Professor P LeP Darvall, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research
and Development)
Professor J E Maloney, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International
and Public Affairs)
Mr J Trembath, Acting General Manager
Professor S Parker, Dean, Faculty of Law, for item 4.4
Mr P Marshall, Assistant General Manager (Personnel
Services) for item 1.5.3
Mr J Matthews, Assistant General Manager (Financial
Services) for items 4.1 and 10
Mr J Levine, Assistant General Manager (Budget and
Statistical Services) for item 4.1 and 10
Secretary:
Mr P Siggins, Manager, University Secretariat
MINUTES
PART A
The Chancellor welcomed Mr John Trembath to his first
meeting of Council as Acting General Manager.
1. PROCEDURAL MATTERS
1.1 Apologies
Apologies were received from Mr Paul Ramler AM and Professor
Brian Parmenter.
1.2 Special Leave
No requests for special leave were received.
1.3 Starring of Items
Items 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5.1, 1.5.3, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7.1, 8.1
and 10.3 were starred and discussed at the meeting.
1.4 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’.
1.5 Confidential Items
1.5.1 Report of the Honorary Degrees Committee
1.5.1.1 Receipt of Report
RESOLUTION CL7/99/202
Council received and noted the report of the Honorary
Degrees Committee Meeting No. 1/99 held on Monday, 25 October 1999.
(File RMO1997/1110)
1.5.1.2 Nominations for the Award of Honorary Degrees
RESOLUTION CL7/99/203
Council approved the recommendation of the Honorary Degrees
Committee for the award of honorary degrees as presented orally by the
Chancellor, Mr J K Ellis.
(File RMOR1999/009)
For action or noting by: Secretary to Honorary Degrees
Committee
1.5.2 Use of the University Seal
RESOLUTION CL7/99/204
Council noted the report of the Vice-Chancellor dated 27
October 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)
For action or noting by: University Solicitor
1.5.3 Vice-Chancellor’s Issues and Speculation
The Chancellor introduced this item noting that it was a new
item which arose from previous Council discussions about Council working
more closely together. The Chancellor advised that this item would provide
an opportunity for the Vice-Chancellor to brief Council on any matters of
relevance and that as such, this briefing should be treated with utmost
confidentiality as it may involve discussions about commercial possibilities
or touch on work in progress or sensitive issues. This item would provide an
opportunity to raise questions with the Vice-Chancellor but Council members
were requested to bear in mind that some issues would be in the very early
stages of development and consideration and responses and advice may not
necessarily be completely formed.
The minutes of this item would be circulated to Council
members only and would be very brief.
RESOLUTION CL7/99/205
Confidential - for members only
RESOLUTION CL7/99/206
Confidential - for members only
RESOLUTION CL7/99/207
Confidential - for members only
1.6 Admission of Observers
Authorised observers were admitted to the meeting following
confidential items.
2. Confirmation of Minutes of Previous Meeting
The Minutes of Meeting No 6/99 held on 17 September 1999
were circulated.
RESOLUTION CL7/99/208
Council confirmed the Minutes of Meeting No. 6/99 held on
Friday, 17 September 1999 subject to the provision of an Addendum clarifying
Council’s position in relation to any risks associated with the South
African Campus Project. The Addendum is at Attachment 1 to these minutes.
For action or noting by: Secretary to Council
PART B STARRED ITEMS
3. Chancellor’s Business
The Chancellor thanked Ms Ann Sherry for launching the
Affirmative Action Plan 2000-2001 to promote equal employment opportunity
for women. The Chancellor congratulated the Vice-Chancellor and President
and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Development) on the excellent
outcome of the recent round of ARC Grants.
3.1 Council Seminar
The Chancellor thanked the organisers of the Seminar and the
Secretary to Council for the Report of the Council Seminar.
The Chancellor advised that he had attended the October
meeting of Academic Board, and had been impressed by its proceedings. In
light of this, he suggested that links between Council and the academic
operations of the University be strengthened. The Chancellor requested the
Vice-Chancellor and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Planning) give
thought to ways in which Council could strengthen its contribution to
academic considerations, particularly with reference to external advice
relating to the relevance of course and curricula and other academic issues.
RESOLUTION CL7/99/209
Council received and endorsed the Report and noted the
action following the Seminar.
(File RMO1997/1217)
For action or noting by: Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic
and Planning), Secretary to Council
3.2 Council Meeting in Malaysia
The Chancellor thanked the organisers of the visit to
Malaysia and noted that the Vice-Chancellor would inform Council of Monash
Malaysia Campus developments as they progressed.
(File RMO1997/1217)
For action or noting by: Executive Director, Public Affairs,
Secretary to Council
4. Vice-Chancellor’s Business
4.1 Budget 2000
Council had before it, the document Budget 2000 and
Indicative Budgets 2001 & 2002 and a memorandum prepared by the
Vice-Chancellor for members of the Academic Board titled Budget
2000-2002: Some Guiding Comments.
The Vice-Chancellor presented the Budget to Council. In his
introductory remarks, he noted that his memorandum to Academic Board
represented the shared view of the Vice-Chancellor’s Group and Deans and had
been through several iterations. The Vice-Chancellor provided an overview of
the University’s budgetary situation noting that the budget for 2000 is firm
while budgets for years 2001 and 2002 are indicative. He emphasised that
budgets are not allocations from the centre; the budget process begins with
student load predictions in April/May and builds up the components of
income. Accordingly, through this process of consultation, faculties were
aware of the emerging budgetary situation throughout the preparation period.
The Vice-Chancellor described the indicative budgets as the best estimates
by the faculties of what they will earn in the outturn years.
In commenting on the budgetary situation of the Faculty of
Science, the Vice-Chancellor detailed initiatives agreed with the Dean to
address the faculty’s difficulties, particularly the "cross border flow"
issue and noted the budget provision of $1.45M from other faculties as part
of a "top slicing" for teaching, research and special needs.
The Vice-Chancellor noted that indicative budgets for 2001
and 2002 include deficits of $9M and $20M respectively. The Vice-Chancellor
advised that this was clearly unacceptable and that the Resources and
Finance Committee shared this view and had accordingly recommended to
Council that it adopt the 2000 budget subject to the condition that during
2000, workable plans are developed to increase revenue, achieve cost
efficiencies and therefore avoid the indicative deficits of 2001 and 2002.
In closing his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor thanked the General Manager and
his staff for their early production of a very clear set of budget
documents. The Vice-Chancellor emphasised that the budgetary situation of
the University was very tight, that the solution to this situation was for
the University to become increasingly self-reliant, broad based, high
quality and global.
In discussion, a member commented on the high quality of the
Science faculty and on the difficulties that budget cuts would impose on
that faculty. There was also comment on funding for salary increases,
borrowings and the state of negotiations between Commonwealth and State
authorities in relation to unfunded superannuation liabilities. Other
matters raised included identifying core activities, the definition of
indicative budgets and the development of plans over the next twelve months
to address the identified deficits.
RESOLUTION CL7/99/210
Council adopted the Monash University Budget 2000 subject to
the condition that during 2000 workable plans are developed to increase
revenue, achieve cost efficiencies and therefore avoid the indicative
deficits of 2001 and 2002.
(File RMO1997/0611)
For action or noting by: Acting General Manager, Assistant
General Manager (Financial Services), Assistant General Manager (Budget and
Statistical Services)
4.2 Update on South Africa
The Vice-Chancellor reported on his meeting with the South
African Minister of Education, Professor Asmal, and his visit to potential
partners and to six universities.
RESOLUTION CL7/99/211
Council noted the Vice-Chancellor’s advice on progress with
the South African Campus Project.
(File RMOR1999/045)
4.3 Professor John Maloney, Deputy Vice-Chancellor
(International and Public Affairs)
Professor John Maloney was attending his last meeting of
Council before retiring as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International and Public
Affairs). The Vice-Chancellor thanked Professor Maloney for his work in both
international and public affairs.
RESOLUTION CL7/99/212
Council recorded its appreciation for the contribution of
Professor John Maloney to the work of Council and the University.
(Staff file)
For action or noting by: Deputy Vice-Chancellor
(International and Public Affairs)
4.4 Report on Future Directions - Faculty of Law
Professor Stephen Parker, Dean of the Faculty of Law,
presented a report on future directions for the Faculty of Law.
Professor Parker noted that since Council had received his
paper on Future Directions that the faculty had had a day long meeting to
consider its mission. Arising from this meeting was a shared understanding
of the need for changes in direction for the Law faculty. New perceptions
had emerged about the way the faculty saw itself, its core business,
research and internationalisation. There was a new sense of the importance
of self-reliance as opposed to dependency on government.
Professor Parker outlined the vision and values underpinning
the operational plan for the faculty, noting that the very phenomenon of
change itself will be an object of study for the faculty. Professor Parker
outlined the future directions for the faculty in relation to educating
scholars and professionals including the development of a graduate diploma
in legal practice, ethic and skills. Professor Parker also defined new
directions in relation to advancing and applying knowledge and in relation
to community service. Professor Parker’s presentation also addressed the
faculty’s support through its planning of the University themes of
innovation, engagement and internationalisation. With regard to resources,
Professor Parker indicated that the faculty would work towards a
self-reliant future through fee paying places, entrepreneurial activities
and fund raising.
The Chancellor thanked Professor Parker for his presentation
and there was discussion in which Council members raised questions with
Professor Parker in relation to course offerings and competition issues.
RESOLUTION CL7/99/213
Council received and noted the report of the Dean of the
Faculty of Law on future directions for the Faculty of Law.
(File RMO1999/1849)
For action or noting by: Dean and Registrar - Law
PART C MATTERS FOR APPROVAL OR INFORMATION
5. Matters Arising from the Minutes (not dealt with elsewhere in the
agenda)
There were no matters arising.
(File RMO1999/0557)
6. Year 2000 – Monash University
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. Ms Wendy Peter
congratulated Professor Peter Darvall on the report presented and the
progress with Year 2000 compliance.
RESOLUTION CL6/99/214
Council received and noted the Report Monash University -
Year 2000: Report to Resources and Finance Committee.
(File RMO1999/0557)
For action or noting by: Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research
and Development), Executive Director – Information Technology Services
Division
7. Report of the Executive Committee of Council
7.1 South Africa
The Executive Committee of Council, acting under its
delegation from Council, met on 25 October 1999 and approved, subject to
obtaining written advice from PriceWaterhouseCoopers in South Africa and
clearance from the University Solicitor:
That the membership of the new South African section 21
company limited by guarantee consists of seven staff as detailed in the
document presented to the Resources and Finance Committee;
That a second proprietary company be created in Australia
under Monash International Pty Ltd to hold Monash University’s South African
assets.
In response to a question from Ms Wendy Peter regarding
membership of the company, the Vice-Chancellor provided clarification noting
that the Section 21 company membership was a short term arrangement and that
there was capacity for the company to reconfigure itself as a Section 23
company in due course.
(File RMOR1999/045)
For action or noting by: Assistant General Manager
(Financial Services), University Solicitor
7.2 Appointment to the Position of General Manager
The Executive Committee of Council, acting under its
delegation from Council, met on 28 October 1999 and approved an offer of
appointment to the position of General Manager be made to the person named
in the proposal.
RESOLUTION CL7/99/215
Council noted the approvals granted by the Executive
Committee of Council at meetings held 25 October 1999 and 28 October 1999.
(File RMOR1999/038)
For action or noting by: Assistant General Manager
(Personnel Services)
8. Report of the Membership Committee of Council
8.1 Receipt of Report
Ms Wendy Peter commented that Section 2 of the document
Guidelines for Incoming Members of Council which dealt with the
responsibilities of Council membership could be improved by redrafting to be
more user friendly. At the Chancellor’s suggestion, Ms Peter and Professor
Stephen Parker, in consultation with the Secretary to Council, agreed to
redraft Section 2 of the Guidelines.
For action or noting by: Dean – Faculty of Law, Secretary to
Council
RESOLUTION CL7/99/216
Council received the report of Meeting 1/99 of the
Membership Committee of Council held 29 October 1999.
(File RMO1997/1107)
8.2 Filling of current vacancies on Council committees and
subcommittees
RESOLUTION CL7/99/217
Council approved the appointment of:
Executive Committee of Council
Dr Paul Rodan as a staff member of Council and Associate
Professor Andrew Markus as an alternate staff member of Council
Corporate Planning Committee
Professor Brian Parmenter as a professorial member of
Council
Physical Resources Subcommittee
Dr Ian Allen as an external member of Council
Animal Welfare Committee
Ms Maria Keys as a lay member
(Files RMO1998/0046, RMO1998/0043, RMO1998/0039,
RMO1997/1484)
For action or noting by: Secretary to Council
8.3 Receipt of Proceedings
RESOLUTION CL7/99/218
Council noted the proceedings of the Membership Committee
meeting held on 29 October 1999 as detailed in the document presented.
9. Report of the Audit Committee
9.1 Receipt of Report
RESOLUTION CL7/99/219
Council received and noted the report and proceedings of
meeting 4/99 of the Audit Committee held on 15 October 1999.
(File RMO1997/1579)
For action or noting by: Secretary to Audit Committee
10. Report of the Resources and Finance Committee
10.1 Receipt of Report
RESOLUTION CL7/99/220
Council received the report of the Resources and Finance
Committee meeting held on 25 October 1999.
(File RMO1999/1488)
10.2 2000 Budget
Minute 4.1 refers
RESOLUTION CL7/99/221
Council adopted the 2000 Budget, as approved by the
Resources and Finance Committee, subject to the condition that during 2000
workable plans were developed to increase revenue, achieve cost efficiencies
and therefore avoid the indicative deficits of 2001 and 2002.
(File RMO1997/0611)
For action or noting by: Acting General Manager, Assistant
General Manager (Financial Services), Assistant General Manager (Budget and
Statistical Services)
10.3 South Africa
RESOLUTION CL7/99/222
Council noted that Resources and Finance Committee had
received and discussed a report regarding company structure requirements for
Monash University South Africa and accepted the recommendation to approve
the following subject to obtaining written advice from
PriceWaterhouseCoopers in South Africa and clearance from the University
Solicitor:
-
that the membership of the new South African section 21
company limited by guarantee consists of seven staff as detailed in the
document presented;
-
that a second proprietary company be created in Australia
under Monash International Pty Ltd to hold Monash University’s South
African assets.
(File RMOR1999/045)
For action or noting by: Acting General Manager, Assistant
General Manager (Financial Services), University Solicitor
10.4 Receipt of Proceedings
Council members were invited to refer to the proceedings
section of the report of the Resources and Finance Committee. Items
included:
-
Provision of Facilities, Services and Activities Funded by
the Compulsory Amenities Fees on the Gippsland Campus
-
Goods and Services Tax (GST)
-
Monitoring of Monash Companies – Presentations on Monash
Unicomm Pty Ltd and Monash IVF Pty Ltd
-
Integrated Administrative System – Progress Report
-
Year 2000 – Monash University and Controlled Entities (Secretarial
note: minute 6 refers)
RESOLUTION CL7/99/223
Council noted the proceedings of the Resources and Finance
Committee meeting held on 25 October 1999 as detailed in the document
presented.
(File RMO1999/1488)
11. Report of the Academic Board
11.1 Receipt of Report
RESOLUTION CL7/99/224
Council received the report of meeting 7/99 of the Academic
Board held on Wednesday, 20 October 1999.
(File RMO1999/0550)
For action or noting by: Secretary to Academic Board
11.2 Legislation
RESOLUTION CL7/99/225
Council made the legislation titled:
Diploma of Introductory Undergraduate Studies Regulations
1999
For action or noting by: Dean and Registrars – all
faculties, University Solicitor
Faculties Regulations (Amendment No 2 1999)
For action or noting by: Deans and Registrars – Art and
Design, Education, Law; University Solicitor
(Files RMO1999/0462, RMO1999/0213)
11.3 Appointment of Deputy Dean, Associate Deans and Heads
of Schools
RESOLUTION CL7/99/226
Council approved the recommendations for appointment of
Deputy Dean, Associate Deans and Heads of Schools as detailed in the
document presented.
(File RMO1997/0553)
For action or noting by: Dean and Registrar – Arts, Manager
– Senior Appointments
11.4 Proposal to Establish and Fill the Position of
Director, Monash Environment Institute, the Chair in Meteorology, the Chair
in Computer Science and the Chair in Distributed Systems
RESOLUTION CL7/99/227
Council approved the recommendations to establish and fill
the Director and Chair positions as set out in the document presented.
(Secretarial note: Minute 13.1.3 Appointment of Chair
Selection Committees refers)
(Files RMO1999/1802, RMO1998/3049, RMO1997/0768)
For action or noting by: Dean and Registrar – Science,
Manager – Senior Appointments,
11.5 Format for Recording Specialisations on Testamurs
RESOLUTION CL7/99/228
Council approved, in accordance with Section 23(4) of the
Monash University Act 1958 which provides for Council to determine the form
of testamurs, the recommendations regarding the options and format for
recording specialisations on testamurs as detailed in the document
presented.
(File RMO1997/1366)
For action or noting by: Assistant General Manager (Student
Services), University Solicitor, Secretary to Academic Board, Secretary to
Education Committee
11.6 Amendments to the Membership of the Board of the
Faculty of Engineering
RESOLUTION CL7/99/229
Council approved, pursuant to Statute 2.3 – The faculties,
the proposal of the Board of the Faculty of Engineering to amend the
structure of that Faculty Board to include two members of the General Staff
of the faculty elected from their number.
(File RMO1999/0765)
For action or noting by: Dean and Registrar - Engineering
11.7 Award of Degree – Doctor of Medicine
RESOLUTION CL7/99/230
Council approved the proposal of the Board of the Faculty of
Medicine to award the degree of Doctor of Medicine to Dr Thomas W Jobling
for his thesis titled ‘The assessment of two new glycoprotein tumour markers
in ovarian cancer’.
(File RMO1998/0448)
For action or noting by: Dean and Registrar - Medicine
11.8 Receipt of Proceedings
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
Disestablishment of a Course
Budget 2000 (Secretarial note: minute 4.1 and 10.2
refers)
Future Directions Report – Dean of the Faculty of Law (Secretarial
note: minute 4.4 refers)
RESOLUTION CL7/99/231
Council noted the proceedings of meeting 7/99 of the
Academic Board held on 20 October 1999.
(File RMO1999/0550)
12. Gippsland Advisory Council
12.1 Receipt of Report
RESOLUTION CL7/99/232
Council received the Report and noted the Proceedings of the
Gippsland Advisory Council Meeting AC5/99 held on 31 August 1999.
(File RMO1997/0888)
For action or noting by: Secretary – Gippsland Advisory
Council
13. General Business
13.1 Senior Appointments
13.1.1 Acceptance of Offers
RESOLUTION CL7/99/233
Council noted that the following had accepted his offer of
appointment approved by the Special Professorial Appointments Subcommittee:
Professor Richard Scotton – Honorary Professorial Fellow in
the Centre for Health Program Evaluation, Faculty of Business and Economics.
(File Staff File)
For action or noting by: Manager – Senior Appointments
13.1.2 Appointment – Chair of Fluid Mechanics
13.1.2.1 Receipt of Report of Selection Committee
RESOLUTION CL7/99/234
Council received the report of the selection committee for
an appointment to the Chair of Fluid Mechanics.
13.1.2.2 Report of Selection Committee
RESOLUTION CL7/99/235
Council approved an offer of an appointment to the Chair of
Fluid Mechanics, Faculty of Engineering, as per the report of the selection
committee, be made to the person named in the document presented.
(File RMO1998/2135)
For action or noting by: Dean and Registrar – Engineering,
Manager – Senior Appointments
13.1.3 Appointment of Chair Selection Committees
RESOLUTION CL7/99/236
Council approved the establishment of the selection
committees for a Chair of Computer Science, a Chair of Distributed Systems
and a Chair of Meteorology as detailed in the document presented.
(Secretarial Note: minute 11.4 of the Academic Board report
refers)
(File RMO1997/1623)
For action or noting by: Dean and Registrar – Science,
Manager – Senior Appointments
13.1.4 Dean, Faculty of Science
RESOLUTION CL7/99/237
Council approved the advertising and filling of the position
of Dean, Faculty of Science.
RESOLUTION CL7/99/238
Council approved the establishment of the Selection
Committee for an appointment as Dean, Faculty of Science as detailed in the
document presented.
For action or noting: Registrar – Science, Manager, Senior
Appointments
13.2 Membership of Intellectual Property Committee
RESOLUTION CL7/99/239
Council approved the appointment of Mr Geoff Klestadt to
fill a vacancy on the Intellectual Property Committee.
(File RMO1998/0778)
For action or noting by: Secretary to Intellectual Property
Committee
13.3 Reports on Outside Studies Programs
RESOLUTION CL7/99/240
Council received reports from the following staff:
Faculty of Medicine
Professor B Tonge, Psychological Medicine
Dr R Boyd, Pathology and Immunology
Professor P Beart, Pharmacology
Dr R Salom, Pathology and Immunology
Faculty of Education
Ms Deb Corrigan
Ms Geraldine Burke
Dr John Pearson
Dr Lesley Farrell
Faculty of Law
Professor M Neave
Mr B Dyer
Mr A Evans
(File RMO1999/1608)
13.4 Next Meeting
The next meeting of Council is scheduled to be held at 4.30
pm on Monday, 13 December 1999 at the Clayton Campus followed by the Council
Christmas celebration.
