Council Meeting 5-2006

Meeting 5/2006 of the Monash University Council was held between 5.00pm to 7.30pm on Monday, 7 August 2006 in the STRIP ground floor meeting room (Building 75), Ring Road East, Clayton Campus.

There were present:

Dr J Hearn, Deputy Chancellor, Presiding
Professor R Larkins, Vice-Chancellor and President
Associate Professor J Hurst, Chair of Academic Board

In attendance were:

Professor S Parker, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor
Professor S Fahey, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International)
Professor E Cornish, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research)
Mr D Pitt, Vice-President (Finance)/Chief Financial Officer

Secretary:

Mr Tony Calder, Director, Executive Services

Observers:

Ms L Chatfield
Professor G Risbridger
 

The Vice-Chancellor introduced Professor Gail Risbridger, a participant in the Women’s Leadership Program and currently ‘shadowing’ the Vice-Chancellor.

Deputy Chancellor Hearn, referring to recent articles in Melbourne newspapers, outlined to Council the status of Council papers. The advice noted the following:

• Council must be provided with the information it needs to effectively discharge its responsibilities.
   
• In most cases, management must supply that information in a form that enables Council members to discharge their duties and responsibilities.
   
• Council papers are provided for the sole purpose of Council’s deliberations – they are not public documents until/unless released.
   
• August 3^rd article in The Age refers to the journalist obtaining copies of Council papers and the article used data supplied to Council.
   
• The article was not necessarily critical of Monash but it was misleading and did raise concerns for some staff as it incorrectly stated that the university was considering moving the education and law faculties to Caulfield campus.
   
• While Council members are not the sole recipients of Council papers, members were requested to note that requests for information from journalists should be directed to university management – or on those few occasions it relates to Council to the Chancellor.
   
• If we all respect the capacity with which we receive information then the ability of Council to receive frank and open advice from management will not be diminished.

In relation to the newspaper articles, Professor Davis requested that in future Council members receive early advice that the contents of an article did not represent management view.

Council members discussed the Minute from meeting 4/2006 and documents recently emailed to members.

This discussion is minuted under item 2.1 – Minutes of Meeting No 4/2006.

Apologies were received from the Chancellor, Mr Jerry Ellis; Deputy Chancellor, Mr Paul Ramler; Professor Colin Bourke, Ms Penelope Hutchinson and Ms Louise Adler.

Mr Ron Fairchild, Vice-President (Advancement) and Mr Peter Marshall, Vice-President (Administration) were unable to attend the meeting.

Council received no requests for special leave.

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 State of the University, 4 International Plan.

Council resolved on the motion of the Chair:

• That all items on the agenda not starred be adopted without discussion, and the action recommended be taken or the information therein noted.

RESOLUTION CL5/2006/1033

Council noted the report of the Vice-Chancellor dated 28 July 2006 on the affixing of the Common Seal to documents executed under Seal pursuant to Statute 8.1, Section 2.1.5.

For file RMO1997/0889

Authorised observers were admitted to the meeting following confidential items.
 

A Council member, referring to receipt of the emailed Auditors Report into several aspects of Monyx’s operations, advised Council that there were several issues detailed in the report that he would like to discuss further and that the matter should be referred to the Audit Committee of Council for consideration prior to it coming to the next meeting of Council.

Following a discussion of the appropriateness of the discussion taking place at Audit Committee or a meeting of Council the matter was referred to Audit Committee for initial consideration.

RESOLUTION CL5/2006/104

Council confirmed the Minutes of Meeting No. 4/2006 held on Monday, 17 July 2006.

The Vice-Chancellor thanked Council for the opportunity to provide a State of the University Address and spoke to the following matters.

The Vice-Chancellor indicated that he would use four indicators to highlight the pleasing progress that Monash was making in this area. The indicators were the Course Experience Questionnaire (CEQ), Monash Experience Questionnaire (MEQ), MEQ Benchmarking and Student Preferences.

CEQ – since 2001, Monash has lagged in the Group of Eight (Go8) average on the Good Teaching Scale and Generic Skills Scale but this is a delayed indicator and does not reflect recent improvements.

MEQ – first collected in 2003 and then again in 2005, overall university, faculty and campus indicators showed pleasing improvements in virtually all aspects.

MEQ Benchmarking – benchmarking outcomes against two Go8 universities, Monash showed good improvement with ‘University A’ and had performed better in both relative and absolute terms in comparison with ‘University B’.

Student Preferences – with a target of attracting over 30% of the top 5% of VTAC enrolments by 2008, figures for 2005 showed that the university had already exceeded the target however 50% of the 2005 increase was due to the introduction of new courses – particularly in the area of health sciences at Peninsula campus.

The Vice-Chancellor outlined to Council the target of being ranked in the top three of all Australian universities.

Research Income – noting that the most recently released official data was for 2004 (where applications were made in 2003) the Vice-Chancellor informed Council that all rankings/categories showed improvement. 2005 data, compared to 2004, showed significant growth (20%) in all indices except for High Degree by Research enrolments. Comparing growth in research revenue between 1994 to 2005, Council was advised that there had been a stunning improvement overall.

Publications – within the Group of Eight universities, Monash was now ranked third.

HDR load – the one area where Monash had plateaued and not showing improvement.

Commercialisation – while reliable Australian data was not available comparisons with American data were possible and these indicated that while Monash was progressing well, it was still below the American benchmarks.

Summarising research performance at Monash, the Vice-Chancellor praised the efforts of Monash staff in achieving a lift in all research indices, particularly total research income which had risen 21% over the last 12 months.

Women in senior positions – overtime a marked improvement had been achieved with Monash now ranked third in the Group of Eight.

Students with disabilities – in accord with Monash’s strong record of providing pathways to tertiary education for students with disabilities, enrolled numbers had grown from 323 in 2000 to 598 in 2006.

Group of Eight Student Equity Statistics re Access – Monash was ranked first in commencing students (2004) from low socio-economic backgrounds, including commencing students aged greater than 25. Monash was ranked third, behind the University of Sydney in commencing students from non-english speaking backgrounds.

Indigenous Students – while total numbers were still low, both the retention rate and success of enrolled students had improved.

Financial – consolidated operating revenue had steadily increased to over $1 billion in 2005 with the operating result steadily improving since 2001 – 2002 where the result was significantly impacted due to the downturn in investment markets.

Outlining trends in student fee income, Council was advised that real increases in student fee income was offsetting the fall (in real terms due to the lack of indexation) in the value of the Commonwealth Government Operating Grant.

Campuses – matters brought to Council’s attention included the high cost of the research infrastructure at Clayton campus impacted on the ‘campus profit’, the new campus in Malaysia would open in 2007 with a resultant improvement in student satisfaction/numbers and improved dividend to Monash, Monash South Africa student numbers were steadily increasing resulting in a deceasing deficit for the campus and continuing appreciation of the land value.

These included:

In summary, the Vice-Chancellor noted that the university had improved its performance in education and research in both absolute and relative terms and led the Group of Eight with respect to admission of students from low socio-economic backgrounds. Further, the university was financially sound although very dependent on income from international students and the performance of the international campuses had improved.

Thanking all Monash staff whose efforts made these good outcomes possible, the Vice-Chancellor also noted that the university still had many important things it needed to do.

Following the Vice-Chancellor’s address, members queried and discussed a number of issues:

• Status of the proposal to establish a joint research academy with the Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai.

Council was advised that the formal proposal would be presented to Council at, or before, the December meeting.

• The reduction in government funding (down 30%) and strategies for reversing the trend.

The Vice-Chancellor informed Council that he was spending the following two days in Canberra meeting with politicians and would be meeting with the Minister the following week. Further, the Vice-Chancellor encouraged all Council members to utilise any opportunities that arose to bring the funding situation to the attention of both State and Federal decision makers.

• Offshore campuses and international activities

In response to questions Council was advised that:

• Offshore activities did result in administrative costs for activities such as quality control etc. however the exact cost was not known but a reasonable costing for "effort" was roughly $3 million.

In relation to equivalence across campuses, unit evaluation, multi-campus moderation policy and the activities of Centre for Higher Education Quality result in confidence that the outcomes for students across campuses would be mostly similar.

• Research facilities and activities in Malaysia were not near Australian levels yet, however, at the Malaysia campus a Research Plan is in place, staff on the campus are seeking government grants and the establishment of the Medical School would provide better research infrastructure.

Research at the South Africa campus is at an earlier stage and is currently based around the humanities and social sciences.

• In South Africa, Monash’s degrees are recognised however Monash is currently precluded from using ‘University" in its name. "Branch campus’ status is being investigated.
   
• The new medical school site in Malaysia, as with all international activities, resulted in some risk factors for Monash however as far as practicable these were being attended to.

• KPI’s and linkages to the performance management regime

Communication of targets is a continuing theme including during visits to faculties and the performance evaluation of Deans.

• Advancement and alumni

The appointment of critical staff to the Advancement Division is underway and the alumni relations area has recently been reviewed.

The fundraising campaign is progressing with a report due at the next meeting of Council.

• CEQ and MEQ – qualitative data

Space is provided for qualitative data and the data is under review by the Student Experience Project team.

• Trends and Risks

The Vice-Chancellor commended all concerned with the marked improvement in performance. Areas of focus for the short term include the university’s dependence on international student fee revenue, some aspects of the outcomes of the staff experience questionnaire and the aging building stock.

At the conclusion of the discussion, Council congratulated Professor Larkins and Monash staff for their achievements and the current good state of the university.

RESOLUTION CL5/2006/1055

Council noted the advice of the Vice-Chancellor.

RMO1998/2347
 

Professor Stephanie Fahey, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International), introduced the plan noting that the Academic Plan for the university incorporated the Research and Research Training Management Plan, Education Plan, International Plan and Discipline Profile. The draft International Plan had been subject to wide consultation within the Monash community and was on the Monash website for staff to provide further comment.

One of the objectives for the International Plan was to ensure that all aspects of Monash’s international operations were suitably focused and that there was an appropriate balance across activities such as the recruitment of undergraduate students and the targeted, yet balanced, investments in major markets such as South East Asia, South Asia, the Middle East and other identified regions.

Commenting on Monash’s unique objective of being a Group of Eight university that was both research-intensive and international, Professor Fahey advised Council that this Plan differed to previous plans in that whereas previous plans had a strong focus on recruitment of undergraduate international students, this plan broadened the focus to include both recruitment and research as the research component was critical to Monash’s ranking, reputation and thus capacity to recruit students.

Features of the Plan included a commitment to Monash’s values of access, equity and diversity, structuring Monash’s response to new partnerships by becoming more proactive, an outline of current major international activities and new activities that would be proposed over the coming years.

Council was advised that the Plan also provided for future growth at the off shore campuses and put in place a revised governance structure for the university’s international operations.

In summary, Professor Fahey advised Council that the draft plan included a slight refocusing of Monash towards a research – intensive international university that was more selective in its international partnerships, responsive to issues and the plan outlined major activities for the next four years noting these activities would be presented to Council for approval overtime and as necessary.

During discussion members queried the issue of whether the scope of the plan was too inward looking and what benefits does it bring to Australia, ‘balance’, working with academies, student recruitment and the role of the Monash College Group.

Scope of the Plan – the Planning Pyramid for the university has at its peak Monash Direction 2025 – a 20 year strategic directions statement. Excellence and Diversity sets out the university’s statement of purpose and core values. These plans, underpinned by the Academic Plan, of which the International Plan is a component, recognise that Monash must continue its international focus. Details of how this is achieved, and measures of achievement, are contained in the various operational plans.

Balance – Council was advised that the draft International Plan put in place a structure and philosophy that had not existed in previous plans. Further, the International portfolio was in some ways unique in that its activities cut across a range of portfolios including Education, Research and Administration. This crossover necessitated close collaboration across portfolios to ensure that objectives were met and successful outcomes achieved. The restructured International Division was already working closely with Professors Parker and Cornish and the Advancement Division (responsible for marketing and student recruitment).

In relation to the balance between focusing on student recruitment and research-led internationalisation, Council was advised that Monash’s reputation was integral to its capacity to recruit quality students so the Plan, along with the Research Plan placed appropriate emphasis on improved research outcomes – but not at the expense of recruiting quality students.

Academies – while noting that the Plan included governance and business relationships, Professor Fahey noted advice of the benefits of international cooperation including working with Academies.

Student Recruitment – Council was informed that the marketing and student recruitment activities had been consolidated in the Advancement portfolio following the downturn in numbers in 2004 – before Professor Fahey’s arrival at Monash. Under the leadership of Ms Lee-ann Norris, Monash had now recovered its market share.

Professor Fahey advised Council that her Division met with Ms Norris and others and were working through any outstanding issues resulting from the changes to Monash International. Further, a Marketing and Recruitment Plan was being developed and would come to Council when completed.

Monash College Group – in response to a suggestion that the Monash College Group was competing with some of the core activities of Monash and that the Group’s activities may negatively impact on the international perception of Monash University, Council was informed that the College was not in competition with Monash, rather it supplied an alternative pathway for prospective students who, at the time of enrolment, did not meet the university’s entry standards. Further, the strategies for the College were closely monitored by management to ensure its activities complemented Monash University’s reputation.

RESOLUTION CL5/2006/106

Council received the International Plan and noted the advice of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International), Professor Stephanie Fahey.

RMO2002/0171
 

RESOLUTION CL5/2006/107

Council received and noted the Report of Meeting 4/2006 of the Academic Board, held on Wednesday, 12 July 2006.

RMO2004/0809

RESOLUTION CL5/2006/108

Council repealed Statute 2.10 – Associate deans (teaching).

RMO1999/2160

RESOLUTION CL5/2006/109

Council approved the proposal of the Board of the Faculty of Arts to disestablish the Centre for European Studies.

RMO2005/1359

RESOLUTION CL5/2006/110

Council noted the Academic Board endorsement of the proposal, subject to the approval of the Deans of the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, to establish the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS).

RMO1999/1617

RESOLUTION CL5/2006/111

Council noted the revised committee structure of the Academic Board and the Education Committee.

RMO2005/1670

For action or noting by: Secretary to Academic Board

RESOLUTION CL5/2006/112

Council noted the proceedings of the Academic Board meeting held on 12 July 2006.