Ms A Crook AO,
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Resources)
Professor G
Bouma, Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Development)
Professor S
Parker, Deputy Vice-Chancellor
Mr J Sanders,
Chief Operating Officer, MonCom
Mr J Matthews,
Divisional Director, Corporate Finance
Secretary:
Mr T Calder, Director, Secretariat and Executive
Services
MINUTES
PART A
1. PROCEDURAL MATTERS
Mr Paul Ramler welcomed Professor Larkins to his first meeting of
Council.
In accordance with section 6 of Statute 2.1 - The
Council, Mr Ramler noted that an additional agenda item 13.1A -
Senior Appointments had been circulated to members on 26 September
and requested the approval of members to formally place the item on the
agenda.
Council approved the request that item 13.1A – Senior
Appointments be placed on the Council agenda.
1.1 Apologies
Apologies were received from Professor Tam Sridhar and
Ms Penny Hutchinson.
1.2 Special Leave
At meeting 4/2003 (14 July), Council approved a request
for special leave for meeting 6/2003 (29 September) for the Chancellor
and at meeting 5/2003 (11 August), Council approved requests for special
leave for meeting 6/2003 (29 September) for Miss Dorothy Pizzey AM and
Ms Wendy Peter.
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 Speculations, 1.5.2 Report
of the Membership Committee, 1.5.3 Use of the University Seal,
2 Confirmation of Minutes of Previous Meeting, 3
Chancellor’s Business, 4 Vice-Chancellor’s Business, 7
Report of the Audit Committee, 11 Report of Equal Opportunity
Committee and 13.1.2 Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President
(Research) - Appointment were starred and discussed at the meeting.
1.4 Approval of Non-Starred Items
Council resolved on the motion of the Chairman:
‘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 Speculations
Monash South Africa Campus
Professor Larkins informed Council that he would visit
the campus, together with Mr Paul Ramler and Ms Alison Crook, in late
October following which he would contribute to and have oversight of
updating the business plan and incorporating revised financial
projections and refined milestones.
Higher Education Reforms
Referring to the recently introduced Higher Education
Reform Package, Professor Larkins informed Council that the
Australian Vice-Chancellors’ Committee (AV-CC) had issued a release
noting its concerns at the linking of workplace requirements to access
to funding increases.
Noting that Council had yet to discuss the proposed
reforms in detail, Professor Larkins informed Council that his
preliminary views supported the view of the AV-CC and Go8 universities
of a modified package that provided universities with access to
increased funding without the linkage to workplace relations changes.
Further, if the package were to be passed by the Senate, Monash would
need to reassess its equity framework to counterbalance any inequitable
components of the legislation.
Engineering at Gippsland Campus
Professor Larkins informed Council that following
discussions with staff, the Pro Vice-Chancellor and the Dean of
Engineering, a revised proposal had been developed whereby the
University would support a two-year teach out of currently enrolled
students.
Members were advised that the proposed teach out was
supported by students and the Dean of Engineering, however, while staff
were generally supportive of the proposition, some industrial issues
were still unresolved.
1.5.2 Report of the Membership Committee
1.5.2.1 Receipt of Report
RESOLUTION CL6/2003/149
Council received and noted the report of meeting 2/2003
of the Membership Committee of Council held by circulation.
(File RMO1997/1107)
1.5.2.2 Filling of Vacancies on Council for 2004
Dr June Hearn, reminded members that at meeting 4/2003
(14 July), Council noted that a ranked short-list of nominees to fill
the vacancy created by the retirement of Miss Dorothy Pizzey AM would be
presented to this meeting of Council.
During discussion of the list of nominees, members
suggested that the list of proposed nominees be extended to include a
greater representation of nominees with knowledge and experience in the
state secondary school sector.
The Secretary to Council was requested to seek
additional nominees from Council members, consult with the Dean of the
Faculty of Education, circulate a revised list of nominees to Membership
Committee and circulate a revised recommendation to Council members.
RESOLUTION CL6/2003/150
That an expanded list of nominees including additional
persons with knowledge and experience in the state secondary school
sector be compiled, circulated to Membership Committee for consideration
and a revised recommendation circulated to members of Council.
(File RMO1997/1107)
For action or noting by: Secretary to Membership
Committee
1.5.2.3 Appointment to Monash University Distinguished
Alumni Awards Selection Committee
RESOLUTION CL6/2003/151
Council noted the nomination by Membership Committee of
the persons named below to membership of the Monash University
Distinguished Alumni Awards Selection Committee:
(File RMO2000/1601)
For action or noting by: Secretary to Membership
Committee, Secretary to Monash University Distinguished Alumni Awards
Selection Committee
1.5.2.4 Filling of vacancy on Physical Resources
Subcommittee of Council
RESOLUTION CL6/2003/152
Council approved the appointment of Associate Professor
David Suter to membership of Physical Resources Subcommittee.
(File RMO1998/0039)
For action or noting by: Secretary to Council, Secretary
to Physical Resources Subcommittee of Council
1.5.3 Use of the University Seal
A member, referring to guarantees provided by the
University to support leasing arrangements between University-controlled
subsidiaries and Macquarie Bank, queried the impact of the guarantees on
the University’s balance sheet and suggested that a process be put in
place whereby the University could monitor the aggregate total of such
transactions.
Ms Alison Crook, informed Council that the transactions
did not increase Monash’s commitments, however, she would request Mr
John Matthews, Divisional Director, Corporate Finance, to provide
members with a statement of the impact of the transactions on the
University’s balance sheet.
RESOLUTION CL6/2003/153
Council noted the report of the Vice-Chancellor dated 17
September 2003 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: Divisional Director, Corporate
Finance, University Solicitor
1.6 Admission of Observers
Authorised observers were admitted to the meeting
following confidential items.
2. Confirmation of Minutes of Previous Meetings
The Minutes of meeting No 5/2003 held on 11 August 2003
have been circulated.
RESOLUTION CL6/2003/154
Council confirmed the Minutes of meeting No. 5/2003 held
on Monday, 11 August 2003 subject to the insertion of the following as
the first paragraph of minute 4.2 Sir John Monash Distinguished
Professors – appointments:
"Professor T Sridhar was not in attendance during
discussion or resolution of this item."
For action or noting by: Secretary to Council
PART B STARRED ITEMS
3. Chancellor’s Business
4. Vice-Chancellor’s Business
4.1 Vice-Chancellor’s address to Council
Commencing his inaugural address to Council, Professor
Larkins thanked Council for appointing him to the position of
Vice-Chancellor and informed members that he was thrilled and honoured
to have taken up the appointment.
Referring to the matters detailed in the distributed
agenda paper, Professor Larkins commented on the following:
Strategic Framework 2003-2008
Council was advised that a preliminary document
outlining the strategic priorities for the next five years had been
drafted and would be considered by the Committee of Deans prior to
submission to Council in December (15 December).
Campus Planning
Noting this was a key issue for Monash to progress,
Professor Larkins informed Council that Professor Stephen Parker had
commenced a process that required the integration of campus plans,
faculty plans and higher level strategic plans in order for Monash to
maximise the advantages from its multiple campuses, deliver high quality
education to its students and enhance Monash’s engagement with the
community.
Monash University Sunway Campus Malaysia
Council was informed that Professor Larkins had recently
visited the campus to participate in graduations, alumnus events and
meet with Monash’s partners in order to discuss future campus
developments. Referring to the proposal to establish a medical school in
Malaysia, members were advised that discussions were continuing along
with the development of a number of funding alternatives.
Noting the advice of Ms Crook that a business plan for
the project would be included with the documentation, Professor Larkins
advised Council that a decision on the proposed medical school may be
required prior to the next meeting of Council (10 November) and
requested Council to delegate to Resources and Finance Committee the
authority to provide in principle agreement for the proposal to
progress. Council would be requested to approve the proposal at a future
meeting.
Council approved the request to delegate to Resources
and Finance Committee the authority to approve, in principle, the
proposal to establish a medical school in Malaysia subject to Council
considering the proposal at a later meeting.
Further, Council was advised that Professor Nick
Saunders had resigned from the Board of Monash University Sunway Campus
Malaysia Sdn Bhd due to his impending retirement. Professor Larkins
proposed that Professor Parker replace Professor Saunders on the Board.
Council approved the request that Professor Stephen
Parker replace Professor Nick Saunders on the Board of Monash University
Sunway Campus Malaysia Sdn Bhd.
Appointments
Council was advised that both Professor Edward Byrne and
Professor Arie Freiberg had accepted their respective offers of
appointment as Dean of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences and Dean of
Law respectively.
Definition of Responsibilities of Deputy
Vice-Chancellors
Professor Larkins advised Council that a detailed
structure would be reported to Council when it was finalised.
Profile Visit by DEST
Council was informed that Monash was one of only three
Victorian universities to have a face-to-face meeting with
representatives from DEST. Matters discussed included Monash South
Africa, Monash Commercial and how Monash would allocate any additional
HECS places that were made available via the higher education reforms.
Higher Education Reforms
Secretarial note: no additional information was provided
to Council as the matter had been discussed under 1.5.1
Vice-Chancellor’s Issues and Speculations.
Council Reporting Timetable
Council was advised that following consultation with the
Chairs of Audit and Resources and Finance Committees, a reporting
framework and calendar would be provided to the first meeting of Council
in 2004.
RESOLUTION CL6/2003/155
Council approved the request to delegate to Resources
and Finance Committee the authority to approve, in principle, the
proposal to establish a medical school in Malaysia subject to Council
considering the proposal at a later meeting.
For action or noting by: Chair and Secretary, Resources
and Finance Committee, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Resources)
RESOLUTION CL6/2003/156
Council approved the request that Professor Stephen
Parker replace Professor Nick Saunders on the Board of Monash University
Sunway Campus Malaysia Sdn Bhd.
For action or noting by: Deputy Vice-Chancellor,
University Solicitor
4.2 Monash in Europe 2010 – A Strategic Directions Statement
Professor Larkins introduced the item noting that
internationalisation was one of Monash’s defining themes and the
proposed directions statement provided a vision for developments in
Europe over the next seven years.
Noting that Council had previously received
presentations on specific instances of Monash’s engagement in Europe,
Professor Parker informed Council that it was appropriate at this stage
of development to clearly articulate both Monash’s rationale and vision
for engaging with Europe.
Commenting on the rationale, Council was advised that a
university with a strategic objective of internationalisation on a
world-wide basis needed to engage with Europe and build on Australia’s
cultural and historical links with the region, appropriate and planned
engagement in Europe would provide a balance to Monash’s activities in
Asia and Africa and, noting Monash’s involvement in Centres in London,
Prato and Berlin, assist Monash gauge the strengths and weaknesses of
engagement via centres.
Benefits of the proposed approach included enhancing
Monash’s profile both in Europe and with prospective students, access to
new research funding sources via partnerships with European
institutions, opportunities for both students and staff to have an
international experience, potential for collaborations at both the
institutional and teaching/researcher level and improved access to and
communication with alumni.
Concluding his presentation, Professor Parker advised
Council that the proposed approach was contained and at low cost and
that by 2010 would result in Monash having geographically dispersed
activities across Europe that could be described as a "distributed
campus".
During discussion, members requested clarification of
issues relating to the involvement of general staff in exchange programs
and the funding available for research students to study at centres such
as Prato. In response, members were advised that opportunities already
existed for general staff to apply for exchange programs with Kings
College, however, as the strategy evolved, further opportunities would
be investigated. In reference to research students, members were advised
that students could apply to the Monash Abroad Scheme, however, as
interest in the scheme exceeded available funding, the University was
looking to develop opportunities to ensure students were treated
equitably.
A member suggested that as teaching and research
activities progressed, a goal for Europe should be that the activities
become self-sustaining. Professor Larkins suggested that it was
important to consider Monash as a whole and while some aspects of
Monash’s operations may at times not be self-reliant, those activities
made a valuable contribution and contributed to Monash’s viability as a
whole.
RESOLUTION CL6/2003/157
Council approved the Strategic Directions Statement
titled Monash in Europe 2010.
(File RMO2002/0171)
For action or noting by: Deputy Vice-Chancellor
PART C ITEMS FOR APPROVAL OR INFORMATION
5. Matters Arising from the Minutes (not dealt with elsewhere in the
agenda)
6. Report of the Executive Committee
6.1 Professor of Education, Faculty of Education (2 positions) and
Chair of Meteorology, School of Mathematical Sciences, Faculty of
Science (Secretarial note: minute 13.1.5.1 refers)
The Executive Committee of Council, acting under its
delegation from Council, met on 28 August 2003 and approved offers of
appointment as Professor of Education, Faculty of Education (2
positions) and Chair of Meteorology, School of Mathematical Sciences, be
made to the persons named in the document circulated to members of the
Executive Committee of Council.
(Secretarial note: Following the approval of the offers
of appointment by the Executive Committee of Council to the position of
Professor of Education, one of the successful candidates has since
declined to accept the appointment.)
(File RMO1998/1267)
6.2 Dean, Faculty of Law and Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and
Health Sciences
The Executive Committee of Council, acting under its
delegation from Council, met on 17 September 2003 and approved offers of
appointment as Dean, Faculty of Law and Dean, Faculty of Medicine,
Nursing and Health Sciences be made to the persons named in the document
circulated to members of the Executive Committee of Council.
RESOLUTION CL6/2003/158
Council noted the approvals granted by the Executive
Committee of Council at its meetings held 28 August 2003 and 17
September 2003.
(Files RMO1997/0722, RMO1998/2972)
7. Report of the Audit Committee
A member suggested that additional information could
have been included in the report to ensure that all members of Council
were suitably informed. Further, it was suggested that it might be
appropriate for Council to consider what was a "suitable level of
information" in the context of Council being informed but not assuming
the role of Audit Committee.
Mr Ramler, noting that the Chair of Audit Committee was
an apology for the meeting, requested that the matter be progressed with
the Chair and Secretary of Audit Committee and brought back to the next
meeting of Council.
RESOLUTION CL6/2003/159
Council approved the proposal of the Chair of Council
that the issue of the content and extent of information provided in the
Audit Committee Report to Council be discussed with the Chair of Audit
Committee and the outcome reported back to the next meeting of Council.
(File RMO1997/1579)
For action or noting by: Chair and Secretary Audit
Committee, Secretary to Council
7.1 Receipt of Report
RESOLUTION CL6/2003/160
Council received and noted the report of meeting 2/2003
of the Audit Committee held on 18 August 2003.
7.2 Receipt of Proceedings
RESOLUTION CL6/2003/161
Council noted the proceedings of the Audit Committee
meeting held on 18 August 2003.
For action or noting by: Director, Audit and Risk
Management
8. Report of the Resources and Finance Committee
8.1 CRC for Sustainable Tourism Pty Ltd
RESOLUTION CL6/2003/162
Council approved Monash University subscribing to shares
in the CRC for Sustainable Tourism Pty Ltd as outlined in the report,
subject to clearance of final agreements by the University Solicitor’s
Office.
(File RMO2002/0543)
For action or noting by: Deputy Vice-Chancellor
(Resources), Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Development),
Deans and Faculty Managers – Arts and Business and Economics, Divisional
Director, Corporate Finance, University Solicitor
8.2 Bio 21 Australia Ltd
RESOLUTION CL6/2003/163
Council approved Monash University becoming an associate
member of Bio21 Australia Ltd as described in the report, subject to
clearance of all agreements by the University Solicitor’s Office.
(File RMO2003/0782)
For action or noting by: Deputy Vice-Chancellor
(Resources), Dean and Faculty Manager – Pharmacy, Divisional Director,
Corporate Finance, University Solicitor
8.3 Terms of Reference of Resources and Finance Committee
RESOLUTION CL6/2003/164
Council approved the appointment of Deputy
Vice-Chancellor Professor Stephen Parker to replace Deputy
Vice-Chancellor Professor Alan Lindsay as the Vice-Chancellor’s
alternate on Resources and Finance Committee.
(File RMO1998/0041)
For action or noting by: Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Chair
and Secretary of Resources and Finance Committee
8.4 Receipt of Proceedings
RESOLUTION CL6/2003/165
Council received and noted the proceedings of the
Resources and Finance Committee meeting held on 8 September 2003.
For action or noting by: Chair and Secretary of
Resources and Finance Committee
9. Report of the Board of Monash Commercial Pty Ltd
RESOLUTION CL6/2003/166
Council received and noted the report of meeting 4/2003
of the Board of Monash Commercial Pty Ltd held on 1 August 2003.
(File RMOR2001/112)
For action or noting by: Chief Operating Officer, Monash
Commercial, Secretary of Monash Commercial Pty Ltd
10. Report of the Academic Board
10.1 Receipt of Report
RESOLUTION CL6/2003/167
Council received and noted the report of meeting 4/2003
of the Academic Board held on Wednesday, 20 August 2003.
(File RMO2001/0552)
10.2 Monash University Foundation for Jewish Studies Regulations 2003
RESOLUTION CL6/2003/168
Council made the legislation titled Monash University
Foundation for Jewish Studies Regulations 2003.
(File RMO2001/0653)
For action or noting by: Dean and Faculty Manager –
Arts, Director for Jewish Studies, University Solicitor, Treasury
Manager
10.3 Establishment of a Chair of Education (Psychology)
(Secretarial note: minute 13.1.5.1 refers)
RESOLUTION CL6/2003/169
Council approve the proposal of the Faculty of Education
to establish and fill a Chair of Education (Psychology).
(File Personnel)
For action or noting by: Dean and Faculty Manager –
Education, Manager, Senior Appointments
10.4 Establishment of the Research Centre of Increasing Returns and
Economic Organisation
RESOLUTION CL6/2003/170
Council approved the proposal of the Faculty of Business
and Economics to establish the Research Centre of Increasing Returns and
Economic Organisation.
(File RMO2001/1346)
For action or noting by: Dean and Faculty Manager –
Business and Economics
10.5 Receipt of Proceedings
RESOLUTION CL6/2003/171
Council noted the proceedings of the Academic Board
meeting held on 20 August 2003.
(File RMO2001/0552)
For action or noting by: Secretary to Academic Board
11. Report of Equal Opportunity Committee
The Chair of the Equal Opportunity Committee, Professor
Colin Bourke MBE, outlined to Council matters from the meeting of the
Equal Opportunity Committee held on 1 September 2003. Highlights
included:
Council received and noted the report of the Equal
Opportunity Committee meeting 3/2003 held on 1 September 2003.
Council noted the proceedings of the Equal Opportunity
Committee meeting 3/2003 held on 1 September 2003.
For action or noting by: Chair and Secretary of Equal
Opportunity Committee
12. Report of Gippsland Advisory Council
Council received and noted the report of the Gippsland
Advisory Council meeting 4/2003 held on 8 July 2003.
Council noted the proceedings of the Gippsland Advisory
Council meeting 4/2003 held on 8 July 2003.
For action or noting by: Chair and Secretary of
Gippsland Advisory Council.
13. General Business
Council noted that the following had accepted the offers
of appointment indicated below and wished to record their thanks to
Council:
(File Personnel)
13.1.2 Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research) –
Appointment
Professor Larkins informed Council that the position had
attracted an extraordinarily strong field from which five applicants
were short-listed for interview.
The recommended candidate, Professor Edwina Cornish, had
a strong background in academia and industry and would bring a cohesive
and imaginative approach to research at Monash.
In conclusion, Professor Larkins thanked Professor Gary
Bouma for an outstanding job during his time as Acting Deputy
Vice-Chancellor (Research and Development). The Chair, on behalf of
Council, supported the Vice-Chancellor’s comments and extended to
Professor Bouma the thanks of Council.
RESOLUTION CL6/2003/178
Council approved an offer of appointment as a professor
and Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research), as per the
report of the selection committee, be made to the person named in the
document presented.
(File RMOR2003/132)
RESOLUTION CL6/2003/179
Council recorded its thanks to Professor Gary Bouma for
his commitment and efforts whilst acting in the role of Deputy
Vice-Chancellor (Research and Development).
For action or noting by: Manager, Senior Appointments
13.1.3 Acting Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
– Appointment
RESOLUTION CL6/2003/180
Council approved an offer of appointment as Acting Dean,
Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, for the period
commencing on 6 October 2003 and expiring on the date prior to the
commencement of the new Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health
Sciences, be made to Professor Leon Piterman.
(File RMO1998/2972)
For action or noting by: Acting Dean and Faculty Manager
- Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Manager, Senior Appointments
13.1.4 Professor of Education – Appointment
RESOLUTION CL6/2003/181
Council approved an offer of appointment as a Professor
of Education, Faculty of Education, as per the report of the selection
committee, be made to the person named in the document presented.
(File RMO1998/1267)
For action or noting by: Dean and Faculty Manager –
Education, Manager, Senior Appointments
13.1.5 Appointment of Selection Committees
13.1.5.1 Professor of Education Psychology, Faculty of
Education
(Secretarial note: minute 10.3 refers)
13.1.5.2 Chair of Management, Department of Management,
Faculty of Business and Economics
RESOLUTION CL6/2003/182
Council approved the establishment of the selection
committees for appointments to the following positions – Professor of
Education Psychology, Faculty of Education and Chair of Management,
Department of Management, Faculty of Business and Economics as detailed
in the document presented.
(File RMO1997/1623)
For action or noting by: Deans and Faculty Managers –
Business and Economics and Education, Manager, Senior Appointments
13.1.6 Council Nominees to Selection Committees
RESOLUTION CL6/2003/183
Council approved the nomination of the Council members
as Council’s nominees to the selection committees as detailed in the
document presented.
For action or noting by: Deans and Faculty
Managers/Faculty Registrar – Business and Economics, Education and
Information Technology, Manager, Senior Appointments
13.1A Senior Appointments
This item was added to the agenda with the approval of members
present at the meeting.
13.1A.1 Chair of Biotechnology, Department of Chemical Engineering,
Faculty of Engineering – Appointment
RESOLUTION CL6/2003/184
Council approved an offer of appointment as Chair of
Biotechnology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of
Engineering, as per the report of the selection committee, be made to
the person named in the document presented.
For action or noting by: Dean and Faculty Academic
Manager – Engineering, Manager, Senior Appointments
13.2 Neurosciences Victoria Limited ("NSV"): Appointment of Director
and Board Executive Representative to replace Professor Nick Saunders
RESOLUTION CL6/2003/185
Council approved:
For action or noting by: Acting Dean and Faculty Manager
– Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Head of Neuroscience, Head of
Psychological Medicine, University Solicitor
