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Education Committee Meeting 5-2005Meeting 5/2005 of the Education Committee was held on Wednesday, 7 September 2005, in the Elizabeth Burchill Room, Building 903, Clayton campus, between 2:15 pm and 4:25 pm. There were present: Professor S Parker (Chair), Professor R Alfredson, Ms J Allen, Professor D Arnott, Associate Professor H Ballis, Associate Professor V Clifford, Ms C Cooze, Dr D Corrigan, Professor T Dingle, Associate Professor B Doecke, Professor M Evans, Associate Professor A Farley, Mr V Garth, Mr T Hogan, Associate Professor S Joy, Ms G Key, Dr L McCall, Dr D Murphy, Mr L Ostroburski, Ms J Reeder, Associate Professor L Roller, Associate Professor Y Ryan, Mr D Taft, Dr D Taylor, Dr C Varsavsky, Mr C Vernon, Professor J Waincymer, Mr L Whiteley, Mr P Yates. Apologies: Professor C Browne, Professor M King, Dr H Kreutz, Associate Professor T Luff, Professor B MacKenzie, Dr T Patti, Mr K Slywa, Professor R Willis, Professor W Young. In attendance: Ms C Chatterton (Secretary) MINUTES OF MEETING*1. INTRODUCTION The new Chair of the Committee, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor S Parker, welcomed Professor Rob Willis in absentia and Dr David Murphy, Acting Director of CeLTS. The Chair also welcomed Mr Vern Garth, Associate Professor Harry Ballis, Ms Jenny Reeder and Associate Professor Valerie Clifford who were invited to address the committee for specific agenda items. *2. STARRED ITEMS The Committee noted that certain items had been starred as requiring discussion and endorsed the recommendations for all items other than those starred. *3. MINUTES The unconfirmed minutes of meeting 4/2005 held on 13 July 2005, were circulated on 29 July 2005. The minutes of Education Committee Meeting 4/2005, held on 13 July 2005, were approved. Action/Information: Shana Chong 4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES *4.1 Exam Timetabling Working Party RMO2005/1005 A report was attached. (p 1-12). Professor T Dingle, a member of the Working Party on Exam Timetabling, spoke to the report on behalf of Associate Professor T Luff, convenor of the working party, and informed the Committee that the working party had attempted to strengthen the existing Week 13 Policy to make it a defacto swot vac whilst incorporating guidelines for units that did not have examinations. For semester two, only 127 students will have four or more examinations in the first week of the exam period, a reduction from 1449 students in semester one. The recommendations are a strategy for the long term. Members discussed the report as well as the issue of a swot vac. Comments from members included:
The Education Committee received the report of the Exam Timetabling Working Party and noted the advice of Professor Dingle. The Committee agreed that the Working Party would revise recommendation one and transmit it to Academic Board after executive approval by the Chair. The Education Committee adopted recommendations two to seven of the working party with the implementation of Table 2 within Recommendation Two, for transmission to Academic Board for approval. The Education Committee noted that a formal proposal for a process to consider issues such as swot vac and semester length would be submitted to a future meeting of the Education Committee. Action: Ms S Chong, Professor T Dingle, Associate Professor T Luff. *4.2 Entry Scheme Proposal – Gippsland Campus RMO2005/0969 A proposal was attached. (p 13-18). Associate Professor H Ballis spoke to the proposal on behalf of Professor B Mackenzie and informed the Committee that for a number of years the Gippsland campus had been admitting students into the Diploma of Foundation Studies (DOFS) as an alternative entry pathway which had been very successful as an entry into an undergraduate Arts program. It had been problematic with introducing students into the other degree programs and there had been a suggestion to consider admitting students into the Diploma of Introductory Undergraduate Studies. Due to concerns that two diploma programs might have an adverse reputation on the campus, it was proposed to amend the DOFS by reducing the core units from four to two and increasing the elective units from four to six. The students undertaking the core units are treated as a cohort with special mentoring and are required to pass the Diploma program to be admitted into a degree program. Associate Professor Ballis stressed that this entry pathway responds to the particular needs and circumstances of the Gippsland region. The Education Committee noted the advice of Professor Ballis and approved the amendments to the structure of the Diploma of Foundation Studies, as detailed in the attached proposal. Action: Professor B MacKenzie, Associate Professor H Ballis. *4.3 Status Report on the update of Faculty Award Regulations RMO2001/0718 A report was attached. (p 19-20). In response to a request from Education Committee meeting 2/2005 for written action plans from faculties regarding the update of their awards regulations, the Solicitor’s Office provided a status report on the progress on the updating of faculty award regulations. The Education Committee received the report, noted the progress on the updating of faculty award regulations and also noted that a further status report would be provided to meeting 6/2005 of the Education Committee. Action: Solicitor’s Office. 5. ITEMS OF INTEREST FROM ACADEMIC BOARD MEETINGS 3/2005 and 4/2005 Members noted that the Academic Board had noted all matters that were submitted via the Reports of Meeting 3/2005 and 4/2005 of the Education Committee. *6. COURSE APPROVALS 6.1 Policy on Course Approvals and Amendments RMO1997/0611 Professor S Parker reminded the Committee of the July 2000 decision of the university to devolve unit approvals and course amendments to faculties with effect from 2001. It was also decided that all new courses and amendments to courses that fell into any one of six strategic categories would require approval by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic). In addition faculties were required to produce biannual reports, and an annual cycle of overview papers of key decisions would be implemented so that there was a series of strategic analyses of the developing course proposals. Education Committee reviewed the experience with the process as it had been put into practice and resolved to recommend to Academic Board the affirmation of the approach decided by Academic Board in July 2000. The Education Committee endorsed the policy on course approvals that was adopted in July 2000 which requires the approval of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) for: a) all new courses, and b) all course changes that fall into six defined categories of university-level strategic significance. The defined categories of university-level strategic significance are:
The Education Committee noted that faculties would continue to submit biannual reports as well as an annual overview of key decisions. Action: ADTs, Faculty Managers. 6.2 Biannual Faculty reports on approved Course and Unit Developments RMO2000/0611 Reports were attached. (p 75-532). Professor S Parker informed the Committee that statistical analyses of the reports would need to be done on the biannual reports to enable the Committee to see trends. Mr P Yates advised that the CUPID database could include data of this type and he was asked to report back to the Committee on how this could be accomplished. There was a suggestion that the new template approved by the Quality Subcommittee might be useful. Mr P Yates and Professor M Evans were requested to investigate this possibility. The Education Committee received and noted the biannual reports of approved course and unit developments for 2004 and 2005, as presented by the Faculties of Art and Design, Arts, Business and Economics, Education, Engineering, Information Technology, Law, Pharmacy and Science. The Education Committee noted that Mr P Yates would submit a report to the Committee on the feasibility of the CUPID database providing trend data on course and unit developments. The Education Committee noted that Mr P Yates and Professor M Evans would investigate the possibility of utilising the template approved by the Quality Subcommittee. Action: ADTs, Faculty Managers, Mr P Yates. 6.3 South Africa and Malaysia campuses RMO2002/0617 Professor S Parker advised the Committee that the university will need to establish a mechanism to deal with new course initiatives that emanate from the Malaysia and South Africa campuses. A suggestion was to establish a Board of Studies on each campus with a reporting line to Education Committee for approval and/or noting. Course amendments and proposals that originate on these campuses would be expected to be approved by the relevant faculty boards as well as the relevant Board of Studies. The National Protocols require Monash to do this for compliance and quality assurance. During a discussion concerns were raised about timing issues, the Board of Studies interaction with faculties and the business case going to the Board of Studies. Professor Parker noted these concerns and offered to submit a formal proposal to a future meeting of the Committee. The Education Committee noted the advice of Professor Parker and noted that Professor Parker would submit a proposal to the Education Committee after consultation with both campuses. Action: Professor S Parker. 6.4 Issues of different regulatory frameworks RMOR2004/119 The Chair invited Professor S Joy to address the Committee as this item was put on the agenda by the Faculty of Business and Economics. Professor Joy advised that South Africa had a set of names for degrees and grade points for units that are required to be used which differ from the names of Monash degrees and the points system for the units on Callista. In addition there was a requirement that certain content be attached to each course. A table of equivalence that meets the Australian requirements as well as that of the host country is essential. Professor Parker suggested that a meeting be scheduled with representatives of faculties that operate on the South Africa and Malaysia campuses as well as with Mr C Vernon and Mr P Yates to consider these issues. The Education Committee noted the advice of Professor Joy and noted that a meeting would be scheduled to consider the issues raised. Action: Professor S Parker, Mr C Vernon, Mr P Yates, Ms S Chong. *7. LEARNING AND TEACHING PERFORMANCE FUND (LTPF) RMO2003/1412 Documents were attached (p. 21-44) as well as additional documents distributed by email on 6 July 2005. Professor S Parker advised the Committee that DEST had a pool of $245 million to distribute over three years. The formula and ranking does not determine the outcome and the final decision on allocation rests with the Minister. A copy of the university’s submission to the DEST expert panel to assist them to interpret the score was attached. Professor Parker added that Monash should target to be in the top 3 by 2008 by arriving at a series of measures that assist performance improvement. CADeT will focus on this in the future. Professor M Evans was invited to comment. Professor Evans stated that an analysis of the data was difficult to do without knowledge of the adjustment factors utilised. Adjustments have been made by a range of factors including gender, non-English speaking background, etc. The data is a snapshot of only one year and although there are marginal differences between some universities, the ranking system differentiates them. Once data over several years is available, the analyses will be more stable. The Education Committee noted the advice of Professors Parker and Evans and received the attached documents. *8. DRAFT OUTLINE EDUCATION PLAN RMO2002/1564 Professor S Parker informed the Committee that the Project Group had met and considered the last two Learning and Teaching Plans. Further, CADeT had discussed five objectives for an Education Plan. The Learning and Teaching Performance Fund Ranking must be central to the development of the Education Plan. Dr D Murphy and Professor S Parker would put the various actions and strategies into the five objectives and produce a draft outline of the Education Plan which will be discussed at a workshop of the Education Committee to be scheduled in the next few weeks with the aim of presenting the Education Plan to Council on 31 October. The Education Committee noted the advice of Professor Parker and noted that a workshop to consider the Education Plan would be scheduled. Action: Professor S Parker, Dr D Murphy, Ms S Chong. 9. RESULTS UPLOAD AND AMENDMENT PROCEDURES FORM RMO2005/0459 Documentation was attached. (p. 45-48). The Results Upload and Amendment Procedures can be accessed at the following url: http://www.adm.monash.edu/unisec/academicpolicies/procedures/result-upload-and-amendment.html with a link to the form titled ‘Post BOE Result Amendment’ form. The Education Committee approved the Results Upload and Amendment Procedures and noted the Results Upload and Amendment Form. *10. REVIEW OF ACADEMIC POLICIES – 2005 RMO2003/1396 Documentation was attached. (p. 49 – 54). Professor S Parker advised that the documents contained a list of policies that were reviewed in December 2002 and were due for review by the end of 2005. Professor Parker requested faculties and divisions to circulate the document and asked to identify and comment on policies that need revision and identify policies that were due for review but not contained in the document. The Education Committee noted the advice of Professor Parker and noted that faculties would submit a document for meeting 6/2005 that identifies and comments on policies in the document that need revision. The Education Committee disestablished the Academic Policy Subcommittee. Action: ADTs, Faculty Managers, Ms S Chong. *11. ACADEMIC POLICY COMPLIANCE RMO2000/0766 Professor S Parker informed the Committee that it was timely to review university-level policies and procedures and their implementation. An audit exercise was proposed. Faculties were requested to undertake investigation of their policies and actual practice and identify policies that need to be changed. A compliance form will be circulated to members of Education Committee and faculty managers to provide written certification of faculty compliance with policies on the University’s Academic Policy Bank. A certification process will assist in raising issues that need to be addressed. Completed compliance forms should be submitted for meeting 6/2005 of the Education Committee. The Education Committee noted that faculties will provide certification of compliance with policies on the University’s Academic Policy Bank to meeting 6/2005 of the Education Committee. Action: Shana Chong, ADTs, Faculty Managers. *12. MPA REPORT – COURSEWORK POSTGRADUATES AND THE SECOND-CLASS CITIZEN SYNDROME RMO1998/1432 A report was attached. (p 55-68). Ms J Reeder spoke to the report and informed the Committee that the issues contained in the report were raised five years ago and were still relevant today. Coursework postgraduates had a different set of expectations and needs to undergraduates. The academic content of courses is not a concern, rather the academic and support services available to them are of concern. They expect a service commensurate with the amount of fees they pay. Ms Reeder drew comparisons between services offered to them at Clayton campus with services available to coursework students at the University of Melbourne and drew attention to the list of recommendations in section C of the report. Comments from members included:
Professor Parker stated that the responsibility towards coursework postgraduate students is not seen as a central responsibility compared to research postgraduate students. Professor Parker offered to raise this issue at a meeting of the Committee of Deans on 20 September, to discuss where the responsibilities lie and devise a mechanism for central responsibility for these students. He also offered to discuss specific issues raised in the report in other forums that he is involved. The Education Committee noted the report and noted that Professor Parker would raise these issues at a meeting of the Committee of Deans. *13. INTERNATIONALISATION OF THE CURRICULUM PROJECT RMO2003/1395 An executive summary of the report was attached. (p 69-74). Members noted that the full report could be accessed under the meeting 5/2005 papers at the following url: http://www.uaps.monash.edu/committees/education/2005-dates-agenda-minutes.html. Associate Professor V Clifford, Co-Chair of the Internationalisation Subcommittee of Education Committee, informed the Committee that the Internationalisation of the Curriculum Policy and Procedures were approved by Academic Board at meeting 2/2005 but had not been implemented. Associate Professor Clifford highlighted the eleven recommendations in the report as ways in which the policy could be implemented. Members made the following comments:
The Chair suggested, and the Committee agreed, that the recommendations contained in the report could be discussed at the special workshop which was being scheduled to develop the Education Plan, as one of the objectives of the Education Plan was to bring internationalisation into research-led teaching. The Chair thanked the authors of the report as well as the following members of the Internationalisation Subcommittee and members of the reference group: Internationalisation Subcommittee Professor Leon Piterman (Co-Chair) Associate Professor Valerie Clifford (Co-Chair) Dr Cynthia Joseph Ms Jan Schapper Ms Rosemary Clerehan Ms Susan Smith (Secretary) Reference Group Dr Kaya Prpic Associate Professor Sally Joy Dr Peter Maddock Associate Professor Jean Armstrong Associate Professor Jean Armstrong Mr Leighton Morris Professor Thea Brown Associate Professor Peter Junk Ms Marie Pernat Mr Bhanuka Wanasinghe Mr Karel Reus Ms Silvia McCormack Dr Sid Nair Dr Heinz Kreutz Mr David Taft Dr Grant McBurnie Ms Judy Blackhouse (South Africa) Dr Sharon Bong (Malaysia) Dr David Kong (Malaysia) Professor Serge Demidenki (Malaysia) The Education Committee received the report of the Internationalisation of the Curriculum Project and disestablished the Internationalisation Subcommittee. The Education Committee noted that the issues contained in the report would be discussed at the special meeting of the Education Committee. 14. OTHER BUSINESS 14.1 Graduate Attributes Working Party RMO The Chair informed the Committee that the Graduate Attributes Working Party had not met but he had been working with Professor Tony Patti and Professor Chris Browne to recast the issues in line with the Monash Directions 2025. The Education Committee disestablished the Graduate Attributes Working Party. 14.2 Thanks to Associate Professor Alan Farley The Committee noted that this was Associate Professor Alan Farley’s last meeting as he was leaving the University. The Chair thanked Associate Professor Farley on behalf of the Committee and the University for his long association with the Committee, his assistance and his contributions to the University. The Committee thanked Associate Professor Farley with a round of applause. The Education Committee noted the contribution of Associate Professor Alan Farley to the committee and the University. Secretarial Note: A special meeting of the Education Committee to discuss item 8 is scheduled for Thursday, 22 September 2005, from 2pm to 5pm. The next scheduled meeting of the Education Committee (Meeting 6/2005) will be held at 2:15 pm on Wednesday, 26 October 2005. All final submissions for the agenda for meeting 6/2005 are due by Wednesday, 12 October 2005. Membership: Professor Stephen Parker (Chair) Ms Jenny Allen Dr Heinz Kreutz Professor Tony Dingle Associate Professor Sally Joy Dr Debbie Corrigan Associate Professor Brenton Doecke Professor Robin Alfredson Professor William Young Professor David Arnott Professor Jeffrey Waincymer Associate Professor Tony Luff Dr Louise McCall Associate Professor Louis Roller Dr David Taylor Dr Cristina Varsavsky Dr Tony Patti Professor Max King Professor Chris Browne Professor Merran Evans Professor Rob Willis Professor Graham Webb Dr David Murphy Associate Professor Alan Farley Ms Glenda Key Mr Leo Ostroburski, MONSU – Caulfield Mr Arthur Wasiak, MONSU – Peninsula Mr David Taft, MSA – Clayton Mr Max Ribitzky, MUBS – Berwick Mr Kirk Slywa, MUGSU - Gippsland Pharmacy Students Association – position vacant Mr Leslie Whiteley - MPA masters by coursework MPA – graduate/postgraduate diploma – position vacant In Attendance: Mr Clive Vernon Mr Peter Yates (alternate for Mr P Marshall) Ms Christine Cooze (alternate for Ms Cathrine Harboe-Ree) Associate Professor Valerie Clifford Associate Professor Yoni Ryan Associate Professor Marg Lindorff Ms Crystal Chatterton (Secretary) Further Distribution: Faculty Managers/Registrars (*9) Mr T Calder Ms P Williams Ms P Herman RMO |