Council Meeting 7-2004

Meeting 7/2004 of the Monash University Council was held between 5.00 pm and 7.10 pm on Monday, 1 November 2004 in the multi-media rooms (nos. 1139-1141) in building 903 at Berwick Campus.

There were present:

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

In attendance were:

Dr J W Zillman AO

Professor S Parker, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor

Professor E Cornish, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research)

Professor G Webb, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Quality)

Mr J Matthews, Divisional Director, Corporate Finance

Professor P Steele, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Melbourne) and Academic Director, Berwick/Peninsula

Ms M Mannays, Campus Manager, Peninsula

Secretary:

Mr T Calder, Director, Executive Services

MINUTES

1.1 Apologies

Apologies were received from Mr John Laurie, Ms Wendy Peter, Ms Penny Hutchinson, Mr Glenn Barnes, Ms Jenny Samms, Professor Chris Browne, Mr Alastair McKenzie, Professor Alan Lindsay, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) and Ms Alison Crook AO, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Resources).

1.2 Special Leave

Council approved a request for special leave for meeting 8/2004 (13 December) for Mr Glenn Barnes.

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, 1.5.2 Report of the Membership Committee of Council, 2 Confirmation of Minutes of Previous Meeting, 3 Chancellor’s Business, 4 Vice-Chancellor’s Business, 5 Annual Reporting to Council and 10 Report of the Equal Opportunity Committee 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 Use of the University Seal

RESOLUTION CL7/2004/195

Council noted the report of the Vice-Chancellor dated 20 October 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)

For action or noting by: Divisional Director, Corporate Finance, University Solicitor

1.5.2 Report of the Membership Committee of Council

The Chancellor introduced the item and informed Council that Ms Wendy Peter could not be nominated by Council as a Governor-in-Council appointee for a third term as government guidelines for appointments to such positions limited the number of consecutive terms a member could serve to two unless the nominee was a Deputy Chancellor, Chairperson of a finance or audit committee or had a unique skill set that could not be replaced.

The Chancellor noted that Ms Peter had made a significant contribution to Council and the University over the past six years and her wise counsel, contribution and experience would be missed.

During discussion, it was suggested that Ms Peter be approached to ascertain her willingness and availability to continue on the Board of Monash Commercial Pty Ltd.

1.5.2.1 Receipt of Report

RESOLUTION CL7/2004/196

Council received and noted the report of meeting 2/2004 of the Membership Committee of Council held on 18 October 2004.

1.5.2.2 Filling of current and impending vacancies on Council

Council discussed a range of matters relating to the nominations/appointments proposed by Membership Committee and made the following resolution:

RESOLUTION CL7/2004/197

Council approved, subject to discussions between the Chancellor and nominees, the nominations/appointments as detailed in the document subject to:

• obtaining additional nominees with legal expertise and that the ranked short list be submitted to Executive Committee of Council for approval; and
  

• Membership Committee was requested to identify and consider additional nominees with financial expertise to fill the casual vacancy that will occur on the retirement of Mr Glenn Barnes (21 March 2005).
  

1.5.2.3 Reappointment to membership of Monash University Council

RESOLUTION CL7/2004/198

Council reappointed Ms Louise Adler to membership of Monash University Council for a term expiring 31 December 2007.

1.5.2.4 Professorial member of Council

RESOLUTION CL7/2004/199

Council noted the resignation of Professor Tam Sridhar effective from 31 December 2004.

(File RMO1997/1107

1.5.2.5 Elections to Council: Academic Staff (other than the professors) of the University, Graduate student and undergraduate and diploma student of the University

RESOLUTION CL7/2004/200

Council noted the election of Dr Carol Williams, Mr Tim Wilson and Mr Leo Ostroburski to membership of Monash University Council as detailed in the document presented.

(Files RMO2004/1323, RMO2004/1204, RMO2003/0093)

For action or noting by: Secretary to Membership Committee

1.6 Admission of Observers

Authorised observers were admitted to the meeting following confidential items.

2. Confirmation of Minutes of Previous Meeting

2.1 Minutes of meeting No 6/2004

The Minutes of meeting No 6/2004 held on 27 September 2004 had been circulated.

RESOLUTION CL7/2004/201

Council confirmed the Minutes of meeting No. 6/2004 held on Monday, 27 September 2004.

PART B STARRED ITEMS

3. Chancellor’s Business

3.1 Chancellor’s Report to Council

4. Vice-Chancellor’s Business

4.1 Vice-Chancellor’s Report to Council

Enterprise Bargaining Update

The Vice-Chancellor outlined to Council the status of the current enterprise bargaining round noting that management had agreed to the early implementation of the proposed improved maternity leave provisions to ensure that no staff were disadvantaged due to the protracted nature of the negotiations. Council was advised that the Monash Branch of the NTEU intended to recommend to members that industrial action in the form of withholding examination results from students commence.

During discussion, a member provided another perspective in that while Monash’s offer was the most generous of the Victorian-based universities, the NTEU claimed Monash employees were underpaid compared to their colleagues at other leading universities. Further, union members had agonised over the decision to implement bans on processing examination results and had put in place a process whereby students who needed their results for a range of reasons could apply to have their results processed.

Concluding the discussion, the Vice-Chancellor advised Council that the University would attempt to ensure that students were not disadvantaged and that he would attempt to ensure that the outcomes of the enterprise bargaining round were in the best interests of Monash, its staff and its students.

Open Learning Australia

The Vice-Chancellor informed Council that following consideration by the Vice-Chancellor’s Group, it had been decided to continue Monash’s involvement as it provided access to a mass market via distance education and an access pathway for enrolment in Monash degrees.

Victorian Education Research Network (VERN)

Council was informed that this development, under the sponsorship of Mr Alan McMeekin, Executive Director, Information Technology Services, was a joint initiative of the universities of Victoria and the CSIRO that would provide Victoria with an advanced broadband network for education and research activities.

Funding for the project was largely via Commonwealth grants with the State Government providing in-kind support.

University of Melbourne rural campuses

The Vice-Chancellor informed Council that The University of Melbourne was considering the future options for some of its rural campuses.

2005 Victorian Rhodes Scholar – Ms Farnaz Sabet

The Vice-Chancellor advised that he was delighted to inform Council that Ms Sabet had been awarded the prestigious Victorian Rhodes Scholarship for 2005.

The Vice-Chancellor noted that this was the fourth Monash student in a row, and the third from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences to be awarded a Rhodes Scholarship.

RESOLUTION CL7/2004/202

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

(File RMO1998/2347)

4.2 University-wide Performance Indicators 2004

Professor Stephen Parker, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, introduced the item and informed Council that following a review of the 2003 report, the 2004 report had been divided into two sections – Sector-Wide Performance Indicators and Internal Performance Indicators. Further, members were advised that items of particular importance to Monash’s strategic priorities were highlighted in grey in the agenda papers.

Professor Parker also advised Council that following Council’s consideration of the University Development Framework at meeting 1/2005, the University would be better able to relate the KPI’s to identified milestones.

During discussion, members noted the following:

• in some KPI’s, hard data lagged considerably, eg. Research Prestige: input = % of National Competitive Grants utilises 2002 audited data from 2001 applications. The Chancellor requested that Professor Cornish investigate ways of providing Council with updated data;
  

• during discussion of the "international experience" for students and staff, members were advised that a review was underway, however, it was agreed that there was a need to promote the mobility of students and staff particularly to Monash’s offshore campuses;
  

• a member suggested that additional emphasis be placed on staff related KPI’s;
  

• members discussed a range of research related issues including the reasons for excluding ANU from the comparative data even though they are able to participate in competitive grant rounds; and
  

• the suitability of using benchmarking reports such as the Shanghai Jiao Tong.
  

In response to issues raised during the discussion, members were advised that Monash was looking to develop a Like University Index and a comprehensive staff survey would be undertaken during 2005.

RESOLUTION CL7/2004/203

Council received the report and noted the advice of the Vice-Chancellor and Professor Stephen Parker, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor.

(File RMO2003/1700)

For action or noting by: Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor

4.3 Benchmarking Monash Research Performance

Professor Edwina Cornish, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), provided Council with a presentation that focussed on the research performance of faculties and departments within faculties compared to comparator departments within the Go7 (Go8 – not including ANU).

Noting that the data used for benchmarking was for the period 2000 to 2002, Professor Cornish informed Council that while Monash’s performance in gaining NH&MRC grants between 2002 and 2004 had been stellar, research performance in some areas was patchy as exemplified by only 4 of 48 Monash departments ranked highest of comparator Go7 departments, 14 of 48 ranked above average and 27 of 48 departments ranked below average of comparator Go7 departments.

Following discussion, Professor Cornish summarised the item noting that Monash researchers had achieved a great deal, however, a great opportunity existed at Monash to support existing researchers and also to attract additional senior researchers such as Federation Fellows.

RESOLUTION CL7/2004/204

Council received the report and noted the advice of Professor Edwina Cornish, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research).

(File RMO2001/1153)

For action or noting by: Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research)

4.4 Quality Assurance Report

Professor Graham Webb, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Quality), outlined to members the background and recent activities relating to quality at Monash, progress in defining and embedding the Teaching-Research Nexus and the major outcomes from the Monash University Employer Survey.

RESOLUTION CL7/2004/205

Council received the report and noted the advice of Professor Stephen Parker, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Professor Graham Webb, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Quality).

(File RMO1997/0048)

For action or noting by: Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Quality)

PART C ITEMS FOR APPROVAL OR INFORMATION

Annual Reporting to Council

Members requested that the following items be scheduled for consideration in 2005:

• 2004 Annual Report to Parliament;
  

• Update on Monash Malaysia and South Africa campuses;
  

• Report of the outcomes of the Senior Management Conference;
  

• Learning and Teaching Report incorporating admissions data;
  

• State of the University;
  

• Report of the President of the Academic Board;
  

• Report on fundraising and development activities;
  

• Monash Commercial Pty Ltd – activities, initiatives and year to date financial statements;
  

• KPI’s;
  

• Research benchmarking;
  

• Quality Assurance Report;
  

• Budget 2006 (including capital works); and
  

• Consolidated Risk Profile.
  

In addition, members were informed that reports relating to the review of indexation of government funding and the timeline for the staff survey would be brought to Council as soon as the information was available.

RESOLUTION CL7/2004/206

Council commented on the spread of topics considered in 2004 and identified topics that should be included or omitted for consideration in 2005.

(File RMO1998/2347)

For action or noting by: Secretary to Council

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

6.1 Professorial Appointments – Council Delegations to the Vice-Chancellor

RESOLUTION CL7/2004/207

Council received and noted the advice from the University Solicitor regarding Council delegations to the Vice-Chancellor.

(File RMO1998/2347)

For action or noting by: Divisional Director, Student and Staff Services, University Solicitor, Manager, Senior Appointments

7. Report of the Resources and Finance Committee

(File RMO2004/1407)

7.1 Receipt of Report

RESOLUTION CL7/2004/208

Council received and noted the Report of meeting 5/2004 of Resources and Finance Committee held on 20 October 2004.

For action or noting by: Secretary and Minute Secretary, Resources and Finance Committee

7.2 Amenities Fees

RESOLUTION CL7/2004/209

Council approved that:

(i) in establishing amenities fees for 2005:

(a) Student amenities fees be charged on an EFTSU basis for 2005, with any shortfall in amenities fees receipts being met (if required) in 2005 only, by a university grant;

(b) An off-campus rate be introduced and charged to all students of the university who enrol at an Australian campus but who are physically located at an off-campus location, such as a hospital. The shortfall in amenities fees receipts will be met (if required) in 2005 only, by a university grant.

(ii) "in-principle", the true costs of services and facilities as identified through activity based costing are recognised and applied to Student Associations and Monyx from 2006 onwards. The basis on which this will occur will be established during consultations in 2005;

(iii) to facilitate introduction in 2006 of the recommendations in (ii) above, the university undertake further consultation with student associations as appropriate and report back on progress to Resources and Finance committee prior to the middle of 2005;

(iv) the working parties also consider whether (from 2006 onwards) the amenities fees should be broken into a number of separate fees and allocated based on the service provided rather than a percentage of the total (as suggested by Caulfield, Peninsula and Parkville student associations).

(v) the university convene discussions with Monash International/Monash College with a view to introducing amenities fees for Monash College students from 2006 onwards.

In the event that amenities fees for Monash College students were not introduced in 2006, the University will convene a working party to investigate alternative strategies to meet any shortfall in amenities fees revenue emanating from the implementation of recommendations (i) (a) and/or (b) above.

(File RMO2000/1252)

For action or noting by: Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Resources), Vice-President International, Divisional Director, Student and Staff Services, Divisional Director, Corporate Finance, Chief Executive Officer, Monyx, Minute Secretary – Resources and Finance Committee

7.3 Funding of Monash Commercial Pty Ltd

RESOLUTION CL7/2004/210

Council approved the Committee’s decision to authorise the Director of Finance to provide advances to cover expenses of the Company until a decision is made on the funding model.

(File RMOR2000/106)

For action or noting by: Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Resources), Divisional Director, Corporate Finance, Chief Operating Officer, Monash Commercial

7.4 Victorian Education Research Network

RESOLUTION CL7/2004/211

Council approved the Committee’s recommendation that Monash University become a shareholder of "VERNet Pty Ltd" (or similar name) subject to:

• approval of the Constitution and Member’s Agreement by the University Solicitor’s Office; and
  

• there being at least 3 other shareholders at the time of Monash University becoming a shareholder.
  

(File RMO2003/1384, RMO2004/1474)

For action or noting by: Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Resources), Divisional Director, Corporate Finance, Executive Director, Information Technology Services, University Solicitor

7.5 Receipt of Proceedings

RESOLUTION CL7/2004/212

Council noted the proceedings of meeting 5/2004 of Resources and Finance Committee held on 20 October 2004.

(File RMO2004/1407)

For action or noting by: Secretary and Minute Secretary, Resources and Finance Committee

8. Report of the Board of Monash Commercial Pty Ltd

RESOLUTION CL7/2004/213

Council received and noted the report of meeting 6/2004 held on 1 October 2004 of the Board of Monash Commercial Pty Ltd.

(File RMOR2001/112)

For action or noting by: Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Resources), Chief Operating Officer, Monash Commercial

9. Report of the Academic Board

(File RMO2004/0809)

9.1 Receipt of Report

RESOLUTION CL7/2004/214

Council received and noted the report of meeting 5/2004 of the Academic Board held on Wednesday, 29 September 2004.

For action or noting by: President and Secretary, Academic Board

9.2 Proposal to award a degree of Doctor of Medicine

RESOLUTION CL7/2004/215

Council approved the proposal of the Board of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences to award the Doctor of Medicine degree to Dr Michele Pathé for the thesis entitled, ‘The Nature and Impact of Stalking: A Mental Health Perspective’.

For action or noting by: Dean and Faculty Manager – Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Manager, Graduations, Graduations Officer, Protocol and Special Events

9.3 Legislation

9.3.1 Amendment to Regulations 2.3 and Repeal of Regulations 2.4

RESOLUTION CL7/2004/216

Council made the Regulations 2.3 The Faculties (Amendment No 1 2004) and repeal Regulations 2.4 The University Teaching Hospitals.

(File RMO1997/1504)

For action or noting by: Dean and Faculty Manager – Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, University Solicitor

9.4 Receipt of Proceedings

RESOLUTION CL7/2004/217

Council noted the proceedings of the Academic Board meeting held on 29 September 2004.

(File RMO2004/0809)

For action or noting by: President and Secretary, Academic Board

10. Report of Equal Opportunity Committee

Professor Colin Bourke MBE, provided members with an overview of the contents of the Report and brought to the attention of members the issue of establishing an ombudsman’s office within the University.

The Vice-Chancellor thanked Professor Bourke and advised Council that the issue of establishing an ombudsman’s office would be discussed at a meeting of the Vice-Chancellor’s Group.

10.1 Receipt of Report

RESOLUTION CL7/2004/218

Council received and noted the report of the Equal Opportunity Committee meeting 3/2004 held on 11 October 2004.

(File RMO1997/1578)

For action or noting by: Chair and Secretary, Equal Opportunity Committee

10.2 Receipt of Proceedings

RESOLUTION CL7/2004/219

Council noted the proceedings of the Equal Opportunity Committee meeting 3/2004 held on 11 October 2004.

(File RMO2004/0307)

For action or noting by: Chair and Secretary, Equal Opportunity Committee

11. General Business

11.1 Victorian Institute for Chemical Sciences Limited (‘VICS’) (ABN 53 107 013 036)

RESOLUTION CL7/2004/220

Council appointed:

• Professor Edwina Cornish, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), as a Director of Victorian Institute for Chemical Sciences Limited in place of Professor Gary Bouma; and
  

• Professor Rob Norris, Dean of the Faculty of Science, as the representative of Monash University as a member of Victorian Institute for Chemical Sciences Limited for the purposes of clauses 17.4 and 17.5 of the company’s Constitution, and that such appointment be a standing appointment.
  

(File RMO2003/1230)

For action or noting by: Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Dean, Faculty of Science, University Solicitor

11.2 Co-operative Research Centre for Asthma Ltd (CRC for Asthma Ltd)

RESOLUTION CL7/2004/221

Council noted the audited accounts of the CRC for Asthma Ltd for the year ended 30 June 2004.

(File RMO2000/0960)

11.3 Posthumous Awards

RESOLUTION CL7/2004/222

Council approved the proposal of the Faculty of Information Technology to confer a posthumous award of Bachelor of Computing to the late Mr Damian Daniel Heinze.

RESOLUTION CL7/2004/223

Council approved the proposal of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences to confer a posthumous award of Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery to the late Mr Anthony Molan.

(File RMO1997/0346)

For action or noting by: Deans and Faculty Manager/Acting Faculty Manager – Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Information Technology, Manager, Graduations, Graduations Officer, Protocol and Special Events

11.4 Report of the Returning Officer – Council Elections

RESOLUTION CL7/2004/224

Council noted that Council elections had taken place with the following results:

Election of an academic staff (other than the professors) member of Council

Dr Carol Williams was elected for a term commencing 1 January 2005 and ending 31 December 2006.

Election of a graduate student member of Council

Mr Tim Wilson was elected for a term commencing 1 January 2005 and ending 31 December 2005.

Election of an undergraduate or diploma student member of Council

Mr Leo Ostroburski was elected for a term commencing 1 January 2005 and ending 31 December 2005.

(Files RMO2004/1204, RMO2004/1323, RMO2003/0093)

11.5 Next Meeting

The next meeting of Council will be held at 4.30 pm on 13 December at Caulfield Campus.