Monash University

Education Committee Meeting 6/95

* 1. STARRED ITEMS

The Committee additionally starred Item 4.7 of the Agenda and endorsed the recommendations for items other than those starred.

* 2. MINUTES

The Minutes of Meeting 5/95 held on Wednesday 9 August 1995 were approved as circulated.

* 3. MEMBERSHIP

The Committee welcomed Mr B O’Connor, Professor J Bowers and Associate Professor W Young to membership of the Education Committee, and welcomed Professors T Hore, C Raper, J Ratnatunga and J Whitelaw to attendance of the Committee.

4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

4.1 Compliance with the policy for naming undergraduate degrees developed in 1994

Regarding Minutes 3.3.1 Meeting 3/95, 4.2 Meeting 4/95 and 4.1 Meeting 5/95: the Committee noted the information would be brought to a later meeting and would include information from Student Services regarding current practices in testamur printing.

4.2 Marking and Selection Practices

Regarding Minute 3.4 Meeting 3/95, 4.3 Meeting 4/95 and 4.2 Meeting 5/95: the Committee noted the information would be submitted to the Committee at a later date.

Ms Brooks

4.3 Fourth Year Honours Programs: Guidelines for Good Practice

Regarding Minute 5 Meeting 5/95: the Committee noted the summary of responses to the draft policy on Fourth Year Honours Programs would be brought to the next meeting of the Committee, as responses had not yet been received from all faculties.

4.4 Focus of Degrees

Regarding Minute 7 Meeting 5/95: the Committee noted responses had not yet been received from all faculties regarding the focus of degrees and the status of elective subjects within undergraduate degrees; the information would be brought to the next meeting of the Committee.

4.5 Language Policy Working Party

Regarding Minute 8 Meeting 5/95: the Committee noted the Working Party had begun to draft recommendations regarding amendments to the Education Policy which would be necessary to incorporate a language policy.

4.6 Disestablishment of Subjects

Regarding Minute 11.1 Meeting 5/95: the Committee noted responses had not yet been received from all faculties regarding the disestablishment of subjects; the information would be brought to the next meeting of the Committee.

* 4.7 Subject Coding and Including Credit Points on Class Lists

Regarding Minute 11.2 Meeting 5/95: the Committee noted that Mr Burnet advised that the reports given to academics could be amended to include information regarding the credit points assigned to each enrolled student in a subject, but that this amendment would not be available until at least February of 1996. The Committee agreed that this amendment would be of benefit to teaching staff, and asked that the amendment to the structure of class listings be made.

4.8 Third Year Level Studies

Regarding Minute 11.3 Meeting 5/95: the Committee noted the information would be brought to a later meeting of the Committee.

Ms Brooks

* 5. MEETING AND SEMESTER DATES

5.1 Dates for 1996

The Committee noted the proposed schedule of dates for meetings of the Education Committee, Academic Board and Council, and noted that the schedule was approved by Council at Meeting 6/95 on Monday 18 September 1995, and would be considered by the Academic Board at Meeting 7/95 on Wednesday 11 October 1995.

Faculty Registrars

5.2 Semester and Vacation Dates

The Committee noted the Semester and Vacation Dates for the remainder of the century as listed in the document presented.

Faculty Registrars

* 6. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EDUCATION POLICY

The Committee noted the response from the Faculty of Engineering to Dr Baldwin’s paper regarding the status of implementation of the Education Policy and requested responses from the Faculty of Arts and Law and the Victorian College of Pharmacy.

* 7. GRIEVANCE POLICY

The Committee considered the summary of grievance policies of the faculties of the university as detailed in the document presented.

The Committee decided to circulate a discussion paper to the Faculties regarding the preparation of a University Grievance policy. It was agreed that any policy developed would acknowledge that the primary responsibility for resolution of all grievances lay at the faculty level, that the university’s grievance officer (located in the student services section) would be acknowledged, and that a uniform appeal procedure would be developed.

* 8. STANDARDS FOR CONTACT HOURS AND ASSESSMENT

The Committee noted the guidelines for contact hours and assessment in use within the Faculty of Arts, and discussed whether such a document should be developed for general distribution in the University to assist with subject development. The Committee agreed that the document should be circulated with the recommendation that each faculty should consider whether the development of similar guidelines would be of use.

The Committee requested that faculties forward their guidelines regarding faculty minimum standards for contact hours and assessment, if developed, to the Education Committee for noting.

* 9. POLICY STATEMENT ON DUAL LISTED SUBJECTS

"When a subject is listed as being taught at two levels, a qualitative distinction must be made in relation to the assessment required of each level, and this distinction must be clearly set out in the information distributed at the commencement of the subject."

Ms Brooks

* 10. STUDENT WORKLOAD POLICY

The Committee considered the memorandum presented regarding development of a policy for a maximum student workload, particularly within double award programs.

The Committee noted that in some circumstances an overload was necessary because of professional or educational imperatives, but decided that this overload should be limited to a maximum of eight points per academic year (to a total of 56 points), with no more than six overload points to be undertaken in any one semester. The HECS/EFTSU weighting would continue to be varied for students enrolled in an overloaded course, but the credit points awarded for the subject would be altered to reflect the true workload expected of a student enrolled in the overloaded program, in order to acknowledge the overload more formally.

The Committee decided that any new courses which propose to overload students must provide justification to the Committee in the course proposal regarding the reasons for which more than 48 points per year should be approved, and that all existing courses which are overloaded should be reviewed within two years, with faculties providing a rationale on professional or educational grounds for the overload. It was acknowledged that not all of the existing programs of the university would conform to the proposed structure, and the Committee recommended that the coordinators of those programs examine their course structure closely before presenting their rationales to the Committee. The Committee noted that this recommendation would not require course coordinators to amend their courses prior to the beginning of the 1996 academic year.

The Committee requested information from faculties regarding which of their programs currently required more than 48 credit points per year, and especially which programs required students to undertake more than 56 credit points per year.

Faculty Registrars

* 11. GRADES OF PASS FOR UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE SUBJECTS

The Committee considered the latest AVCC summary on grades of pass for undergraduate degree subjects. The AVCC developed a standard grading pattern in 1988, and recently recommended that those universities which had not yet adopted this standard grading pattern reconsider the issue. The Committee considered that there was a strong prima facie case for accepting the recommendation, in particular since the proposed honours policy recommended the same structure, and agreed to circulate a brief paper regarding the issue and to ask faculties to consider the issue and present their comments to the Committee.

Ms Brooks, Deans, Faculty Registrars

12.

MEMORANDUM FROM THE FACULTY OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS

The Committee received and noted the memorandum from the Faculty of Business and Economics regarding the decision taken at Faculty Board Meeting 4/95, held on 8 June 1995.

Ms Pilgrim

12.1 New Subject Proposals

Revised versions of these subject proposals are attached to these Minutes (Attachment 1).

12.1.1 MKT3401 Tourism Marketing

12.1.2 MKT3701 Tourism Law, Planning, Development and Evaluation

12.1.3 MKT3601 Destination Marketing

The Committee endorsed for transmission to the Academic Board the subject proposals listed in items 12.1.1 to 12.1.3 inclusive.

* 13. MEMORANDUM FROM THE FACULTY OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS

The Committee noted that the Faculty of Business and Economics intended to offer the Bachelor of Business (Accounting)/Bachelor of Business (Banking and Finance) and Bachelor of Business (Accounting)/Bachelor of Business (Management) on the Caulfield campus only in 1996, rather than on two campuses as was incorrectly reported in the first instance.

Ms Pilgrim

14.

FACULTY OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS REPORT 5/95

The Committee received the report, noted the proceedings and considered each item requiring action separately for transmission to the Academic Board.

Ms Pilgrim

* 14.1 New Course Proposals

14.1.1 Graduate Certificate in Asian Business

The Committee endorsed for transmission to the Academic Board the proposal to establish a new award, to be titled Graduate Certificate in Asian Business.

14.1.2 Graduate Certificate in Taxation

The Committee endorsed for transmission to the Academic Board the proposal to establish a new award, to be titled Graduate Certificate in Taxation.

14.1.3 Bachelor of Business/Associate Diploma of Business (Hospitality Supervision)

The Committee noted that the $5000 scholarship referred to on page 2237 of the Agenda was a scholarship established and funded by jointly by the Gippsland School of Business and Electronic Commerce and Casey College of TAFE.

The Committee endorsed for transmission to the Academic Board the proposal to establish a new double award in conjunction with the Casey College of TAFE, to be titled Bachelor of Business/Associate Diploma of Business (Hospitality Supervision).

14.1.4 Bachelor of Business/Associate Diploma of Business (Travel and Tourism)

The Committee noted that the $5000 scholarship referred to on page 2237 of the Agenda was a scholarship established and funded jointly by the Gippsland School of Business and Electronic Commerce and Casey College of TAFE.

The Committee endorsed for transmission to the Academic Board the proposal to establish a new double award in conjunction with the Casey College of TAFE, to be titled Bachelor of Business/Associate Diploma of Business (Travel and Tourism).

* 14.2 Amendments to Courses

14.2.1 Graduate Diploma in International Business - International Management Stream

The Committee endorsed for transmission to the Academic Board the proposal to establish an International Management stream in the Graduate Diploma in International Business.

14.2.2 Bachelor of Commerce

A revised version of the changes was tabled at the meeting, and is attached to these Minutes (Attachment 2).

The Committee endorsed for transmission to the Academic Board the proposal for changes to the structure of the Bachelor of Commerce as detailed in the document presented.

14.3 New Subject Proposals

14.3.1 FINXXXX Insurance Law

14.3.2 MGM6610 International Strategic Management

14.3.3 MGM6620 International Industrial and Employee Relations

14.3.4 MGM6630 International Human Resource Management

14.3.5 MGM6640 Cross Cultural Management Communication and Negotiations

14.3.6 MGM6650 International Operations Management

14.3.7 PPMXXXX Financial Management and Management Accounting Issues in Not for Profit Organisations

14.3.8 PPMXXXX Law and Governance of Not for Profit Organisations

The Committee endorsed for transmission to Academic Board the subject proposals listed in items 14.3.1 to 14.3.8 inclusive.

14.4 Amendments to Subjects

The Committee noted the following amendments to existing subjects of the Faculty of Business and Economics:

AAF4160 EDP Audit - to be retitled Issues in Auditing;

MBA6430 Health Policy - to be disestablished;

MGM6700 Managing People and Organisations - to be recoded MGM6701 Managing People and Organisations and to have the prerequisite MGM6210 Introduction to Systems Thinking; and

MGM6760 Strategic Planning and Management - to be recoded MGM6761 Strategic Planning and Management and to have the prerequisite MGM6701 Managing People and Organisations.

15. FACULTY OF EDUCATION REPORT 4/95

The Committee received the report and considered each item requiring action separately for transmission to the Academic Board.

Mr Yates

* 15.1 Amendment to Course

15.1.1 Bachelor of Educational Studies - Distance Education

The Committee endorsed for transmission to the Academic Board the proposal to additionally offer the Bachelor of Educational Studies by distance education (via the Gippsland campus).

15.2 Amendments to Subjects and Disestablishment of Subjects

The Committee noted the amendments to subjects and disestablishments of subjects offered by the Faculty of Education as detailed in the Report of Faculty Board Meeting 4/95.

16. FACULTY OF LAW REPORT 2/95

The Committee received the report, noted the proceedings and considered each item requiring action separately for transmission to the Academic Board.

Ms Wilson

16.1 New Subject Proposals

16.1.1 LAW7122 Superannuation Law and Practice

16.1.2 LAW7014 Secured Finance and Related Transactions

16.1.3 LAW7009 Commercial Leases

16.1.4 LAW7100 Administrative Appeals

16.1.5 LAW7059 Planning Law

16.1.6 LAW7088 Modern Criminal Justice

The Committee endorsed for transmission to Academic Board the subject proposals listed in items 16.1.1 to 16.1.6 inclusive.

17. MEMORANDUM FROM FACULTY OF MEDICINE

The Committee received and noted the memorandum from the Faculty of Medicine regarding the decisions taken at Faculty Board Meeting 5/95, held on 2 August 1995.

Mr Ruck

* 17.1 New Course Proposal - Graduate Diploma of Nursing (Adult Clinical)

The Committee endorsed for transmission to the Academic Board the proposal to establish a new award, to be titled Graduate Diploma of Nursing (Adult Clinical).

17.2 New Subject Proposals

17.2.1 CNS6561 Advanced Clinical Practice 1

17.2.2 CNS6562 Advanced Clinical Practice 2

The Committee endorsed for transmission to the Academic Board the subject proposals listed in items 17.2.1 to 17.2.2 inclusive.

18. FACULTY OF SCIENCE REPORT 4/95

The Committee received the report, noted the proceedings and considered each item requiring action separately for transmission to the Academic Board.

Dr Rodan

18.1 New Subject Proposals

18.1.1 CHM2192 Aquatic Chemistry I

18.1.2 CHM2202 Aquatic Chemistry II

The Committee endorsed for transmission to the Academic Board the subject proposals listed in items 18.1.1 to 18.1.2 inclusive.

* 18.2 Faculty Guidelines regarding Major and Minor changes to subjects

The Committee noted the Faculty of Science Guidelines regarding major and minor changes to subjects, and recommended that faculties which have not yet considered the development of such internal guidelines raise the matter at the appropriate committee level.

The Committee also noted that when a major change to a subject was recommended to the Committee the Faculty could report by indicating only the information which was to change, the reason for the change, and the implications of the change.

Faculty Registrars

19. FACULTY OF SCIENCE SUBJECT PROPOSALS - RESUBMISSION

As requested at Meeting 4/95 of the Education Committee, the Faculty of Science resubmitted the proposals for the following new subjects. The subjects were approved at Meeting 4/95, subject to amendments to the relationships between the methods of teaching and the objectives and the methods of assessment and the objectives, as detailed in these revised documents.

Dr Rodan

19.1 CHM2111 Mechanistic and Structural Chemistry

19.2 CHM2121 Energetics, Valency and Spectroscopy

19.3 CHM2132 Materials and Synthetic Chemistry

19.4 CHM2142 Analytical and Surface Chemistry

19.5 CHM2151 Biological Chemistry

19.6 CHM2161 Chemistry in the Market Place

19.7 CHM2171 Techniques in Instrumental Analysis

19.8 CHM2181 Environmental Quality and Analysis

19.9 CHM3071 Chemical Topics

19.10 CHM3082 Chemical Topics

The Committee noted the amendments to the previously approved subjects listed in items 19.1 to 19.10 inclusive.

* 20. DRAFT GRADUATE STUDIES POLICY

The Committee endorsed the draft Graduate Studies Policy for distribution to faculties for comment, and noted that when faculty comments were received, the working party would reconvene to consider any matters raised, and the revised policy would be returned to the Education Committee before being forwarded to the Academic Board for approval. The Committee also noted that the final policy would be included in the Education and Research Policies handbook.

* 21. RECOGNITION OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

The Committee considered the proposal for Recognition for Academic Excellence as approved at Committee of Deans Meeting 12/95 on 5 September 1995. Members recommended a number of minor changes, and approved the document for submission to the Academic Board subject to those minor changes.

Ms Brooks

* 22. MEMORANDUM FROM FACULTY OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

The Committee received and noted the memorandum from the Faculty of Computing and Information Technology regarding the decision taken at Faculty Board Meeting 2/95.

Mr Hobbs

22.1 Amendment to Course - Research Masters Degrees

The Committee referred back to the Faculty of Computing and Information Technology the proposal to amend all Research Masters Degrees in the Faculty of Computing and Information Technology in order to allow staff to complete the requirements for a Research Masters Degree without being counted in student load for further consideration of alternative arrangements to encourage staff to enrol for Masters degrees by Research.

Members were concerned about the matter of supervision for the staff who would undertake the staff Masters degree, and for the students who might be supervised by a staff member in such a position, since without formally enrolling staff into the award program there could be perceived conflicts of interest. Members suggested that it was preferable to enrol staff into a standard Masters degree by Research and, if necessary, waive the minimum period of enrolment. It was suggested that if the faculty was concerned about overenrolling students into research award programs, an approach be made to the area responsible for budget allocation, indicating the likelihood that the overenrolment would be of brief duration and would be in order to allow staff to enhance their qualifications. In light of the recent emphasis on research, it was considered that such an approach would be likely to be met with a favourable response.

23. TIMETABLE FOR REVIEWS OF COURSES

In discussion of a matter which was not raised in time to be included in the Agenda, the Committee agreed that each Faculty should report to the Education Committee regarding its proposed timetable for reviews of courses not approved by this Committee. Reports of such reviews would be presented to the Education Committee by Faculties.

It was recognised that a number of faculties have undertaken reviews of their degree programs recently, or will undertake such reviews in the immediate future. These faculties are asked to indicate this information in their timetable.

Regarding courses which have been approved by this Committee, members noted that courses which have been approved through the processes of this Committee would not normally need to be reviewed for five years from the date of the approval of the program, unless the Faculty felt it appropriate.

24. NEXT MEETING

The Committee noted that the next meeting of the Education Committee would be held at 9 am on Wednesday 1 November 1995 in the Sir George Lush Room, University Offices, Clayton campus.