Meeting 2/2007 of the Monash University Council was held on Monday, 19 March 2007 in the Sir George Lush Room, Building 3a, Clayton Campus

MINUTES

Mr J Ellis, Chancellor, Presiding
Mr P Ramler AM, Deputy Chancellor
Dr L Rowe, Deputy Chancellor
Professor R Larkins, Vice-Chancellor and President
Associate Professor J Hurst, Chair of Academic Board

Mr T Calder, Director, Executive Services

1.1  Apologies

1.2  Special Leave

Dr J Zillman AO was granted special leave for this meeting.

Council granted requests for special leave as follows:

Name	Special Leave
	Meeting No.	Date
Ms Sue Smith	3/2007	28 May 2007
Ms Lesley Boston	3/2007	28 May 2007
Ms Louise Adler	3/2007	28 May 2007
Mr Charles Curwen	3/2007	28 May 2007
Ms Sue Smith	4/2007	16 July 2007

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 Vice-Chancellor’s Business, 6 Report to Council by the Dean of Faculty of Law, 7 Report of the Audit Committee, 11 Advancement Progress Report, 12.4 Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Education) – Appointment.

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  Report of the Membership Committee

RESOLUTION CL2/2007/10

Council approved the proposal of the Membership Committee that the Chancellor approach Mr S Buggle to ascertain his willingness to accept appointment to Monash University Council for a term expiring 31 December 2009.

1.5.2  Use of the University Seal

RESOLUTION CL2/2007/10a

Council noted the report of the Vice-Chancellor dated 7 March 2007 on the affixing of the Common Seal to documents executed under Seal pursuant to Statute 8.1, Section 2.1.5.

For action or noting by: Vice-President (Finance)/Chief Financial Officer, University Solicitor.
 

2.1  Minutes of Meeting No 1/2007

RESOLUTION CL2/2007/11

Council confirmed the Minutes of Meeting No. 1/2007 held on 16 February 2007.
 

3.1  Chancellor’s Report to Council

This item was deferred to the next meeting of Council 3/2007 (28 May 2007).

3.2  Reappointment of Council Members

RESOLUTION CL2/2007/12

Council received the oral report of the Chancellor in relation to the reappointment of Mr Paul Ramler and Ms Lesley Boston for a term expiring 31 December 2009.

3.3  Honorary Degrees Committee Report

This item was deferred to the next meeting of Council 3/2007 (28 May 2007).

3.4  Report on the outcomes of the Council Conference (meeting 1/2007)

This item was deferred to the next meeting of Council 3/2007 (28 May 2007).

Secretarial Note 1: A Councillor requested that the issue of opening up membership of Council Committees via nomination be scheduled for discussion at the next meeting of Council.

Secretarial Note 2: A report on the adequacy for the appointment process of Deputy Chancellors is to be presented to the next meeting of Council.
 

4.1  Vice-Chancellor’s Report to Council

RESOLUTION CL2/2007/13

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

4.1.1  Universities Australia/AVCC

RESOLUTION CL2/2007/14

Council:

• Noted the draft constitution for Universities Australia Ltd, and
   
• Approved Monash University becoming a member of Universities Australia Ltd and the conditions outlined in the attached constitution.

For action or noting by: Vice-President (Finance), Divisional Director – Corporate Finance.

4.2  Status Report on the restructuring of the Monyx Group

This item was deferred to the next meeting of Council 3/2007 (28 May 2007).

4.3  Council to Visit to Monash South Africa and Monash Malaysia

RESOLUTION CL2/2007/15

Council noted the proposed dates for the Council visit to Monash South Africa and Monash Malaysia campuses.

4.4  2006 Annual Report to Parliament of the Council of Monash University

RESOLUTION CL2/2007/16

Council adopted the University’s Consolidated Financial Statements for the Year Ending 31 December 2006 subject to final clearance by the Auditor-General.

Council approved the Report of Members of Monash University Council.

Council approved the 2006 Annual Report to Parliament of the Council of Monash University for forwarding to the Minister for Skills, Education Services and Employment subject to final clearance of the Consolidated Financial Statements by the agents of the Auditor-General.

For action or noting by: Vice-President (Finance), Divisional Director – Corporate Finance

4.4.1  Update on University 2007 Financials

This item was deferred to the next meeting of Council 3/2007 (28 May 2007).

4.5  Report of the 2007 Senior Management Summit

RESOLUTION CL2/2007/17

Council received the Report to Council on the Senior Management Summit.

4.6  Monash University Fund for Education in South Africa

This item was deferred to the next meeting of Council 3/2007 (28 May 2007).
 

This item was deferred to a later meeting.
 

RESOLUTION CL2/2007/18

• Council noted the unconfirmed Minutes of Meeting 1/07 of the Audit Committee.
   
• Subject to the final amendments and clearance by the auditors, Council adopted the final draft of the University’s 2006 Consolidated Financial Statements and noted that the accounts are still subject to final clearance by the Auditor-General.
   

RESOLUTION CL2/2007/19

8.1  Receipt of Report

RESOLUTION CL2/2007/20

Council received and noted the Report of the Resources and Finance Committee meeting 1/2007 held on 8 March 2007.

8.2  NCRIS – Astronomy Australia

RESOLUTION CL2/2007/21

Council approved Monash University becoming a member of Astronomy Australia, subject to approval of the Constitution by the Solicitor’s Office.

For action or noting by: Solicitor’s Office, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Divisional Director – Corporate Finance

8.3  NCRIS – National Microscopy and Microanalysis Research Facility

RESOLUTION CL2/2007/22

Council approved Monash University entering into a Unincorporated Joint Venture subject to:

• Approval of the constitution and funding agreements by the Solicitor’s Office.
   
• Unconditional approval of the funding from the Victorian State Government (Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development) and the documents for this funding being acceptable to the Solicitor’s Office.

For action or noting by: Solicitor’s Office, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Divisional Director – Corporate Finance

8.4  NCRIS – Australian National Fabrication Facility Limited (ANFF)

RESOLUTION CL2/2007/23

Council approved Monash University becoming a member of Australian National Fabrication Facility Limited (ANFFL), a company limited by guarantee, subject to the following:

• Approval of the constitution by the Solicitors Office.
   
• Approval of the final funding agreement with DEST and documents are acceptable to the Solicitor’s Office.
   
• The related funding that has been sought from the Victorian State Government (DIIRD) has been unconditionally approved and the documents for this funding are acceptable by the Solicitor’s Office.

For action or noting by: Solicitor’s Office, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Divisional Director – Corporate Finance

8.5  Receipt of Proceedings

RESOLUTION CL2/2007/24

Council noted the proceedings of meeting 1/2007 of Resources and Finance Committee held on 8 March 2007.
 

RESOLUTION CL2/2007/25

Council received and noted the Report of Meeting 1 of 2007 of the Academic Board held on Wednesday 21 February 2007.
 

RESOLUTION CL2/2007/26

Council received and noted the report of the Gippsland Advisory Council meeting 7/2006 held on 28 November 2006.
 

RESOLUTION CL2/2007/27

Council received the report titled Advancement Progress Report.
 

12.1  Senior Appointments

RESOLUTION CL2/2007/28

Council noted:

• that the persons named in the document have accepted the offers of appointment, approved by the Vice-Chancellor and President.
   
• that the persons named in the document have accepted the offers of appointment, approved by the Special Professorial Appointments Committee of Council

For noting action by: Manager – Senior Appointments

12.2  Nanotechnology Victoria Ltd (ACN 102 659 656) ["NVL"] – Replacement of Monash Nominee Director

RESOLUTION CL2/2007/29

Council

• Noted Professor Barry Muddle’s intention to resign as a Monash nominated director of NVL;
   
• Nominated the person named in the document as a director of NVL in place of Professor Muddle, subject to said providing the company with the necessary consent and disclosure document and otherwise complying with the formal appointment requirements of the Corporations Act 2001; and
   
• Authorised the University Solicitor to give formal notice to the Company Secretary of NVL of the nomination for appointment as a director.

For action or noting by: Solicitors Office, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Muddle, Dr Khan.

12.3  Legislation

12.3.1  Faculties Regulations (Amendment No. 1 2007)

RESOLUTION CL2/2007/30

Council made Faculties Regulations (Amendment No. 1 2007)

For action or noting by: Solicitors Office

12.3.2  Statute 2.8 - Students’ Loan Fund (Substitution) 2007 and Student Loans Regulations (Substitution 2007)

RESOLUTION CL2/2007/31

Council:

• made Statute 2.8 Students’ Loan Fund (Substitution) 2007; and
• made Students Loan Regulations (Substitution 2007).

For action or noting by: Solicitors Office

12.4  Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Education) – Appointment

RESOLUTION CL2/2007/32

Council approved an offer of appointment as a Professor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Education), as per the report of the selection committee, be made to the person named in the document.

For action or noting by: Vice-President (Administration), Manager – Senior Appointments.
 

The next meeting of Council is scheduled to be held at 5.00 pm on Monday, 28 May 2007 in the Sir George Lush Room, Building 3a, Clayton Campus.