Council Meeting 6-1999

MINUTES

PART A

PROCEDURAL MATTERS

1.1 Apologies

No apologies were received.

Requests for special leave for meeting 6/99 (17 September) from Dr Ian Allen, Dr Paul Rodan and Mr Ken Russell were approved at Council meeting 5/99 (9 August).

Items 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10.3, 10.4 and 10.5 were starred and discussed at the meeting.

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’.

RESOLUTION CL6/99/170

Council noted the report of the Vice-Chancellor dated 6 September 1999 on the affixing of the Common Seal to documents executed under Seal pursuant to Statute 8.1, Section 2.1.5.

(File RMO1997/0889)

Authorised observers were admitted to the meeting following confidential items.

The Minutes of Meeting No 5/99 held on 9 August 1999 were circulated.

RESOLUTION CL6/99/171

Council confirmed the Minutes of Meeting No. 5/99 held on Monday, 9 August 1999.

Council noted the Chancellor's advice that a full report of the Seminar held on 16 August 1999 would be submitted to the November meeting of Council. The Chancellor thanked participants for their contribution to the success of the Seminar and noted that 14 evaluation forms had been forwarded to the Secretariat. He encouraged members to forward the outstanding five forms to the Secretary at the earliest opportunity.

(File RMO1999/0062)

Council noted that members had been invited to attend a briefing on the University’s budget and financial statements on Tuesday, 28 September 1999 commencing at 9.30 am at the City Office – Collins Street Boardroom, 11^th floor. The Chancellor encouraged members to attend.

(File RMO1997/0611)

Council noted the Vice-Chancellor's advice that Professor John Maloney had decided to leave the University and return to Western Australia. As Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International and Public Affairs), Professor Maloney’s portfolio had included oversight of key University operations including development of the Monash Global Plan which would be presented to Council in November. The Vice-Chancellor advised that after Professor Maloney's departure Mr Tony Pollock, Executive Director, International, would report directly to him and Mr Stephen Dee, Executive Director of Public Affairs would report to Professor Peter Darvall, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Development). The Chancellor thanked Professor Maloney for his contribution to the work of Council and the University noting that there would be a further opportunity to recognise Professor Maloney's contribution at the next Council meeting.

RESOLUTION CL6/99/172

Council noted Professor Maloney’s departure and the subsequent line management arrangements for the two components of his current portfolio.

(File RMO1998/0734)

Members received the Vice-Chancellor’s memorandum Monash University Southern Africa dated 9 September 1999 and the document Monash University Southern Africa Campus Project, which was a separately bound document accompanying the Council papers. Associate Professor Andrew Markus was granted permission to table a paper responding to the project proposal.

Mr Tony Pollock, Executive Director, International, was in attendance for this item and at the Vice-Chancellor's invitation presented the campus project to Council. Mr Pollock advised that the project proposal was aligned with the University's mission as established in Leading The Way - Monash 2020. The proposal was presented as a business plan in which it was envisaged that the campus would be of high quality, informed by the University's academic values, be self-sustaining and have the capacity to generate its own resources and influence, if not shape, the environment in which it would operate. Mr Pollock highlighted the rationale for establishing the campus in South Africa noting that its location would be at the centre of a rapidly developing area where there was growing demand for Monash courses. Council had before it documentation setting out the background to the proposal, the strategic case for establishing the campus, the academic case, the business case, the structure and governance of the campus, the academic plan, the facilities plan, the operational plan, the marketing plan, the financial plan, the risk and reward analysis, the exit strategy and thirteen appendices to the documentation covering such matters as the chronology of contacts with the South African government, professional contacts and advice obtained, educational trends in South Africa through to quality assurance procedures and site plans and architectural proposals.

Council debated the proposal at length and gave particular attention to the financial plan, safety and security issues, the market research supporting the proposal, the South African higher education operating environment, the setting of fee levels, the student profile and the proposal in the context of the University's overall international strategy. Members noted that accreditation and registration processes with relevant South African authorities would need to be obtained to progress further with the project.

At the conclusion of discussion, the Chancellor put to the vote the motion to support the establishment of the campus in Johannesburg; this was enthusiastically supported with seventeen Council members voting in favour of the proposal, and with one Council member voting against the proposal.

RESOLUTION CL6/99/173

Council approved the proposal to establish a campus in South Africa, noted the financial viability of the project and accepted the recommendations of the Resources and Finance Committee on this matter. (Secretarial note: Minute 10.2 refers)

(File RMOR1999/045)

This item was dealt with under item 10 Report of the Resources and Finance Committee.

(File RMO1999/1488)

This item was dealt with under item 11 Report of the Academic Board.

(File RMO1999/0550)

RESOLUTION CL6/99/174

Council noted the paper Leading the Way: Implementation of the Communication and Dissemination Strategy.

(File RMO1999/1511)

The Vice-Chancellor advised Council that the Board of Monash Mt Eliza Graduate School of Business and Government Limited was recommending the School's separation from the University and that a joint press release had been issued. The Vice-Chancellor emphasized that progress was substantial and amicable and on track for signing of an agreement but that there was some way yet to go.

(File RMOR1999/075)

There were no matters arising.

This item was listed as a major standing agenda item for Council and a report was submitted under the proceedings of item 10 Report of the Resources and Finance Committee. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Development), Professor Peter Darvall, spoke to this item and drew Council's attention to the information setting out progress to date. Council noted the information.

RESOLUTION CL6/99/175

Council received and noted the Report Monash University - Year 2000: Report to Resources and Finance Committee.

(File RMO1999/0557)

Council noted that the Executive Committee of Council, acting under its delegation from Council, met on 23 August 1999 and approved an offer of an appointment to the Sun Microsystems Chair of Network Computing, Faculty of Information Technology, as per the report of the selection committee, be made to Associate Professor Elizabeth Kendall.

(File RMO1999/0896)

Council noted that the Executive Committee of Council, acting under its delegation from Council, met on 23 August 1999 and approved an offer of an appointment to a position of Professor/director of Vascular and General Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, for a period of five years from 1 September 1999, as per the report of the selection committee, be made to the person named in the document presented.

(File RMO1998/0296)

RESOLUTION CL6/99/176

Council noted the approvals granted by the Executive Committee of Council at meeting held on 23 August 1999.

RESOLUTION CL6/99/177

Council received and noted the report of meeting 3/99 of the Audit Committee held on 10 August 1999.

RESOLUTION CL6/99/178

Council noted the proceedings of meeting 3/99 of the Audit Committee held on 10 August 1999.

(File RMO1997/1579)

RESOLUTION CL6/99/179

Council received and noted the report of the Corporate Planning Committee of Council meeting held on 8 September 1999.

RESOLUTION CL6/99/180

Council noted the proceedings of the Corporate Planning Committee of Council meeting held on 8 September 1999.

(File RMO1997/0884)

RESOLUTION CL6/99/181

Council received the report of the Resources and Finance Committee meeting held on 13^th September 1999. (Secretarial note: Minute 4.3 refers)

Council noted that the Resources and Finance Committee considered the Project Proposal for the Development of a Campus in Johannesburg to be in the strategic interests of the University; to be financially viable and a suitable investment for Monash to make.

RESOLUTION CL6/99/182

Council approved the proposals:

That a South African company be formed and, after registration of MUSA and its receipt of appropriate tax exempt status, its paid-up capital be increased to R32m subscribed as follows:

Rand Million

Monash University Foundation 6M(est A$1.5M)

Monash University 26M(est A$6.5M)

TOTAL ZAR32M

The Foundation equity would be in return for the transfer of the land to the company and the Foundation would have a right to a share of the return from the development to reflect its contribution of the land.

The equity subscription would also have the benefit of delaying the need for borrowing until the last few months of 2001.

That the Foundation’s investment in MUSA constituted an appropriate investment.

Council noted that the Foundation Trust Deed (clause 8) gave it power to invest in "any real property or upon any interest in real property" and additionally "any investments permitted by Section 32 of the Monash University Act." Section 32 provided that funds "may be invested by the Council … in any manner of investment authorised by the Council (whether a trustee investment or not)".

That it was appropriate to require Monash University Foundation Pty Ltd to return the original capital sum of $10 million to the University for the purpose of the University investing in the South African campus project and associated activities.

In discussion of this item, Council noted the advice of Mr Paul Ramler AM, Deputy Chancellor and Chair, Research and Finance Committee, and Professor Brian Parmenter that some further development and fine tuning of the Fees and Pricing Policy was envisaged.

RESOLUTION CL6/99/183

Council received and accepted the recommendation of Resources and Finance Committee to approve the Monash University Fees and Pricing Policy as set out in the paper presented subject to further refinement.

In discussion Council noted the advice of Mr Paul Ramler AM, Deputy Chancellor and Chair, Resources and Finance Committee that the committee structure was appropriate for decision-making processes in relation to Amenities Fees.

RESOLUTION CL6/99/184

Council received and accepted the recommendation from Resources and Finance Committee to approve the establishment of a University Wide Amenities Council under the terms set out in the paper presented.

Council members were invited to refer to the proceedings section of the report of the Resources and Finance Committee. Items included:

Monash University Gippsland Student Union (MUGSU) Status

The Chair, Gippsland Advisory Council, Mr John Hutchinson, was invited to comment on progress with the review of the Monash University Gippsland Student Union. Mr Hutchinson advised that a final draft report would be submitted to the Campus Director in the next week. The Vice-Chancellor noted that the President of the Gippsland Student Union had forwarded a letter expressing her satisfaction with the outcome of the review process.

Year 2000 Student Fees

Proposed Support Arrangements for Monash University Malaysia

The Vice-Chancellor spoke to this item and Council noted the proposed support arrangements for Monash University Malaysia. Council noted that Resources and Finance Committee had approved the purchase of a guarantee for five years from the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, worth $A2.5 million, and the increase in contingent liability thereby involved.

Integrated Administrative System – Progress Report

Year 2000 – Monash University and Controlled Entities

RESOLUTION CL6/99/185

Council noted the proceedings of the Resources and Finance Committee meeting held on 13 September 1999 as detailed in the document presented.

(File RMO1999/1488)

(File RMO1999/0550)

RESOLUTION CL6/99/186

Council received the report of meeting 6/99 of the Academic Board held on Wednesday, 1 September 1999.

RESOLUTION CL6/99/187

Council made the legislation titled:

Statute 10.1 - Affiliation (Amendment No 1 1999)

(File RMO1999/1196)

Faculty of Business and Economics Regulations (Amendment No. 2 1999)

(File RMO1997/1095, RMO1997/1030, RMO1997/1028)

Victorian College of Pharmacy (Undergraduate Degrees) Regulations (Amendment No. 2 1999)

(File RMO1998/1685)

RESOLUTION CL6/99/188

Council approved the proposals of the Boards of the Faculties of Art and Design, Education, Law and Medicine to appoint the following staff members for the term specified:

Mr K Bensley, Faculty of Art and Design, Associate Dean (Undergraduate Studies), 1 July 1999 to 31 December 2000

Associate Professor E Heng, Faculty of Art and Design, Associate Dean (Graduate Studies), 1 July 1999 to 31 December 2000

Associate Professor B Hoffert, Faculty of Art and Design, Associate Dean (International and External Affairs), 1 July 1999 to 31 December 2000

Associate Professor L Angus, Faculty of Education, Associate Dean, 1 July 1999 to 31 December 1999

Associate Professor J Loughran, Faculty of Education, Associate Dean (International), 1 July 1999 to 31 December 1999

Mr R Garnett, Faculty of Law, Associate Dean (International), 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2000

Associate Professor M Pittard, Faculty of Law, Associate Dean (Research), 1 July 1999 to 31 December 1999

Professor C L Gibbs, Faculty of Medicine, Associate Dean (Campus), 1 July 1999 to 30 June 2001

(Files RMO1999/1672, RMO1998/3120, RMO1997/0722, RMO1998/2072)

RESOLUTION CL6/99/189

(i) Council approved the proposal of the Board of the Faculty of Medicine to fill the existing Chair of Surgery

the proposal of the Faculty of Business and Economics to fill an existing Chair of Management and to establish and fill a new Chair of Management,

the proposal of the Faculty of Information Technology to fill an existing Chair of Information Systems.

(Files RMO1998/0296, RMO1997/1357, RMO1997/0768)

RESOLUTION CL6/99/190

Pursuant to Statute 2.3 – The faculties, Council approved the proposal of the Board of the Faculty of Arts to establish the School of Music – Conservatorium.

(File RMO1997/0553)

RESOLUTION CL6/99/191

Pursuant to Statute 2.3 – The faculties, Council approved the proposal of the Board of the Faculty of Science to make the following amendments to the structure of that Faculty Board:

Head of Gippsland section, Department of Psychology

Head of Physical, Chemical and Biological Sciences Group, Gippsland

Head of Mathematical Sciences Group, Gippsland

Chemistry: Increase professorial representation from 1 to 2;

Earth Sciences: Increase professorial representation from 0 to 1; and

Mathematics and Statistics: decrease non-professorial representation from 3 to 2.

(File RMO1999/0846)

Council members were invited to refer to part B of the Academic Board report and to note the proceedings of the Board. Items included:

New Course Proposals

Major amendments to courses

Future Directions Report – Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy (Secretarial note: Minute 13.4. refers)

RESOLUTION CL6/99/192

Council noted the proceedings of meeting 6/99 of the Academic Board held on 1 September 1999.

(File RMO1999/0550)

RESOLUTION CL6/99/193

Council noted the Proceedings of the Gippsland Advisory Council Meeting AC4/99 held on 20 July 1999.

(File RMO1997/0888)

RESOLUTION CL6/99/194

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

Professor Richard White – Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Monash Centre London

Associate Professor Elizabeth Kendall – Sun Microsystems Chair of Network Computing, Faculty of Information Technology

Professor Joan Ozanne-Smith – Chair of Injury Prevention, Monash University Accident Research Centre

RESOLUTION CL6/99/195

Council noted that the following had accepted their respective offers of appointment approved by the Special Professorial Appointments Subcommittee:

Dr David Scott – Adjunct Professor in the Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine

Mr Alan Seale – Adjunct Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering

Professor Max Sutherland – Adjunct Professor in the Department of Marketing, Faculty of Business and Economics

Dr Noel Fidge – Honorary Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine

Dr Suzanne Crowe – Personal Chair in Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine

At meeting 5/99 (9 August 1999), Council approved the establishment of the selection committees for two deanships; Faculty of Business and Economics and Faculty of Education.

RESOLUTION CL6/99/196

Council approved the nomination of Council members; Mr Paul Ramler AM as Council nominee to the selection committee for the position of Dean, Faculty of Business and Economics and Miss Dorothy Pizzey AM as Council nominee to the selection committee for the position of Dean, Faculty of Education.

(File RMO1999/0566, RMO1998/3120)

RESOLUTION CL6/99/197

Council approved the establishment of the selection committees for a Chair of Information Systems, Faculty of Information Technology, two Chairs of Management, Faculty of Business and Economics and a Chair of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, as detailed in the document presented.

(File RMO1997/1623)

RESOLUTION CL6/99/198

Council approved, subject to the new dean commencing later than 1 January 2000, the appointment of Professor R F Gunstone as Acting Dean, Faculty of Education, from 1 January 2000 until the commencement of the new Dean.

The next meeting of Council is scheduled to be held at 5.00 pm on Monday, 8 November in conference room C1.02 in Administration Building C at the Peninsula Campus.