Mr J Ellis, Chancellor, Presiding

Mr P Ramler AM, Deputy Chancellor

Dr L Rowe AM, Deputy Chancellor

Professor R Larkins AO, Vice-Chancellor and President

Associate Professor J Hurst, Chair of Academic Board

Mr I Pyman

Mr J Bender

Mr P Redlich AO

Ms L Boston

Professor C Bourke MBE

Dr C Williams

Mr S Buggle

Dr C Curwen CVO OBE

Professor S Davis

Ms Z Edwards

Ms M Kok

Ms P Hutchinson

Professor A Shoemaker, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education)

Professor S Fahey, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International)

Professor E Cornish, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research)

Mr R Fairchild, Vice-President (Advancement)

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

Mr Tony Calder, Director, Executive Services

Ms R Hinds

Ms L Chatfield

Mr B Maxfield

The Chancellor requested Council approval to commence the meeting in camera with item 3.1 Chancellor’s Report to Council.

Council approved the Chancellors request and items 3.1 and 3.2.1 were considered prior to admission of senior management and observers.

At the conclusion of the meeting the Chancellor on behalf of Council thanked the following retiring members for their valued contribution to Council during their terms:

Associate Professor John Hurst

Professor Susan Davis

Ms Sue Smith

Ms Mei-Leng Kok

Ms Zoe Edwards

Council also acknowledged, with acclamation, the inspired leadership and contribution of the retiring Chancellor, Mr Jeremy Kitson Ellis.

1.1  Apologies

Mr Peter Marshall, Vice-President (Administration) was unable to attend the meeting.

1.2  Special Leave

The following Council Members had been granted special leave:

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

There were no additional requests for special leave.

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 of the Resources and Finance Committee, 7 Report of the Academic Board, 9 Report of the Equal Opportunity Committee and 10 Report of the Audit Committee were "starred" for discussion.

1.4  Approval of Non-Starred Items

Council resolved on the motion of the Chancellor 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 CL8/2007/199

Council noted the report of the Vice-Chancellor dated 21 November 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  Admission of Observers

Authorised observers were admitted to the meeting following confidential items.

2.1  Minutes of Meeting No 7/2007

RESOLUTION CL8/2007/200

Council confirmed the Minutes of Meeting No. 7/2007 held on Monday 29 October 2007.

For action or noting by: Secretary to Council

3.1  Chancellor’s Report to Council

RESOLUTION CL8/2007/201

Council received the oral report of the Chancellor.

3.1.1  Chancellor’s Report on the Vice-Chancellor’s Performance Review

The Vice-Chancellor was not present when this item was discussed.

The Chancellor outlined to Council the membership and role of Selection and Remuneration Committee in the review of the Vice-Chancellor’s objectives and performance. Further, the Chancellor informed Council that the Chancellor-designate had been in attendance during the review.

In summary and on behalf of Selection and Remuneration Committee, the Chancellor informed Council that the Vice-Chancellor had exceeded all objectives set for 2007 and had been awarded the maximum bonus in all categories. The Chancellor also informed Council that the Vice-Chancellor’s remuneration was still less than a number of Vice-Chancellor’s from other Group of Eight universities.

The Vice-Chancellor was invited to attend the meeting and was then commended by Council for his outstanding performance in 2007.

RESOLUTION CL8/2007/202

Council noted the advice of the Chancellor on behalf of the Selection and Remuneration Committee in relation to the Vice-Chancellor’s 2007 performance evaluation.

For action or noting by: Vice-President (Administration).

3.2  Report of the Membership Committee

3.2.1  Council appointment to membership of Council

The Chancellor advised Council that Membership Committee’s decision to interview nominees pre the end of year break for the vacant position on Council was not possible and sought Council’s view on the matter.

Following discussion, it was resolved that interviews be held as soon as practicable in 2008.

RESOLUTION CL8/2007/203

Council noted:

• Membership Committee’s progress in developing a shortlist of candidates to fill the impending vacancy on Council; and

• resolved that Membership Committee interview candidates as soon as practicable in 2008.

For action or noting by: Secretary to Membership Committee.

3.2.2  Governor-in-Council appointments ending 31 December 2007

RESOLUTION CL8/2007/204

Council approved for submission to the Minister the additional names as detailed in the document provided, noting that Council ranks Drs Rowe, Curwen and Zillman as the highest ranked nominees.

For action or noting by: Secretary to Membership Committee.

3.2.3  Declaration of Poll – Professorial member of Council

RESOLUTION CL8/2007/205

Council noted that Membership Committee noted the election of Professor Tam Sridhar.

3.2.4  Membership Committee terms of reference

RESOLUTION CL8/2007/206

Council noted the revised terms of reference effective 1 January 2008

3.2.5  Membership of Audit Committee

RESOLUTION CL8/2007/207

Council noted that Membership Committee recommended that the vacant position on Audit Committee remain unfilled until the full membership of Council was known and no earlier than the spill of positions in January 2008.

For action or noting by: Secretary to Membership Committee and Secretary to Audit Committee.

3.3  Change of Meeting Date Meeting 5/2008

RESOLUTION CL8/2007/208

Council approved the change of date for meeting 5/2008 from 18^th August 2008 to 25^th August 2008.

For action or noting by: Council Members and Senior Management.

4.1  Vice-Chancellor’s Report to Council (including End of Year Report)

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

• an outline of some of the possible changes to education policy as a result of the election of federal Labor government;

• General Sir John Monash Awards, Australia’s most prestigious postgraduate scholarships were awarded to Monash students Ms Dilani Kahawala and Mr Hugh Evans. Council was invited to note that only 8 scholarships were awarded Australia-wide.

• Higher Education Endowment Fund – the Vice-Chancellor informed Council that he had met with Mr Philip Clark AM, Chairman of the Advisory Board, and provided Monash’s view of how best to utilise the returns generated by the fund.

RESOLUTION CL8/2007/209

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

4.2  Update on University 2007 Financials

Following an outline of the University’s financial position, Mr David Pitt, Vice-President (Finance), in response to a question advised Council that the writedown of Monash South Africa Loans of $6.5m was a result of higher South Africa interest rates and inflation. Accounting treatment of the loans necessitated the use of a higher discount rate however this should not be seen as the University foregoing repayment of the loans.

The Vice-Chancellor advised Council that the South Africa campus had exceeded budget expectations and that a report on projected financials for the campus, including three different models for achieving breakeven points, would be presented to Council in the first half of 2008.

RESOLUTION CL8/2007/210

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

4.3  Annual Plan and Budget 2008

Annual Plan 2008

Following an overview of the 2008 Annual Plan by Professor Adam Shoemaker, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), members provided the following inputs:

Objective E3

"Provide teaching and learning which responds to the needs of all students."

As the Inclusive Practices: Disability Committee has no delegated power to implement decisions, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) and Deans of faculties should be added to the ‘Responsibility’ cell.

Objective AV2

"Attract and increase the number of quality students enrolling in Monash University programs and its pathway".

In response to an observation by a Council member that "Proactively attract indigenous students applications" did not include strategies as-to-how to enhance the number of applications, Professor Shoemaker advised that a number of strategies were in place/being developed including improved linkages with the communities near campuses such as Gippsland and Berwick, a review of campus specific targets and an assessment of centre and faculty based programs in order to highlight best practice.

The Vice-Chancellor advised Council that the Victorian Vice-Chancellor’s Committee had agreed that Victorian universities work together and share best practice in the area of recruitment and retention of indigenous students.

Other matters raised during discussion included:

• cost incurred by staff in upgrading their teaching skills and the added complication of FBT liability;

• some areas of the plan could be enhanced if examples were provided;

• the need to ensure that the performance evaluation process was in place for all Monash staff;

• a Learning and Teaching Space Taskforce had been established to review existing teaching spaces and introduce best practice design and technology across all campuses;

• a member requested copies of the "Workforce Profiles" noted in objective AD1; and

• during a discussion on oversight of progress of the Annual Plan in 2008 it was resolved that Council receive a mid-year update on progress.

Budget

Mr David Pitt, Vice-President (Finance) provided Council with an overview of the major features of the 2008 Budget. A copy of the PowerPoint slides are attached.

Matters raised during discussion included:

• that Resources and Finance Committee had reviewed at length the budget papers, recommended the budget to Council for approval and noted that the budget process and stakeholder involvement was of a very high standard;

• ‘Commercial’ revenue would not reach 2006 actuals until 2009;

• salary increases via the enterprise bargaining agreement had been fully factored into the budget;

• the International Development Fund initiative was zero in 2008 as Prato now needed less support due to increased teaching and conference activity and the London Office "shop front" had been closed;

• expense related to "Improving Staff Experience", was not separately identified in the budget as the initiatives were included under other activities;

• Gippsland Medical School (refer University Wide Commitments) did not require budgetary support in 2008 as government grants and student fee revenue would commence in 2008;

• changes to the timing of the expense of refurbishing the Menzies Building were a result of implementing a less disruptive refurbishment timetable;

• fees and grants to student associations were not indexed as the University was taking over delivery of some services and some existing services needed to be made more efficient. Further, queries relating to the matter should be referred to the Office of the Vice-President (Administration); and

• a member requested that a report be presented to Council on the Faculty of Law’s Research Performance Funding outcomes, particularly in the area of the Institutional Grants Scheme.

At the conclusion of the discussion, Council approved the Annual Plan and adopted the 2008 Budget.

RESOLUTION CL8/2007/211

Council received and approved the document titled Annual Plan and Budget 2008.

For action or noting by: Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) and Vice-President (Finance)

4.4  Advancement Progress Report (including update on 50^th Anniversary)

RESOLUTION CL8/2007/212

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

4.5  Appointment of Dean, Faculty of Engineering

RESOLUTION CL8/2007/213

Council approved an offer of appointment as Dean, Faculty of Engineering, for a fixed period of 5 years commencing on 1 April 2008 and expiring on 31 March 2013, be made to Professor Tam Sridhar.

For action or noting by: Vice-President (Administration), Divisional Director (Human Resources) and Dean, Faculty of Engineering.

4.6  Appointment process for Dean, Faculty of Business and Economics

RESOLUTION CL8/2007/214

Council:

• approved the commencement of the appointment process for the position of Dean, Faculty of Business and Economics;

• approved that a decanal selection committee, as outlined in the attached document, be established to recommend to Council an appointee as Dean, Faculty of Business and Economics.

For action or noting by: Vice-President (Administration), Director, Office of Vice President Administration and Divisional Director (Human Resources).

6.1  Receipt of Report

RESOLUTION CL8/2007/215

Council received and noted the report of the Resources and Finance Committee meeting 6/2006 held on 22 November 2007.

6.2  2008 Annual Plan and Budget

RESOLUTION CL8/2007/216

Council noted that Resources and Finance Committee discussed and recommended approval of the 2008 Annual Plan and Budget to Council.

6.3  Monash Property South Africa Pty Ltd: Additional Loan Funding

RESOLUTION CL8/2007/216

Council approved loan funds of up to R25 million to MPSA on the conditions set out in the paper.

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

6.4  Letters of Support to Monash Companies

RESOLUTION CL8/2007/217

Council approved that the Vice-Chancellor and the Vice President (Finance) jointly authorise the issuing of letters of support for 2008 on behalf of the University to:

• Monash South Africa Ltd
• Monash Property South Africa Pty Ltd, and
• Monyx Pty Ltd (if required).

For action or noting by: Chair – Monash South Africa Ltd, Chair – Monash Property south Africa Pty Ltd and Divisional Director (Corporate Finance).

6.5  Transfer of Monash IVF Pty Ltd shares to Monash University Foundation

During discussion, Mr David Pitt, Vice-President (Finance) was requested to confirm Council’s authority to approve the transaction.

RESOLUTION CL8/2007/218

Council:

• requested that the Vice-President (Finance) consult with the University Solicitors office to confirm Councils authority to approve the transaction; and

• subject to that confirmation, approved that the shares (or equivalent) in Monash IVF Pty Ltd be transferred to the Foundation subject to further checking of the accounting issues being resolved by the Divisional Director – Corporate Finance Division.

For action or noting by: University Solicitor and Vice-President (Finance).

6.6  Monash University’s ownership and investments in Monash Commercial and Monash Investment Holdings

RESOLUTION CL8/2007/219

Council approved that the University:

• acquire the shares of Monash Investment Holdings Pty Ltd, effective 1 January 2007 for nil consideration;

• become the manager of the Monash Investment Trust; and

• investment in MonComm be written down to nil.

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

6.7  Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication (MCN)

RESOLUTION CL8/2007/220

Council approved the University:

• enter into the MCN Collaboration Agreement subject to:

  • resolution of the Victorian Node Agreement to the satisfaction of the University Solicitor’s office; and

  • approval of the University Solicitor’s office of the final draft of the MCN agreement; and

• enter into a Public Private Partnership for the design, construction, equipment procurement and operation of MCN should a satisfactory proposal be submitted through the tender process; and

• contribute part of its land on the corner of Blackburn Road and Wellington Road as the site for the MCN (possibly as a long term lease at peppercorn rental).

For action or noting by: Vice-President (Finance), Director – Major Project and University Solicitor

6.8  IITB-Monash Research Academy Update

RESOLUTION CL8/2007/221

Council approved the University:

• becoming a shareholder of Monash India; and

• entering into the Joint Venture Agreement with IITB, conditional on securing one further foundation client.

For action or noting by: Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International), Vice-President (Finance) and University Solicitor

6.9  Executive Arrangements During the University Vacation Period 2007-2008

RESOLUTION CL8/2007/222

Council approved the executive arrangements as outlined in the paper.

For action or noting by: Secretary – Resources and Finance Committee.

6.10  VCG Property and Information

RESOLUTION CL8/2007/223

Council approved:

• the University write to Equiset confirming our decision to negotiate a swap of Lot 6 for Lot 5 subject to the conditions outlined in the paper; and

• an increase in the capital budget allocation for the project from the current $40 million (Lot 6) to an estimated $90 million (for Lot 5) in 2011 subject to confirmation of the sum in the capital budget at the appropriate time.

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

6.11  Receipt of Proceedings

RESOLUTION CL8/2007/224

Council noted the proceedings of meeting 6/2007 of Resources and Finance Committee held on 22 November 2007.

7.1  Receipt of Report Meeting 7/2007

RESOLUTION CL8/2007/225

Council received and noted the Report of Meeting 7 of 2007 of the Academic Board held on Wednesday 21 November 2007.

7.2  Annual Plan

RESOLUTION CL8/2007/226

Council approved the 2008 Annual Plan.

7.3  Budget

RESOLUTION CL8/2007/227

Council approved the 2008 Budget.

7.4  Establishment of Centres

RESOLUTION CL8/2007/228

Council:

• Approved establishment of the Centre for Research in Intelligent Systems.

• Approved renewal of the Van Cleef/Roet Centre for Neurosciences for three years to 19 September 2010.

For action or noting by: Dean, Information Technology, Dean, Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Secretary to Academic Board and University Solicitor.

7.5  Disestablishment of Schools

RESOLUTION CL8/2007/229

Council approved disestablishment of the School of Applied Clinical and Public Health Sciences.

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

8.1  Receipt of Report

RESOLUTION CL8/2007/230

Council received and noted the report of the Gippsland Advisory Council meeting 6/2007 held on 2 October 2007.

8.2  Receipt of Proceedings

RESOLUTION CL8/2007/231

Council noted the proceedings of the Gippsland Advisory Council meeting 6/2007 held on 2 October 2007.

9.  Report of the Equal Opportunity Committee

9.1  Receipt of Report

RESOLUTION CL8/2007/232

Council received and noted the Report of the Equal Opportunity Committee Meeting 04/07 held on Monday 12 November 2007.

9.2  Receipt of Proceedings

RESOLUTION CL8/2007/233

Council noted the proceedings of the Equal Opportunity Committee meeting 04/07 held on Monday 12 November 2007.

10.1  Minutes

RESOLUTION CL8/2007/234

Council noted the unconfirmed Minutes of the Audit Committee Meeting 3/07.

10.2  Audit Committee of Council revised Terms of Reference

RESOLUTION CL8/2007/235

Council approved the revised Audit Committee Terms of Reference.

For action or noting by: Secretary – Audit Committee.

10.3 Annual Legal Compliance certification process for Heads of Departments

RESOLUTION CL8/2007/236

Council noted the report on the Annual Legal Compliance certification for 2006/07.

For action or noting by: Director – Audit and Risk Management.

11.  General Business

11.1  Senior Appointments

11.1.1  Acceptance of Offers

RESOLUTION CL8/2007/237

Council noted that:

• 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

11.2  Legislation

11.2.1  Ian Little Memorial Lecture Fund regulations

RESOLUTION CL8/2007/238

Council made the Ian Little Memorial Lecture Fund regulations.

For action or noting by: University Solicitor

11.2.2  Statute 3.1 – The Chancellor and Deputy Chancellors (Amendment No. 1 2007)

RESOLUTION CL8/2007/239

Council made Statute 3.1 – The Chancellor and Deputy Chancellors (Amendment No. 1 2007).

For action or noting by: University Solicitor

11.3  Baker Medical Research Institute Board

RESOLUTION CL8/2007/240

Council:

1. withdrew the nomination of Professor Edwina Cornish, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) as Monash’s representative on the Board of the Baker Medical Research Institute; and

2. nominated Professor Wesselingh to the Board of the Baker Heart Research Institute.

For action or noting by: Professor Edwina Cornish and Professor Steven Wesselingh.

11.4  Report of the Returning Officer – Council Election

RESOLUTION CL8/2007/241

Council noted the election of Professor Tam Sridhar for a term commencing 1 January 2008 and ending 31 December 2009.

11.5  Report of Academic Promotions 2007

RESOLUTION CL8/2007/242

Council noted the successful candidates for promotion to Professor as detailed in the document presented.

For action or noting by: Divisional Director (Human Resources).

11.6  Posthumous Award

RESOLUTION CL8/2007/243

Council approved the proposal of the Dean, Faculty of Law to confer a posthumous award of Bachelor of Laws to the student named in the document.

For action or noting by: Dean, Faculty of Law, Manager - Student & Academic Services Faculty of Law and Manager – Graduations.

The next meeting of Council is scheduled to be held on 12 and 13 February 2008 at The Sebel Heritage Lodge, Yarra Valley.