Monash UniversityEducation Committee Meeting 1/2004
There were present: Professor A Lindsay (Chair), Associate Professor
K Bensley, Associate Professor A Farley, In attendance were: Mr D Secomb, Mr P Yates, Associate Professor V
Clifford, Associate Professor Y Ryan, MINUTES OF MEETING Part A Procedural and Policy Matters *1. APOLOGIES & MEMBERSHIP: Apologies were received from Ms M Aldred, Dr H Kreutz and Dr P Richardson. The Chair welcomed former members Professor Robin Alfredson, Faculty of Engineering and Associate Professor Karen Bensley, Faculty of Art and Design, who were re-joining the Committee and the following new members: Dr Louise McCall, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Dr Peter Maddock, Faculty of Art and Design (new role as an alternate member), Ms Taryn Macfarlane, MONSU Peninsula, Mr Timothy Szalek, MUBS Berwick, Mr Tim Stephens, MPA, Ms Ann Healey, MPA, and Mr Sean Mc Loughlin, MUGSU Gippsland. The Chair extended a welcome to student and staff observers at the meeting and introduced Ms Shana Chong as the new Secretary to the Committee. *2. STARRED ITEMS: The Committee noted that certain items had been starred as requiring discussion, nominated items 8 and 11 as additional starred items, and endorsed the recommendations for all items other than those starred. *3. MINUTES: Documentation was previously circulated. The minutes of Education Committee Meeting 6/2003, held Wednesday, 15 October 2003, were approved. Action/Information: Shana Chong *4. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES: Refer to item 9. 5. ITEMS OF INTEREST FROM ACADEMIC BOARD MEETING 6/2003: Members noted that the Academic Board had noted all matters that were submitted via the Report of Meeting 6/2003 of the Education Committee. *5.1 PRINCIPLES AND FRAMEWORK FOR ELECTING A CHAIR OF ACADEMIC BOARD The Chair provided an update on the first election of President of Academic Board. Voting by members of the Board was currently underway and would conclude on 23 February 2004. Professor Chris Browne, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, and Associate Professor Alan Farley, Faculty of Business and Economics, both with a strong record of service and leadership in the broader university community, were the candidates nominated. The Chair highlighted the high level calibre of skill and experience of the two candidates and wished them well in the inaugural election. The Education Committee noted the report of the Chair. Action/Information: Members *6. IMPLICATIONS OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION SUPPORT ACT: The Chair highlighted some of the provisions of the Higher Education Support Act and their potential impact on the university. A key initiative under the Act was the establishment of a National Institute for Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, whose focus would be the enhancement of learning and teaching in Australian higher education institutions and which would serve as a flagship for acknowledging excellence in learning and teaching. The Committee noted that the Institute would receive $22m per year from 2006 and that its role would include administration of a major competitive grants scheme for innovation in learning and teaching and the development of mechanisms for the dissemination of good practice, as well as the facilitation of benchmarking of effective learning and teaching processes at national and international levels. Consultations were currently underway between the AUTC on behalf of DEST and key stakeholder groups. The Chair also noted that the establishment of the Learning and Teaching Performance Fund, to be allocated $54.7m in 2006 and $83.8m in 2007, also offered significant potential benefits to the university. Professor Lindsay was currently serving on the DEST Advisory Group whose role was to advise the Department on parameters for the Fund. Eligibility for participation in the Fund would require institutions to demonstrate a strong strategic commitment to learning and teaching through a range of internal policies and processes. Once eligibility was established in Stage 1, Stage 2 would require institutions to demonstrate performance in learning and teaching through a range of performance indicators and qualitative evaluations. The Chair noted that preparations for ensuring Monash eligibility for funding under this initiative would be a core activity in 2004. In addition to the initiatives discussed above, the Chair enumerated some of the major features of the HESA including the increased Commonwealth course contributions, the growth in university places and changes to arrangements for full fee paying students, as well as the establishment of the Commonwealth Learning Scholarships program. Professor Lindsay noted particularly the increased flexibility universities had been given to set student contribution amounts for each unit of study to 25 per cent above the current HECS ceiling for the relevant band. In total, the package offered potential scope for Monash to enhance the quality of the Monash learning environment and experience of all students as well as to offer improved access and support to disadvantaged students. The Education Committee noted the advice of the Chair. Action/Information: Members *7. ACADEMIC PROJECTS AND SERVICES: Ms Sally Stafford, Director, Academic Projects and Services, spoke to this item. Ms Stafford outlined the reasons for the rearrangement and the functions of this new group. The changing focus of the University Council and its requirement for specialist services, particularly in governance matters, had led to a practical formation of two separate units from the former University Secretariat, one providing executive services and the new Academic Projects and Services unit. Members noted that the scope of the functions of the Academic Projects and Services unit includes:
Current staffing consisted of Ms Crystal Chatterton, Ms Peggy Iu, Ms Kim Martin from the area of Academic Projects; and Ms Shana Chong and Ms Samantha Rose, previously with the University Secretariat, comprising Academic Services. Academic Projects and Services would shortly be advertising vacant positions and Ms Stafford noted that the rearrangement would enable a review of executive support to the various LTP subcommittees and working parties that currently did not include executive support. The Chair concurred with the comments made by Ms Stafford and noted the positive outcomes to be gained by the two groups in this new organisational structure. The subcommittee noted the advice of Ms Stafford. Action/Information: Members *8. AMENDMENTS TO THE OPEN LEARNING STUDENTS DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES: This item was starred at the meeting. A document prepared by Ms A Lazar, Deputy University Solicitor, was circulated. Mr S Mc Loughlin, undergraduate student representative, MUGSU Gippsland, asked the Committee to permit further consideration and discussion of this item. Professor Lindsay advised that any queries in relation to student discipline could be referred directly to Ms A Lazar or communicated to the Secretary. Noting the time constraints of the meeting and the absence of Ms Lazar, the Chair deferred approval of this item until the next meeting of Education Committee. Ms A Lazar would be invited to attend to provide advice as required. The Committee agreed to defer this item until the next meeting. Action/Information: Ms A Lazar *9. WORKING PARTY ON EXCLUSION FOR UNSATISFACTORY PROGRESS PROCEDURES REVIEW – ADDENDUM TO REPORT: Documentation was circulated (p2-5). Associate Professor John Hurst, Chair to the Working Party on Exclusion For Unsatisfactory Progress Procedures Review, spoke to this report. At Meeting 6/2003 the Education Committee approved the recommendations contained in the Report of the Exclusion for Unsatisfactory Progress Procedures Review Working Party, including amendments to the university’s functions and procedures for exclusion for unsatisfactory progress. Subsequent to the report a discussion forum was held on 18 November 2003 to discuss the amendments to the university’s double degree procedures, correspondence and documentation. Associate Professor Hurst highlighted that the changes were developed to streamline procedures for faculties administering the progress rules for student failures in double degree courses in response to a mooted process experienced by faculties. This would ensure what progress rules were applied when students failed units and which faculties were charged with administering the application. The new process also incorporated mechanisms for consulting the faculty not involved in the exclusion process to allow for consultation, input and advice in the unsatisfactory progress review process. The Committee discussed the recommendations and noted the section on double degree procedures required clarification and referred that section to the Working Party for review. Considerable discussion occurred regarding aspects of the report and recommendations including the following amendments to Recommendation 1:
In addition the Committee endorsed the establishment of an annual discussion forum to review procedures undertaken in the last exclusion cycle, with outcomes to be reported back to Education Committee; and recommended the Working Party consider an approach to ensure consistency for all double degree students undergoing unsatisfactory progress review. The Committee received and noted the follow up report from the Working Party on Exclusion for Unsatisfactory Progress Procedures Review, including recommendations for double degree procedures and outcomes from the Discussion Forum. The Committee noted the section on double degree procedures required clarification and referred that section to the Working Party of the Education Committee for review. A follow up report reflecting these comments is attached (Attachment A). Action/Information: Associate Professor J Hurst *10. OTHER BUSINESS: The Chair commented on the likely impact of the Nelson Review legislation on admissions and the growing decline in university places and asked members to consider the implications on Monash and its strategies on size and positioning. The university recently awarded a considerable number of equity grants and the Chair noted the university’s consistent performance in this area. He made reference to the work undertaken by the PPE working party on equity initiatives, in consultation with Mr David Phillips, special strategic adviser to Monash, with extensive experience in research policy and strategic development in government policy. Members discussed strategies to minimise implications for faculties experiencing difficulties filling load targets in order to meet the Commonwealth Department of Education, Science and Training loads. Members noted that communication between university areas and obtaining early responses from students were preferred methods for effective planning. The Chair thanked Mr Peter Yates, Ms Sally Stafford and all staff involved in this year’s process for their successful and concerted efforts. Professor Lindsay and the Committee conveyed their thanks to Ms Kerri Wilson Reid, previously Executive Officer and Secretary to the Education Committee, for her significant and long standing contribution to the Committee. Members joined the Chair in wishing Kerri well in her new role in the Faculty of Business and Economics. The Committee noted the Chair’s comments. Action/Information: members *11. UNIT QUOTAS – FACULTY OF LAW: This item was starred at the meeting. Documentation was circulated (p6). Associate Professor M Page, Faculty of Science, asked the Committee if the existing procedures for approval of unit quotas were necessarily the most effective possible. The Chair requested members to consider a more ‘value adding’ route for approval of unit quotas, in accordance with the Statute, noting the historical passage of approval of unit quotas. Members agreed to note future ideas on this item for discussion. The Committee approved a proposal from the Faculty of Law for the establishment of unit quotas for subjects offered in 2004 and agreed to consider a more effective approach for approval of unit quotas, in accordance with the Statute. Action/Information: members PART C: NEXT MEETING The next scheduled meeting of the Education Committee (Meeting 2/2004) will be held at 2:15 pm on Wednesday, 17 March 2004. All final submissions for the agenda for that meeting are due by Wednesday, 3 March 2004. Membership: Professor Alan Lindsay (Chair) Associate Professor Karen Bensley Dr Heinz Kreutz Associate Professor Alan Farley Ms Sally Joy Dr Debbie Corrigan & Dr Paul Richardson Professor Robin Alfredson Professor William Young Associate Professor John Hurst Mr Chris Avram Mr Leighton Morris Associate Professor Tony Luff Dr Louise McCall 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) Ms Taryn Macfarlane (MONSU – Peninsula) Ms Angie Wong (MSA – Clayton) Mr Timothy Szalek (MUBS – Berwick) Mr Sean Mc Loughlin (MUGSU - Gippsland) (Pharmacy Students Association) – position vacant Mr Tim Stephens (MPA – masters by coursework) Ms Ann Healey (MPA – graduate/postgraduate diploma) In Attendance: 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 Shana Chong (Secretary) Further Distribution: Faculty Managers/Registrars (*9) Mr T Calder Ms K Wilson-Reid Ms P Williams Ms P Herman Ms S Stafford Ms B Le Grand |