Meeting No. 4/2002 of the Monash University Council was held between 5.00 pm and 8.00 pm on Monday, 24 June in the Clayfield Room, Building A Library and Administration, Caulfield 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)

Professor J Anderson, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Monash University South Africa

Professor B Mackenzie, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Monash University Gippsland

Professor G Palmer, Dean, Faculty of Business and Economics

Mr J Levine, Divisional Director, Financial Resources Management

Mr J Matthews, Divisional Director, Corporate Finance

Mr R Dias, Deputy Director, Financial Resources Management

Mr M Doulton, General Manager, Sport

Mr Tony Calder, Director, Secretariat and Executive Services

The meeting was preceded by an in camera discussion of media reports concerning the Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor David Robinson, and two instances of plagiarism – one in the late 1970s and the other in the early 1980s.

The Vice-Chancellor was not present for the discussion.

Opening the meeting, the Chancellor referred to previous discussions he had on the matter individually with Council members and invited Council members to comment on a draft Media Statement.

During extensive discussion of the matter, Council members raised a range of issues including the following:

Council discussed the desirability and utility of establishing a subcommittee of Council to undertake a range of tasks. However, following extensive debate, the Chancellor, at the behest of Council, agreed to continue to maintain daily oversight of the matter and report on an ad-hoc basis to Council members. Further, any statements on behalf of Council would need to be issued by, or approved by, the Chancellor.

Noting the wide range of comments and concerns of Council members, the Chancellor requested the Deputy Chancellor, Mr Paul Ramler, to revise the proposed Council statement in line with the comments of members, and that the revised statement be considered in camera after Council had dealt with the remaining agenda items.

The Chancellor invited the Vice-Chancellor to attend the meeting.

The Chancellor, at Council’s request, informed the Vice-Chancellor that Council had spent considerable time considering a wide-range of issues relating to the incident and, while surprised by the disclosure, Council had indicated its full support for the Vice-Chancellor.

The Vice-Chancellor informed Council that he was encouraged that Council was releasing a unanimous and supportive statement.

Following consideration of the remaining agenda items, Council resumed consideration of the statement.

Members requested some minor changes to the statement and unanimously endorsed the following statement:

Item 4.5 Heads of Agreement, the Australian School of Government was dealt with ahead of Item 4.1 Sport at Monash.

No apologies were received.

At Council meeting 2/2002 (18 March), Council approved a request for special leave for meeting 4/2002 (24 June) from Mr Paul Ramler AM, however, Mr Paul Ramler was present at the meeting.

At Council meeting 3/2002 (6 May), Council approved requests for special leave for meeting 4/2002 (24 June) from Ms Penelope Hutchinson and Professor Colin Bourke MBE.

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, 4 Vice-Chancellor’s Business, 6.1 Monash South Africa – Student Accommodation and Offices, 6.3 Process for Setting Amenities Fees and 11.3.1 Statute 4.1 – Discipline (Amendment No 1 2002) were starred and discussed at this 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’.

The Vice-Chancellor informed Council that following consultation with colleagues, professors of the faculty and Professor Saunders, he was pleased to recommend that Council approve an offer of appointment as Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences to Professor Nick Saunders.

(Secretarial note: minute 11.1.2 of the Report of Senior Appointments refers)

In response to a question regarding the affixing of the Seal to a Deed of Confidentiality (29 May 2002), Professor P LeP Darvall, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research and Development), informed Council that the Deed specified the conditions under which the other party would supply confidential data and information to Monash researchers.

RESOLUTION CL4/2002/75

Council noted the report of the Vice-Chancellor dated 12 June 2002 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 3/2002 held on 6 May were circulated.

RESOLUTION CL4/2002/76

Council confirmed the Minutes of meeting No. 3/2002 held on Monday, 6 May 2002.

RESOLUTION CL4/2002/77

Council noted with acclamation Queen’s Birthday Honours awarded to people associated with Monash University as detailed in the document provided.

(File RMO1999/0190)

The Chancellor informed Council that an appropriate governance model for Resources and Finance Committee and Monash Commercial Pty Ltd should include separate chairpersons for each.

Noting that the Deputy Chancellor, Mr Paul Ramler, currently chaired both Resources and Finance Committee and Monash Commercial Pty Ltd, the Chancellor recommended that Council approve the proposed revised membership for Resources and Finance Committee, appoint Mr Glenn Barnes as Chairman of Resources and Finance Committee following the 12 August meeting and that Council record its thanks to Mr Ramler for his long and valuable contribution as Chairman of Resources and Finance Committee.

RESOLUTION CL4/2002/78

Council approved:

1. the proposed membership of Resources and Finance Committee as detailed in the document presented; and

2. the Chairperson to be appointed from amongst the membership of Resources and Finance Committee by Council.

RESOLUTION CL4/2002/79

Council approved the appointment of Mr Glenn Barnes as Chairman of Resources and Finance Committee from 13 August 2002.

RESOLUTION CL4/2002/80

Council acknowledged with acclamation the valuable contribution of Mr Paul Ramler AM as Chairman of Resources and Finance Committee.

(File RMO1998/0041)

The Chancellor informed Council that the Review of University Governance announced by the Honourable Lynne Kosky MP on 4 December 2001 had been submitted to the Minister for consideration and was available for comment.

Council was informed that the review document would be circulated to members prior to the Special Meeting of Council (2 September 2002).

At the invitation of the Chancellor, Professor P LeP Darvall, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research and Development) informed Council that a Monash led consortium had been announced as the successful bidder for the Biotechnology Centre of Excellence.

The Centre for Stem Cells and Tissue Repair, to be led by Professor Alan Trounson, will also receive an additional $10 million from the Victorian Government.

Mr Martin Doulton, General Manager, Sport, informed Council that many exciting initiatives were underway that would complement Monash’s existing sporting facilities. These included the ‘one Monash membership’ to enable users to access facilities wherever they were offered, an increased number of sporting alliances that enabled competing at the highest level to be combined with achieving academic excellence possibly via a Monash University Academy of Sport and the enhancement of sports related research and educational opportunities via a Monash University Centre for Sports Excellence.

In response to questions, Council was advised that the ‘one Monash membership’ would be publicised widely in second semester and that research into the demographics of users of sporting facilities was underway.

RESOLUTION CL4/2002/81

Council noted the report Sport at Monash.

(File RMO1997/0508, RMO1999/0731, RMO1997/1114)

Introducing the item, Ms Alison Crook, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Resources), informed Council that Strategic Cost Management (SCM) was the progressive implementation, including ongoing refinement of the process, of a new financial management model that supported, not drove, the University’s strategic and operational plans and enabled business units to identify and then make decisions about cross-subsidising activities where necessary.

Mr John Levine, Divisional Director, Financial Resources Management and Mr Reynold Dias, Deputy Director, Financial Resources Management, demonstrated to Council the new approach to financial management. Benefits realised already included a better understanding of central support service costs and business processes, an increased awareness across the University of the importance of costing information and the availability of such information to enable appropriate ‘pricing’ decisions.

During discussion, members requested further clarification on the appropriateness of the current revenue model, duplication of services and the capacity for faculties to negotiate for the provision of centrally supplied services.

In response, Council was informed that the Strategic Cost Management model provided:

RESOLUTION CL4/2002/82

Council noted progress toward the implementation of Strategic Cost Management.

(File RMO2001/0294)

RESOLUTION CL4/2002/83

Council noted the Financial Management Policy relating to International Entities.

(File RMO2001/0294)

Invited to address Council, Professor John Anderson, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Monash South Africa, informed Council that the operating environment in South Africa had improved with increased awareness and acceptance of Monash South Africa borne out by the increasing number of visits to the campus by government officials, increased positive interest shown by a growing number of influential African businesses and increasingly productive interactions with several universities and other educational institutions.

Noting that student numbers were lower than expected, Professor Anderson informed Council that 2002 had seen a significant increase in registered enquiries.

During the first five months of 2002, an intensive marketing campaign had been undertaken supported by other activities including targeted school visits, campus tours, open days and the hosting of sporting events – all targeted at raising the profile of the campus.

Concluding his address, Professor Anderson informed Council that while the early phases of the campus development had not been easy, Monash was well placed to go forward.

In response to questions, Professor Anderson informed Council that support service arrangements were working well but that some difficulty had been experienced in attracting highly skilled staff. However, the quality of teaching was high with employers keen to attract Monash students even before they had completed their course of study. In response to a question relating to course accreditation, Professor Anderson advised Council that he hoped to appoint a Professor of Accounting within the next two weeks who would then progress further the issue of course accreditation.

Concluding the discussion, the Chancellor noted that Council would like to receive a further set of financial reports including cash flows, balance sheet and a cumulative profit/loss report in October.

The Chancellor congratulated Professor Anderson and the staff in South Africa on their achievements.

RESOLUTION CL4/2002/84

Council received the report on Monash South Africa: operations, financial status and campus development.

(File RMOR2001/050)

RESOLUTION CL4/2002/85

Subject to satisfactory resolution of the issues 1 and 2, relating to costs and liabilities, Council gave approval for Monash to participate in the Australian School of Government, a limited company.

(File RMO2001/1284)

Professor Brian Mackenzie, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Gippsland Campus, informed Council that recent debate had focussed on regional universities rather than the contribution that a regional campus of a major research university could make to regional development.

The Chancellor commended the paper to Council and on advice, suggested that the report titled Higher Education and Regional Australia be forwarded by the Vice-Chancellor to the Higher Education Review Secretariat, Department of Education, Science and Training.

RESOLUTION CL4/2002/86

Council noted that the Vice-Chancellor would forward the report Higher Education and Regional Australia to the Higher Education Review Secretariat, Department of Education, Science and Training.

(File RMO2001/1206)

A member requested clarification of contractual details. Ms Alison Crook, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Resources), agreed to forward the information to the Council member.

RESOLUTION CL4/2002/87

Council endorsed Resources and Finance Committee’s decision to give approval for Monash Southern Africa Pty Ltd to:

(File RMOR2001/050)

RESOLUTION CL4/2002/88

Council approved, as detailed in the document presented:

1. the development of a new campus at Monash University Malaysia subject to:

2. Option 4, Third Party Funding, to be pursued as the preferred option, with a final decision to be made by Resources and Finance Committee between options 3 and 4 following a decision on the proposed medical school and confirmation of the information outlined above.

(File RMO2002/0167)

Ms Alison Crook, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Resources), informed Council that a further meeting with the presidents of student associations had occurred where it was agreed that:

1. the Amenities Fee Co-ordinating Committee would be a subcommittee of Resources and Finance Committee – as detailed in the MONYX Deed; and

2. the student presidents requested that membership of the Amenities Fee Co-ordinating Committee consist of members of Resources and Finance Committee and that if the membership was to be expanded that the views of the presidents of the student unions be obtained; and
   (Council approved at Meeting 7/2002 held on 11 November 2002 the addition of the following notation to Minute 6.3 Process for Setting Amenities Fees of meeting 4/2002)

3. the Amenities Fee Co-ordinating Committee to have purely an administrative function. 

Following discussion, the Chancellor recommended that the establishment of the sub-committee be referred to Resources and Finance Committee with the proposal that the student member of Resources and Finance Committee be a member of the Amenities Fee Co-ordinating Committee.

RESOLUTION CL4/2002/89

Council:

(File RMO2000/1252)

RESOLUTION CL4/2002/90

Resources and Finance Committee establish the Amenities Fee Co-ordinating Committee.

(File RMO2001/0294)

Council members were invited to refer to the proceedings of the report of Resources and Finance Committee.

RESOLUTION CL4/2002/91

Council noted the proceedings of the Resources and Finance Committee meeting held on 3 June 2002.

RESOLUTION CL4/2002/92

Council received and noted the Statement of Financial Performance (for 4 months ended 30 April 2002).

(File RMOR2001/021)

RESOLUTION CL4/2002/93

Council received and noted the report of meeting 3/2002 of the Academic Board held on Wednesday, 12 June 2002.

(File RMO2001/0552)

RESOLUTION CL4/2002/94

Council made the legislation titled Faculties Regulations (Amendment No 1 2002).

(File RMO2001/1049)

RESOLUTION CL4/2002/95

Council approved the proposal of the Board of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences to fill the position of Professor and Director of Respiratory Medicine.

(File RMO2002/0435)

RESOLUTION CL4/2002/96

Council approved the proposal of the Board of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences to fill the position of Professor (or Associate Professor) and Director, Adult Psychiatry.

(File RMO2002/0435)

RESOLUTION CL4/2002/97

Council approved the proposal of the Board of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences to fill the position of Professor of Health Services Research and Director, Monash Institute Of Health Services Research.

(File RMO2002/0435)

RESOLUTION CL4/2002/98

Council approved the proposal of the Board of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences to fill the position of Professor of Rural Health and Head of School of Rural Health.

(File RMO2002/0435)

RESOLUTION CL4/2002/99

Council approved the proposal of the Board of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences to fill the position of Professor and Director of Infectious Diseases.

(File RMO2002/0435)

RESOLUTION CL4/2002/100

Pursuant to University Regulations Part III – Faculty Boards, Schedule 7, subsection 7.6, Council approved the proposal of the Board of the Faculty of Law to renew the membership till April 2005 for each of the following external members of the Board:

(File RMO1999/1027)

Council members were invited to refer to the proceedings of the report of the Academic Board.

RESOLUTION CL4/2002/101

Council noted the proceedings of the Academic Board meeting held on 12 June 2002.

RESOLUTION CL4/2002/102

Council received and noted the report of the Equal Opportunity Committee meeting 2/2002 held on 27 May 2002.

(File RMO2002/0524)

Council members were invited to refer to the proceedings of the report of Equal Opportunity Committee.

RESOLUTION CL4/2002/103

Council noted the proceedings of the Equal Opportunity Committee meeting 2/2002 held on 27 May 2002.

RESOLUTION CL4/2002/104

Council received and noted the reports of the Gippsland Advisory Council meetings 2/2002 held on 9 April 2002 and 3/2002 held on 21 May 2002.

(File RMO1997/0888)

RESOLUTION CL4/2002/105

Council noted the proceedings of the Gippsland Advisory Council meetings held on 9 April 2002 and 21 May 2002.

RESOLUTION CL4/2002/106

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

(File Personnel)

RESOLUTION CL4/2002/107

Council approved an offer of appointment as Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, for the period commencing on 1 June 2003 and expiring on 31 December 2008, be made to Professor Nick Saunders.

(File Personnel)

RESOLUTION CL4/2002/108

Council approved the establishment of the selection committees for a Professor of Respiratory Medicine and Director, Respiratory Medicine Service, The Alfred Hospital, Professor (or Associate Professor) of Adult Psychiatry and Director, Adult Psychiatry – Training, Research and Evaluation Centre, Southern Health, Professor of Health Services Research and Director, Monash Institute of Health Services Research, Professor of Rural Health and Head, School of Rural Health, Professor of Infectious Diseases and Director, Infectious Diseases Unit, The Alfred Hospital, and a Chair of Biotechnology as detailed in the document presented.

RESOLUTION CL4/2002/109

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 CL4/2002/110

Council approved the proposal to establish and fill a Chair of Biotechnology in the Department of Chemical Engineering.

(File RMO1998/3122)

A member requested clarification of jurisdictional aspects of the legislation.

RESOLUTION CL4/2002/111

Subject to resolution of the issue raised at the meeting, Council made the legislation entitled Statute 4.1 – Discipline (Amendment No 1 2002).

(File RMO1998/0760)

RESOLUTION CL4/2002/112

Council made the legislation entitled:

(Files RMO2001/0897, RMO1998/0200)

RESOLUTION CL4/2002/113

Council received and noted OSP reports from the following staff:

• Dr Robyn Eckersley, School of Political and Social Inquiry

• Dr Rachel Fensham, School of Literary Visual and Performance Studies

• Professor Barbara Caine, School of Historical Studies

• Dr Liz Reed, Centre for Australian Indigenous Studies

• Ms Isabel Ellender, Centre for Australian Indigenous Studies, Gippsland

• Mr Raffaele Lampugnani, School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics

• Professor Brian Nelson, School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics

• Dr Young-A Cho, School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics

• Associate Professor D L Dunkerley, School of Geography and Environmental Science

• Dr M Davison

• Professor R Fox

• Associate Professor S McNicol

• Professor Margaret Clayton, Biological Sciences

• DC McPhail, School of Geosciences

• Profesor J J Monaghan, Mathematical Sciences

• Dr Aidan Sudbury, Mathematics

(File RMO2002/0168)

The next meeting of Council is a special meeting scheduled to be held at 5.00 pm on Monday, 2 September 2002 at the Clayton Campus.