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Monash University > Execserv > Committees > Other-committees > Education > Meetings > 2009

Education Committee Meeting 5-2009

Meeting 5/2009 of the Education Committee will be held on Thursday, 8 October 2009 commencing at 3.15pm in the Sir George Lush Room, Building 3a, Clayton campus.

Apologies: to Mr Michael Fenaughty on +61 3 9905 5023 or michael.fenaughty@adm.monash.edu.au

Mr Michael Fenaughty
Secretary

Members having a direct commercial or financial interest in any item before this meeting must declare that interest to the Chair via the Committee Secretary prior to consideration of the item, and must not take part in a vote on any matter concerning it.

AGENDA

Part A Procedural Matters

*1. Welcome

Apologies: Associate Professor Gary Codner, Professor Jayne Godfrey, Associate Professor Louise McCall, Dr Geoff Romeo.

Welcome to new members: Professor Val Clulow, Gippsland Board of Studies representative; Ms Dale Down: graduate/postgraduate coursework representative nominated by the Monash Postgraduate Association; Dr Tangerine Holt: nominee of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International); Professor Marnie Hughes-Warrington, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching); Mr Sarwar Tahzeeb: graduate/postgraduate coursework representative nominated by the Monash Postgraduate Association.

In attendance: Dr Simon Barrett, Manager, Research Ethics and Compliance, Monash University Research Office, Dr Amanda Berry, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Education, Ms Cathryn Bunney, Manager, Enrolments, Mr Adrian Devey, Project Manager, Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), Professor Rae Frances, Chair, Languages other than English Task Force, Ms Julie Larsen, Senior Project/Policy Officer, Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research & Research Training), Ms Samantha Lipscombe, Faculty Academic Manager, Faculty of Engineering.

*2. Arrangement of Agenda and Starring of Items

Certain items appearing in the agenda have been marked with an asterisk. These are items that appear to need discussion by the Committee. Items that do not appear to need discussion are unstarred. Items may be starred prior to the meeting by contacting the Secretary, or at this point in the meeting. Items of other business will be called for at this point.

Recommendation:

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 P1-10

The unconfirmed minutes of meeting 4/2009, held on Wednesday 12 August are attached.

Recommendation:

That the minutes of Education Committee Meeting 4/2009, held on 12 August, be confirmed.

*4. Chair’s Report

Professor Shoemaker will speak to the item.

Part B Policy and Committee Matters

5. Education Policy Committee (EPC)

5.1 Receipt of Report P11-14

Recommendation:

That Education Committee receive and note the report of the Education Policy Committee Meeting 5/2009 held on 15 September 2009.

5.2 Items referred to Education Committee by EPC

5.2.1 Amendments to the Academic and Administrative Complaints and Grievances Policy and Complaints and Grievances of Coursework Students Procedures P15-38

Attached for endorsement is the revised Academic and Administrative Complaints and Grievance Policy. The Policy is accompanied by amended Complaints and Grievances of Coursework Students Procedures, for Education Committee’s approval. Professor Merran Evans will speak to the item.

Recommendations:

That Education Committee:

endorse the revised Academic and Administrative Complaints and Grievance policy for transmission to Academic Board.
approve the amended Complaints and Grievances of Coursework Students procedures.
note the:

- Grievance acknowledgement, status and outcome template letters.
- Student File Grievance Checklist.
- Grievance register.
- Grievance coursework flowchart.

5.2.2 Amendment of the Credit Transfer Procedures and Articulation Procedures P39-46

Attached for approval are proposed amendments to the Credit Transfer Procedures and the Articulation Procedures.

Recommendation:

That Education Committee approve the proposed amendments to the Credit Transfer Procedures and the Articulation Procedures.

5.2.3 Amendment of the Special Consideration Procedures P47-56

Attached for approval are proposed amendments to the Special Consideration Procedures.

Recommendations:

That Education Committee:

approve the amendment to the Special Consideration Procedures transferring Sub-sections 6.2.5 and 6.2.6 to Section 5;
approve the amendment to Sub-section 2.2.2 of the Special Consideration Procedures;
note the proposed alterative process for in-semester extensions to assignment deadlines; and
note issues concerning the roles of teaching faculty and course managing faculty in end-of-semester Special Consideration Applications.

*5.2.4 Proposed Course Duration Delivery Models Definitions P57-60

Attached for endorsement are Course Duration Delivery Model Definitions for inclusion in the Course Structure Policy. Ms Cathryn Bunney will speak to the item.

Recommendation:

That Education Committee endorse for Academic Board’s approval the following Course Duration Delivery Model Definitions for inclusion in the Course Structure Policy:

Standard Delivery: A course comprising 48 credit points each year.
Accelerated Delivery: A course comprising more than 48 credit points in any academic year.
Extended Delivery: A course comprising fewer than 48 credit points in any academic year.

5.2.5 Revised Guidelines Under Monash University Statute 6.3 – Exclusion for Health Reasons P61-70

Attached for endorsement are revised Guidelines Under Monash University Statute 6.3 – Exclusion For Health Reasons.

Recommendation:

That Education Committee approve the revised Guidelines Under Monash University Statute 6.3 – Exclusion For Health Reasons.

6. Matters Arising from the Minutes

6.1 Amendment of the Foundation Programme Course Regulations, Monash South Africa (refer Education Committee 4/2009 Minutes, Item 9)

Ms Debbie Lees, Manager, Monash South Africa Foundation Programmes, has informed the Secretary that the amendments requested by Education Committee Meeting 4/2009 will be considered by the Board of Studies, Monash South Africa.

7. 7.1 Academic Board Matters – Meeting 3/2009

No items referred.

7.2 Academic Board Matters – Meeting 6/2008 P71-90

Survey of the use of assessment question banks

Members will recall that at Academic Board Meeting 6/2008, the Board received a briefing from Mr Renn Wortley, University Special Counsel on the decision in University of Melbourne v. McKean and referred consideration of the use of assessment question banks throughout the University to Education Committee, as follows:

“Academic Board:

Received and noted the briefing on the decision in University of Melbourne v. McKean.
Referred to Education Committee the role of surveying the use of assessment question banks throughout the University and reporting to a future meeting of the Board regarding the steps that would be appropriate to facilitate University compliance with FoI requirements, but more importantly, to ensure that high educational standards of assessment were being upheld.”

Faculty members of Education Committee were subsequently surveyed and a consolidated table of responses is attached for discussion.

Recommendation:

That Education Committee:

discuss the summary of responses to a survey of the use of assessment question banks throughout the University;
establish a working party to consider the responses to the survey that will:

i. consider whether the current use of assessment question banks throughout the University ensures that high educational standards of assessment are maintained; and
ii. provide a report of its findings to Education Committee Meeting 1/2010, to be held on 2 February 2010.

8. Sunway Campus Education Committee

No report.

9. Board of Studies, Monash South Africa P91-92

Attached for noting is the report of the Board of Studies, Monash South Africa Meeting 5/2009.

Recommendation:

That Education Committee receive and note the report of the Board of Studies, Monash South Africa Meeting 5/2009 held on 23 July 2009.

10. Learning and Teaching Committee (LTC) P93-96

Attached for noting is the report of LTC Meeting 1/2009 held on 17 September.

Recommendation:

That Education Committee receive and note the report of the Learning and Teaching Committee Meeting 1/2009 held on 17 September 2009.

10.1 Items referred to Education Committee by LTC

10.1.1 Implementing Passport Project 1: Peer Assisted Learning and the Act Program of Passport P97-102

Attached for approval are proposals in relation to the Act Program of The Monash Passport.

Recommendations:

That Education Committee:

1. approve the proposal that Units, primarily at undergraduate level, can be badged as a part of the Act Program of Passport;
2. approve a proposal that Faculties will be allowed to advertise them as such once they have been reviewed to:

i. ensure that they provide adequate opportunities for Peer Assisted Learning; and
ii. the number and spread of units aligns with Faculty resources; and

3. note that the Peer Assisted Learning Working Party will consult with the Student Volunteering Advisory Group to recruit students with Peer Assisted Learning skills to participate in volunteering activities with secondary school students.

10.1.2 Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC) Teaching Awards: New Strategies for Monash P103-110

Attached for noting is advice that the Learning and Teaching Committee has approved Faculty Curriculum Reform Initiatives, accompanied by a request for Education Committee to seek formal advice from the Monash Human Ethics Committee on the ethical use of student materials in teaching award and promotion applications.

Recommendations:

That Education Committee:

1. note that the Learning and Teaching Committee Meeting 1/2009 approved the proposed Faculty Curriculum Reform Initiatives, as follows:

i. That all faculties be encouraged to introduce Dean’s awards for teaching excellence, and that the criteria and application format for those awards align with those set at institutional level and by the Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC).
ii. That the Monash teaching awards scheme be adjusted to align with the three ALTC teaching award schemes.
iii. That support mechanisms for ALTC awards applications be broadened to ensure that staff are given the best opportunity to achieve recognition for their work.

2. Seek formal advice from the Monash Human Ethics Committee about the ethical use of student materials in teaching award and promotion applications.

10.1.3 Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC) Grants: New Rules and New Strategies for Monash P111-116

Attached for approval is a proposal to establish a system of registration and formal support for ALTC grant applications.

Recommendations:

That Education Committee:

Approve the establishment of a system of registration and formal support for ALTC grant applications.
Note that the LTC faculty representatives will ask staff in their areas with expertise in securing ALTC grants to devote up to 4 hours per year to helping new grant applicant with the provision of feedback.
Note that the LTC has requested that the Centre for the Advancement of Learning and Teaching develop a blended offering Graduate Certificate of Higher Education module on Applying for Australian Learning and Teaching Council Grants within a unit of the Graduate Certificate of Higher Education for consideration by the Learning and Teaching Committee, followed by submission of the proposal to the Faculty of Education Faculty Board for approval.

11. Coursework Admissions and Scholarships Committee (CASC) P117-118

Receipt of Report

Attached for noting is the report of CASC meeting 3/2009 held on 20 August 2009.

Recommendation:

That Education Committee receive and note the report of meeting 3/2009 of the Coursework Admissions and Scholarships Committee.

12. Items referred to Education Committee by the International Committee

International Committee Meeting 1/2009 was held on Tuesday 11 August 2009. At the meeting the International Committee dealt with matters that cross over both the international and education portfolios. These matters are detailed below at 12.1 and 12.2.

*12.1 Executive Summary of the Task Force on the Learning and Usage of Languages Other Than English Report P119-128

Attached for feedback is the executive summary of the Task Force on the Learning and Usage of Languages Other Than English Report. Professor Rae Frances will speak to the item.

Recommendation:

That Education Committee provide feedback to Professor Frances on the draft recommendations made by the Task Force on Learning and Usage of Languages Other Than English (LOTE).

Executive Services Note: copies of the full report can be obtained from Michael.fenaughty@adm.monash.edu.au

12.2 Review of the transnational collaborative teaching arrangement with the Li Ka Shing Institute of Professional and Continuing Education, The Open University of Hong Kong (LiPACE) P129-132

Attached for noting is the executive summary of the report of a review of the collaborative teaching arrangement with the LiPACE.

Recommendation:

That Education Committee note the executive summary of the review of the collaborative teaching arrangement with the LiPACE.

Executive Services Note: copies of the full report can be obtained from Michael.fenaughty@adm.monash.edu.au

*13. Report of the Honours Project Task Force P133-202

Attached is the report of the Honours Project Task Force. Professor Max King, Chair, Honours Project Task Force, will speak to the item.

Recommendations:

That Education Committee:

consider the recommendations made by the Honours Project Task Force;
approve the establishment of an Honours Committee, which will be a standing committee of Education Committee that will also have a reporting line to the Research Graduate School Committee; and
approve the draft Terms of Reference, as detailed.

Part C Items referred to Education Committee by Professor Edwina Cornish, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research)

14.1 Centres and Institutes Policy and Procedures P203-214

Attached for endorsement is the draft Centres and Institutes Policy and Procedures from Professor Edwina Cornish. Ms Julie Larsen will respond to any questions from members.

Recommendations:

That Education Committee:

Endorse the Centres and Institutes Policy and Procedures to proceed to university-wide consultation and to Academic Board for approval.
Note that, should substantive changes to this policy and procedures arise from discussions at any of the endorsement committees, or from the university-wide consultation process, revised documents will be submitted back to each Committee before progressing to Academic Board.

Executive Services Note: the draft Centres and Institutes Policy and Procedures were circulated to the Education Policy Committee members for comment and endorsement on 23 September 2009.

14.2 Activities Involving Genetically Modified Organisms Policy and Activities Involving Genetically Modified Organisms Procedures (Australia) P215-222

Attached for endorsement is the Activities Involving Genetically Modified Organisms Policy and Activities Involving Genetically Modified Organisms Procedures (Australia) from Professor Edwina Cornish. Dr Simon Barrett will respond to any questions from members.

Recommendations:

That Education Committee:

Endorse the Activities Involving Genetically Modified Organisms Policy and Activities Involving Genetically Modified Organisms Procedures (Australia) to proceed to university-wide consultation and to Academic Board for approval.
Note that, should substantive changes to this policy and procedures arise from the university-wide consultation process, revised documents will be submitted back to each Committee before progressing to Academic Board.

Executive Services Note: the Activities Involving Genetically Modified Organisms Policy and Activities Involving Genetically Modified Organisms Procedures (Australia) were circulated to the Education Policy Committee members for comment and endorsement on 23 September 2009.

Part D Requests for exemption from Policy

Executive Services Note: Items 15.1 to 15.4 below consist of requests from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences for exemptions from policy/procedures.

15.1 Request for exemption from the Course Structure Policy for a proposed Biomedical Science Advanced with Honours P223-248

Recommendations:

That Education Committee approve:

A higher than normal requirement for progression in the proposed Biomedical Science Advanced with Honours.
The proposal that students who do not maintain an annual distinction average of 70 per cent over 48 points of study in the Bachelor of Biomedical Science Advanced with Honours be transferred to the Bachelor of Biomedical Science (course code 2230).

15.2 Request for exemption from the Course Structure Policy for a proposed Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Scholars Program) P249-274

Recommendations:

That Education Committee approve:

Accelerated study in the first year of the Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Scholar Program).
The proposal that students who do not maintain an annual distinction average of 70 per cent over 48 points of study in the Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Scholar Program) be transferred to the Bachelor of Biomedical Science (course code 2230).

15.3 Request for exemption from the Course Structure Policy for a proposed Master of Social Work (Qualifying) P275-280

Recommendation:

That Education Committee approve an exemption for the Master of Social Work (Qualifying) to the student workload requirement defined in the Course Structure Policy.

15.4 Request for exemption from the Credit Policy and Credit Transfer Procedures that will create a course transfer mechanism from the Doctor of Public Health to the Master of Health Sciences P281-284

Recommendation:

That Education Committee approve a proposal to establish a course transfer from the Doctor of Public Health to the Master of Health Sciences to cater for a small cohort of State Government sponsored students.

Part E Environmental Scans

16. Recent developments in Australia’s Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector with a potential bearing on Monash University P285-306

Attached for information is a paper that reviews recent developments in Australia’s Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector with a potential bearing on Monash.

Recommendations:

That Education Committee:

Continue to monitor developments in the VET sector that may bear on Monash’s operations.
Support further investigation of comparative performance by ex-VET students and other students in returning (non-commencing) years.
Support the development of a centralised database for formal credit and articulation arrangements made between faculties and VET institutions.

17. Admission Pathways/Entry Schemes and monitoring of standards P307-319

Attached for noting is a briefing paper on admission pathways/entry schemes and monitoring of standards of student academic performance.

Recommendation:

That Education Committee note the briefing paper on current admission pathways, success and retention and monitoring of standards of student academic performance to provide a baseline of Monash activities against which changes generated by Government initiatives can be measured.

Part F Next Meeting

Meeting 6/2009 will be held on Wednesday 2 December commencing at 3.15pm (Australian Eastern Summer Time) 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 Thursday, 19 November 2009 to mailto:michael.fenaughty@adm.monash.edu.au