Council Meeting 2-2008

Meeting 2/2008 of the Monash University Council will be held between 4.00 pm and 7.00pm on Monday, 31 March 2008, in the Advancement Meeting Room, Room 9.03, Level 9, Building H, Caulfield Campus.

Following the meeting refreshments will be provided in the foyer of the Art and Design Building. A presentation on the Caulfield Campus Master Plan and the Western Precinct Development will be provided. The function will conclude no later than 9.00pm.

AGENDA

Members having a direct commercial or financial interest in any item before this meeting must declare that interest to the Chancellor via the Council Secretary prior to consideration of the item, and must not take part in a vote on any matter concerning it.

PART A

1 PROCEDURAL MATTERS

*1.1 Apologies

There are no apologies.

*1.2 Special Leave

The following Councillor was granted special leave:

*1.3 Starring of Items

Members who wish a non-starred item to be discussed may request at this point.

*1.4 Approval of Non-Starred Items

The Chancellor will move that all items on the agenda not starred be adopted without discussion, and the action recommended be taken or the information therein noted.

2 Business in-camera Members Only

*2.1 Discussion of the sale of Monash IVF Pty Ltd Item 2pp 1-12

The Timeline and Council Interactions document provided with the agenda papers indicates a number of embedded emails, letters etc. These were provided to Councillors at meeting 1/2008. The embedded documents have not been provided again however should you require a copy please contact the Secretary to Council.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council receive the summary and timeline of the sale of Monash IVF Pty Ltd and discuss the process.

*2.2 Vice-Chancellor Search Process

The Chancellor will introduce the item and provide an oral report.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council receive the advice of the Chancellor.

*2.3 Appointment to the position of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Item 2pp 13-16

The Vice-Chancellor will introduce this Item.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council approve an offer of appointment as a professor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research), for a fixed period of 5 years commencing on 16 February 2009 and expiring on 15 February 2014, be made to the person named in the document.

*2.4 Appointment to the position of Pro Vice-Chancellor (South Africa) Item 2pp 17-20

The Vice-Chancellor will introduce this Item.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council approve an offer of appointment as a professor and Pro Vice-Chancellor and President (South Africa), for a fixed period of 5 years commencing on 1 April 2010 and expiring on 31 March 2015, be made to the person named in the document.

*2.5 Impending Supreme Court Hearing re incident in October 2002 Item 2pp 21-26

Mr Renn Wortley, University Special Counsel, will be invited to attend for this item.

The Vice-Chancellor will introduce this item.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council receive the advice of the Vice-Chancellor and University Special Counsel.

*2.6 Proposal to establish a selective entry School on a Monash University metropolitan campus. Item 2pp 27-30

The Vice-Chancellor will introduce this item.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council receive the advice of the Vice-Chancellor.

Authorised observers will be admitted to the meeting at this point.

*3 Report to Council by the Dean of Faculty of Law Item 3pp 1-6

The Vice-Chancellor will introduce Professor Arie Freiberg, Dean, Faculty of Law.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council receive the advice of Professor Arie Freiberg, Dean, Faculty of Law.

4 Confirmation of Minutes of Previous Meeting

*4.1 Minutes of Meeting No 1/2008 Item 4pp 1-4

Dr Zillman has proposed amendments to the unconfirmed Minutes of meeting 1/2008. Please refer to the attached document for detail of the proposed changes as Dr Zillman has been granted Special Leave for this meeting.

The Minutes of Meeting No 1/2008 held on 13 February 2008 have been circulated.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council:

• consider the amendments proposed by Dr Zillman.
• confirm the Minutes of Meeting No. 1/2008 held on Wednesday, 13 February 2008.

PART B STARRED ITEMS

5 Chancellor’s Business

*5.1 Chancellor’s Report to Council

RECOMMENDATION

That Council receive the oral report of the Chancellor.

*5.2 Legislative Review announced by the Victorian Government Item 5pp 1-10

RECOMMENDATION

That Council receive the background paper to the review of Victorian Higher Education Legislation.

*5.3 Australia Day and other Honours Item 5pp 11-18

RECOMMENDATION

That Council note with acclamation:

• Australia Day Honours awarded to key individuals associated with Monash University as detailed in the paper provided.
• the appointment of Monash alumnus, Mr James Judd, QC to the bench of the Supreme Court of Victoria.

*5.4 Honorary Degrees Committee Report Item 5pp 19-21

RECOMMENDATION

That Council:

• receive and note the report of the Honorary Degrees Committee Meeting No. 1 of 2007 held on Tuesday, 27 November 2007.
• note the award of honorary degrees made by the Committee as presented orally by the Chancellor, Dr Alan Finkel.

*5.5 Council Charter

RECOMMENDATION

That Council receive the advice of the Chancellor.

*5.6 Authorisation Matrix

RECOMMENDATION

That Council receive the advice of the Chancellor.

6 Vice-Chancellor’s Business

*6.1 Vice-Chancellor’s Report to Council Item 6pp 1-4

RECOMMENDATION

That Council receive the Vice-Chancellor’s Report to Council.

*6.2 Update on lodgement of 2007 Annual Report to Parliament of the Council of Monash University

RECOMMENDATION

That Council receive the advice of the Vice-Chancellor.

*6.3 Update on University 2008 Financials Item 6pp 5-16

RECOMMENDATION

That Council receive the financial report for the period ending February 2008.

*6.4 Advancement Progress Report Members Only Item 6pp 17-26

RECOMMENDATION

That Council receive the report titled Advancement Portfolio Progress Report.

*6.5 Establishment of the Trans Tasman Commercialisation Fund Item 6pp 27-32

RECOMMENDATION

That Council receive advice on the establishment of the Trans Tasman Commercialisation Fund.

*6.6 John Monash Science School Item 6pp 33-38

RECOMMENDATION

That Council approve:

• the establishment of the John Monash Science School consistent with the terms detailed in the attached document;
• a ground lease being entered into with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development provided the terms of the lease are consistent with the information provided in the attached document; and
• that the University Solicitor approve the final Lease documentation.

6.7 Report on Services to Members of Universities Australia

Councillors will recall that the Australian Vice-Chancellors Committee was replaced as the national industry peak body representing the Australian University sector by Universities Australia. As the university is the member of the peak body, rather than the Vice-Chancellor, a report on services to members is available at the following URL: http://www.adm.monash.edu.au/execserv/council/2007-uniaus-members-report-final.pdf

RECOMMENDATION

That Council note the availability of the document titled ‘A Report on Services to Members of Universities Australia’.

PART C ITEMS FOR APPROVAL OR INFORMATION

7 Matters arising from the Minutes (not dealt with elsewhere in the agenda)

*7.1 Report of the Membership Committee

RECOMMENDATION

That Council receive the oral report of the Chancellor

*8 Report of the Audit Committee Members Only Item 8pp 1-26

RECOMMENDATION

• That Council notes the confirmed Minutes of the Audit Committee Meeting 4/07 and the unconfirmed Minutes of Meeting 1/08.
• Council adopt the final draft of the University’s 2007 Consolidated Financial Statements.
• That Council note the proposed Operational Plan for the Audit and Risk Management Office for 2008.

9 Resources and Finance Committee Members Only Item 9pp 1-18

9.1 Receipt of Report of Resources and Finance Committee

RECOMMENDATION

That Council receive and note the Report of the Resources and Finance Committee meeting 1/2008 held on 13 March 2008.

9.2 Loan Facility to Monyx Pty Ltd

RECOMMENDATION

That Council approve the provision of a loan facility to Monyx Pty Ltd on the terms and conditions detailed in the document, for the purposes of assisting them to meet peak-time commitments as and when they fall due.

9.3 Neurosciences Victoria: Constitution Amendments

RECOMMENDATION

That Council approve the variation of the existing constitution and accordingly Monash joins in a resolution of the members of NSV to adopt the new constitution.

9.4 Consolidated Financial Statements as at 31 December 2007

RECOMMENDATION

That Council adopt the financial statements, subject to completion of an acceptable audit by the Victorian Auditor-General and clearance by the Audit Committee.

9.5 Receipt of Proceedings of Resources and Finance Committee

In accordance with its Terms of Reference, Resources and Finance Committee discuss a range of matters that are then reported to Council for information.

While Council is not requested to take specific action i.e. approve, endorse etc on these matters, the supporting documents are provided to Councillors for their information.

These documents, the appendices listed in the “Proceedings” section of the Resources and Finance Committee Report to Council, have been removed from the agenda papers and are provided to Councillors as a separate set of documents.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council note the proceedings of meeting 1/2008 of Resources and Finance Committee held on 13 March 2008.

*9.6 Discussion on the level of detail provided through the Receipt of Proceedings

The Chancellor will introduce this item.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council receive and discuss the advice of the Chancellor.

10 Report of the Academic Board Item 10pp 1-10

RECOMMENDATION

That Council receive and note the Report of Meeting 1 of 2008 of the Academic Board held on Wednesday 27 February 2008.

11 Gippsland Advisory Committee Item 11pp 1-6

11.1 Receipt of Report of Gippsland Advisory Committee

RECOMMENDATION

That Council receive and note the reports of the Gippsland Advisory Council meeting 7/2007 held on 20 November 2007 and meeting 1/2008 held on 26 February 2008.

11.2 Receipt of Proceedings of Gippsland Advisory Committee

RECOMMENDATION

That Council note the proceedings of the Gippsland Advisory Council meeting 7/2007 held on 20 November 2007 and meeting 1/2008 held on 26 February 2008.

12 Equal Opportunity Committee Item 12pp 1-6

12.1 Receipt of Report of Equal Opportunity Committee

RECOMMENDATION

That Council receive and note the Report of the Equal Opportunity Committee Special Meeting 05/07 held on Monday 03 December 2007 and Meeting 1/08 held on Monday, 17 March 2008.

12.2 Receipt of Proceedings of Equal Opportunity Committee

RECOMMENDATION

That Council note the proceedings of the Equal Opportunity Committee Special Meeting 05/07 held on Monday 03 December 2007 and Meeting 1/08 held on Monday, 17 March 2008.

13 General Business

13.1 Senior Appointments Members Only Item 13pp 1-4

RECOMMENDATION

That Council note that:

• the following have accepted the indicated offers of appointment, approved by Council, and wish to record their thanks to Council:

• the persons named in the document have accepted the offers of appointment, approved by the Executive Committee of Council.
• the persons named in the document have accepted the offers of appointment, approved by the Vice-Chancellor and President.
• the persons named in the document have accepted the indicated offers of appointment, approved by the Special Professorial Appointments Committee of Council.

13.2 Proposal to amend the constitution of Rail CRC Ltd Item 13pp 5-18

RECOMMENDATION

That Council approve the amended constitution of Rail CRC Ltd as detailed in attached document.

13.3 Use of the University Seal Members Only Item 13pp 19-22

RECOMMENDATION

That Council note the report of the Vice-Chancellor dated 19 March 2008 on the affixing of the Common Seal to documents executed under Seal pursuant to Statute 8.1, Section 2.1.5.

13.4 Further Appointment of Interim University Student Ombudsman (USO) Members Only Item 13pp 23-26

RECOMMENDATION

That Council approve a further 6 month appointment of Ms Ann Corcoran as Interim University Student Ombudsman.

14 Next Meeting

The next meeting of Council is scheduled to be held on 26 May 2008 in Advancement Meeting Room 9.03, Level 9, Building H, Caulfield Campus.

Further Information Inquiries about any of the business listed above, or on Council matters in general, may be directed to Mr Tony Calder, Director, Executive Services, Room GO6, Administration Building 3a, Clayton Campus, telephone 9905-2010 or via facsimile on 9905-5342.