Meeting No. 2/2003 of the Education Committee was held on Wednesday, 19 March 2003 in the Sir George Lush Room, Administration Building 3A, Clayton Campus, between 2:15 pm and 4:10 pm.

Ms K Wilson-Reid

Executive Officer

There were present: Professor A Lindsay (Chair), Professor C Browne (Acting Chair), Mr K Bensley, Dr H Kreutz, Professors A Farley and S Joy, Dr D Corrigan, Dr P Richardson, Associate Professor I Prince, Professor W Young, Associate Professor J Hurst, Mr C Avram, Mr L Morris, Associate Professor T Luff, Dr G Ives, Associate Professors M Page and L Roller, Dr D Taylor, Professors M King, M Evans and J Harris, Ms M Aldred, Mr C Hurley, Mr JA Lim, and Mr E Keegel.

In attendance were: Mr C Vernon, Mr D Secomb, Associate Professor V Clifford, Ms B Jacoby (for Ms C Harboe-Ree), Ms M Jackson, Ms A Lazar, Ms K Wilson-Reid (Executive Officer), and Ms S Stafford.

Agenda items were addressed in the following order: 10A, 4.1, 4.2, 6, 8, 7, 8, and 11. Professor Lindsay vacated the Chair due to unavoidable commitments around the commencement of item 8. Professor C Browne, Associate Chair of Academic Board, was Acting Chair for the remainder of the meeting.

Apologies were received from Professor G Webb, Mr T Patti, Ms B Anderson and Mr T Pritchard.

The Chair welcomed new member Ms Mary Aldred, and Ms Meredith Jackson and Ms Amanda Lazar who were invited to attend for this meeting.

The Committee noted that certain items had been pre-starred as requiring discussion. Item 7 was starred at the meeting.

The Chair added items 4.1, 4.2 and 10A at the meeting.

Action/Information: Executive Officer

The Chair added this item at the meeting.

The Chair informed members that the issue of seeking student input into the nomination process for the Unit Innovation Grant Scheme (UIGS) was raised prior to the meeting by student member Mr E Keegel. Professor Lindsay advised that a letter had already been sent from the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Planning) to Deans and Associate Deans Teaching regarding the Scheme.

Action/Information: Associate Deans Teaching

The Chair added this item at the meeting.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Planning) foreshadowed a review of the course approval system (the Integrated Academic and Resource Planning Approach), including its current effectiveness and the appropriate levels and types of input that were required for this process.

Action/Information: Associate Deans Teaching

Members noted that the Academic Board had approved and/or noted all matters that were submitted via the Report of Meeting 1/2003 of the Education Committee.

A document was circulated titled ‘Towards a Marketing Plan 2003: Development Framework’ (p1-8). Ms M Jackson, Executive Director, Marketing and Public Affairs, was invited to attend the meeting for this item.

Ms Jackson provided a presentation about the development framework for the Monash University Marketing Plan 2003 that was being prepared. Ms Jackson highlighted issues that had been identified including:

• how the university communicates;

• the need for greater clarity regarding the university’s multi-campus strategy;

• the importance of ENTER scores as an indication of quality;

• whilst respecting diversity, the need for a consistent approach in relation to logos and identities of the different areas within the institution;

• the power and use of the ‘Monash’ name; and

• the significance of quality and clear strategic directions for the maintenance and growth of the university’s position with regards to competitors.

The Committee discussed related matters including:

• the applicability of the Plan to the organisational unit level, rather than the subject/unit level;

• market perceptions about the university’s strategies, the type and spread of its offerings and resourcing across different campuses;

• the need for use of clear and accessible language in communications to the market place; and

• the importance of follow through in relation to implications for teaching and research such as policy review, change and implementation.

The Chair thanked Ms Jackson for the presentation. Professor Lindsay highlighted the significance of consideration about the nature of the university, the type of courses it offered and implications for teaching and research. The Chair noted that ADTs would need to consider how academic planning would interact with the emerging Marketing Plan. Members noted that any further comments about the emerging Marketing Plan should be provided to Ms Meredith Jackson, Executive Director, Marketing and Public Affairs, via email (Meredith.Jackson@adm.monash.edu.au).

Action/Information: Associate Deans Teaching; Members

The Academic Policy Bank Project, that was commissioned by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Planning), had previously provided progress reports to meetings of the Education Committee and the Committee of Associate Deans Teaching. The final report from the Project, including information about policies requiring review, policy gaps, and recommendations about future requirements, was circulated (p9-18).

Members had noted the new Academic Policy Bank, involving a significant enhancement of the previous repository of policies that were in the academic section of the Policy Bank, located at: http://www.adm.monash.edu.au/unisec/academicpolicies/index.html

Professor M Evans, Director, Planning and Academic Affairs and head of the Academic Policy Bank Project, informed members about the different stages of the project and its completion, and thanked all those who had been involved. Members noted that this was the end of the first phase of review of the university’s coursework policies, opening to further, ongoing efforts that would be undertaken by the Academic Policy Sub-committee and other areas of the university such as admissions, scholarships, research, equity and diversity etc.

Noting that links had been created from the new Academic Policy Bank to each of the faculties’ policy sites, members noted the importance of faculties further developing and reviewing their faculty level policies in accordance with current university policies, including the maintenance of accessible policy sites that would be linked to the Policy Bank.

• noted that the Policy Bank manager, on behalf of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Planning), would be writing to areas of University that were currently reviewing academic policy, requesting that they provide copies of their revised policies and procedures to the Secretariat for inclusion on the policy bank, or for relevant endorsement, as appropriate;

• referred Attachment A, including information about policies requiring review, policy gaps, and recommendations about future requirements, to the Academic Policy Sub-committee of the Education Committee (currently being established) for follow through;

• agreed to take a key role in ensuring that the University community is aware of the new policy framework and, when undertaking policy development, consider existing materials on the policy bank and use the same approach when developing/amending academic policy;

• agreed that ADTs would consider and look into development of faculty level academic policies, including the faculty policy sites that have been linked to from the new Academic Policy Bank; and

• noted, in response to a student query, that the Education Committee Assessment Working Party (currently being established) would consider the issue of Swot Vac as part of their deliberations during 2003 (refer also to item 8).

Action/Information: ADTs; Members; Associate Chair Academic Board

This item was foreshadowed at Education Committee Meeting 1/2003 during consideration of implementation of the Learning and Teaching Plan 2003-2005 (LTP). An exposure draft proposal for the terms of reference of Education Committee sub-committees and working parties was emailed to members prior to the meeting.

Professor Lindsay introduced this item opening for comment on the exposure draft presented, noting that a full proposal with revisions and membership details would be put to the next meeting. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor also recommended to the Committee the proposed change of the Academic Policy group from a working party to an ongoing sub-committee that would have power to act on policy and oversee the Academic Policy Bank.

The Acting Chair, Professor C Browne, thanked those who had provided expressions of interest and also nominations of other staff for the groups. Professor Browne highlighted two generic amendments to the draft proposal as detailed under "General Points" below.

Extensive discussion ensued and the following suggestions and changes to the draft proposal were put forward:

The ‘generic’ and ‘specific’ sections of this draft terms of reference should take into account past and future considerations/efforts.

Check that the following are taken into account during the drafting of the terms of reference:

• link with ITS Planning

• implementation of the review of WebCT

• LTP Strategy F1 is broader than the relevant point in this draft terms of reference.

Change ‘specific’ point 4 to read "Establish processes to guide faculties to…".

Ensure appropriate division of responsibilities between this sub-committee, the faculties and CHEQ.

This subcommittee should also give consideration to the interrelationship of university and faculty level policy.

ADTs should continue to ensure that faculty level policies are consistent with university level policies and easily accessible to students.

As noted under item 7 above, this working party would consider the issue of Swot Vac as part of their deliberations during 2003.

Reconsider use of the word ‘implement’ in the ‘generic’ section.

Possible expansion of point 2 to allow for consideration of other potential attributes.

Expand the draft terms of reference of each sub-committee and working party to include a general statement allowing for the Education Committee to refer matters of business / responsibilities to the group as appropriate and required.

Where relevant, amend the timing of reporting to the Education Committee from November/December to ‘the last meeting of the year’.

Action/Information: Associate Chair of Academic Board; Associate Deans Teaching

Documentation was circulated (p19-26) including a memorandum from Ms A Lazar, Deputy University Solicitor, a proposed amendment to Statute 4.1 – Discipline, and a copy of the relevant section of Statute 4.1 that showed the proposed amendment highlighted in strikeout for ease of reference.

The Central Discipline Committee (Appeals) recently heard an appeal from a decision of a Faculty Discipline Committee which had raised concern. The ground of the appeal was "new evidence not presented at the original hearing". The new evidence was that the student had lied to the Faculty Discipline Committee. This proposal sought amendment of the ground of appeal in the Discipline Statute from "evidence of a substantial nature not presented at the time of the original hearing" to "new evidence of a substantial nature, being evidence not reasonably available to the student at the time of the original hearing". This would bring the appeal grounds for Discipline in line with those for Exclusion for Unsatisfactory Progress.

Action/Information: Ms A Lazar; Executive Officer

The Committee noted that Monash University and King’s College London had announced a new seeding fund of $30,000 to support proposals consistent with the strategic directions of the Monash University Learning and Teaching Plan and the KCL Learning and Teaching Strategy. It was noted that one or more projects may be funded. The initiative was due to the generosity of Professor Alan Lindsay, DVC (Academic & Planning), Monash and Professor Arthur Lucas, Principal, King's College, London.

At Education Committee Meeting 5/2002, it was agreed that it would be appropriate to review the procedures for exclusion for unsatisfactory progress, titled "Functions and Procedures for Faculty Academic Progress Committees", and "Functions and Procedures for the Exclusion Appeals Committee", following completion of the first implementation cycle for the new exclusion process in 2003. At Meeting 2/2003, Professor Lindsay foreshadowed that a proposal for a review group would be brought forward to the next meeting by the Executive Officer and Chair.

On the invitation of the Chair, Ms A Lazar, Deputy University Solicitor, informed the Committee about particular concerns that had been raised about the length of time currently required for notice of hearings. Professor Lindsay noted that proposed changes to legislation in relation to this matter would be provided by Ms Lazar.

Action/Information: Ms A Lazar; Executive Officer; Chair

All ten faculties’ biannual reports were circulated for noting (p27-186).

The report circulated in the agenda from the Faculty of Pharmacy included details of new courses. Further information regarding unit developments in the Faculty of Pharmacy was circulated prior to the meeting. An additional paper regarding Pharmacy unit amendments was tabled at the meeting.

At the commencement of this item, members noted advice from the Executive Officer that Education Committee was asked to note coursework developments. As advised by the Professor M King, research developments (eg. Professional Doctorate of Information Technology) were for consideration by the Research Graduate School Committee.

At the invitation of the Chair, Associate Deans Teaching advised the Committee about key course developments in each of the faculties. Some of the highlights included incorporation of relevant themes from the Learning and Teaching Plan 2003-2005, major reviews of suites of programs, course re-structuring, strategies for diversification, cross-faculty offerings, the offering of double masters degrees, and programs to attract high achieving students. Brief discussion occurred regarding cross-faculty offerings and titling, and the offering of a masters transition unit (FIT9001) in the Faculty of Information Technology with a zero credit point value.

In response to queries, the Associate Dean Teaching of the Faculty of Pharmacy informed members about the unusual credit point structure of the Bachelor of Formulation Science (Honours) (agenda p 181), that allowed for a break down of 80% research (38 points) and 20% coursework (10 points). Discussion occurred regarding the university’s standard practice involving a six point (or multiples) credit point structure, and the ‘Honours Year Programs Policy’, that states that distinct components should receive a separate assessment and should normally be identified as separate units of six credit points (or multiples). Associate Professor Roller agreed to consider the allocation of credit points within the Bachelor of Formulation Science (Honours).

Secretarial Note: Subsequent to the meeting, further information in relation to this item was forwarded. The following information will be included on the agenda for the next meeting (3/2003) for noting:

• Information provided by Associate Professor Roller about the rationale for the existing credit point structure of the Bachelor of Formulation Science (Honours), in response to the query raised at this meeting; and

• Due to amendments that were required to the original report of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences that was put to this meeting, a replacement of the biannual report from that Faculty.

Action/Information: Associate Professor Roller; Ms J White; Dr G Ives; Associate Professor T Luff; Ms J Kemp; Ms S Stafford; Members

Members noted that the next scheduled meeting of the Education Committee (Meeting 3/2003) would be held at 2:15 pm on Wednesday, 21 May 2003.

Professor Alan Lindsay (Chair)

Mr Karen Bensley (until Meeting 2/2003)

Dr Peter Maddock (from Meeting 3/2003)

Dr Heinz Kreutz

Associate Professor Denise Cuthbert

Professor Alan Farley

Professor Sally Joy

Dr Debbie Corrigan & Dr Paul Richardson

Associate Professor Ian Prince

Professor William Young

Associate Professor John Hurst

Mr Chris Avram

Mr Leighton Morris

Associate Professor Tony Luff

Dr Glenice Ives

Associate Professor Michael Page

Dr Tony Patti

Associate Professor Louis Roller

Dr David Taylor

Professor Max King

Professor Chris Browne

Professor Merran Evans

Professor John Harris

Professor Graham Webb

Ms Mary Aldred (MONSU – Caulfield)

Mr Anthony Hillen (MONSU – Peninsula)

Mr Chris Hurley (MSA – Clayton)

Ms Brooke Anderson (MUBS – Berwick)

Mr Terry Pritchard (MUGSU - Gippsland)

(Pharmacy Students Association) – position vacant

Mr Lim Jian An (MPA – masters by coursework)

Mr Earle Keegel (MPA – graduate/postgraduate diploma)

Mr Clive Vernon

Mr David Secomb

Mr Peter Marshall (alternate - Mr Peter Yates)

Ms Cathrine Harboe-Ree

Associate Professor Valerie Clifford

Associate Professor Marg Lindorff

Ms Kerri Wilson-Reid (Executive Officer)

Faculty Managers/Registrars (*9)

Mr T Calder

Mr D Mernagh

Ms P Williams

Ms P Herman

Ms S Stafford

Ms B Le Grand