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Council Meeting 1/2001

Meeting No. 1/2001 of the Monash University Council was held between 5.00 pm and 7.00 pm on Monday, 12 February 2001, in the Sir George Lush Room, Administration Building 3a, Clayton Campus

There were present:

Mr J K Ellis, Presiding

Mr P H Ramler AM, Deputy Chancellor

Dr J Hearn, Deputy Chancellor

Professor D A Robinson, Vice-Chancellor and President

Professor A W Lindsay, Chair of Academic Board
Associate Professor L Adler Mr J Laurie
Mr G Barnes Associate Professor A Markus
Professor C Bourke MBE Miss D R Pizzey AM
Ms D Halstead Dr M Schapper
Mr J Hutchinson

Ms P Hutchinson

Ms A Sherry

Ms E Tava

In attendance were:

Ms A Crook AO, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Resources)

Professor R White, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Monash Centre London

Professor B Kent, Director, Monash University Prato

Professor G Webb, Director, Centre for Higher Education Quality (CHEQ)

 Secretary:

Mr P Siggins, Manager, University Secretariat

MINUTES

In opening the meeting, the Chancellor welcomed Dr June Hearn in her capacity as Deputy Chancellor, and new members of Council, Professor Colin Bourke MBE, Ms Penelope FE Hutchinson and Ms Eleina Tava.

PART A

1. PROCEDURAL MATTERS

The Chancellor advised Council that item 1.5.2 Chair Appointment would be dealt with as the first item of the agenda.

1.1 Apologies

Apologies were received from Professor Tam Sridhar and Ms Wendy Peter. Ms Manisha Blencowe had indicated she wished to attend via telephone conference but telephone connection could not be made.

Professor Peter Darvall, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research and Development) had advised that he would not be in attendance for this meeting.

1.2 Special Leave

Council approved requests for special leave for meeting 2/2001 (19 March) from Mr Glenn Barnes, Mr Paul Ramler AM and Professor David Robinson. Associate Professor Louise Adler advised that she would be present by telephone for meeting 2/2001 (19 March).

1.3 Starring of Items

Items 1.1 Apologies, 1.2 Special Leave, 1.3 Starring of Items, 1.4 Approval of Non-Starred Items, 1.5.1 Vice-Chancellor’s Issues and Speculation, 2 Confirmation of Minutes of Previous Meeting, 3 Chancellor’s Business and 4 Vice-Chancellor’s Business 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 Vice-Chancellor’s Issues and Speculation

The Vice-Chancellor spoke to this item and reported on four matters. These included:

  1. Further developments of a partnership with a major international organisation.

  2. South Africa developments subsequent to the last update at Council meeting 8/2000 (18 December).

  3. Discussion of a proposed development regarding a sporting facility.

  4. University practice and policy regarding gifts and donations.

Council noted the Vice-Chancellor’s advice on these confidential items.

1.5.2 Chair Appointment

The Vice-Chancellor spoke to this item. Associate Professor Andrew Markus was not present for this item.

RESOLUTION CL1/2001/1

Council approved an offer of an appointment to a Chair of Jewish Civilisation, Faculty of Arts, as per the report of the selection committee, be made to Professor Andrew Markus. Council noted that with Professor Markus’ appointment, a vacancy for a non-professorial academic member of staff would occur and that an election would be held to fill the vacancy. Council extended congratulations to Professor Markus and recorded its appreciation for his contribution to the work of Council.

(File RMO1998/1482)

For action or noting by: Manager - Senior Appointments

1.5.3 Use of the University Seal

RESOLUTION CL1/2001/2

Council noted the report of the Vice-Chancellor dated 31 January 2001 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

1.6 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 8/2000 held on 18 December 2000 had been circulated.

RESOLUTION CL1/2001/3

Council confirmed the Minutes of meeting No. 8/2000 held on Monday, 18 December 2000.

For action or noting by: Secretary to Council

PART B STARRED ITEMS

3. Chancellor’s Business

3.1 The Council Year Ahead

The Chancellor outlined his views on the Council year ahead. The Chancellor urged members to continue to observe the need for confidentiality in relation to discussions and distributed papers. He believed that Council’s consensus mode of operation should continue since it had stood the Council in good stead. Diversity of views within Council was one of Council’s strengths as was the consistent presentation of Council decisions to the wider community.

In addressing the meeting, the Chancellor emphasised the need for continuity in managing the activities and projects that had already commenced. These included forging of stronger links between Council and the Academic Board, developing the Academic Plan for the Gippsland Campus, lifting the University’s research performance and profile, bringing Monash Commercial on stream and reviewing the University’s international strategy. During 2001, quality would be an important focus in all dimensions of the University’s activity. Financial management would continue to be central to the governing role of Council.

During 2001, Council would be operating in an environment of increasing change. Changes in the international and Australian economies and the political environment, would be felt within the University. However, Council was well structured, had good and improving procedures which had been regularly reviewed. Also, the Chancellor pointed to the strong performance of the Vice-Chancellor and his team. In this context, the Chancellor advised members to be confident, calm and not to be overly reactive to external pressures.

3.2 Report on the Governance Forum held 18 December 2000

At the Chancellor’s invitation, the Vice-Chancellor spoke to this item.

RESOLUTION CL1/2001/4

Council noted the action arising from the Council Governance Forum held 18 December 2000 as detailed in the paper Monash University Governance Issues: 2000, 2001 2020 prepared by Mr David Phillips, Special Adviser to the Vice-Chancellor, following the Forum.

(File RM02000/0508)

RESOLUTION CL1/2001/5

Council adopted the proposed role, composition, tasks and arrangements for the International Advisory Group as detailed in the paper Monash University: The Role of the International Advisory Group.

RESOLUTION CL1/2001/6

Council endorsed the proposal to move to six university committee cycles per year with eight meetings of Council, six dealing with normal business of the University and the further two special meetings which might reflect on governance and other Council matters. However, Council requested that the schedule for 2002 as detailed in the paper presented be amended so that the special meetings of Council were not adjacent to one another. Council requested the Secretary to Council to bring an amended schedule to the next meeting of Council.

For action or noting by: Secretary to Council

RESOLUTION CL1/2001/7

Council endorsed the streamlined structure of committees reporting to Council, Academic Board and senior officers of the University as detailed in the document Streamlining of University-wide Committees. Council endorsed the following structure of committees:

Committees of Council:

  • Audit Committee

  • Equal Opportunity Committee

  • Subcommittee for Equal Opportunity in Employment

  • Subcommittee for Student Equity and Access

  • Child Care Advisory Committee

  • Affirmative Action Coordinating Subcommittee

  • Executive Committee

  • Honorary Degrees Committee (jointly with Academic Board)

  • Membership Committee

  • Resources and Finance Committee

  • Physical Resources Subcommittee

  • Purchasing Subcommittee

  • Executive Purchasing Subcommittee

  • Selection and Remuneration Subcommittee

  • Special Professorial Appointments Subcommittee

Committees of Academic Board:

  • Admissions Committee

  • Education Committee

  • Exclusion Appeals Committee

  • General Library Committee

  • Offshore Quality Assurance Committee

  • Committee of Associate Deans (Research)

  • PhD and Scholarship Committee

  • Steering Committee of Academic Board

  • University Readership / Associate Professorship Committee (University Clinical Assoc. Professorship Committee as a sub-committee)

  • Discipline Appeals Committee

  • Honorary Degrees Committee (jointly with Council)

Advisory Committees Reporting to Senior Officers 

Vice-Chancellor

Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research and Development)

Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic and Planning)

Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Resources)

Other Senior Officers
Administrative Heads Group

Committee of Deans

Deans Discussion Group

Occupational Health and Safety Policy Committee

(Including the Biosafety Committee and the Environmental Policy Taskforce)

Steering Committees for London and Prato

 Standing Committee on Ethics in Research on Humans

Animal Welfare Committee

Copyright Advisory Committee

Intellectual Property and Commercialisation Committee

Publication Grants Committee

Monash Open Day Committee

 Committee of Associate Deans (Teaching)

Monash University Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities

 Standing Committee on Animal Services

Student Grants and Loans Committee

 Distance Education and Open Learning Committee (Director CeLTS)

Indigenous Education Advisory Committee (Director- Centre for Australian Indigenous Studies and the Dean, Faculty of Arts)

Oscar Mendelsohn Lectures Committee (Professor J Bigelow)

Orientation Committee (Director – Planning and Academic Affairs)

Religious Centre Management Committee (Campus Director – Clayton)

For action or noting by: Secretary to Council, Executive Secretary to the Vice-Chancellor, Secretary to Academic Board, Secretaries of Committees

4. Vice-Chancellor’s Business

4.1 Australia Day Honours

RESOLUTION CL1/2001/8

Council noted with acclamation Australia Day Honours awarded to key individuals associated with Monash as follows:

  • Emeritus Professor Robert Porter awarded AC (Companion of the Order of Australia) for excellence and achievement in medicine as an internationally renowned neuroscientist and for major contributions to the management of medical research and medical education

  • Alistair Ian Kingswell Lloyd (Fellow of the Faculty of Pharmacy) awarded AO (Office of the Order of Australia) for service to the pharmacy profession and patient care through integration of pharmacy, medical and nursing services, and for improving labelling on medications and standardising prescription conventions

  • Janet Hailes Michelmore (BA 1975, DipEd 1976) awarded AO for service to women, particularly through education campaigns to raise public awareness of women’s health issues and services provided by the Jean Hailes Foundation

  • Hon. Geoffrey Phillip Connard (PhC 1947) awarded AM (Member of the Order of Australia) for service to medical administration and to the community, particularly through health care and medical research institutions

  • James Victor Kimpton (LLB(Hons) 1969) awarded AM for service to the aviation industry, particularly aircraft manufacturers and assemblers, through revision and rewriting of the Civil Aviation Regulations and chairing of the Program Advisory Panel

  • Claire Mitchell-Taverner (BA 1996) awarded OAM (Medal of the Order of Australia) for service to sport as a gold medallist at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games

  • Desmond Thomas Parker (EdD 1998) awarded OAM for service to education, particularly as the founding Principal of St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School at Warragul, and as an educational administrator

  • John Manning (MEnvSc 1982, MBA 1987) awarded PSM (Public Service Medal) for outstanding public service in the field of geodesy, and in enhancing Australia’s international profile as a world leader in this area

  • Jennifer Theisinger (BA 1986) awarded PSM for outstanding public service and innovation in the field of palliative care administration

  • Anthony Carlton Robinson (PhD (Sci) 1977) awarded PSM for outstanding public service and innovation in the field of conservation in South Australia

  • Ian Miller (ADipBus(GenAdmin) 1988) awarded APM (Australian Police Medal)

(File RM01999/0190)

For action or noting by: Executive Director – Public Affairs

4.2 Backing Australia’s Ability

Council noted that the Commonwealth Government, in the document Backing Australia’s Ability, had proposed initiatives offering incentives for research and development and significant new education funding for universities. The Vice-Chancellor advised that a small task force had been established, chaired by Mr David Phillips (Special Adviser to the Vice-Chancellor), to analyse the Government statement and by 21 February 2001, prepare for the Vice-Chancellor’s Group initial proposals for how best Monash could capitalise on these various opportunities.

(File RM01999/0549)

4.3 Co-operative Research Centres (CRCs)

Council noted the Vice-Chancellor’s advice that Monash would participate in six CRCs that had attracted support in the latest funding round announced by the Minister for Industry, Science and Resources, on 18 January 2001. The six Monash CRCs were as follows: CRC for Functional Communication Surfaces, CRC for Railway Engineering and Technolgies, CRC for Predictive Mineral Discovery, CRC for Innovative Dairy Products, CRC for Water Quality and Treatment and CRC for Chronic Inflammatory Diseases. This outcome from the recent round represented a very positive outcome for the University. Council also noted that Monash was currently involved in a total of seventeen CRCs.

RESOLUTION CL1/2001/9

Council noted the information as presented by the Vice-Chancellor and President and offered congratulations to the staff involved in the new and current CRCs.

(File RM01998/2005)

4.4 Future Directions Reports

RESOLUTION CL1/2001/10

Council noted the timetable of papers of future directions reports as follows:

Academic Board Meeting 1/2001 (21 February) and Council Meeting 2/2001 (19 March)

  • Quality at Monash - Director, CHEQ, Professor Graham Webb (This report was presented to Council Meeting 1/2001 (12 February)

  • Research I: CRC for Functional Communication Surfaces - Director, Australian Pulp and Paper Institute, Professor Robert Johnston

  • Development of the curriculum: engagement with stakeholders –Chair of Academic Board, Professor Alan Lindsay

Academic Board Meeting 2/2001 (11 April) and Council Meeting 3/2001 (7 May)

  • Faculty of Business and Economics – Dean, Professor Gill Palmer

Academic Board Meeting 3/2001 (6 June) and Council Meeting 4/2001 (25 June)

  • London and Prato centres – Professors Stephen Parker and Homer Le Grand who chair the Advisory Committees

  • Course structures for professional and employment needs - Chair of Academic Board, Professor Alan Lindsay

Academic Board Meeting 4/2001 (25 July) and Council Meeting 5/2001 (13 August)

  • Faculty of Science – Dean, Professor Rob Norris

Academic Board Meeting 5/2001 (5 September) and Council Meeting 6/2001 (1 October)

  • Research II – National Centre for Australian Studies, Professor Peter Spearritt

Academic Board Meeting 6/2001 (24 October) and Council Meeting 7/2001 (12 November)

  • Information Technology Services Division – Executive Director, IT Services Division, Mr Alan McMeekin

Academic Board Meeting 7/2001 (28 November) and Council Meeting 8/2001 (17 December)

  • Student and Staff Services Division – Divisional Director, Student and Staff Services, Mr Peter Marshall

  • The use of on-line technologies to support flexible learning - Chair of Academic Board, Professor Alan Lindsay

(File RM02000/0746)

For action or noting by: Secretary to Council, Secretary to Academic Board

4.5 Monash University Malaysia

The Vice-Chancellor spoke to the report Monash University Malaysia Campus Report to Council – February 2001. Council noted the information regarding academic development, support for research, staffing and student recruitment activities at the campus as at February 2001.

RESOLUTION CL1/2001/11

Council received and noted the report Monash University Malaysia Campus Report to Council – February 2001.

(File RM01999/1375)

4.6 Monash Centre London

Professor Dick White, Pro Vice-Chancellor Monash Centre, London, presented a brief oral report. Professor White reported on initiatives taken in the thirteen months since the Centre was established. These included raising awareness of the Centre at King’s College and at Monash, staff exchanges between Monash and King’s College, establishment of scholarships, various joint program developments and the promotion of Monash in the United Kingdom via conferences on topics of social and intellectual importance. The Chancellor thanked Professor White for his presentation.

RESOLUTION CL1/2001/12

Council received and noted the presentation by Professor Dick White, Pro Vice-Chancellor Monash Centre, London.

(File RM02000/0879)

4.7 Monash University Prato

Professor, Bill Kent, Director, Monash University Prato, presented a brief oral report. Professor Kent reported on progress at Prato and showed a collection of slides on the Palazzo Vaj which houses the Monash Centre in Prato. A floor plan of the Centre was also distributed. Professor Kent explained that ideally, the Centre would emerge as a Monash Academy, showcasing Australian culture to the wider European community. Professor Kent reported on the history of the Palazzo Vaj, progress with the renovations, proposals for the use of the space, distinguished visitors, past and proposed conferences and the intake of undergraduates anticipated for next July. Professor Kent invited members of Council to attend the official opening of the Monash Centre in Prato. The Chancellor thanked Professor Kent for his presentation.

RESOLUTION CL1/2001/13

Council received and noted the presentation by Professor, Bill Kent, Director, Monash University Prato.

4.8 Quality at Monash

Professor Graham Webb, Director, Centre for Higher Education Quality (CHEQ), presented the paper Quality at Monash and set the context for possible developments in anticipation of future Australian University Quality Agency (AQUA) audit activities. Professor Webb took members through the paper ranking current levels of Monash activity in terms of quality. Discussion following Professor Webb’s presentation focussed on the desirability of bringing Monash internal processes to a stage where they would be able to inform responses to the external audit of quality. The Chancellor thanked Professor Webb for his presentation.

RESOLUTION CL1/2001/14

Council received and noted the report Quality at Monash as presented by Professor Graham Webb, Director, Centre for Higher Education Quality.

(File RM02000/1057)

PART C ITEMS FOR APPROVAL OR INFORMATION

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

6. General Business

6.1 Senior Appointments

6.1.1 Acceptance of Offers

RESOLUTION CL1/2001/15

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

  • Professor John Rosenberg – Dean, Faculty of Information Technology

  • Dr Ian Johnston – Director, Monash University Accident Research Centre

  • Associate Professor Mark Oakley Browne – Professor of Rural Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

RESOLUTION CL1/2001/16

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

  • Professor W. (Bill) Brown – Honorary Professor, Faculty of Engineering.

  • Professor Colin Bourke – Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Arts.

  • Dr Maureen Brunt – Emeritus Professor.

  • Professor Ian Freckelton – Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Law.

  • Professor Bruce Grant – Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Business and Economics.

  • Dr Juliang Zheng – Professorial Fellow, Faculty of Information Technology.

(File personnel)

6.1.2 Professor of Trauma – Appointment

RESOLUTION CL1/2001/17

Council received the report of the selection committee for an appointment as a Professor of Trauma, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

RESOLUTION CL1/2001/18

Council approved an offer of an appointment as a Professor of Trauma, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, as per the report of the selection committee, be made to the person named in the document presented.

(File personnel)

6.1.3 Council Nominees to Selection Committees

6.1.3.1 Chair of International Trade Law, Faculty of Law

6.1.3.2 Two Chairs of Marketing, Department of Marketing, Faculty of Business and Economics

6.1.3.3 Professor of Rural Health Education, School of Rural Health, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

6.1.3.4 Professor of Surgery, Department of Surgery (Southern Clinical School), Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

6.1.3.5 Chair of X-Ray and Synchrotron Physics, School of Physics and Materials Engineering, Faculties of Engineering and Science

RESOLUTION CL1/2001/19

Council approved the nomination of Council members as Council’s nominees to the selection committees as detailed in the document presented.

(File RMO1997/1623)

6.2 Conferral of Award in Absentia

RESOLUTION CL1/2001/20

Council conferred an award in absentia as detailed below:

Lucy Marea Ryan – Bachelor of Laws

For action or noting by: Dean and Registrar – Law, Divisional Director – Student and Staff Services, Manager, Manager – Graduations, Student Administration – Law

6.3 Nominee on the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine

RESOLUTION CL1/2001/21

Council ratified the Vice-Chancellor’s nomination of Professor Nicholas Andrew Saunders, as the University’s nominee to the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine Council for a period of three years from 5 May 2001.

(File RMO1998/0964)

For action or noting by: Dean and Director of Academic Programs – Medicine, Secretary to Council

6.4 Next Meeting

The next meeting of Council is scheduled to be held at 5.00 pm on Monday, 19 March 2001 at the Clayton Campus.