Mr J Ellis, Chancellor, Presiding

Dr L Rowe, Deputy Chancellor

Professor R Larkins, Vice-Chancellor and President

Associate Professor J Hurst, Chair of Academic Board

Ms L Adler

Mr J Bender

Ms L Boston

Professor C Bourke MBE

Mr S Buggle

Dr C Curwen CVO OBE

Professor S Davis

Ms Z Edwards

Ms P Hutchinson

Ms M Kok

Mr I Pyman

Mr P Redlich AO

Ms S Smith

Dr C Williams

Dr J Zillman AO

Professor A Shoemaker, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education)

Professor S Fahey, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International)

Professor E Cornish, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research)

Mr P Marshall, Vice-President (Administration

Mr D Pitt, Vice-President (Finance)/Chief Financial Officer

Professor R Norris, Dean, Faculty of Science (Item 8)

Professor M Evans, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Planning) (Item 4.6)

Mr P Langford, Voice Project Director (Item 4.8)

Ms R Day, University Student Ombudsman (Item 4.10)

Mr Tony Calder, Director, Executive Services

Ms L Chatfield

Ms J Reeder

Mr B Maxfield

1.1  Attendance

Mr Shane Buggle attended via teleconference.

1.2  Apologies

Mr Paul Ramler was an apology

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

1.3  Special Leave

The following Council Member have been granted special leave:

Name	Special Leave
	Meeting No.	Date
Ms Sue Smith	8/2007	3 December 2007
Ms Louise Adler	8/2007	3 December 2007
Dr John Zillman	8/2007	3 December 2007

1.4  Starring of Items

Items 1.1 Attendance, 1.2 Apologies, 1.3 Special Leave, 1.4 Starring of Items, 1.5 Approval of Non-Starred Items, 2 Confirmation of Minutes of Previous Meeting, 3 Chancellor’s Business, 4 Vice-Chancellor’s Business, 5.1 Report of the Council Off-Shore Visit, 8 Report to Council by the Dean Faculty of Science, 9 Report of Resources and Finance Committee 11 Report of Gippsland Advisory Committee, 12 Report of the Equal Opportunity Committee and 13.5 Submission by Monash Student Association (Clayton Campus) on International Student Welfare were "starred" for discussion.

1.5  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.

1.6  Confidential Items

1.6.1  Use of the University Seal

RESOLUTION CL7/2007/159

Council noted the report of the Vice-Chancellor dated 15 October 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) and University Solicitor.

1.6.2  Media reports relating to possible inconsistencies in reports to the Australian Stem Cell Centre relating to the Adult Stem Cell Lung Regeneration Project.

The Vice-Chancellor provided Council with an update on the matter and advised that a further report would be provided to Council in accordance with approved process.

1.6.3  Media reports on possible sale of a controlled entity.

Mr D Pitt, Vice-President (Finance), provided Council with an update oN a review into the strategic options for the company – one of which may eventuate in progressing discussions to sell the University’s share in the company.

1.7  Admission of Observers

Authorised observers were admitted to the meeting following confidential items.
 

2.1  Minutes of Meeting No 6/2007

The Minutes of Meeting 6/2007 held on 7 September 2007 were approved subject to amendment of the second point in item 4.2 Update on University 2007 Financial to read:

• In response to a suggestion that the improved financial position of the University could have prevented redundancies in 2006 had the University correctly forecast the higher level of revenue, Council was advised that the largest group came from the Faculty of Information Technology and these were the result of the need for the faculty to restructure itself due to ongoing reduced student demand and other cost budgeting exigencies. It was also noted that capital development grants must be taken to account in the year received. Further, Council was advised that net staff numbers had increased over the year.

RESOLUTION CL7/2007/160

Council confirmed the Minutes of Meeting No. 6/2007 held on Friday, 7 September 2007 subject to the change above.

For action or noting by: Council Secretary
 

3.1  Chancellor’s Report to Council

Monash Sunway Campus – Australia/Malaysia Business Council Award.

The Chancellor commended the campus on the award and suggested that it should be widely acknowledged within Australia.

RESOLUTION CL7/2007/161

Council received the oral report of the Chancellor.

3.2  Letters of Appreciation - Off-Shore Visit

RESOLUTION CL7/2007/162

Council noted the correspondence.

3.3  Council Membership Issues

RESOLUTION CL7/2007/163

Council noted membership matters referred by the Council Secretary to the Chancellor.
 

4.  Vice-Chancellor’s Business

4.1  Vice-Chancellor’s Report to Council

Following an overview of his Report to Council, the Vice-Chancellor reported on the following additional matter:

IITB Monash Research Academy

The governance structure for the joint venture had been agreed with the next priority being the establishment of the incorporated (previously it had been proposed as unincorporated) joint venture IITB Monash Research Academy.

Responding to questions, the Vice-Chancellor advised that a briefing on the Research Quality Framework would be provided at the next meeting of Council.

RESOLUTION CL7/2007/164

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

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

4.2  Update on University 2007 Financials

Following an outline of the major changes detailed in the Monthly Financial Report, Mr Pitt supplied the following additional information:

• Mr Pitt to provide a briefing to Mr Buggle on the University’s budgeting and accounting treatment of imputation credits;

• lower expensed research salaries was a result of lower staffing levels – not lower salary levels;

• other grants and donations – the $20m approximately of additional revenue was largely a result of one-off major government grants such as ARMI;

• salary and expense – the lower than budget expense to-date was a result of fewer additional staff than forecast. Further the difference between the budget and actual amount was minor given the large numbers; and

• Superannuation (revenue) – the revenue relates to the State Government topping up a ‘closed’ staff Super Scheme for former government employees who now worked for the University.

RESOLUTION CL7/2007/165

Council received the financial report for the period ending September 2007.

4.3  Outcomes of the 2007 (for 2008) Australian Research Council (ARC) and National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Research Grant Rounds

Professor Cornish advised that Monash was now ranked 3^rd in the Group of Eight for NHMRC Grants – a good result given that Monash, unlike several other universities, did not include ‘affiliated institutions’ revenue in its figures. ARC Discovery Grants had improved however ARC Linkage Grants had decreased.

In response to a question, Professor Cornish advised that ANU, while ranked lower, did not have a large Medicine faculty and in ARC grants performed well for its size and on a per capita basis. Further, the number of Monash researchers applying for grants had increased and this was very encouraging and likely to form a good base for future years.

RESOLUTION CL7/2007/166

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

4.4  Report on Monash’s Educational Performance and outcomes of the 2007 (for 2008) Learning and Teaching Performance Fund Grant Round

Professor Shoemaker, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), provided Council with a summary of highlights including:

• Monash’s excellent outcome in the Learning and Teaching Performance Fund Grant Round was a result of the dedicated efforts of many Monash staff; and

• key themes in 2008 would include transition and retention – greater focus on retaining and assisting students particularly in first semester and a greater focus on training of sessional teaching staff; Honours Project – 50 honours scholarships designated as Jubilee Scholarships; Learning Spaces – expend some of the LTPF funding on improving teaching spaces; teaching excellence and internationalising the curriculum.

In response to a question, Professor Shoemaker advised that in areas such as teaching spaces, Monash was not only measuring itself against other members of the Group of Eight but was also investigating teaching spaces at other universities in Australia and overseas.

RESOLUTION CL7/2007/167

Council noted the advice of Professor Shoemaker, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) and the outcomes of the 2007 (for 2008) Learning and Teaching Performance Fund Grant Round.

4.5  University Wide Key Performance Indicators

Matters raised during discussion included:

• Monash has performed well in increasing its share of the top 5% of VTAC entrants;

• in relation to improved equity and access for indigenous students, while the Centre for Australian Indigenous Studies had received increased budgetary assistance, a broader approach to the issue was needed particularly in the area of recruitment of indigenous students;

• the indicator ‘Current Ratio’ had fallen to 7^th in the Group of Eight however this was a result of new AIFRS standards requiring Monash to amend the way employee entitlements (e.g. leave liabilities) were reported and how some short term assets are accounted for; and

• it was suggested that in appropriate areas such as LTPF, Monash should benchmark itself against a broader range of universities – not just the Group of Eight.

RESOLUTION CL7/2007/168

Council endorsed the 2007 University-wide Key Performance Indicators report.

4.6  Load and Admissions (2007) Report

Professor Evans noted that Monash had achieved healthy growth in undergraduate enrolments – across all faculties and most campuses. Other features were Monash was ranked first in 1^st preferences, there had been an increase in the number of equity and access programs and international student numbers had increased.

In response to a question regarding the decline in Gippsland campus load, Council was advised that the flow on effect of the Gippsland Medical School would take several years to kick in, other universities were targeting the same student cohort and the phasing out of TMC programs had all impacted on enrolment numbers.

RESOLUTION CL7/2007/169

Council received the 2007 Load and Admissions Report and noted the advice of Professor Merran Evans, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Planning).

4.7  Annual Report to Council by the President of Academic Board

In response to the report of the President of the Academic Board a member suggested that the Annual Report include a statement evaluating the achievements of the Board and detailing responsibilities and challenges facing the Board.

The Chancellor on behalf of Council, commended Associate Professor Hurst on his term as President of Academic Board.

RESOLUTION CL7/2007/170

Council noted the advice of Associate Professor John Hurst, President of Academic Board.

For action or noting by: President of Academic Board and President of Academic Board Elect.

4.8  Outcomes of the Staff Attitude Survey

Council received a presentation from Mr Peter Langford on the major outcomes of the 2007 Staff Attitude Survey.

In response to questions, Mr Langford advised that analysis indicated that survey respondents had not been affected by ‘survey fatigue’, many of the questions related – generally – to staff satisfaction and the anonymity of respondents was protected. Further, Council was advised that the data could be extracted in a number of ways such as by faculty, by campus etc.

RESOLUTION CL7/2007/171

Council received the advice of Mr Peter Langford, Voice Project Director, regarding the outcomes of the 2007 Staff Attitude Survey.

4.9  Australian Universities Student Finances 2006 Report

Council noted the advice of the Vice-Chancellor indicating that Monash student responses to the survey indicated that issues such as the need to undertake paid part time work and level of debt incurred by Monash students was similar to students across the sector.

Referring to Monash’s wide range of scholarships and loan schemes, the Vice-Chancellor noted that government support such as Austudy decreased when a student received a scholarship. This matter had been raised a number of times with government Ministers with no improved outcome for students.

RESOLUTION CL7/2007/172

Council noted advice on matters relating to the Student Finances survey.

4.10  Report of the University Student Ombudsman

Council commended the work of Ms Day and wished her well at her new position.

RESOLUTION CL7/2007/173

Council noted the report of the University Student Ombudsman.

For action or noting by: Ms Rhonda Yates

4.11  Statement of International Purpose

RESOLUTION CL7/2007/174

Council noted the Statement of International Purpose.

4.12  Caulfield Western Precinct Development Lot 5 Proposal

Following an overview of the proposal by Mr Pitt, Council agreed that discussion should proceed and that any material changes to the original decision return for Council’s consideration.

RESOLUTION CL7/2007/175

Council noted the advice in the document titled Caulfield Western Precinct Development Lot 5 Proposal.

For action or noting by: Vice-President (Finance) and Director - Major Projects.

4.13  Appointment of Interim University Student Ombudsman (USO) and Endorsement of the Proposed Appointment Process

RESOLUTION CL7/2007/175

Council:

• approved the appointment of the person named in the document to the position of Interim University Student Ombudsman; and

• endorsed the proposed appointment procedure, revised selection committee and position description as detailed in the paper.

For action or noting by: Vice-President (Administration) and Ms Rhonda Yates.
 

5.1  Report of the Council Off-Shore Visit

Members were invited to forward any further issues to the Council Secretary for consideration by the Working Party.

RESOLUTION CL7/2007/176

Council discussed the report of the Council Off-Shore Visit.

For action or noting by: Council Members
 

RESOLUTION CL7/2007/177

Council received the report titled Advancement Portfolio Progress Report prepared by Mr Ron Fairchild, Vice-President (Advancement).
 

RESOLUTION CL7/2007/178

Council approved an offer of an appointment as Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Research Training), for a period of 5 years commencing on 1 January 2008 and expiring on 31 December 2012, be made to the person named in the document.

RESOLUTION CL7/2007/178

Council noted the advice of Professor Rob Norris, Dean, Faculty of Science.
 

Noting concern about the delay in the Childcare Centre, Mr Marshall confirmed that construction would not commence in 2008 however should funding become available in 2008 the project would be prioritised if possible.

9.1  Receipt of Report

RESOLUTION CL7/2007/179

Council received and noted the report of the Resources and Finance Committee meeting 5/2006 held on 11 October 2007.

9.2  Receipt of Proceedings

RESOLUTION CL7/2007/180

Council noted the proceedings of meeting 54/2007 of Resources and Finance Committee held on 11 October 2007.
 

10.1  Receipt of Report Meeting 5/2007

RESOLUTION CL7/2007/181

Council received and noted the Report of Meeting 5 of 2007 of the Academic Board held on Wednesday 29 August 2007.

10.2  Legislation – Faculties Regulations

RESOLUTION CL7/2007/182

Council made the Faculties Regulations (Amendment no. 2 2007) Schedule 5 – Faculty of Engineering.

For action or noting by: University Solicitor and Dean, Faculty of Engineering.

10.3  Receipt of Report Meeting 6/2007

RESOLUTION CL7/2007/183

Council received and noted the Report of Meeting 6 of 2007 of the Academic Board held on Wednesday 3 October 2007.

10.4  Disestablishment of Centres

RESOLUTION CL7/2007/184

Council approved disestablishment of the Centre for Dynamical Meteorology and Oceanography.

For action or noting by: University Solicitor, Dean, Faculty of Science and Director of the Centre for Dynamical Meteorology and Oceanography.

10.5  Legislation – Faculties Regulations

RESOLUTION CL7/2007/185

Council made the Faculties Regulations (Amendment no. 3 2007) Schedule 7 – Faculty of Law.

For action or noting by: University Solicitor and Dean, Faculty of Law.
 

A member noted that the Report of the Gippsland Advisory Council did not include mention of the recent round of voluntary redundancies at the Gippsland Campus. Council was advised that this matter was under the guidance of the Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor (Gippsland) and his management team as the campus was now responsible for its own budget. In addition, the campus was looking at ways to reduce costs in areas such as shared administration services.

11.1  Receipt of Report

RESOLUTION CL7/2007/186

Council received and noted the report of the Gippsland Advisory Council meeting 5/2007 held on 21 August 2007.

11.2  Receipt of Proceedings

RESOLUTION CL7/2007/187

Council noted the proceedings of the Gippsland Advisory Council meeting 5/2007 held on 21 August 2007.
 

12.  Report of the Equal Opportunity Committee

Council noted advice of Professor Bourke.

12.1  Receipt of Report

RESOLUTION CL7/2007/188

Council received and noted the Report of the Equal Opportunity Committee Meeting 03/07 held on Monday 27 August 2007.

12.2  Receipt of Proceedings

RESOLUTION CL7/2007/189

Council noted the proceedings of the Equal Opportunity Committee meeting 03/07 held on Monday 27 August 2007.

For action or noting by: Secretary to Equal Opportunity Committee
 

13.1  Senior Appointments

13.1.1  Acceptance of Offers

RESOLUTION CL7/2007/190

Council noted that:

• Dr Rod Hill - Pro Vice-Chancellor (Industry Engagement & Commercialisation) has accepted the indicated offer of appointment, approved by Council, and wishes to record his thanks to Council.

• the persons named in the document have accepted the offers of appointment, approved by the Vice-Chancellor and President.

• the persons named in the document have accepted offers of appointment, approved by the Special Professorial Appointments Committee of Council.

For action or noting by: Manager – Senior Appointments.

13.2  Legislation

13.2.1  Statute 5.2 – The University Library (Amendment no. 1 2007)

RESOLUTION CL7/2007/191

Council made Statute 5.2 – The University Library (Amendment no. 1 2007).

For action or noting by: University Solicitor and University Librarian.

13.2.2  Monash University Law School Foundation Regulations (Amendment No. 1 2007)

RESOLUTION CL7/2007/192

Council made Monash University Law School Foundation Regulations (Amendment No. 1 2007).

For action or noting by: University Solicitor and Dean, Faculty of Law.

13.3  Neurosciences Victoria Limited ("NSV"):  Appointment of Directors and Board Executive Representative

RESOLUTION CL7/2007/193

Council:

1. Approved the re-appointment of the person named in the document as the University’s nominee to the NSV Board.

2. Directed the University Solicitor to notify the Chairman and Secretary of NSV as soon as Council has approved the appointment.

For action or noting by: University Solicitor

13.4  Request to Appoint Directors to Monash College Pty Ltd

RESOLUTION CL7/2007/194

Council approved:

1. The appointment of the persons named in the document as directors of Monash College Pty Ltd; and

2. A change to clause 8 of the company’s constitution to increase the maximum number of directors from nine to eleven.

For action or noting by: Board Chair, Monash College Pty Ltd, Secretary, Monash College Pty Ltd, Professor Merran Evans and Ms Lee-ann Norris.

13.5  Submission by Monash Student Association (Clayton Campus) on International Student Welfare

Following an outline of the major issues by Ms Edwards, a Council Member suggested teaching staff needed greater Cross Cultural Training.

RESOLUTION CL7/2007/195

Council received a submission prepared by the Monash Student Association titled "Submission to Monash University Council: International Student Welfare.

13.6  Associate Degrees at Monash University

RESOLUTION CL7/2007/196

Council approved the amendment of the Qualifications Categories Policy as set out in Attachment 1, subject to endorsement by Academic Board.

For action or noting by: Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), Secretary, Academic Board and Manager – University Planning and Statistics.

13.7  Research Only Staff Advancement to Higher Research Level

RESOLUTION CL7/2007/197

Council approved amendment of the terms of reference of the Special Professorial Appointments Committee to include the consideration and approval, on behalf of Council, of proposals for advancement of research-only academic staff members to Level E research positions.

For action or noting by: Vice-President (Administration) and Secretary, Special Professorial Appointments Committee.

13.8  Review of Statute 2.7 Student Associations and Campus Service Councils

RESOLUTION CL7/2007/198

Council noted the preliminary report of the review of statute 2.7, and the request to provide comments on recommendations to the Project Officer, Mr Daniel Jordan.

For action or noting by: Project Officer.
 

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