Monash Memo - articles - 24 October 2001

[contents] [next article]

Items of interest from Council meeting 6/2001, 1 October

Chancellor's business

The chancellor, on behalf of Council, expressed his sorrow, sympathy and support for those affected by recent events in the United States, reported on the opening ceremony of the Monash Centre in Prato and the graduation ceremonies held in Malaysia and Singapore, and spoke on the importance of the role of Council members in the governance structure of Monash University.

Vice-chancellor's business

The vice-chancellor reported the advice given to all staff on the need to assess risk and exercise judgement when planning international travel, given recent events in the United States. The vice-chancellor also informed Council that he had written to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr Kofi Annan, indicating that Monash University would, within our sphere of influence, embrace, support and enact the Nine Principles of the Global Compact.

Council received reports on:

Gippsland academic plan

The pro vice-chancellor, Professor Brian Mackenzie, introduced the Gippsland academic plan and provided Council with an update on progress with implementing the recommendations of the Working Party on Gippsland and elaborated on the many new initiatives under way at Gippsland.

Research benchmarking

The deputy vice-chancellor and vice-president (Research and Development), Professor Peter Darvall, spoke to the document 'Research benchmarking'. Council was informed that the data provided a powerful tool for measuring research performance and would be used to develop strategies to improve various aspects of research performance.

Berwick and Parkville campuses

The deputy vice-chancellor and vice-president (Resources), Ms Alison Crook, presented reports on the Berwick and Parkville campuses. Council received the reports, which included a proposed funding strategy for the development of stage 3 of the Berwick campus and a proposal to construct a six-level building at the Parkville campus.

'After election 2001: key higher education issues'

Council endorsed the document 'After election 2001: key higher education issues'. The document focused on five key 'gap' issues that the next government needed to strengthen if Australia was to participate fully in the increasingly knowledge-based global economy. The five key 'gap' issues highlighted were:

* the research and development gap;

* the student funding gap;

* the opportunity gap;

* the infrastructure gap; and

* the international development gap.

Council meeting dates and venues

Council approved revised meeting dates for 2002 as follows:

1/2002 Monday 18 February
Special meeting Clayton

2/2002 Monday 18 March
Normal meeting Berwick

3/2002 Monday 6 May
Normal meeting Peninsula

4/2002 Monday 24 June
Normal meeting Caulfield

5/2002 Monday 16 September
Normal meeting South Africa

6/2002 Monday 14 October
Special meeting Clayton

7/2002 Monday 11 November
Normal meeting Clayton

8/2002 Monday 9 December
Normal meeting Clayton

Agendas and minutes for meetings of Council can be accessed at www.adm.monash.edu.au/unisec/com/cn/index.html

Queries should be directed to Mr Tony Calder on extn 52010 or email anthony.calder@adm.monash.edu.au