Council Meeting 3-2004

Meeting 3/2004 of the Monash University Council was held between 5.00 pm and 7.40 pm on Monday, 3 May 2004.

Mr J K Ellis, Chancellor, presiding

Mr P H Ramler AM, Deputy Chancellor

Dr J M Hearn, Deputy Chancellor

Professor R G Larkins AO, Vice-Chancellor

Professor C Browne, President of Academic Board

Professor S Parker, Deputy Vice-Chancellor

Professor A Lindsay, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)

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

Mr T Calder, Director, Executive Services

The Chancellor informed members that former Council member, Dr Brian Robinson passed away on 30 April 2004 and that the Secretary to Council would advise members of details of the planned memorial service as soon as they were available.

Members were advised that student and staff observers were in attendance at the videoconferencing facility at the Caulfield Campus and would be able to participate in the meeting in accordance with the Council Observer Policy.

In accordance with Section 6 of Statute 2.1 – The Council, members approved the introduction of an additional agenda item – 1.5.0 Chancellor’s Report to Council.

Apologies were received from Mr Glenn Barnes and Ms Jenny Samms.

There were no requests for special leave.

At meeting 1/2004 (16 February), Council approved a request for special leave for meeting 4/2004 (12 July) for Ms Lesley Boston.

Items 1.1 Apologies, 1.2 Special Leave, 1.3 Starring of Items, 1.4 Approval of Non-Starred Items, 1.5.0 Chancellor’s Report to Council, 1.5.1 Vice-Chancellor’s Issues and Speculations, 1.5.2 Report of the Membership Committee, 1.5.3 Report of the Honorary Degrees Committee, 2 Confirmation of Minutes of Previous Meeting, 3 Chancellor’s Business, 4 Vice-Chancellor’s Business, 5.1 Development of an induction/professional development program for members of Council, 9 Report of the Academic Board and 10 Report of Equal Opportunity Committee were starred and discussed at the meeting.

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’.

The Chancellor advised that he had concluded a series of meetings with Council members on an individual basis and presented his report.

The Chancellor commended members on their contribution to a united and focussed Council that would continue to build relationships both within the Council and Monash University. Major topics raised during the individual discussions included the impressive start made by the new Vice-Chancellor, performance of members, the selection process for new members of Council, Monash South Africa Campus, the need to improve the pro forma sheets, the linkages between Council and Academic Board, the impending outcomes of the Senior Appointments Review and a request that Professor Edwina Cornish, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), be invited to address Council on aspects relating to the research portfolio.

A document was tabled at the meeting and returned, following discussion, to the Secretary to Council.

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/43

Council noted the Vice-Chancellor’s Summary Performance Plan 2003-2004.

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/44

Council received and noted the report of meeting 1/2004 of the Membership Committee of Council held on 1 April 2004.

(File RMO1997/1107)

The Chancellor was not in attendance during discussion of this item. Dr June Hearn, Deputy Chancellor, was Chairperson for this item.

Dr Hearn outlined to members the areas of discussion that occurred at Membership Committee including the role of Chancellor, the Chancellor’s style of presiding at meetings of Council, his interactions with Council members and the importance of a positive and productive relationship between the Vice-Chancellor and Chancellor. Further, Dr Hearn noted that the Chancellor had shown a willingness to inform himself about the structure of Monash and that a view could be expressed that it would be beneficial to have an experienced Chancellor during the early phases of the Vice-Chancellor’s appointment.

Following discussion, there was consensus to offer the Chancellor a further term, however, several members suggested that the term should be less than three years. At the conclusion of the discussion, two members abstained from supporting a three-year term. Further, at the close of the meeting, another member requested that the Minutes note that the member had changed her view and wished to abstain from supporting a three-year term.

The Chancellor was invited to return to the meeting and resume as Chairperson.

Dr Hearn advised the Chancellor that Council was delighted to offer him a further three-year term as Chancellor. The Chancellor accepted the offer and thanked members for their confidence and support.

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/45

Council approved the recommendation of the Membership Committee that the Chancellor be invited to serve a further term as Chancellor. Following discussion, Council resolved nem. con. that the Chancellor be offered a term ending 31 December 2007.

(File RMOR1998/091)

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/46

• Council noted the ranked short-list of nominees as detailed in the document presented and authorised the Chancellor to approach the nominees, in ranked order, to ascertain their willingness to be nominated to membership of Council to fill the Governor-in-Council vacancy for a term ending 31 December 2004.

• Council noted advice from Mr John Laurie that he would retire from Council at the conclusion of his current term of appointment on 31 December 2004.

• Council noted that the Chancellor would consult with Ms Louise Adler and Ms Wendy Peter whose terms expire 31 December 2004 to ascertain their willingness to accept a further term of appointment.

• Council noted that a list would be prepared of potential candidates with experience in the social sciences and humanities in order to recommend to Council a ranked list of candidates to fill the casual vacancy created by the resignation of Dr Rhonda Galbally AO.

(File RMO1997/1107)

A member requested information on the process and criteria used by Membership Committee to appoint staff and students to Committees of Council.

Following discussion, a member suggested that transparency of the process could be improved.

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/47

Council approved the following appointments:

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/48

Council appointed Mr Paul Ramler AM to membership of the Monash University Distinguished Alumni Awards Selection Committee and noted that the remaining positions, one member, one alternate, would remain vacant until the appointment of additional Council members.

(File RMO2000/1601)

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/49

Council received and noted the report of the Honorary Degrees Committee Meeting 1/2004 held on Friday, 23 April 2004.

(File RMO1997/1110)

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/50

Council approved, without discussion, the recommendation of the Honorary Degrees Committee for the award of honorary degrees as presented orally by the Chancellor, Mr Jerry Ellis.

(File RMOR2003/085)

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/51

Council noted the report of the Vice-Chancellor dated 21 April 2004 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 via videoconference following confidential items.

The Minutes of meeting No 1/2004 held on 16 February 2004 were circulated.

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/52

Council confirmed the Minutes of meeting No. 1/2004 held on Monday, 16 February 2004.

The Minutes of meeting No 2/2004 held on 22 March 2004 were circulated.

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/53

Council confirmed the Minutes of meeting No. 2/2004 held on Monday, 22 March 2004 subject to the inclusion of the following statement in the Secretarial note: detailed at the end of item 4.4 Response to the Higher Education Support Act (HESA) – 2003:

No vote of members was taken to adjourn the meeting.

Members were advised that at a meeting of Chancellors held in March, it was decided to establish the University Chancellors’ Conference as a forum for discussion of common university governance issues.

The Chancellor informed members that he had recently visited all faculties, with the exception of the Faculty of Pharmacy, and had noticed an improved mood among academic staff driven by the increasing emphasis being placed on the learning and teaching and research portfolios, the balanced view of the campuses and the continued emergence of cross-faculty collaborations.

Refer item 4.1.1

The Vice-Chancellor informed Council that implementation of the initiatives was progressing with Professor Parker liaising with Campus Directors to define the courses for which a different level of HECS might be charged and a small group consisting of the Vice-Chancellor and Professors Browne, Evans and Willis developing proposals relating to existing and new equity and access programs. The remaining 80% of the extra income to be directed towards services that directly benefit students.

Members raised and discussed issues relating to the policy agenda of the federal Labour Party, industry integration, English language proficiency of staff, child minding facilities and the complex issue of unit exemptions as they relate to courses and campuses.

Members were informed that a forum for staff and students had been held at the Robert Blackwood Hall, Clayton Campus, on 28 April 2004 and had been attended by approximately 500 staff and students.

Members were informed that it had been a constructive exercise and were referred to the PowerPoint presentation at the following URL:

www.monash.edu.au/news/internal 

In conclusion, the Vice-Chancellor informed members that a similar forum would be held at the Gippsland Campus along with utilising other forms of media to communicate with stakeholders.

The Chancellor thanked the Vice-Chancellor for his report and commended him for initiating and conducting the staff and student forum.

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/54

Council received and noted the Vice-Chancellor’s Report to Council.

The Vice-Chancellor informed members that following the extensive discussion of the document at Council meeting 5/2003, a "Statement of Purpose" and section on "Monash in 2008" had been added to the document.

During discussion, members suggested some final refinement including addition of "sexual preference" and deletion of "and tolerance" in the first paragraph under the heading Fairness. Under International Focus, the Vice-Chancellor agreed to refine the fifth dot point relating to Monash South Africa.

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/55

Council received and approved the Strategic Framework - 2004-2008 "Excellence and Diversity" subject to the minor amendments as detailed above.

(File RMO1998/2347)

The Vice-Chancellor informed Council that he had received the penultimate draft of the consultant’s report, however, senior management had not yet had an opportunity to have detailed and prolonged discussion of the recommendations contained in the report. The Vice-Chancellor advised that a summary of the major conclusions of the report had been included with the agenda papers for the information of Council members.

During discussion, the Vice-Chancellor agreed that the report from management on the future of the campus would be provided to the 12 July meeting of Council.

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/56

Council received and noted the advice of the Vice-Chancellor.

(File RMOR2001/050)

Following an introduction from the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Stephen Parker, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, outlined to members the major outcomes of the conference including, but not limited to, the following:

• the conference provided a valuable opportunity for participants to meet and network with a wide range of staff;

• discussion on how to implement Excellence and Diversity and its relationship to the HESA; and

• mapping objectives for the 2004 Annual Plan and establishing priority objectives for 2005.

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/57

Council received and noted the Report on the outcomes of the Senior Management Planning Conference.

(File RMO1997/1558)

Council noted the report of the Vice-Chancellor and Ms Alison Crook, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Resources), on the outcomes of the recent meeting of the Monash University Malaysia Board and advice on discussions relating to the proposed new campus and establishment of a Medical School.

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/58

Council received and noted the Report on the Monash University Malaysia Board meeting.

(File RMO2002/0167)

Professor Stephen Parker, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, introduced the item noting that Council had discussed the issue at meeting 1/2004 (16 February) and requested that a professional development program be developed.

Noting that induction and professional development programs were conceptually quite different, Professor Parker requested the initial views of members on the mode of delivery and types of topics that would best meet the requirements of members.

Members provided the following suggestions:

• research – the environment the research effort occurs in;

• learning and teaching – in relation to the assessment of performance and the professional development programs in place for staff;

• that a Council retreat would be an appropriate venue for some topics; and

• how governing bodies of ‘government entities’ differ from corporate boards.

Thanking members for their contributions, the Chancellor advised that he looked forward to progress of the matter this calendar year.

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/59

Council noted the advice of Professor Stephen Parker and provided comment on the proposed structure and content of a proposed professional development program.

(File RMO1999/0062)

(File RMO1998/0598)

The Executive Committee of Council, acting under its delegation from Council, met on 26 March 2004 and adopted the University’s Consolidated Financial Statements for the Year Ending 31 December 2003.

(File RMO2002/1291)

The Executive Committee of Council, acting under its delegation from Council, met on 26 March 2004 and approved the 2003 Annual Report to Parliament of the Council of Monash University for forwarding to the Minister for Education and Training.

(Files RMO2002/1291, RMO2004/0001) 

The Executive Committee of Council, acting under its delegation from Council, met on 26 March 2004 and approved an offer of appointment to a Chair of Health Economics, Centre for Health Economics, Faculty of Business and Economics, as per the report of the selection committee, be made to the person named in the document forwarded to the members of the Executive Committee.

(File RMO2001/1346)

The Executive Committee of Council, acting under its delegation from Council, met on 26 March 2004 and approved an offer of appointment to a Chair of Health Services Management, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, as per the report of the selection committee, be made to the person named in the document forwarded to the members of the Executive Committee.

(File RMO2002/0435)

The Executive Committee of Council, acting under its delegation from Council, met on 26 March 2004 and approved an offer of appointment as a Professor of Fine Arts, Department of Fine Arts, Faculty of Art and Design, as per the report of the selection committee, be made to the person named in the document forwarded to the members of the Executive Committee.

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/60

Council noted the approvals granted by the Executive Committee of Council at its meeting held on 26 March 2004.

(File RMO1998/0174)

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/61

Council received and noted the report of meeting 2/2004 of Resources and Finance Committee held on 7 April 2004.

(File RMO2002/0201)

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/62

Council noted the proceedings of meeting 2/2004 of Resources and Finance Committee held on 7 April 2004.

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/63

Council received and noted the report of meeting 2/2004 of the Board of Monash Commercial Pty Ltd held on 2 April 2004.

(File RMOR2001/112)

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/64

Council received and noted the report of meeting 2/2004 of the Academic Board held on Wednesday, 7 April 2004.

(File RMO2001/0552)

(File RMO2003/0754)

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/65

Council approved the proposal of the Board of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences to rename the Department of Pathology & Immunology to the Department of Immunology.

(File RMO2002/0435)

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/66

Council approved the proposal by the Board of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences to establish the position of The Frohlich West Chair of Surgery, in conjunction with Cabrini Hospital.

(File RMO2002/0435)

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/67

Council approved the proposal by the Board of the Faculty of Law to fill the position of Professor of International Law and/or Human Rights in the Faculty of Law.

(File RMO1998/1945)

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/68

Council approved the proposal of the Board of the Faculty of Business and Economics to establish and fill the position of Professor of Taxation in the Department of Business Law and Taxation, Faculty of Business and Economics.

(File RMO2001/1346)

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/69

Council approved the proposal of the Board of the Faculty of Business and Economics to establish and fill the position of Professor of Business Law in the Department of Business Law and Taxation, Faculty of Business and Economics.

(File RMO2001/1346)

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/70

Council approved the proposal of the Board of the Faculty of Engineering to fill the position of Professor and Director, The Australian Pulp and Paper Institute in the Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering.

(File RMO1998/0749)

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/71

Council approved the proposal of the Board of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences to retitle the Chair of Pathology & Immunology to Chair of Experimental Pathology, School of Biomedical Sciences.

(File RMO2002/0435)

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/72

Council approved the proposal of the Board of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences to appoint Professor Jim Gooding to the Chair of Experimental Pathology, School of Biomedical Sciences.

(File RMO2002/0435)

During discussion, a member requested clarification of Section 2.2 of Statute 6.1.1 – the English exemption clause.

The President of Academic Board, Professor Chris Browne, was requested to provide the member with an explanation.

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/73

Council made the legislation titled Statute 6.1.1 – University Entrance and Admission to Courses (Amendment No 1 2004) and Regulations (Amendment No 1 2004).

(File RMO1997/1134)

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/74

Council approved the proposal of the Vice Chancellor to establish, subject to further consultation with Lady Matheson and members of Sir Louis Matheson’s family, enhanced distinguished visitor titles of Sir Louis Matheson Distinguished Visiting Professor (for a person with academic credentials) and Sir Louis Matheson Distinguished Visitor (for a person without academic credentials) to confer on eminent and distinguished visitors to the university.

(Files RMO2004/0610, RMO2004/0609)

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/75

Council noted the proceedings of the Academic Board meeting held on 7 April 2004.

(File RMO2001/0552)

A member queried the statement that:

"The Faculty has no specific initiatives to address imbalances in the representation of women in the senior ranks in certain discipline areas of the Faculty, apart from adherence to University policies and guidelines on recruitment, selection and conditions for staff."

In response, members were advised that while Monash was moving in the right direction, there was still much work to be done in the area of gender balance at senior levels, however the Equal Opportunity Committee and senior management would continue to monitor and develop new initiatives in this area.

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/76

Council received and noted the report of the Equal Opportunity Committee meeting 1/2004 held on 5 April 2004.

(File RMO1997/1578)

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/77

Council noted the proceedings of the Equal Opportunity Committee meeting 1/2004 held on 5 April 2004.

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/78

Council received and noted the report of the Gippsland Advisory Council meeting 2/2004 held on 6 April 2004.

(File RMO1997/0888)

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/79

Council noted the proceedings of the Gippsland Advisory Council meeting held on 6 April 2004.

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/80

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

• Dr Joseph Ibrahim – Professor of Aged Care Medicine, Southern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

• Professor Johannes Stoelwinder – Chair of Health Services Management, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

• Ms Claudia Terstappen – Professor of Fine Arts, Faculty of Art and Design.

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/81

Council noted that the following had accepted the indicated offer of appointment approved by the Special Professorial Appointments Committee of Council:

• Professor Dr Mandyam Srinivasan – Adjunct Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering, Faculty of Engineering.

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/82

Council approved an offer of appointment as Dean, Faculty of Business and Economics, for the period commencing on 1 July 2005 and expiring on 30 June 2010, be made to Professor Gill Palmer.

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/83

Council approved an offer of a 5-year appointment as a Professor of Haematology, Department of Medicine, Southern Clinical School, 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.

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/84

Council approved an offer of appointment as a Professor of Education (Psychology), Faculty of Education, as per the report of the selection committee, be made to the person named in the document presented.

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/85

Council approved an offer of appointment to a Chair of Archival Systems, School of Information Management and Systems, Faculty of Information Technology, as per the report of the selection committee, be made to the person named in the document presented.

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/86

Council approved the establishment of the selection committees for appointments to the following positions – Professor of International Law and/or Human Rights, Professor of Business Law, Professor of Taxation and a Professor and Director, Australian Pulp and Paper Institute – as detailed in the document presented.

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/87

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

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/88

Council approved the following:

1. The joint meeting of the Subcommittee for Equal Opportunity in Employment and Affirmative Action Advisory Committee be amalgamated to be the University Advisory Committee on Equity and Access in Employment (ACE&AE). The Advisory Committee will report jointly to the Equal Opportunity Committee and the Vice Chancellor. The recommended terms of reference, membership, reporting lines and meeting frequency are detailed in the document presented.

2. The Monash University Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities (MUACPD) be renamed the Inclusive Practices Advisory Committee (IPAC) with terms of reference, membership, terms of membership and meeting frequency as detailed in the document presented.

3. That the IPAC report as a subcommittee to the Equal Opportunity Committee.

4. That the membership of the Equal Opportunity Committee be expanded to include the Chair of the IPAC.

5. Membership of the Student Equity and Access subcommittee to remain unchanged.

6. The Terms of Reference for the Equal Opportunity Committee and the Student Equity and Access subcommittee are to remain unchanged.

(Files RMO2001/1664, RMO1998/1285, RMO1998/0992, RMO1998/1192, RMO2000/1325, RMO2003/0213, RMO2004/0157, RMO1998/0042, RMO1998/1286, RMO1997/1578)

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/89

Council approved the proposal of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences to confer a posthumous award of Diploma of Ambulance Paramedic Studies to Mr Phillip Oakley.

(File RMO1997/0346)

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/90

Council approved the nomination of Professor Edwina Cornish as a Director of VPAC on and from 17 May 2004, and authorised the University Solicitor to give notice of the nomination to the Company Secretary of, VPAC and satisfy the formal requirements of the company relating to the appointment.

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/91

Council appointed Professor Edwina Cornish as Representative of Monash University for the purposes of Clause 9 of the VPAC Constitution, and authorised the University Solicitor to give notice of the appointment to the Company Secretary of VPAC in the form required by the Corporations Act 2001.

(File RMO2001/0474)

RESOLUTION CL3/2004/92

Council approved the proposal to amend the terms of reference for the Honorary Degrees Committee as follows:

• To receive from any two members of Council or two professors [including the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Resources)] or one Council member and one professor [including the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Resources)], proposals for the conferment of honorary degrees on named persons, to consider these proposals and to approve the award of honorary degrees.

• To provide to Council and Academic Board reports following each meeting of the Honorary Degrees Committee.

(File RMOR2003/085)

The next meeting of Council is scheduled to be held at 5.00 pm on 12 July 2004 at the Caulfield Campus.