Council Meeting 7/97

Meeting No 7/97 of the Monash University Council was held on Monday, 10 November 1997, in Tutorial Room 234, second floor of the Berwick Campus building, Berwick Campus between 5.00 pm and 7.04 pm.

Prior to the meeting, a guided tour of the Berwick Campus was conducted by Ms J McLachlan, Campus Administrator.

Mr D W Rogers, Chancellor (presiding)

Dr G A Knights, Deputy Chancellor

Professor D A Robinson, Vice-Chancellor and President

Professor P LeP Darvall, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Development)

Professor A W Lindsay, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & Planning)

Mr P B Wade, General Manager

Ms K Wilson-Reid, Secretary to Academic Board

Ms J Dynon, President of the Monash Postgraduate Association

Mr P Siggins, Manager, University Secretariat

In opening the meeting, the Chancellor welcomed Ms Jacqueline Dynon, President of the Monash Postgraduate Association (MPA) who had been invited to attend the remaining meetings for 1997.

Apologies were received from The Hon A R Brideson, Mr G D W Curlewis, Mr H Lim, Ms R A McManamny, Miss D R Pizzey.

Professor J E Maloney, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International & Public Affairs) advised that he would not be in attendance for this meeting.

A request for special leave from Meetings 6/97, 7/97 and 8/97 for Senator K Patterson was approved at Council Meeting 5/97.

(File: 88/1415)

The minutes of Meeting No 6/97 held on 29 September 1997 were circulated.

RESOLUTION CL7/97/374

Council confirmed the minutes of Meeting 6/97 held on Monday, 29 September 1997.

Agenda items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 6, 7, 8, 9.1, 9.2, 9.10.1, 9.13, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, and 10.5 were starred and discussed at the meeting.

Item 5.4 Monash Merchandising Company Pty Ltd was withdrawn from the Agenda on the understanding that this matter would be discussed at the December 15th meeting of Council.

An additional item was tabled, item 15.3 Faculty Colour for the Monash University College of Art and Design.

4.2 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’.

4.3 Confidential Items

Council identified and resolved confidential items 6.2, 7, 10, 13 and 14.

4.4 Admission of Observers

Authorised observers were admitted to the meeting.

5. Matters Arising from the Minutes (not dealt with elsewhere in the Agenda)

5.1 Undergraduate Scholarships Policy

At Meeting 6/97, Council noted the Undergraduate Scholarships Policy Statement for 1998 which was approved by the Academic Board (item 9.5 refers). In discussion it was observed that the Sir John Monash Scholarships cannot be deferred and Council requested further information on this arrangement be supplied at the next meeting.

Professor A W Lindsay, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Planning) spoke to this item and advised that the budget for the Sir John Monash Scholarships is determined on a year by year basis and that funding for the following year is not guaranteed. The present arrangements attempted to make best use of the available funding and to avoid the development of a pool of deferred scholarships for which there may not be adequate funding in a given year.

There was also discussion of the availability of scholarships generally and Council noted the Vice-Chancellor’s advice that a committee had been established by the Academic Board and was formulating broad scholarships policy for 1998.

RESOLUTION CL7/97/375

Council noted the Deputy Vice-Chancellor’s (Academic and Planning) advice regarding the Sir John Monash Scholarships.

(File: 92/0670)

5.2 Award of Posthumous Degree

At Meeting 6/97, Council approved a proposal of the Academic Board to award a posthumous degree in the Faculty of Engineering to a student who had been undertaking a combined degree of Bachelor of Engineering/Bachelor of Laws. In this context there was discussion of the awarding of posthumous degrees generally including possible annotations to testamurs and transcripts and the limits for awarding these degrees. In response to Council’s request for a review of the procedures for the awarding of Posthumous degrees, a paper was prepared in the Secretariat and distributed.

Council noted the contents of the paper Awarding of Posthumous Degrees prepared in the Secretariat.

RESOLUTION CL7/97/376

That Council continue to award posthumous degrees under the broad guidelines established by the Academic Board as detailed in the document presented.

(File: RMO97/0346)

At Meeting 6/97 there was discussion of recent and extensive graffiti on the Clayton Campus and the responsibility to be borne for the clean up (item 10.3 refers). The student member, Ms J Cameron, spoke to a paper that she had submitted to Council which included a recommendation that the MSA not be held liable for the costs of cleaning the graffiti from the University and union buildings and that no funds be withheld from the MSA as a penalty for the defacing of University property. There was considerable discussion of this item. Associate Professor J Strauss drew attention to the unconfirmed minutes of the Finance Committee, in particular minute 3.1.1 (page 160 Council agenda), noting that this minute should be amended to reflect the fact that the Vice-Chancellor has the authority to recover costs of damage from the MSA as he believes appropriate. Council noted that the Vice-Chancellor will report to the next meeting on this matter.

RESOLUTION CL7/97/377

Council noted the information submitted by Ms J Cameron in relation to graffiti on the Clayton Campus.

(File: 88/0441)

Council noted the Chancellor’s advice that this item had been withdrawn and would be presented at the December 15th meeting of Council. Mr Summers would be invited to attend that meeting.

(File: 93/1063)

6.1 University of Melbourne/Monash Protocol

Council noted the Chancellor’s advice that the Council of The University of Melbourne had adopted The University of Melbourne/Monash Protocol at its meeting held 3rd November 1997.

RESOLUTION CL7/97/378

Council received and endorsed the document presented titled - "The Melbourne and Monash Protocol - A Proposal for Collaborative Endeavour".

(File: RMO97/0041)

RESOLUTION CL7/97/379

Council approved the Vice-Chancellor’s request that the position of Dean of the Faculty of Law be advertised as soon as possible as specified in the document presented.

(File: Personnel)

RESOLUTION CL7/97/380

Council received the Report of the Membership Committee of Council Meeting held on Thursday, 9 October 1997 at the Monash City Office.

(File: 97/0477)

Committee noted that the University Acts (Further Amendment) Act 1997 was proceeding through Parliament. Council noted the Secretary’s advice that the Bill had passed all stages in the Legislative Assembly on the 15th October 1997, without amendment. It was now in the Legislative Council where it was listed for resumption of debate on the 11th November 1997

and it was expected that this legislation would receive Royal Assent by November/early December 1997. This legislation would provide interalia for a new Council for Monash University comprising 21 members within the following categories:

(a) the Chancellor;

(b) the Vice-Chancellor and President;

(c) the Chairperson of the Academic Board;

(d) three persons elected by and from the staff of the University prescribed by the Statutes;

(e) two persons elected by and from the students enrolled at the University prescribed by the Statutes;

(f) six persons appointed by the Governor-in-Council;

(g) one person appointed by the Minister; and

(h) six persons appointed by the Council.

Council noted the Secretary’s advice that the amending Act provided for a transition period being 1998 and for staggered terms of office for incoming members.

(File: RMO97/0351)

RESOLUTION CL7/97/381

Council endorsed for forwarding to the Minister for his consideration the persons as named in the document presented as Governor-in-Council appointees with the terms of office as specified in the document.

(File: 88/0255)

RESOLUTION CL7/97/382

Council appointed the persons as named in the document presented as Council appointees with the terms of office as specified in the document once the University Acts (Further Amendment) Act 1997 had received Royal Assent.

In discussion of the recommendation concerning Council Appointees, Mr Tom May, currently an elected graduate member of Council, requested Council consider appointing as two of the six members Council may appoint under the new governance arrangements, two graduates of the University elected by the graduates. In response to Mr May’s request, the Chancellor advised that this would be contrary to the amending Act but that he would seek further advice on this matter.

In further discussion of the Report of the Membership Committee, a member requested advice on the procedure for filling staff vacancies. It was suggested that the expeditious passage of the amending Act through Parliament might allow the University to proceed directly to elections. However, Council noted that if elections could not be held because of the summer break, some interim transition arrangements may be necessary and that elections would be held at the earliest opportunity. The Chancellor gave an assurance that meetings of Council would not be held without representation from those groups whose method of appointment to Council was by election.

(File: RMO97/0351)

RESOLUTION CL7/97/383

Council noted the proceedings of the 9th October 1997 Meeting of the Membership Committee as detailed in the document presented.

(File: 97/0477)

RESOLUTION CL7/97/384

Council received and noted the Report of the Review of Committees Working Party.

(File: RMO97/0320)

RESOLUTION CL7/97/385

Council endorsed a new Council committee structure as proposed in the document presented comprising six Committees of Council, one of which, Resources and Finance, is supported by five sub-committees:

Executive Committee

Membership Committee

Audit Committee

Corporate Planning Committee

Equal Opportunity Committee

Resources and Finance Committee

Finance Subcommittee

Physical Resources Subcommittee

Purchasing Subcommittee

Selection and Remuneration Subcommittee

Special Professorial Appointments Subcommittee

In approving the structure, Council also endorsed the Vice-Chancellor’s recommendation that the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Development) be appointed as a member of the Special Professorial Appointments Sub-committee.

(File: RMO97/0320)

RESOLUTION CL7/97/386

Council approved the recommendation that the Honorary Degrees Committee preserve its existing reporting lines as a joint committee of Council and the Academic Board.

(File: 88/2436)

RESOLUTION CL7/97/387

Council approved the recommendation that other existing standing committees of Council cease to be Council committees and that new reporting lines for these committees be established as follows:

(File: 94/1093; 97/0626; 95/1545; Personnel; 88/2206; 97/0434)

RESOLUTION CL7/97/388

Council approved that the Working Party be allowed time for further consultation and review of the following committees, with the aim of bringing final recommendations to the 15th December meeting of Council:

Discipline Committee

Gippsland Campus Advisory Council

Equal Opportunity Committee

(File: RMO97/0477)

At the request of a member, the Vice-Chancellor provided an oral report updating developments with regard to the University’s initiative in South Africa.

RESOLUTION CL7/97/389

Council received and noted the Report of Meeting 7/97 of the Academic Board held on Wednesday, 22 October 1997.

(File: 96/0858)

RESOLUTION CL7/97/390

Council made the legislation titled Statute 6.1.2 - Courses and Degrees (Amendment No 5 1997) subject to clarification of the change of name of the Master of Marketing to the Master of Business (Marketing) and the inclusion of a new course titled Master of Marketing to be offered in 1999.

(File: 96/0861)

RESOLUTION CL7/97/391

Council made the legislation titled Faculty of Business and Economics Regulations (Amendment No 1 1997).

(File: RMO97/1313)

RESOLUTION CL7/97/392

Council made the legislation titled Statute 6.1.2 - Courses and Degrees (Amendment No 6 1997).

RESOLUTION CL7/97/393

Council made the legislation titled Faculty of Science (Undergraduate Degrees) Regulations (Amendment No 1 1997).

(File: RMO97/0541)

RESOLUTION CL7/97/394

Council made the legislation titled Faculty of Science (Graduate and Postgraduate Diplomas) Regulations 1997.

RESOLUTION CL7/97/395

Council made the legislation titled Faculties Regulations (Amendment No 2 1997).

RESOLUTION CL7/97/396

Council made the legislation titled Faculties Regulations (Amendment No 3 1997).

RESOLUTION CL7/97/397

Council approved the proposal of the Board of the Faculty of Arts to amend Schedule 1 of the Faculties regulations as detailed in the document presented subject to the drafting of enabling legislation.

RESOLUTION CL7/97/398

Council approved the proposal of the Faculties of Business and Economics and Computing and Information Technology to establish and fill the position of Chair of Electronic Commerce.

(File: Personnel)

RESOLUTION CL7/97/399

Council approved the proposal of the Victorian College of Pharmacy to advertise and fill the existing position of Chair of Pharmaceutical Biology, as detailed in the document presented.

(File: Personnel)

RESOLUTION CL7/97/400

Council noted the following honorary appointments approved by the Dean of the Faculty of Arts (noting that none of the people below are currently employed within the University):

Associate Professor G Betts, Department of Classics and Archaeology, for two years from 1 January 1996 to 31 December 1997; and

Dr M Jaschok, Centre for Women’s Studies and Gender Research, for two years from 1 July 1997 to 30 June 1999.

(File: Personnel)

9.10.4 Honorary Associate /Honorary Clinical Associate Professorships

RESOLUTION CL7/97/401

Council noted the appointments/re-appointments of the following as Honorary Associate Professors and Honorary Clinical Associate Professors until 31 December 2000:

Associate Professor E Mackie, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (new appointment)

Associate Professor J Hansky, Medicine, Monash Medical Centre (re-appointment)

Associate Professor R Iansek, Medicine, Monash Medical Centre (re-appointment)

Associate Professor J Lambert, Medicine, Monash Medical Centre, (re-appointment)

Associate Professor S Locarnini, Microbiology (re-appointment)

Associate Professor J Spicer, Microbiology (re-appointment)

Associate Professor DM Robertson, Obstetrics and Gynaecology (re-appointment).

Clinical Associate Professor RW Harper, Medicine, Monash Medical Centre (re-appointment)

Clinical Associate Professor M Korman, Medicine, Monash Medical Centre (re-appointment).

(File: Personnel)

RESOLUTION CL7/97/402

That, in accordance with the guidelines approved at Meeting 7/96 of Council and noting the endorsement of the Academic Board, Council approved the proposal of the Faculty of Business and Economics to confer the posthumous award of Graduate Diploma of Business (Tourism Management) to the person named.

(File: RMO97/0846)

RESOLUTION CL7/97/403

Council approved the proposed schedule for local graduation ceremonies to be held in 1998 as well as a schedule of offshore graduation ceremonies as detailed in the documents presented.

In discussion of this item, it was observed that comparisons of quota numbers for previous years would be a useful addition to reports on this matter.

RESOLUTION CL7/97/404

Council noted that the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Planning) had approved, following endorsement from the Education Committee, subject quotas for 1998 proposed by the Faculties of Education, Law, Medicine and Science, as detailed in the documentation presented.

RESOLUTION CL7/97/405

Council noted that Academic Board approved the proposal of the Board of the Faculty of Education to disestablish the Asia Pacific Education Centre.

RESOLUTION CL7/97/406

Council noted the Annual Reports presented for:

• the Centre for Rural Health; and

• the Institute of Reproduction and Development.

(File: RMO97/0668; RMO97/0404)

RESOLUTION CL7/97/407

Council noted the obituary presented for Associate Professor Blair Ritchie, who passed away at his home on Wednesday, August 17, 1997.

(File: Personnel)

RESOLUTION CL7/97/408

Council noted:

• that Academic Board certified to Council that it had received and approved the proposal listed below, in accordance with its delegated authority, and that the proposal approved by the Board complied with Council’s standards and guidelines concerning such proposals;

• the new course listed below; and

• that related legislation will be referred subsequently by the Board to Council for approval:

  • Master of Management (Human Resource Management).

(File: RMO97/0087)

RESOLUTION CL7/97/409

Council noted:

• that Academic Board certified to Council that it had received and approved proposals as listed below, in accordance with its delegated authority, and that the proposals approved by the Board complied with Council’s standards and guidelines concerning such proposals;

• the amendments to courses listed below; and

• that related legislation, if necessary, will be referred subsequently by the Board to Council for approval:

  • Bachelor of Business (Management) and Bachelor of Business (Business Administration) - new course progressions

  • Master of Arts - Addition of a Stream in Publishing by 66% Research.

RESOLUTION CL7/97/410

Council noted that there will be no further intake to the following course of the Faculty of Business and Economics:

Degree of Master of Business (International Business).

RESOLUTION CL7/97/411

Council noted the Proceedings of Meeting 7/97 of the Academic Board held on 22 October 1997, as detailed in the document presented.

(File: 96/0858)

RESOLUTION CL7/97/412

Council received the report of the Finance Committee meeting held on 27 October 1997.

RESOLUTION CL7/97/413

Council approved the participation of Monash University in the Docklands Technology Precinct. Noting that there may be variations in the figures as presented, Council delegated to the Executive Committee authority to consider and make decisions on such variations and to report back to Council.

(File: RMO97/0058)

Council received advice from some members on inconsistencies in the list of subject course fees presented in the circulated documentation. The General Manager undertook to consult with faculties to resolve the identified anomalies.

RESOLUTION CL7/97/414

Council authorised the Executive Committee of Council to consider and make decisions on the various course fees for the 1998 year as listed in amended schedules and to make decisions as appropriate.

(File: 95/1176; RMO97/0173)

RESOLUTION CL7/97/415

Council approved the levels of various student fee listings for new courses for 1999 on the basis that the proposed fees be established as maximum fees and that authority be delegated to the Vice-Chancellor to make adjustments as necessary to the actual fees in light of currently prevailing economic conditions, the competitive situation and the need for Monash to charge a fee that will cover the cost of the students’ tuition.

(File: RMO97/0561)

RESOLUTION CL7/97/416

Council approved that Monash University participate in the formation of and become a member of the new company limited by shares, Energy Education Australia Pty Ltd, pending final advice from the University Solicitor that the proposed Memorandum and Articles of Association comply with Section 35B of the Monash University Act.

(File: RMO97/0090)

RESOLUTION CL7/97/417

Council approved in principle that Monash University should finalise negotiations with Western Pacific Developments Pty Ltd, for the development of student accommodation at Berwick Campus as described in Appendix D of the Finance Committee Report with final approval subject to satisfactory development and lease contracts being reviewed by the University Solicitor’s Office and Government approval of the granting of the ground lease.

RESOLUTION CL7/97/418

Council noted the proceedings of the Finance Committee as detailed in the document presented.

RESOLUTION CL7/97/419

Council received the report and noted the proceedings of the Corporate Planning Committee Meeting 3/97 held on 9 October 1997 as detailed in the document presented.

(File: 97/0333)

RESOLUTION CL7/97/420

Council received the report and noted the proceedings of the Gippsland Advisory Council meeting 6/97 held on 14 October 1997.

(File: 95/0868)

RESOLUTION CL7/97/421

Council noted that the following had accepted their offers of appointment and had passed on their thanks to Council:

• Professor K O’Dea - Chair of Nutrition and Preventive Medicine (to commence appointment as from 2 February 1998)

• Associate Professor R Iansek - Honorary Chair of Geriatric Neurology (commenced 1 October 1997).

RESOLUTION CL7/97/422

Council approved the establishment of the Selection Committee for the appointment of professors, professorial fellows and associate professors at the Monash Mt Eliza Business School as detailed in the document presented.

13.3 Appointment of Heads of Departments

RESOLUTION CL7/97/423

Council noted that the Vice-Chancellor had given approval for the appointment of the person named in the document presented to be extended for a period of three to four months beyond his normal retirement date which is 31 December 1997, and approved his appointment as acting head of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology until 30 April 1998 by which time it is hoped that an appointment to a Chair of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the position of head of department will be made.

RESOLUTION CL7/97/424

Council approved the appointment of the person named in the document presented as head of the Department of Community Medicine and General Practice for a period of three years commencing 1 January 1998.

(File: Personnel)

RESOLUTION CL7/97/425

Council noted the report of the Vice-Chancellor dated 30 October 1997 on the affixing of the Common Seal to documents executed under Seal pursuant to Statute 8.1, Section 2.1.5.

(File: 89/2074)

RESOLUTION CL7/97/426

Council received reports from the following staff:

Faculty of Arts

Professor Michael Clyne, Linguistics

Dr Hyam Gold, Politics

Dr Jenny Hocking, Australian Studies

Mr Satoshi Miyazaki, Japanese Studies

Dr Ian Murray, Social Work & Human Services

Dr Roger Spegele, Politics

Dr Michael Stevenson, Anthropology & Sociology

Monash University College of Art & Design

Associate Professor Euan Heng, Department of Fine Art

Ms A Hylands, Ceramic Design

Faculty of Science

Dr Lisa Wise, Department of Psychology

(File: RMO97/0028)

RESOLUTION CL7/97/427

Council approved the appointments of Kerry Phillip Sylte and Malcolm Findlay as Authorised Officers pursuant to the Road Safety Act and Monash University Parking Permit Rules.

(File: 94/0827)

Council noted that following the granting of faculty status by Council to the Monash University College of Art and Design, it was necessary for the College to have a faculty colour. Council further noted that there will be graduands from the College at the graduation ceremony to be held on Wednesday, 3 December 1997.

RESOLUTION CL7/97/428

Council approved the request of the Monash University College of Art and Design for the choice of Spectrum orange (BCC57) as the faculty colour and Council instructed the University Solicitor’s Office to prepare amendments to the Academic Dress Regulations pursuant to Statute 7.1 Academic Dress.

The next meeting of Council is scheduled to be held at 5.00 pm on Monday 15 December 1997 at the Clayton Campus.