Council Meeting 4-2006

Meeting 4/2006 of the Monash University Council will be held at 3.00 pm on Monday, 17 July 2006 in the Sir George Lush Room, Building 3a, Clayton Campus.

Tony Calder, Secretary

7 July 2006

AGENDA

Members having a direct commercial or financial interest in any item before this meeting must declare that interest to the Chancellor via the Council Secretary prior to consideration of the item, and must not take part in a vote on any matter concerning it.

PART A

1 PROCEDURAL MATTERS

1.1 Apologies

Mr Ron Fairchild, Vice-President (Advancement) is unable to attend the meeting.

1.2 Special Leave

Council received requests for special leave as follows:

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, 2 Confirmation of Minutes of Previous Meeting, 3 Chancellor’s Business, 4 Report of the Membership Committee, 5 Report on Monyx Pty Ltd, 6 Vice-Chancellor’s Business

Members who wish a non-starred item to be discussed may request at this point.

1.4 Approval of Non-Starred Items

The Chancellor will move 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 Item 1pp 1-4

RECOMMENDATION

That Council note the report of the Vice-Chancellor dated 23 June 2006 on the affixing of the Common Seal to documents executed under Seal pursuant to Statute 8.1, Section 2.1.5.

1.6 Admission of Observers

Authorised observers will be admitted to the meeting following confidential items.

2 Confirmation of Minutes of Previous Meeting

2.1 Minutes of Meeting No 3/2006

The Minutes of Meeting No 3/2006 held on 29 May 2006 have been circulated.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council confirm the Minutes of Meeting No. 3/2006 held on Monday, 29 May 2006.

PART B STARRED ITEMS

3 Chancellor’s Business

3.1 Chancellor’s Report to Council

RECOMMENDATION

That Council receive the oral report of the Chancellor.

3.2 Queens Birthday Honours 2006 Item 3pp 1-6

RECOMMENDATION

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

3.3 Report of the Honorary Degrees Committee Item 3pp 7-10

RECOMMENDATION

That Council receive and note the report of the Honorary Degrees Committee Meeting 1/2006 held on Friday, 24 March 2006.

That Council note the award of honorary degrees made by the Committee as presented orally by the Chancellor, Mr Jeremy Ellis.

4 Report of the Membership Committee Members Only

Dr June Hearn, Deputy Chancellor, will provide a report on meeting 3/2006 of the Membership Committee, held on Thursday 13 July.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council receive the oral report of Deputy Chancellor, Dr June Hearn.

5 Report of Monyx Pty Ltd

The Chairman of the Board of Monyx Pty Ltd, Mr P Ramler will introduce this item for discussion.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council note the advice of the Chair of Monyx Pty Ltd, Mr Paul Ramler.

6 Vice-Chancellor’s Business

6.1 Vice-Chancellor’s Report to Council Item 6pp 1-6

RECOMMENDATION

That Council receive and note the Vice-Chancellor’s Report to Council.

6.2 Consolidated Risk Management Profile Members Only Item 6pp 7-24

Professor Richard Larkins, Vice Chancellor will report on the Consolidated Risk Management Profile.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council receive the report titled Consolidated Risk Management Profile – June 2006 and note the advice of the Vice-Chancellor.

6.3 Discussion on Campuses Item 6pp 25-80

Professor Richard Larkins, Vice-Chancellor, will introduce a report including Campus Directions Statements.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council note the advice of Professor Richard Larkins and others in relation to the discussion on Monash campuses.

6.4 Benchmarking Monash Research Performance

Professor Edwina Cornish, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) will report on Benchmarking Monash Research Performance.

Documents relating to this item will be distributed separately.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council note the advice of Professor Edwina Cornish, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research).

6.5 Update on AUQA Audit

Professor Stephen Parker, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor will provide an update on the AUQA Audit.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council note the advice of Professor Stephen Parker, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor.

PART C ITEMS FOR APPROVAL OR INFORMATION

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

7.1 Update on implementation of the Federal Government’s Voluntary Student Unionism (VSU) legislation

At meeting 3/2006 (29 May), members received an update from Mr P Marshall, Vice-president (Administration) and were advised that the consulting firm, PhillipsKPA had been engaged to advise on the matter and would provide a report that would inform a series of recommendations for Councils consideration.

PhillipsKPA have advised that due to the complexities of the student association structure at Monash, preparation of a meaningful report for Council’s consideration at this meeting is not possible.

Members are invited to refer to the documentation presented to Resources and Finance Committee on this matter (pages 11 47 – 11 50).

The proposed revised reporting dates are as follows:

• Resources and Finance Committee – 24 August 2006
   
• Council – 25 September 2006

RECOMMENDATION

That Council note that a report on the implementation of the Voluntary Student Unionism will be presented to Council at meeting 6/2006 held on 25 September 2006.

8 Presentation from Professor Colin Chapman, Dean, Victorian College of Pharmacy on the directions of the Faculty. Item 8pp 1-10

Council Members are invited to refer to the background information relating to the Victorian College of Pharmacy.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council note the advice of Professor Colin Chapman, Dean, Victorian College of Pharmacy.

9 Report of the Executive Committee

9.1 Appointment of Director to Monash IVF Pty Ltd

The Executive Committee of Council, acting under its delegation from Council approved by circulation on the 5 July 2006 the appointment of Professor Robert McLachlan to the Board Monash IVF Pty Ltd.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council note the approvals granted by the Executive Committee of Council on 5 July 2006.

10 Report of Monash Commercial Pty Ltd Item 10pp 1-14

RECOMMENDATION

That Council

• Receive and note the report of the Board of Monash Commercial Pty Ltd for the meeting held on 2 June 2006.
   
• Note progress of the review of Monash Commercial Pty Ltd and some of its subsidiaries.

11 Report of the Resources and Finance Committee Members Only Item 11pp 1-120

11.1 Receipt of Report

RECOMMENDATION

That Council receive and note the report of the Resources and Finance Committee meeting 3/2006 held on 15 June 2006.

11.2 Proposed course fees: domestic & international Item 11pp 15-20

RECOMMENDATION

That Council:

• note the issues arising from the fee review process;
   
• approve the ranges of proposed course fees as detailed in appendix A; and
   
• authorise the Vice-Chancellor to approve the detailed list of fees consistent with these ranges as well as any adjustments to existing fees, plus or minus 10%.

11.3 The Victorian eResearch Strategic Initiative (VeRSI) Item 11pp 21-34

RECOMMENDATION

That Council:

• approve the University’s participation in the VeRSI, as required under our Act, and
   
• approve the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) signing the Grant Agreement subject to the above Council approval on the understanding that the Grant Agreement is based on materially the same information provided in appendix B, and clearance by the University’s Solicitors’ Office.

11.4 Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute (ARMI) Item 11pp 35-38

RECOMMENDATION

That Council approve:

• The University entering into an Unincorporated Joint Venture with the State Government to secure the $35 million contribution for the establishment of ARMI, subject to approval of the UJV documentation by the University Solicitor’s Office.
   
• The University owning an 80% share in a "Trustee Company" that will hold the UJV assets (i.e. STRIP 2 & 3 buildings) for 15 years, subject to clearance of the agreement and contribution by the Solicitor’s Office.
   
• The appointment of Mr David Munro Pitt as the University’s Director of the "Trustee Company", as recommended by the Vice-Chancellor.

11.5 Monash University Borrowings: 2006/07

RECOMMENDATION

That Council approve:

• Monash University accepting the offer of a 20 year loan facility offered by the ANZ Banking Group Ltd.
   
• Any two of the Vice-President (Finance), the Divisional Director – Corporate Finance and/or Treasurer be authorised to sign all documents relating to this facility on behalf of the University.

11.6 Mechanical Thermal Expression (MTE) Research Pty Ltd Item 11pp 39-44

RECOMMENDATION

That Council approve that the University becomes a member of the MTE Research Pty Ltd by purchasing the allocated number of shares subject to University Solicitor’s Office approval of the MTE Research Pty Ltd shareholders agreement and constitution.

11.7 Final Audited Financial Statements: Monash University Superannuation M Scheme Item 11pp 45-46

RECOMMENDATION

That Council note the 2006 Financial Statements of the Monash University Superannuation M Scheme.

11.8 Receipt of Proceedings Item 11pp 47-120

RECOMMENDATION

That Council note the proceedings of meeting 3/2006 of Resources and Finance Committee held on 15 June 2006.

12 Report of the Academic Board Item 12pp 1-10

12.1 Receipt of Report

RECOMMENDATION

That Council receive and note the Report of Meeting 3/2006 of the Academic Board held on Wednesday, 24 May 2006.

12.2 Amendment to the delegation for approval of unit quotas

In accordance with Statute 6.1.1 – University Entrance and Admission to Courses, the Academic Board at meeting 4/99 (and in accordance with Council Resolution CL/3/98/84) delegated the authority for the approval of unit quotas to the Education Committee. The Education Committee had endorsed a proposal to devolve this authority to faculty boards. Academic Board rescinded the authority to approve unit quotas delegated to the Education Committee and approved the delegation of the authority for approval of unit quotas to faculty boards. Academic Board also approved an amendment to the policy on Course and Unit Quotas to reflect the changed delegation of authority from Education Committee to faculty boards

RECOMMENDATION

That Council approve the proposal to delegate the authority for approval of unit quotas to faculty boards.

12.3 Amendment to Regulations pursuant to Statute 6.2 – Exclusion for Unsatisfactory Progress

The legislation under this item was prepared and forwarded by the University Solicitor’s Office and has been endorsed by the Academic Board. This amendment retains the requirement under section 3 of the Exclusion for Unsatisfactory Progress Regulations, that a student must have completed at least two semesters of study before being referred to an Academic Progress Committee (APC) but permits a Faculty Board to refer a student who has passed less than 50% of the student’s enrolment to an APC without requiring that the failure be across two semesters. Documentation is attached. (Attachment A).

RECOMMENDATION

That Council make the Regulations pursuant to Statute 6.2 – Exclusion for Unsatisfactory Progress.

12.4 Change of Name of the E-Research @ Monash Centre

Academic Board approved a proposal from the Steering Committee of the e-Research @ Monash Centre to change the name of the centre to the Monash e-Research Centre (MeRC) based on advice received from the Marketing and Student Recruitment Division.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council approve the proposal to change the name to the E-Research @ Monash Centre to the Monash e-Research Centre (MeRC).
12.5 Proposal to award a Doctor of Medicine Degreee

This proposal under this item has been endorsed by the Board of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences and the Academic Board.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council approve the proposal of the Board of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences to award the Doctor of Medicine degree to Dr. Leanne Rowe for her thesis entitled, ‘Time for a Future’.

12.6 Receipt of Proceedings

RECOMMENDATION

That Council note the proceedings of the Academic Board meeting held on 24 May 2006.

13 Report of the Gippsland Advisory Council Item 13pp 1-6

13.1 Receipt of Report

RECOMMENDATION

That Council receive and note the reports of the Gippsland Advisory Council meeting 2/2006 held on 11 April 2006 and meeting 3/2006 held on 23 May 2006.

13.2 Receipt of Proceedings

RECOMMENDATION

That Council note the proceedings of the Gippsland Advisory Council meeting 2/2006 held on 11 April 2006 and meeting 3/2006 held on 23 May 2006.

14 Report of the Equal Opportunity Committee Item 14pp 1-68

14.1 Receipt of Report

RECOMMENDATION

That Council receive and note the Report of the Equal Opportunity Committee Meeting 02/06held on Monday 5 June 2006.

14.2 Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Plan