional Academic Support and Development Project;
  2. resolved that an additional dot point be inserted at sub-section 3.2 of the Framework, as follows: Library resources and services; and
  3. endorsed for Academic Board’s approval the use of the Monash Sessional Training Framework as the reference framework for supporting the development of:

(a) sessional academic support in faculties across the university, and
(b) content and materials for the university website on Sessional Academic Support and Development: http://www.odvce.monash.edu.au/projects/sessional/index.html

For action/information: Ms K Gilbert, Ms R Hinds

19.    Revision of the Collaborative Coursework Arrangements Procedures

Resolution:

Education Committee approved the revised Collaborative Coursework Arrangements Procedures.

For action/information: Ms K Roth

20.    Grade Distributions and Weighted Average Marks, 2003-2007

Referring members to Chart 10, a member raised the issue of the disparity of grade distributions in the Faculty of Business and Economics for selected cross-campus units, in particular the low percentages of high distinctions awarded and high failure rates. A further consideration was the significant disparity in grade distribution across faculties, suggesting that the development of a mandated University-wide grading policy should be revisited.

During discussion, the following points were made:

  • although the ENTER score for Faculty of Law undergraduate degrees was 99, the percentage of high distinctions awarded was very low. Graduates from other universities that award a higher percentage of high distinctions have an advantage over Monash graduates, particularly in selection for scholarships to institutions such as Oxford;
  • comparable business and economics courses at the University of Melbourne have mandated higher distinction averages that are equivalent to Monash averages, leading to further disadvantage in the marketplace for Monash graduates;
  • one Faculty of Information Technology unit taught across six campuses with comparable resources and staff had significant variations in the distribution of grades;
  • the improvements in grade distributions and weighted average marks in the Faculty of Engineering between 2003 and 2007 was a result of higher ENTER scores and changes in the cohort of students;
  • a ‘one size fits all’ policy may not be appropriate;
  • there was a much higher percentage of high distinctions awarded in graduate/postgraduate courses in comparison to undergraduate courses;
  • a benchmarking exercise with a university that has similar ENTER scores could be undertaken;
  • a review of the key pedagogical issues by Faculty Boards may be appropriate, with a goal of drafting two or three policies for consideration;
  • given the focus on benchmarks by the Australian Universities Quality Agency, the discussion of grade distributions and average marks was timely; and
  • the Business Intelligence Project would further inform debate and a demonstration of a BIP module would be made to the next meeting of Education Committee.

Resolution:

Education Committee:

  • received and noted the report on grade distributions and average marks at Monash University, 2003-2007; and
  • agreed that the matter should progress to Academic Board for consideration of, inter alia, appropriate benchmarking arrangements.

21.    Summary report on the establishment and amendment/disestablishment of courses and units

Resolution:

Education Committee received and noted the summary report on the establishment and amendment/disestablishment of courses and units.

22.    Good Practice Principles for English Language Proficiency for International Students in Australian Universities

Resolution:

Education Committee received and noted the Good Practice Principles for English Language Proficiency for International Students in Australian Universities.

23.    Proposal for a Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Honours Supervision

Resolution:

Education Committee received and strongly endorsed the proposal by the Honours Project Task Force to establish the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Honours Supervision.

For action/information: Professor M King, Mr A Devey

Part D

Next Meeting

Meeting 3/2009 will be held on Wednesday 27 May 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 Wednesday, 13 May 2009 to mailto:michael.fenaughty@adm.monash.edu.au