Meeting No. 7/2001 of the Monash University Council was held between 5.00 pm and 7.15 pm on Monday, 12 November 2001, in the Sir George Lush Room, Administration Building 3a, Clayton Campus

Mr J K Ellis, Chancellor, Presiding

Mr P H Ramler AM, Deputy Chancellor

Dr J M Hearn, Deputy Chancellor

Professor D A Robinson, Vice-Chancellor and President

Professor A W Lindsay, Chair of Academic Board

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

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

Mr P Marshall, Divisional Director, Student and Staff Services

Mr J Levine, Divisional Director, Financial Resources Management

Professor M Evans, Director, Planning and Academic Affairs

Mr T Calder, Director, Secretariat and Executive Services

An apology was received from Ms Penelope Hutchinson.

No requests for special leave were received.

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 Speculations, 1.5.2 Report of the Membership Committee of Council, 2 Confirmation of Minutes of Previous Meeting, 3 Chancellor’s Business, 4 Vice-Chancellor’s Business, 5.1 Council Meeting Dates and Venues - 2002, 7.3 Receipt of Proceedings of the Report of the Resources and Finance Committee, and 10.4 Report to Council on the terms of reference and membership of Resources and Finance Committee and its supporting Committee structure were starred and discussed at the meeting.

Item 7.4 Resources and Finance Committee – Supplementary Report was withdrawn from the agenda.

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’.

The Vice-Chancellor spoke to this item and reported on the following:

Following the announcement of the outcome of the 2001 ARC round, the Vice-Chancellor informed Council that he had written to all professors appointed since 1 January 2000 and all applicants for 2001 ARC grants seeking their views on how to improve research performance at Monash.

Having received over seventy replies, most containing constructive and thoughtful suggestions, a brief paper based on the themes of strengthening our research culture, recognising pre-requisites for success, supporting the research endeavour and ARC specific issues would be prepared for discussion with senior colleagues and at Academic Board.

The Vice-Chancellor provided Council with advice from Professor John Anderson, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Monash South Africa on the positive developments in South Africa which included the establishment of the Centre for Law and Reconstruction, the positive effect of supporting the Global Compact, the enrolment of fee-paying students from Botswana and the constructive contribution of the Monash South Africa Advisory Council.

RESOLUTION CL7/2001/186

Council received and noted the report of meeting 2/2001 of the Membership Committee of Council held on Monday, 15 October 2001.

(File RMO1997/1107)

RESOLUTION CL7/2001/187

Council endorsed the recommendations of the Membership Committee that the persons named in the document presented be recommended to the Minister for approval by Cabinet for appointment as Governor-in-Council appointees and that Council appoint Associate Professor Louise Adler and Mr John Laurie as Council appointees for terms of office commencing 1 January 2002 and ending 31 December 2004.

(Files RMO1997/1111, RMO1997/1274)

RESOLUTION CL7/2001/188

Council recorded its appreciation to retiring Council member Dr Mark Schapper for his contribution to the University and Council for the period 1 January 1999 to 31 December 2001.

(File RMO1997/1107)

RESOLUTION CL7/2001/189

Council invited Miss Penelope FE Hutchinson to be Chairperson of the Audit Committee.

(File RMO1998/0044)

RESOLUTION CL7/2001/190

Council noted the report of the Vice-Chancellor dated 31 October 2001 on the affixing of the Common Seal to documents executed under Seal pursuant to Statute 8.1, Section 2.1.5.

Authorised observers were admitted to the meeting following confidential items.

The Minutes of meeting No 6/2001 held on 1 October 2001 were circulated.

RESOLUTION CL7/2001/191

Council confirmed the Minutes of meeting No 6/2001 held on Monday, 1 October 2001.

The Chancellor spoke to this item and reported on the following:

The Vice-Chancellor introduced the Budget 2002 document. The Vice-Chancellor noted that the overall financial position for universities continued to be extremely tight and that against that testing background, acknowledged the work of the budget team lead by Mr John Levine, Divisional Director, Financial Services Management, Deans and Directors of academic support and infrastructure units for all the preparatory work which produced a sound and well presented budget.

The Vice-Chancellor invited the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Resources) to comment on the budget. Ms Crook directed Council’s attention to page 52 of the budget document detailing the principles of the budget, the capital budget summary and related explanatory notes and the financial statements 2000 to 2004 on pages 18 and 19.

Ms Crook introduced Mr Levine who reported on the principles for allocating DETYA recurrent income including the distribution to faculties of $5M of the research component based on benchmark performance data, the decreased level of targeted support for faculties and the small increase in support for scholarships and bursaries.

Following Mr Levine’s comment, there was general discussion of the features of the budget including international student load targets, Monash South Africa, controlled entity reporting, implementation of strategic cost management, issues relating to the expenditure on new buildings and building refurbishments and issues relating to the level of forecast research income.

The Chancellor and several members commented favourably on the quality and informative nature of the budget document.

RESOLUTION CL7/2001/192

Council adopted the Monash University Budget 2002.

(File RMO1997/0611)

The Vice-Chancellor introduced the report University-wide Performance Indicators.

In introducing the paper, University-wide Performance Indicators, the Vice-Chancellor noted that the set of indicators agreed to at the Council induction session in early 2000 had been updated to include an appropriate indicator of building maintenance and included key aspects of two surveys measuring student and staff satisfaction levels with two key service providers – the University Library and Student and Staff Services Division.

Discussion focussed on ways of attracting a greater percentage of the top 5% of school leavers, the use of the indicators as a management tool, higher degree by research completions and matters relating to course delivery.

(Secretarial note: minute 7.4 of the Report of Resources and Finance Committee refers)

RESOLUTION CL7/2001/193

Council received the report on University-wide Performance Indicators.

(File RMO1997/0325)

The Vice-Chancellor invited Ms Alison Crook AO, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Resources) to introduce Mr Peter Marshall, Divisional Director, Student and Staff Services, who spoke to the future directions report.

Mr Peter Marshall, Divisional Director, Student and Staff Services, presented a report on future directions for Student and Staff Services Division including outcomes of a comprehensive survey on the quality and value of services to students and staff.

RESOLUTION CL7/2001/194

Council received the future directions report on the Student and Staff Services Division as presented by Mr Peter Marshall, Divisional Director, Student and Staff Services.

(File RMO2001/0960)

The Vice-Chancellor invited Professor Alan Lindsay, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic and Planning) to introduce Professor Merran Evans, Director, Academic and Planning, who spoke to the report.

Professor Evans commented on the usefulness of looking at the changing student profile over a ten-year time span and the importance of such data in informing the University’s strategic planning process.

Discussion focussed on the level of indigenous enrolments, the difficulties encountered by some equity groups in accessing higher education and the need to ensure that suitable support frameworks are in place to respond to student enquiries, regardless of geographical location.

(Secretarial note: minute 8.3 of the Report of the Academic Board refers)

RESOLUTION CL7/2001/195

Council received the report on Student Profile: Past and Future.

(File RMO2001/1246)

The Vice-Chancellor reported to Council that the statement After Election 2001: Key Higher Education Issues had been distributed to leaders of all political parties, members of cabinet and shadow cabinet and candidates in all Victorian electorates and that he had received positive feedback on the themes outlined in the statement.

(File RMO1997/0025)

RESOLUTION CL7/2001/196

Council endorsed the proposed Council meeting schedule for 2002 as follows:

(File RMO1997/1217)

Council noted that the Executive Committee of Council, acting under its delegation from Council, met on 30 October 2001 and approved offers of appointments to a Chair of Civil Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, a Chair of Retail Marketing, Department of Marketing, Faculty of Business and Economics, two Chairs of Marketing, Department of Marketing, Faculty of Business and Economics, a Chair of Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, a Chair of Statistics, School of Mathematical Sciences, Faculty of Science and establishment of a Chair of Retail Marketing, Department of Marketing, Faculty of Business and Economics as detailed in the document circulated to members of the Executive Committee.

RESOLUTION CL7/2001/197

Council noted the approvals granted by the Executive Committee of Council at its meeting held on 30 October 2001.

(Files Personnel)

(File RMO1997/0611)

RESOLUTION CL7/2001/198

Council approved the establishment of a Foundation to be provisionally named "The Monash University Foundation for Jewish Studies". Approval of the final name of the Foundation would be sought as appropriate.

(File RMO1998/1482)

In response to a question, the Chancellor informed Council that a set of financial reports relating to Monash South Africa would be brought to Council early next year and that at meeting 2/2001, Council noted the budget for 2001 and at meeting 5/2001, Council considered the revised ten year business plan for South Africa.

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

RESOLUTION CL7/2001/199

Council received the report and noted the proceedings of the Resources and Finance Committee meeting held on Monday, 22 October 2001.

(Files RMOR2001/050, RMO2000/1252, RMO1998/2897, RMO1997/0325, RMO1997/0356, RMO2001/1087, RMO1998/0392 and RMO1999/2152)

This item was withdrawn from the agenda.

RESOLUTION CL7/2001/200

Council received and noted the Report of Meeting 6/2001 of the Academic Board held on Wednesday, 24 October 2001.

(File RMO2001/0552)

RESOLUTION CL7/2001/201

Council approved the proposal of the Board of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences to establish the Jean Hailes Chair of Women’s Health in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and the Jean Hailes Foundation.

(Secretarial note: minute 10.1.3.1 of the Report of Senior Appointments refers)

(Files Personnel)

RESOLUTION CL7/2001/202

Council approved the proposal of the Board of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences to establish the position of Professor/Associate Professor of Primary Care Research in the Department of General Practice.

(Secretarial note: minute 10.1.3.2 of the Report of Senior Appointments refers)

RESOLUTION CL7/2001/203

Council approved the proposal of the Board of the Faculty of Information Technology to establish and fill two Professorships in Information Technology Research.

(Secretarial note: minute 10.1.3.3 of the Report of Senior Appointments refers)

(File RMO2001/1246)

RESOLUTION CL7/2001/204

Council approved the proposal of the Boards of the Faculties of Arts and Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, to transfer the Department of Social Work from the Faculty of Arts to the School of Primary Health Care in the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

(Files RMO1997/0553, RMO1998/0296)

RESOLUTION CL7/2001/205

Council approved the proposal of the Board of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences to award the degree of Doctor of Medicine to Associate Professor P Schattner.

(File RMO1998/0448)

RESOLUTION CL7/2001/206

Council made the legislation titled Faculties Regulations (Amendment No 2 2001)

(File RMO2001/1049)

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

RESOLUTION CL7/2001/207

Council noted the proceedings of meeting 6/2001 of the Academic Board held on Wednesday, 24 October 2001.

(File RMO2001/0552)

RESOLUTION CL7/2001/208

Council received the report and noted the proceedings of the Gippsland Advisory Council meeting 5/2001 held on 16 October 2001.

(File RMO1997/0888)

RESOLUTION CL7/2001/209

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

RESOLUTION CL7/2001/210

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

(Files Personnel)

RESOLUTION CL7/2001/211

Council approved an offer of appointment as a Professor of Accounting, Department of Accounting and Finance, Faculty of Business and Economics, and Head, School of Business and Economics, Monash Gippsland, as per the report of the selection committee, be made to the person named in the document presented.

(File Personnel)

10.1.3.1 The Jean Hailes Chair of Women’s Health, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences (Secretarial note: minute 8.2.1 of the Report of Academic Board refers)

10.1.3.2 Professor (or Associate Professor) of Primary Care Research, Department of General Practice, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences (Secretarial note: minute 8.2.2 of the Report of Academic Board refers)

10.1.3.3 Professor of Information Technology Research (two positions), Faculty of Information Technology (Secretarial note: minute 8.2.3 of the Report of Academic Board refers)

RESOLUTION CL7/2001/212

Council approved the establishment of the selection committees for The Jean Hailes Chair of Women’s Health, a Professor (or Associate Professor) of Primary Care Research and two Professors of Information Technology Research as detailed in the document presented.

(File RMO1997/1623)

RESOLUTION CL7/2001/213

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

(File RMO1997/1623)

RESOLUTION CL7/2001/214

Council awarded the degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD) to Professor C. R. Williams.

(File RMO2001/1444)

RESOLUTION CL7/2001/215

Council authorised its representative on the Victorian Partnership for Advanced Computing Limited ("VPAC") Board to vote at the Annual General Meeting of the company in favour of a special resolution to amend the Constitution of the company as detailed in the document presented.

(File RMO2001/0474)

In response to a question on matters relating to Triple Bottom Line Reporting and the Global Compact, the Chancellor informed Council that Membership Committee would consider these matters when reviewing the overall membership of Council subcommittees.

RESOLUTION CL7/2001/216

Council approved the proposed Council Committee structure and the terms of reference and membership as detailed below:

Resources and Finance Committee
Standing Committee of Council

Mr Paul Ramler AM

Professor David Robinson

Alternate: Professor Alan Lindsay

Investment Advisory Subcommittee Mr Glenn Barnes

Physical Resources Subcommittee Dr June Hearn

or their nominated alternates from the respective subcommittees

Ms Alison Crook AO

Dr Paul James

Ms Eleina Tava

Resources and Finance Committee may co-opt additional persons, whether or not members of Council, who have expertise of particular value to the Committee’s proceedings. Each co-opted member shall serve such term of office, not exceeding three years, as the Committee prescribes. Approval of each such co-option shall be reported to the Council meeting following the decision to co-opt. At least half the members of the Resources and Finance Committee must be Council members and thus any such co-option is made subject to this requirement.

Dr Mark Schapper

Mr Tony Calder, Director, Secretariat and Executive Services

Mr John Matthews, Divisional Director, Corporate Finance

Mr David McWaters, Group Accountant

Investment Advisory Subcommittee
Subcommittee of Resources and Finance Committee of Council

Mr Glenn Barnes

vacant

Mr John Matthews

Mr Geoff Murray, Treasury Manager

Physical Resources Subcommittee
Subcommittee of Resources and Finance Committee of Council

Dr June Hearn

Professor Alan Lindsay

Ms Alison Crook AO

Mr Jerry Ellis

Miss Dorothy Pizzey AM

Mr John Laurie

Professor Tam Sridhar

Ms Dale Halstead

Mr Stephen Davey, Divisional Director, Facilities and Services

For action or noting by: Secretary to Physical Resources Subcommittee, Technology Support Officer – University Secretariat 

Selection and Remuneration Committee
Standing Committee of Council

Mr Jerry Ellis, Chancellor

Miss Dorothy Pizzey AM

Mr Paul Ramler AM

Professor David Robinson

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Resources) to provide expert assistance [except on matters involving the appointment or remuneration of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Resources)]

Mr Peter Marshall, Divisional Director, Student and Staff Services

This Subcommittee may not coopt other members.

Special Professorial Appointments Committee
Standing Committee of Council

Professor David Robinson

Associate Professor Louise Adler

Professor Peter Darvall

Professor Alan Lindsay

Professor Michael Brisk

Professor Graeme Davison, Department of History, Faculty of Arts

Mr John Noonan, Manager, Senior Appointments

(File RMO1999/1488)

Council was invited to note that Council elections had taken place with the following results:

Professor Tam Sridhar was elected unopposed for a term commencing 1 January 2002 and ending 31 December 2003.

Two nominations had been received. An election was currently underway. The result would be declared on 19 November 2001 and Council would be advised of the outcome at meeting 8/2001 (17 December).

(Files RMO2000/0791, RMO2001/0059)

RESOLUTION CL7/2001/217

Council received reports from the following staff:

• Associate Professor Keith Allan, School of Philosophy, Linguistics and Bioethics

• Dr Heather Scutter, School of Literary, Visual and Performance Studies

• Professor Nigel Tapper, Geography and Environmental Science

• Professor Philip Thomson, School of European Languages and Cultures

• Dr Eleanor Hancock, School of Historical Studies

• Dr Paul James, School of Political and Social Inquiry

• Ms Kyoko Ogawa, School of Asian Languages and Studies

• Dr Chris Trotter, Social Work

• Associate Professor Geoff Molloy

• Associate Professor Ilana Snyder

• Dr Arkady Zaslavsky

• Ms Beth Gaze

• Ms Pamela O’Connor

• Professor Grahame Coleman, Department of Psychology
• Associate Professor Hans Lausch, Department of Mathematics and Statistics
• Professor J. J. Monaghan, Department of Mathematics and Statistics/Mathematical Sciences

• Professor Kim Te NG, Department of Psychology

(File RMO1999/1608)