Meeting No. 5/2003 of the Education Committee was held on Wednesday, 10 September 2003 in the Sir George Lush Room, Administration Building 3A Clayton, between 2:15pm and 3:25pm

Ms K Wilson-Reid

Secretary

Professor A Lindsay (Chair), Dr P Maddock, Dr H Kreutz, Associate Professor A Farley, Ms S Joy, Associate Professors I Prince and J Hurst, Mr C Avram, Mr L Morris, Associate Professor T Luff, Dr G Ives, Associate Professor M Page, Professors M King, C Browne, J Harris and G Webb, Mr C Hurley, Ms B Anderson and Mr Lim Jian An.

Mr D Secomb, Mr P Yates, Associate Professors Y Ryan and M Lindorff, Ms A Lazar, Ms K Wilson-Reid (Secretary), Ms K Rajak, Ms S Chong and Ms S Stafford.

Dr P Richardson, Dr D Corrigan, Dr T Patti, Associate Professor L Roller, Dr D Taylor, Professor M Evans and Ms M Aldred.

Ms A Lazar, Deputy University Solicitor (items 8 and 9)

Ms S Chong, University Secretariat

Ms K Rajak, Clayton Student Rights

The Committee noted that certain items had been starred as requiring discussion. No further items were starred at the meeting.

Documentation was circulated (p1-8).

Refer to items 6, 7, 8 and 9.

Members noted that the Board had noted all matters reported for information from Meeting 4/2003 of the Education Committee.

A report was circulated from Associate Professor V Clifford, Chair, Internationalisation Subcommittee, who was an apology (p 9-10). A Graduate Attributes Working Party report from Dr T Patti was tabled. A copy of the tabled paper is attached. (Attachment A)

Professor C Browne advised that he would continue to manage membership matters in relation to the Education Committee groups and would provide updates about membership changes to the University Secretariat.

The chairs of the LTP-related groups reported on progress to date:

Members noted Professor Browne’s advice about developments including a timeline to progress the Working Party’s efforts and the addition of Dr J Weir, CHEQ, to the membership. As requested by the Working Party, Professor Browne agreed to look into inclusion of a member representative of the international area. It was noted that a nomination of Mrs N Kimberly had previously been forwarded for this purpose.

Professor Webb highlighted the need to analyse and simplify the university’s graduate attributes, map attributes throughout courses and develop a process for evaluating student achievement of the attributes.

Professor Browne advised that the first meeting of the group had been scheduled.

Members noted Professor Browne’s advice about a working party on plagiarism that was looking into issues such as use of CAVAL software, involvement in that consortium and copyright matters. Discussion occurred about obtaining student permissions for application of the system, difficulties with accumulation of sources for the database and the operation of a similar system in the Faculty of Information Technology. Professor Lindsay highlighted the high priority of ensuring appropriate mechanisms to deal with plagiarism and noted that a meeting was scheduled with ITS to progress these matters.

This group would meet following the initial meeting of the Flexibility Subcommittee.

Members noted that the Subcommittee was currently considering its terms of reference, membership structure and the timing of work to be finalised. Associate Professor Page advised that the Subcommittee would put a report to Education Committee Meeting 1/2003. In relation to Key Quality Indicators, two faculties were giving initial consideration to current indicators.

Members discussed issues related to establishment of the National Institute for Learning and Teaching in Higher Education including use of quality indicators to assess performance and implications for funding. Professor Lindsay advised that he would be looking into AVCC and Go8 had initiatives underway in relation to the Institute. Members noted that if Monash were to have input regarding the Institute the issue would require consideration at the next meeting. It was agreed that Associate Professors Page and Ryan would discuss potential views in the first instance.

Mr D Secomb advised that the initial meeting of this group was being finalised. Members noted that the Subcommittee would look into ways in which it would interact with the Education Committee and other groups involved with policy development.

Members noted the written report provided by Associate Professor V Clifford.

Professor Browne advised that the transition and orientation groups would meet shortly and that an annual report would be forwarded to Education Committee Meeting 6/2003.

The Chair, Professor A Lindsay, foreshadowed a meeting in the second half of October including himself and the chairs of the Education Committee groups to discuss relevant issues. The chairs were asked to contact the office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor about availability so that that office could confirm arrangements.

Professor G Webb, Director, Centre for Higher Education Quality, reported on progress with establishment of the teaching-research nexus benchmarking project with the University of Sydney (LTP A4). Members noted that a response had been received from Sydney that the university was very interested in undertaking the project and that further discussions were underway regarding the detail of an agreement. Professor Webb advised that CHEQ would be pleased to be involved with related projects within Monash.

At its Meeting 4/2003, the Education Committee approved, subject to consultation with the student rights area, amendments to the ‘Student Academic and Administrative Grievance Procedures’ (steps 4 and 8) submitted by the Deputy University Solicitor on behalf of faculties.

Consultation between the Deputy University Solicitor and the student rights area regarding the proposed changes occurred following that meeting. Ms Lazar added a further amendment regarding Step 9 of the Procedures that was also considered as part of that consultation. All proposals were accepted by the student rights officers. The revised proposal from Ms Lazar containing the additional amendment was circulated (p11-18).

It was agreed that relevant information about the amended procedures should be included in the Student Resource Guide for 2004 and relevant faculty publications. The Secretary would write to Faculty Managers regarding the amendments.

At Meeting 4/2003 (refer minute 9), the Education Committee raised concerns about the need for a standard process for consultation with the Student Rights area prior to putting a proposal to the Education Committee for consideration. Relevant proposals would include new or amended legislation, policy or procedures relating to student exclusion, discipline or grievance.

As agreed at that meeting, the Deputy University Solicitor prepared a report on an appropriate consultation process with the Student Rights area to be followed for all future proposals to Education Committee involving these issues (circulated p19-20).

Ms A Lazar took members through the suggested process and highlighted that whilst it was appropriate that consultation occur and that student rights officers have input into relevant proposals, it remained the role of student members of the Education Committee to be involved in the decision/vote about proposals.

The Chair asked whether distribution of the agenda provided sufficient notice about proposals to student members of the Committee. Mr Hurley confirmed that the recommended consultation process and current arrangements for input into the Committee’s decision-making by student members were satisfactory.

Action/Information: Secretary; Ms A Lazar

The Committee noted that the review of the university’s new procedures for exclusion for unsatisfactory progress was currently underway and that a report would be brought to Meeting 6/2003. The Working Party Chair, Associate Professor J Hurst, informed members about the importance of consideration and finalisation of matters in the procedures at the next meeting so that the revised procedures could be used for implementation in relation to the 2003 academic year.

Noting that the procedures relating to show cause and exclusion of double degree students were of particular concern and that they had not been implemented consistently across every faculty, Associate Professor Hurst urged faculties to operate as cooperatively as possible in the management the double degree process.

The Chair invited Mr C Hurley to inform the Committee about a proposal that had been referred to the Assessment Working Party regarding a ‘swot vac’ period.

Mr Hurley highlighted key aspects of the proposal including the significance to the student community of having a break for revision between semester and examinations; strong support for the proposal indicated through a survey of over 600 students; the precedent for a swot vac at the University of Melbourne and other universities; current pressures on students with many exams held in the first week of exams and perceived disadvantage for Monash students competing to enter the workforce in comparison to others who had additional time to revise.

Members discussed related issues and the following points were initially noted:

• potential for considerable impact on unit timetabling and examination scheduling;

• the need to highlight and strengthen commitment to the existing policy that week thirteen should be used for review with no further material introduced;

• loss to students of the benefits of class revision if week thirteen was used for official swot vac and the current option for students not to attend that week;

• difficulties in compressing the teaching in semester into twelve weeks; and

• the need for input from faculties to be sought prior to consideration of the proposal.

Noting the points raised, Mr Hurley advised that many students would consider the introduction of a three day swot vac to be an improvement on current arrangements and noted the contribution a swot vac could make to student preferences when considering undertaking study at Monash.

The Chair thanked Mr Hurley for outlining the proposal and highlighting relevant issues. It was noted that the Assessment Working Party would look into the proposal taking into account matters such as pedagogy and scheduling requirements and current arrangements at other institutions.

In accordance with Statute 6.1.1 and a previous delegation made at Academic Board Meeting 4/1999, the Education Committee is responsible for approval of unit quotas.

A proposal for unit quotas in the Faculty of Science was circulated (p21-22).

Biannual reports from all faculties were circulated (p23-252).

Professor Lindsay advised that following analysis in the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, follow up with that office would be required in relation to cross-faculty consultation as follows:

• Associate Dean Teaching, Faculty of Education, to follow up consultation regarding the Bachelor of Visual Arts and Bachelor of Education; and

• Associate Dean Teaching, Faculty of Pharmacy, to follow up consultation regarding the Master of Clinical Pharmacy and the Master of Wound Care.

Under the ‘Integrated Academic and Resource Planning Approach’, faculties are required to provide a biannual report of their approved course and unit developments to the Education Committee, for noting, using the proforma located at:

http://www.adm.monash.edu.au/unisec/com/ec/information.html

Education Committee Meeting 6/2003 is at 2:15 pm on Wednesday, 15 October 2003.

Professor Alan Lindsay (Chair)

Dr Peter Maddock

Dr Heinz Kreutz

Associate Professor Alan Farley

Ms 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)

(MPA – graduate/postgraduate diploma) – position vacant

Mr Clive Vernon

Mr David Secomb

Mr P Yates (alternate for Mr P Marshall)

Ms Cathrine Harboe-Ree

Associate Professor Valerie Clifford

Associate Professor Yoni Ryan

Associate Professor Marg Lindorff

Ms Kerri Wilson-Reid (Secratary)

Faculty Managers/Registrars (*9)

Mr T Calder

Mr D Mernagh

Ms P Williams

Ms P Herman

Ms S Stafford

Ms B Le Grand

The Working Party has met three times, the latest meeting being last Monday.

Our early discussion has focussed on defining more clearly what we need to do and some clarification on the nature of graduate attributes and what we understand these to mean. For example, the use of terminology regarding what we can claim about a Monash graduate's attributes compared to what we might expect and how the outcomes are measured. The area of ethics and social responsibility is an obvious realm where the outcome is difficult, if not impossible to measure!

Members of the Working Party have examined the graduate attribute activity of other Universities throughout Australia and reported back to the group. Some useful resources and approaches were identified.

Professor Graham Webb from CHEQ has attended a Working Party meeting and given his perspective, from both a historical and future directions viewpoint.

It has been decided that a timeline will be set in place for achieving particular goals. In the first instance a working document will be compiled based on records of the previous work on graduate attributes, including the early working party endeavours, information from Leading the Way - Monash 2020 and Education Committee minutes on previous discussions. This will launch our review of existing graduate attributes and enable us to quickly draft a revised set.

On a separate related issue regarding membership of the Working Party.

Associate Professor Marilyn Baird is unable to continue her involvement due to significant other commitments. She has contacted me to advise of her withdrawal.

Dr Christine Walker from Information Technology Services has been attending meetings in place of Margot Hellyer and is enthusiastic about being involved. She is effectively replacing Margot.

Dr Jennifer Weir from CHEQ, attended our first meeting and is keen to be involved. Her contribution from the CHEQ perspective will be important.

Hence the Working Party membership, as I understand it, comprises:

• Ms Fay Maglen - Faculty of IT

• Mr Tim Moore - CeLTS

• Dr Christine Spratt - CeLTS

• Ms Vivien Bernath - Library

• Ms Liz Turner - student

• A/Prof Louis Roller - Faculty of Pharmacy

• Dr Christine Walker - IT Services

• A/Prof Graham Oppy - Faculty of Arts

• Dr George Somers (PhD student, Medicine) MPA

• Dr Jennifer Weir - CHEQ

• Dr Tony Patti - Faculty of Science

The Working Party has lodged a request with Professor C Browne, Associate Chair of Academic Board, to add a member with a perspective on the Internationalisation theme.

Tony Patti