Council Meeting 3/2012

Meeting 3/2012 of the Monash University Council was held on Wednesday, 23 May 2012, 4:00pm in the Clayfield Room, Level 1, Building A, Caulfield campus.

MINUTES

1          Procedural Matters

1.1       Apologies and in attendance

Professor Patricia Vickers-Rich was an apology for the meeting.

Mr Peter Marshall, Vice-President (Administration); Mr David Pitt, Vice-President (Finance) & Chief Financial Officer and Professor Adam Shoemaker, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) were in attendance.

Professor David Copolov, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Major Campuses & Student Engagement) was in attendance for agenda item 6.5.

1.2       Special Leave

Mr Ian Pyman had been granted Special Leave for this meeting.

Council approved Special Leave for Ms Imogen Sturni for Council Meeting 4/2012 to be held on 19 July.

1.3       Conflict of Interest

1.3.1     Notice of Conflict of Interest received by the Chancellor

RESOLUTION           CL3/2012/48

Council received the advice of the Chancellor that he had received no notifications regarding actual or potential Conflicts of Interests.

1.3.2     Conflict of Interest advised at the meeting

Mr Shane Buggle declared a conflict of interest should agenda item 7.2.1 Receipt of the Report of the Resources & Finance Committee - item 8 Monash University Transactional Banking Arrangements be starred for discussion.

RESOLUTION           CL3/2012/49

Council noted Mr Buggle's declaration of a conflict of interest.

Council noted that no other actual or potential Conflicts of Interests were advised by Councillors at the meeting.

For action or noting by:  Secretary to Council

1.4       Starring of Items

The following items were starred: 1.1 Apologies; 1.2 Special Leave; 1.3.1 Notice of Conflict of Interest received by the Chancellor; 1.3.2 Conflict of Interest advised at the meeting; 1.4 Starring of Items; 1.5 Approval of Non-Starred Items; 2.1 Report of the Selection & Remuneration Committee; 2.2 Senior Appointments; 2.3 Monash South Africa Ltd proposed partnership with Laureate International B.V.; 2.4 Report of the Chairman of the Membership Committee; 2.4.2 Appointed Councillors whose term expire in 2012; 3.1 Minutes of Meeting No. 2/2012; 5.1 Chancellor's Report to Council; 6.1 Vice-Chancellor's Report; 6.2 Education Strategic Plan 2011-2015 and Implementation Actions, Targets and Timetable; 6.3 Update on University Financials (March); 6.4 Proposed 2015 Targets for the University-wide Key Performance Indicators; 6.5 Annual Report on Social Inclusion Targets - Future Actions; 7.1 Report of the Chairman of the Resources & Finance Committee; 8.1 Report of the President of the Academic Board and 9.1 Report of the Chairman of the Estates Committee.

1.5       Approval of Non-Starred Items

Council resolved on the motion of the Chancellor 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

2.1       Report of the Selection & Remuneration Committee

Discussion held in Camera

RESOLUTION            CL3/2012/50

i. Council, noting Selection and Remuneration Committee's unanimous support, approved an offer of further appointment as Vice-Chancellor & President of Monash University be made to Professor Ed Byrne for the period 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2017.

ii. Council approved that, the Chancellor (as Chair of Selection & Remuneration Committee) be delegated responsibility to agree terms and conditions of a new employment contract, subject to any agreed variation to current terms and conditions being reported (in-confidence) to a future meeting of Council.

iii. Council noted that any public announcement/advice to staff and students be the responsibility of the Chancellor, who shall be the sole university spokesperson on this issue.

For action or noting by:  Secretary to Selection & Remuneration Committee

 2.2       Senior Appointments

RESOLUTION            CL3/2012/51

Council:

• Approved an offer of appointment as a Professor and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Industry Engagement & Commercialisation), for a fixed term period of approximately three years commencing on 26 November 2012 and expiring on 31 December 2015, be made to Professor Hill.
  
• Approved the amended Selection Committee as detailed in the document provided with the inclusion of Ms Heather Carmody as the Member of Council (External) and Professor Keryn Chalmers as Deputy President of the Academic Board.
  
• Approved the following offers of appointment as:
  
  • Professor and Pro Vice-Chancellor & President (Sunway Campus Malaysia) for a fixed term period of five years commencing on 1 January 2013 and expiring on 31 December 2017, be made to Professor Helen Bartlett; and
  • Professor and Pro Vice-Chancellor & President (Gippsland), for a fixed period of five years commencing on 1 January 2013 and expiring on 31 December 2017, be made to Professor Pollard.

For action or noting by:  Vice-President (Administration), Director, Office of the Vice-President (Administration) & Director, Senior Executive Remuneration

2.3       Monash South Africa Ltd proposed partnership with Laureate International B.V.

Confidential Item

2.4       Report of the Chairman of the Membership Committee

Dr Christine Nixon was not present during discussion of matters relating to her membership of Council.

The Chancellor outlined to Council the status of reducing Council's membership to 14 and Council's current and short-term membership.

Council noted that:

• Dr John Zillman's term expires 30 June 2012 and he was not seeking a further term on Council.
• Ms Lesley Boston's term expires 31 December 2012 and she will not be seeking a further term on Council.
• Given the pending retirements of Dr Zillman, Ms Boston and the reduction in elected staff and students as at 31 December 2012, that Council Resolution CL6/2011/146 be varied to allow Council to consider the reappointment of Mr Ian Pyman for a term 1 July 2012 to 31 December 2014.

Council considered the reappointment of Mr Pyman and Dr Nixon and related matters.  Refer agenda item 2.4.2 Appointed Councillors whose term expire in 2012.

RESOLUTION            CL3/2012/53

Council received the oral report of the Chairman of Membership Committee.

For action or noting by:  Secretary to Membership Committee

2.4.1     Receipt of the Report of the Membership Committee

RESOLUTION           CL3/2012/54

Council received and noted the report of Membership Committee Meeting No. 1/2012 held on Monday 23 April 2012.

For action or noting by:  Secretary to Membership Committee

2.4.2     Appointed Councillors whose term expire in 2012

RESOLUTION           CL3/2012/55

Council:

1. Noted the impending retirements of:

• Dr John Zillman on 30 June 2012
• Ms Lesley Boston on 31 December 2012.

and with acclamation acknowledged the contributions of Dr Zillman and Ms Boston.

2. Varied Resolution CL6/2011/146, being that ‘Membership Committee will not recommend the reappointment of appointed members who are at the end of their term and have served more than 6 years on Council' on this occasion to enable the reappointment of Mr Ian Pyman for a further term expiring 31 December 2014.

3. Given 2 above, reappointed Mr Ian Pyman for a further term commencing 1 July 2012 ending 31 December 2014.

4. Reappointed Dr Christine Nixon for a further term commencing 1 July 2012 ending 31 December 2014.

For action or noting by:  Secretary to Membership Committee

2.4.3     Matters considered by the Membership Committee

RESOLUTION           CL3/2012/56

Council noted the matters considered by the Membership Committee.

For action or noting by:  Secretary to Membership Committee

3          Confirmation of Minutes of Previous Meeting

3.1       Minutes of Meeting No. 2/2012

RESOLUTION            CL3/2012/57

Council confirmed the Minutes of Meeting No. 2/2012 held on Wednesday 21 March 2012.

For action or noting by:  Secretary to Council

4          Matters arising from the Minutes

4.1       Actions arising from previous Minutes

RESOLUTION            CL3/2012/58

Council noted the document detailing Actions arising as at 23 May 2012.

For action or noting by:  Secretary to Council

5          Chancellor's Business

5.1       Chancellor's Report to Council

The Chancellor reported on the following matters:

• the recent launch of ‘University Unlimited - The Monash Story', authored by Professor Graeme Davison and Dr Kate Murphy; and
• an update on the appointment timeline for the position of Dean - Faculty of Engineering. Council agreed that it would consider the decision of the Selection Committee via Circular Resolution.

RESOLUTION            CL3/2012/59

Council received the oral report of the Chancellor.

For action or noting by:  Secretary to Council

6          Vice-Chancellor's Business

6.1       Vice-Chancellor's Report

The Vice-Chancellor commended his written report to Council and provided Council with further information on matters including:

• given the retirements of Professors Evans and King and the departure of Professor Fahey - all at the end of 2012, a restructuring of the senior management team will be presented at Council Meeting 4/2012 (19 July);
• an update on TEQSA and the uncapping of government supported places; and
• update on some matters included in the written report to Council including wide consultation on the proposal for the Gippsland campus, the likelihood of the opening of the campus building in Suzhou in December, amicable discussions continue with student bodies in relation to student services and amenities fees, the release of the first issue of Monash Magazine and the continued focus on improving communication processes across the University.

RESOLUTION            CL3/2012/60

Council received the Vice-Chancellor's Report to Council.

For action or noting by:  Chief of Staff & Director (Office of the Vice-Chancellor)

6.2       Education Strategic Plan 2011-2015 and Implementation Actions, Targets and Timetable

Professor Adam Shoemaker, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) introduced to Council the Education Strategic Plan 2011-2015, incorporating some minor amendments in the area of student employability and the Implementation Actions, Targets and Timetable document.  Professor Shoemaker informed Council that the Plan focused on the quality of students admitted to study while continuing to move towards an increasingly diverse student population; improvements in the student experience including the use of the latest and emerging teaching technologies and ensuring that every student develops research skills through new research-track degrees and the Research Skill Development framework embedded across bachelor degrees.

Council discussed the following matters:

• the use of virtual (student) teams across campuses and with other universities;
• research and developments in learning technologies and the use of such technologies;
• the Graduate Certificate of Academic Practice and acceptance by staff; and
• ensuring sessional staff are also trained to an appropriate level.

Concluding the discussion, the Chancellor requested further detail on the following:

• further detail on the on-line learning strategy be provided;
• that the Vice-Chancellor provide the Chancellor with a briefing on Open Universities Australia;
• professional development - is it compulsory for all academic staff, including time spent on pedagogy; and
• when will the revised website and marketing plan be available for consideration.

RESOLUTION            CL3/2012/61

Council:

• approved the revised Education Strategy Plan 2011-2015; and
• endorsed the implementation actions, targets and timetable.

For action or noting by:  Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), Pro Vice-Chancellor (Planning & Quality), Project Manager, Office of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education)

6.3       Update on University Financials (March)

The Monthly Financial Report - April 2012 was tabled at the meeting.

Mr David Pitt, Vice-President (Finance) & Chief Financial Officer provided Council with further detail on the forecast end-of-year result, forecasting assumptions, the actions management proposed to implement in response to the current forecast and clarification on aspects of the funding provided via Commonwealth-funded places.

RESOLUTION            CL3/2012/62

Council received the Financial Reports for the periods ending March and April 2012 and noted the advice of Mr David Pitt, Vice-President (Finance) & Chief Financial Officer.

For action or noting by:  Vice-President (Finance) & Chief Financial Officer, Divisional Director - Corporate Finance, Divisional Director - Financial Resources Management

6.4       Proposed 2015 Targets for the University-wide Key Performance Indicators

Following discussion of the proposed 2015 Targets for the University-wide Key Performance Indicators, the Vice-Chancellor advised Council that he would like to further investigate the proposed target for ‘Number of Indigenous students' (KPI number 8).

RESOLUTION            CL3/2012/63

Council approved the 2015 targets in the University-wide Key Performance Indicators (KPI) report subject to further investigation of KPI (8) - Number of Indigenous students.

For action or noting by:  Pro Vice-Chancellor (Planning & Quality), Pro Vice-Chancellor (Social Inclusion)

6.5       Annual Report on Social Inclusion Targets - Future Actions

RESOLUTION            CL3/2012/64

Council noted the attached report, Annual Report on Social Inclusion Targets - Future Actions.

For action or noting by: Pro Vice-Chancellor (Major Campuses & Student Engagement), Pro Vice-Chancellor (Social Inclusion)

7          Resources & Finance Committee

7.1        Report of the Chairman of the Resources & Finance Committee

RESOLUTION           CL3/2012/65

Council received the oral report of the Chairman of Resources & Finance Committee.

For action or noting by:  Chairman - Resources & Finance Committee, Secretary to Resources & Finance Committee

7.2       Report of the Resources & Finance Committee

7.2.1     Receipt of the Report of the Resources & Finance Committee

RESOLUTION           CL3/2012/66

Council received the Report of Meeting 3/2012 of the Resources & Finance Committee held on Thursday 3 May 2012.

For action or noting by:  Secretary to Resources & Finance Committee

7.2.2     South Africa Update

Confidential Item

7.2.3     Formation of Monash Partners Academic Health Science Centre Limited

RESOLUTION           CL3/2012/68

Council approved the University becoming a member of the company Monash Partners Academic Health Sciences Limited (AHSC), in tandem with the establishment of the Monash Partners AHSC collaboration.

For action or noting by:  Secretary to Resources & Finance Committee, University Solicitor, Dean - Faculty of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences

7.2.4     Matters considered by the Resources & Finance Committee

RESOLUTION           CL3/2012/69

Council noted the matters considered by the Resources & Finance Committee.

For action or noting by:  Secretary to Resources & Finance Committee

8          Academic Board

8.1       Report of the President of the Academic Board

RESOLUTION            CL3/2012/70

Council received the oral report of the President of the Academic Board.

For action or noting by:  President - Academic Board, Secretary to Academic Board

8.2       Report of the Academic Board

8.2.1     Receipt of the Report of the Academic Board

RESOLUTION           CL3/2012/71

Council receive and noted the Report of Meeting No. 2/2012 of the Academic Board held on Wednesday 18 April 2012.

For action or noting by:  President - Academic Board, Secretary to Academic Board

8.2.2     Education Strategy 2011-2015 Implementation Plan

RESOLUTION           CL3/2012/72

Council noted Academic Board's endorsement of the Education Strategy 2011-2015 Implementation Plan for transmission to Council.

For action or noting by:  President - Academic Board, Secretary to Academic Board\

8.2.3     Legislation

RESOLUTION           CL3/2012/73

Council made Statute 6.3 - Exclusion for Health Reasons (Amendment) (No. 1 of 2012).

For action or noting by:  University Solicitor, Deans & Faculty Managers - all Faculties, Campus based PVCs.

8.2.4     Matters considered by the Academic Board

RESOLUTION           CL3/2012/74

Council noted the matters considered by the Academic Board.

For action or noting by:  Secretary to Academic Board

9          Estates Committee

9.1        Report of the Chairman of the Estates Committee

RESOLUTION           CL3/2012/75

Council received the oral report of the Chairman of Estates Committee.

For action or noting by:  Chairman - Estates Committee, Secretary to Estates Committee

9.2       Report of the Estates Committee

9.2.1     Receipt of the Report of the Estates Committee

RESOLUTION           CL3/2012/76

Council received the Report of Meeting No. 1/2012 of the Estates Committee held on Friday 30 March 2012.

For action or noting by:  Secretary to Estates Committee

9.2.2     Matters considered by the Estates Committee

RESOLUTION           CL3/2012/77

Council noted the matters considered by the Estates Committee.

For action or noting by:  Secretary to Estates Committee

10        General Business

10.1     Faculty of Law - Council Appointment to Faculty Board

RESOLUTION            CL3/2012/78

Council appointed Mr Mark Hayes to the Faculty Board of the Faculty of Law for a term 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2015.

For action or noting by:  Dean, Faculty Manager, Executive Officer (Governance) - Faculty of Law

10.2     Monash University in Prato, Italy - Change of Legal Representative to the new Director, Dr Cecilia Hewlett

RESOLUTION            CL3/2012/79

Council:

(i) formally revoked the authority of Professor Nieuwenhuysen as Monash University's legal representative in Italy, with effect from and including 30 June 2012. Such revocation is contained in the attached Appointment and Power of Attorney instrument.

(ii) appointed Dr Cecilia Judy Hewlett as Monash University's legal representative in Italy, with effect from 1 July 2012, with powers as described in the attached Appointment and Power of Attorney instrument, and that the said document be executed under the Common Seal of Monash University.

For action or noting by:  University Solicitor

10.3     Acknowledgement of Retiring Councillors

RESOLUTION            CL3/2012/80

At the conclusion of the meeting, Council, with acclamation, acknowledged the contributions of retiring Councillors Dr John Zillman and Professor Patricia Vickers-Rich.

Next meeting

The next meeting of Council is scheduled to be held on Thursday, 19 July 2012 at 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, Executive Services, Room G06, Administration Building 3a, Clayton campus, telephone 9905-2010 or via email to: anthony.calder@monash.edu