Council Meeting 1-1992

Meeting No. 1/92 of the Monash University Council was held on Monday, 24 February 1992, in the Council Room, University Offices, at the Clayton campus, between 5.00 and 6.30 pm.

There were present:

Mr D.W. Rogers, Chancellor, in the Chair

Dr G.A. Knights, Deputy Chancellor

Mr P.H. Ramler, Deputy Chancellor

Professor M.I. Logan, Vice-Chancellor and President

Mr P.L. Baker

Professor C.J. Bellamy

Mr J.C. Blyth

Dr F.R. Burden

Professor P.C. Chandler

Dr C.K. Coogan

Professor A.R. Edwards

Mr H.A. Grayson

The Hon. P.R. Hall

Mr C.L. Hatsell

Dr J.M. Hearn

Dr M.E. James

Ms M.G. Keys

Dr J.E. Kolm

Mr W.A. Kricker

Ms S. McManamny

Mrs J.M. McPhee

Mr A.H. May

Dr P.K. Rodan

Mr D.J. Shore

Professor R.H. Snape

Associate Professor J. Strauss

The Hon. Mr Justice R.C. Tadgell

Dr L.E. Ward

Mr R.L. Whyte

In attendance were:

Professor G.N. Vaughan, Deputy Vice-Chancellor

Professor R.J. Pargetter, Deputy Vice-Chancellor

Professor R. Porter, Deputy Vice-Chancellor

Professor T. Kennedy, Pro-Vice-Chancellor

Professor L.H.T. West, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Internat'l Programs and Development) Mr A.L. Pritchard, Registrar

Mr J.S. White, Acting Comptroller

Mr M.D. Watson, Secretary

Ms K.J. Barker, Undergraduate and Diploma Student representative

Mr R.P. Cresp, Undergraduate and Diploma Student representative

Ms C.E. Anderson, Advisor to the Vice-Chancellor

Mr G.F. Neat, Director of Communications

Miss J.M. Beck, Director of Protocol and Alumni Affairs

Apologies were received from:

Ms J.A. Chandler, Associate Professor B.J. Costar, Professor W.H. Melbourne, Senator K.C.L. Patterson, Miss D.R. Pizzey, and Dr G.M. Vaughan.

M I N U T E S

1. INTRODUCTION AND FORMAL BUSINESS

After being introduced and welcomed by the Vice-Chancellor, Council greeted the University's incoming Chancellor, Mr Bill Rogers, with acclamation.

1.1 Special Leave

1.2 Chancellor and Deputy Chancellor

Council noted that, as of the commencement of the meeting, Mr D.W. Rogers had commenced his three-year term as Chancellor, and Dr G.A. Knights and Mr P.H. Ramler had commended three year terms as Deputy Chancellors.

1.3 Membership

It was noted that Professors C.J. Bellamy and P.C. Chandler were attending their first meeting of Council as coopted deans in succession to Professors R.J. Pargetter and R. Porter who were attending the meeting in their new capacities as part-time Deputy Vice-Chancellors.

The Hon. P.R. Hall was also welcomed to his first meeting of Council since being appointed by the Governor in Council on 10 December as a representative of the Parliament of Victoria.

1.4 Minutes of Appreciation

Council endorsed the attached minutes of appreciation adopted by the Academic Board in respect of Professor J.A. Hay, who left Monash on 31 December to take up the Vice-Chancellorship of Deakin University, and Professor G.N. Vaughan, who would be leaving on 28 February to take up the position of National Manager of the Therapeutic Goods Administration in Canberra.

1.5 Australia Day Honours

Council was pleased to note the following awards in the Australia Day Honours List to persons with links to the University:

. Professor Maureen Brunt AO, former professor in the faculties of Economics and Politics and Law, for service to the Trade Practices Tribunal and to education; and

. Professor Arthur Colvin Clark AM, Professor in Paediatrics, for service to paediatric education and to the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.

1.6 Minutes

The minutes of Meeting No. 8/91 held on 16 December, copies of which had been circulated, were confirmed and signed.

1.7 Matters Arising from the Minutes

1.7.1 Bachelor of Nursing

1.8 Use of the University Seal

Council approved the affixing of the University Seal on the attached list of documents.

2. REPORT OF THE VICE-CHANCELLOR

2.1 1992 Enrolment Patterns

The Vice-Chancellor drew Council's attention to the attached notes on the University's preliminary enrolment outcome for 1992 prepared by the Associate Comptroller. He said it was disappointing that Monash was not in a position to do more at present to satisfy the growing unmet demand for places in Australian higher education. The Registrar said there had always been a gap between the University's entrance standards and minimum qualifying requirements, and confirmed that this gap was widening. Professor Logan acknowledged that some difficulties had been experienced with enrolment procedures due largely to development problems with the new student information system, but exacerbated by some outmoded practices in the faculties. He said a task force had been set up under the direction of the Associate Comptroller, Mr White, with brief to fine-tune the system and eliminate undue delays.

2.2 Berwick Campus

The Vice-Chancellor spoke to the attached statement on the current state of plans for Monash University to establish a new campus in the Berwick, Cranbourne, Pakenham growth precinct. Council noted this proposed new development with interest.

2.3 CIRCIT

2.4 Future Development of the University

Council noted with interest the Vice-Chancellor's proposal, as set out in the attached statement, to involve it in the planning process to guide the University's development over the next decade.

2.5 Deputy Vice-Chancellorship Selection Committee

2.6 Adjunct and Honorary Professors Selection Committee

Council noted the attached report on the proceedings of the Adjunct and Honorary Professors Selection Committee referred to it by the Vice-Chancellor.

2.7 Merger with the Victorian College of Pharmacy

Council noted with interest the attached statement on the current state of negotiations for the merger of the Victorian College of Pharmacy with Monash University. Professor Logan said the whole process to date had been amicable and straightforward with no difficulties envisaged in bringing the merger to imminent finalisation.

3. FACULTY REPORT

3.1 Faculty of Arts

As agreed at the previous meeting, the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Professor Robert Pargetter, spoke to and responded to questions about his attached paper on developments and plans in the Faculty of Arts.

4. REPORTS OF BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

4.1 Monash University College Gippsland Advisory Council

After recalling certain concerns about off-shore courses offered by the College raised at its previous meeting, Council noted that, at its meeting on 4 February, the Advisory Council had taken up this matter and initiated action aimed at resolving the grievances of the Staff Association. Accordingly, Council agreed to take no further action on this matter pending the outcome of the Advisory Council's deliberations and the receipt of advice, it was hoped, at its next meeting.

4.2 Academic Board

A - Proposal for a four-year full-time course leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Teaching and Bachelor of Education;

B - Report of the Academic Promotions Committee of Monash University College Gippsland; and

C - Reports of Deans and the University Librarian.

4.2.1 Recommendations

Council approved the recommendations arising from matters dealt with in the following items of the report:

2.1 Degree of Bachelor of Teaching/Bachelor of Education;

3. Report of the Academic Promotions Committee of Monash University College Gippsland; and

4. Annual Reports to Council.

4.2.2 Legislation

4.3 Reports of Standing Committees

4.3.1 Adjunct and Honorary Professors Selection Committee

4.3.2 Biosafety Committee

Council received and noted the attached report on the proceedings of the Biosafety Committee in 1991.

4.3.3 Buildings Committee

Council received and noted the attached minutes of a meeting of the Buildings Committee held on 13 February.

As agreed at the previous meeting, the Director, Building and Development Branch, Mr J.R. Trembath, addressed Council and responded to questions on the University's capital building program for the Clayton campus. Members were provided with notes and sketches of proposed additions to the Law Building, a new Information Services Building abutting the Main Library, a new Performing Arts Building south-east of the Library with landscaped links to the Robert Blackwood Hall and Alexander Theatre, and alterations to the south wing of the Menzies Building. Members also viewed photographic in situ impressions of both parts of the new General Teaching Building to be located north of the Union and south of the Medical School.

4.3.4 Emeritus Professorships Committee

4.3.5 Executive Committee

Council was informed that, in the course of the summer recess, the Executive Committee had approved the attached recommendations from the selection committees for appointments to the Chair of Pharmacology and the Directorship of the Computer Centre.

4.3.6 Finance Committee

4.3.7 Personal Chairs Committee

Council approved the recommendations for appointments to personal chairs contained in the attached report of the Personal Chairs committee.

4.4 Reports of Other Committees

4.4.1 Discipline Committee

Council received and noted the attached reports of meetings of the Discipline Committee held on 18 and 19 December.

4.4.2 Religious Centre Advisory Committee

Council received and noted the attached report on the proceedings of the Religious Centre Advisory Committee in 1991.

4.4.3 Vice-Chancellor's Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities

Council received and noted the attached report on the proceedings of the Vice-Chancellor's Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities in 1991.

5. GENERAL BUSINESS

5.1 Recent Appointments

Council noted the attached information on recent academic appointments to the University's staff.

5.2 Chair Appointments

5.3 Legislation

On the advice of the University Solicitor and the Registrar, Council made the following legislation, copies of which are attached and, in the case of the Statute, authorised the affixing thereon of the University Seal and its submission to the Governor in Council for approval:

5.3.1 Statute 3.4.6 - Adjunct Professors (Amendment No. 1) Statute; and

5.3.2 Faculties (Amendment No. 110) Regulations.

5.4 Parking Arrangements for 1992

In response to the attached notice of changes to parking arrangements on the Clayton campus in 1992, Council received the appended statement from the Comptroller and Dr Burden in his capacity as President of the Monash University Staff Association and noted the terms set out therein of the agreement reached by them that largely took account of the concerns raised in several quarters of the campus.

The Chairman of the Buildings Committee, Dr Knights, acknowledged that continuing problems with parking existed on the Caulfield campus which would be addressed in due course following consultation with all parties concerned.

5.5 Delegation of Power to Confer Degrees

Council resolved:

`That pursuant to Section 27 of the Monash University Act 1958, at each graduation ceremony to be held in 1992, the power given to Council to confer any degree or award any diploma in any faculty shall hereby be delegated to, and may be exercised by, the Chancellor or, in his absence, either of the Deputy Chancellors or, in the absence of all of them, the Vice- Chancellor.'

5.6 Reports on Outside Studies Programmes and Overseas Leave

Council received and noted the attached reports from the following members of the University staff:

5.6.1 Dr D.W. Coates, Department of Physics;

5.6.2 Professor J.N. Crossley, Departments of Mathematics and Computer Science;

5.6.3 Professor R.H. Day, Department of Psychology;

5.6.4 Dr D.F. Gaff, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology;

5.6.5 Associate Professor J.O. Murphy, Department of Mathematics;

5.6.6 Dr R.J. Pollard, Department of Physics;

5.6.7 Professor I.J. Polmear, Department of Materials Engineering; and

5.6.8 Mr M. Sneddon, Faculty of Law.

6. ITEMS NOTED

6.1 Meeting Dates for 1992

Members were reminded that Council had agreed to meet on the following dates for the remainder of 1992, with meetings commencing at 5.00 pm to be followed by a dinner at approximately 7.00 pm:

Monday, 6 April

Monday, 18 May

Monday, 29 June

Monday, 3 August

Monday, 21 September

Monday, 2 November

Monday, 14 December