Council Meeting No 2/03

A meeting of the Council was held in the Council Chamber, 1st Floor, Old Quadrangle on Monday
7 April, 2003 at 4.00 p.m.

Present

Members

The Chancellor, Ms F S Marles (in the Chair)
The Deputy Chancellor (Dr N G Curry)
The Deputy Chancellor (Mr I A Renard)
The Vice-Chancellor (Professor A D Gilbert)
The President of the Academic Board (Professor P B McPhee)
Mr P Allen, Mr T L Anning, Hon Mr Justice Chernov, Ms M Doig, Mr R C Evans, Hon Mr B Forwood, Judge I Lawson, Ms N Nurmila, Mr D Perkins, Ms R Storelli and Hon Mr D R White.

Others Attending

The President of Convocation (Mr R Condron)
The President of the Student Union (Mr S Crawford)
The Acting President of the Postgraduate Association (Mr M Belleghem)

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students & Staff) (Professor K C Lee Dow)
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) (Professor F P Larkins)
The Senior Vice-Principal (Mr I Marshman)
The Vice-Principal and Chief Financial Officer (Mr D Percival)

The University Secretary (Mr L N Currie)
The Director, Legal Services (Mr M Dean)
The Assistant University Secretary (Ms B McNamara)
Ms C Buckridge and Ms J McQuillan

Business

Leave of absence for the meeting has been grated to Dr Lochtenberg. Apologies were received from Mr Crawford and Professor Rickards.
The Chancellor welcomed the Acting President of the Postgraduate Association, Mr Matthew Belleghem, as an observer. Council also welcomed Mr Robert Hannaford who was preparing to paint Council's 150th Anniversary Meeting

2. Minutes of Previous Meetings (Item A.1[a])

The minutes of Council meeting 1/03, held on 3 March 2003, copies of which had been distributed, were confirmed.

3. Starring of Additional Items (Item A.2[a])

Items A6[a] 1 & 8, B1[a] 2 & 6, B2[a], 5 and B4[a] 3 were starred for discussion.

4. Motion to Adopt or Receive "Unstarred Items of Business" (Item A.2[b])

In accordance with established procedure, it was formally agreed that the items of business that were not to be specifically discussed should be adopted where containing recommendations or received where containing reports.

5. Chancellor's Matters (Item A.3[a])

5.1 Nomination of Discussion Items for the Agenda

Council agreed to the Chancellor's proposal that use should be made of Council's existing Standing Order 9 on a trial basis, as the mechanism by which members could nominate an issue to be added as a discussion item to the meeting agenda. Standing Order 9 provides "The agenda for each meeting of Council may include a General Discussion Session, during which an issue identified in the vice-chancellor's report as being of general interest can be taken as the basis of a general discussion at the conclusion of the "A" items. During this session, the formal rules of debate do not apply and motions will not be considered. Any motion which might arise to be taken as a motion on notice for the subsequent meeting."

Members who wished to nominate an issue for discussion in this way were invited to contact the University Secretary.

5.2 August and September Meetings

Council approved the recommendation that Standing Resolution 3.23.1 be suspended so much as to allow a formal meeting of Council in August in place of that scheduled in September.

6. Motion on Notice (Item A.3[b])

A motion on notice concerning credit for previous courses was not proceeded with in the light of a report from Academic Board on action it was taking to deal with the matter. Ms Nurmila thanked the Board for the action it had taken. The President of the Academic Board undertook to report its findings back to Council in due course.

7. UMPA Petition Regarding Statute 14.1 (Item A.3[c])

Council received a petition from the Postgraduate Association concerning the University's Intellectual Property Statute. This matter was considered in conjunction with the related item in the Vice-Chancellor's Report, which included as a supplementary paper a copy of advice from the Intellectual Property Officer regarding an urgent need to amend clause 14.1.4 of that Statute. The Vice-Chancellor advised that the Intellectual Property Working Group would be reconvened with postgraduate student representation. The Working Group would propose an amendment to clause 14.1.4 as a matter of urgency for recommendation through the Academic Board to Council, after which it would continue with a more general review of the IP Statute.

The Acting President of the Postgraduate Association said the Association would be pleased to be involved with the review. The Vice-Chancellor thanked the Postgraduate Association for raising the problems, but asked that in any such matters in future they follow the procedure of raising their concerns with Council before approaching the Minister.

8. Vice-Chancellor's Report (Item A.4)

8.1 Council received the Vice-Chancellor's Report, together with a tabled draft advertisement for senior executive positions and documents from the Productivity Commission and the Australian Vice-Chancellors Committee for information.

8.2. Schedule for Consideration of Further Systems Development

Council noted the proposed schedule set out in the paper for the development of the University Systems Project and endorsed the formation and membership of a Council Due Diligence Committee, as outlined in Appendix A to the report, to advise Council whether, in the judgment of the Committee, the Project should continue. It was noted that the first meeting of the Committee would be held on April 28, not April 21 as set out in the schedule.

8.3 Changes to the Constitution of Australian Music Examination Board (Vic) Ltd

Council approved the consequent amendments to the constitution of Australian Music Examination Board (Vic) Ltd, as set out in Appendix B to the report.

8.4 University Annual Report 2002

This matter was considered in conjunction with the University's financial statements for 2002 (Appendix A to Item B2[b]), which were introduced by Mr Renard, as deputy chair of the Finance Committee. Council adopted the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2002 as set out in Appendix A to the report of meeting 2/03 of the Finance Committee, and authorised the Vice-Chancellor and the Chief Financial Officer to sign the financial statements on behalf of the University, subject to any minor amendments they might agree in consultation with the Chair of the Finance Committee, once they had been cleared by auditors. On the recommendation of the Vice-Chancellor, Council also adopted the draft circulated as Document D.1 in its papers, as its Report of Operations for the University for 2002.

8.5 2003 Salary Increase

Council adopted the recommendation submitted by the Vice-Chancellor on behalf of the Committee of Staff Salaries, that Council approve a pay increase for all staff covered by the enterprise agreement, or whose contracts allow for the increase, of 2.7%to take effect from the commencement of the first pay period after 31 March 2003.

8.6 Senior Executive Structure

Council considered options for appointment to fill gaps in the University's senior executive structure, and approved an internal advertisement inviting applications for the position of Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor or Deputy Vice-Chancellor, and half-time Deputy Vice-Chancellor. The Chancellor, Deputy Chancellors, Vice-Chancellor, Vice-President of the Academic Board, Ms Doig and Mr Forwood were appointed as the committee to consider applications received.

Council agreed that the Deputy Principal, Human Resources position in the University should be upgraded to Vice-Principal level, carrying membership of the Senior Executive Group.

8.7 VCA Graduation Ceremony 15 May 2003

Council resolved to invest in the President of the College, Ms Sue Nattrass, the authority necessary to confer certain degrees and diplomas of the University of Melbourne at the ceremony. The Chancellor of the University, Ms Fay Marles, was authorised by Council to make the formal statement regarding the University Council's vesting of authority in the Present of the VCA to confer the awards. Council noted that the University Academic Board officer at the ceremony would make the official declaration to the effect that candidates for the awards had met all requirements prescribed for admission.

8.8 University Advice on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

A student member pointed out that, while students were very appreciative of the clarity of the University's advice on the SARS issue, there was still a need for an assurance to students that appropriate consideration would be given if they were affected in a way which impacted on their ability to meet academic deadlines or on other aspects of their academic performance. The President of the Academic Board agreed to take an appropriate recommendation to the Board.

8.9 Union Theatre

In response to a query from a member, the President of the Student Union advised that the Student Union had no plans to abolish or downgrade service delivery at the Union House Theatre Department, and that recent media reports had taken out of context what was merely one of a number of operational models prepared for the Student Union Executive Committee. The Executive Committee would meet shortly to resolve these issues. He stressed that Student Union funding to the performing arts was higher this year than ever before.

9. Administrative Committee (Item A.5[a])

9.1 Council received the report of meetings 2/03, 3/03 and 4/03 of the Administrative Committee, held on 19 February, 5 and 19 March 2003 respectively.

10 Planning and Budget Committee (Item A.6[a] and [b])

10.1 Council received the report of meeting 2/03 of the Planning and Budget Committee, held on 12 March 2003.

Council adopted the following recommendations, as set out in the appendices to the report of meeting 1/03:

10.2 Forestry Review Committee Report

that recommendations 1-4 and 6-9 contained within the Forestry Review Committee Report (Appendix 1) be endorsed and that ILFR restructure its course offerings in Forest Science to provide the teaching for the first three years of bachelor programs at Parkville and honours or later year students at Creswick (graduate and postgraduate forest-related programs will be mainly offered at Creswick);

10.3 Proposal for Appointment of a Professor/Director of Ethics at Murdoch Children's Research Institute

that a Professor/Director of Ethics at Murdoch Children's Research Institute be appointed (Appendix 2);

10.4 Proposal to Establish the International Centre for Classroom Research

that the International Centre for Classroom Research in the Department of Science and Mathematics Education be established (Appendix 3);

10.5 Re-naming of Centre for Human Resource Development and Training

that the Centre for Human Resource Development and Training be renamed the Centre for Post-Compulsory Education and Lifelong Learning (Appendix 4);

10.6 New Professorial Research Fellow Positions at the Melbourne Institute

that two new Professorial Research Fellow positions at the Melbourne Institute be established (Appendix 5);

10.7 Report from the International Programs Committee

that a university level linkage with the University of Bologna be established; and

10.8 Report from the Quality Assurance and Accountability Committee

that the new terms of reference and the addition of student representation to the Quality Assurance and Accountability Committee be approved (Appendix 6).

11. Committee of Convocation (Item A.7[a])

11.1 Council received the report of meeting 1/03 of the Committee of Convocation, held on 19 March 2003.

12. Academic Board (Item B.1[a])

12.1 Council received the report of meeting 2/03 of the Academic Board, held on 20 March 2003.

12.2 Selection Matters

Council adopted the recommendation that a selection committee for the post of Professor/Director of Ethics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute be established, as set out in Appendix A to the report.

12.3 New and Combined Courses

Council adopted the recommendations that the following new courses be established, as set out in the appendices to the report:

12.3.1 New Course

• Executive Master of Public Administration (Appendix B)
• Graduate Diploma in Advanced Military Law (Appendix C)

12.3.2 New Combined Course

• Bachelor of Urban Planning and Development/Bachelor of Planning and Design (Property and Construction)
  

12.4 Student Awards

Council adopted the new student award, Essential Economics Prize, as set out in Appendix D to the report.

12.5 Selection Matters

Council approved the adoption of Resolutions on Selection for the Graduate Diploma in Military Law, Graduate Diploma in Advanced Military Law and the Executive Master of Public Administration, as set out in Appendix E to the report.

13. Finance Committee (Item B.2[a] and B.2[b])

Council received the reports of meetings 1/03 and 2/03 of the Finance Committee, held on 4 March and 19 March 2003 respectively.

13.1 The Ian Potter Museum of Art

Council approved the recommendation that the sum of $2.2 million be allocated from the University Reserve Funds for a special one-off grant to cover costs of upgrading the air-conditioning plant and ducting for the Ian Potter Museum of Art whilst the gallery was closed for nine to twelve months.

In response to a query by the President of Convocation whether the University had fully investigated the possibility of recourse against any party in respect of these unexpected costs, the Deputy Chair of the Finance Committee, Mr Renard, advised that the Committee would revisit that matter.

13.2 Subsidiaries Sub-Committee

Council resolved that Standing Resolution 2.1.3 be amended by adding to the membership of the Subsidiaries Sub-Committee "one member of the University academic staff appointed by the Finance Committee".

13.3 University of Melbourne Financial Statements for 2002

This matter was dealt with in conjunction with the relevant section of the Vice-Chancellor's Report (refer minute 8.4 above).

14. Human Resources Committee (Item B.3[o])

There was no report from the Human Resources Committee.

15. Building and Estates Committee (Item B.4[o])

Council received the report of meeting 10/02 of the Building and Estates Committee, held on 12 December 2002.

16. Legislation Committee (Item C)

16.1 Council received the report of meeting 2/03 of the Legislation Committee, held on 31 March 2003.

16.2 Council made the following Legislation as detailed in the report:

(1)	Amendment of Statute 3.1 recommended by the University Secretary	To change the name of a title (46/03)
(2)	Amendment of Statute 5.4 recommended by the Academic Board	To amend provisions governing credit for any subject completed common to two different courses (48/03)

subject to the rewording of Section 4[1][d] to read "the Board has decided, in its discretion, that credit should be given for the subject or subjects in question completed in the first course."

16.3    Council made the following Regulations as detailed in the report:

(2)	Amendment of Regulation R6.72 recommended by the University Secretary	To govern the Aileen Sinclair Memorial Scholarship (52/02)
(3)	Making of regulation recommended by the University Secretary	To govern the Peter Blazey Fellowship fund (53/03)
(4)	Amendment of Regulation R6.72 recommended by the University Secretary	To update the S.A.F. Pond-M.U.R. Scholarship (54/03)
(5)	Amendment of Regulation R6.72 recommended by the University Secretary	To amend the terms of the Hedley F. Summons Prize (55/03)
(7)	Amendment of Regulation R6.72 recommended by the University Secretary	To amend the name of the Alice Brokenshire Taylor Scholarship (57/02)
(8)	Amendment of Regulation R.6.72 recommended by the University Secretary	To update the Ada Mary A'Beckett Award (58/02)
(9)	Amendment of Regulation R6.72 recommended by the University Secretary	To amend the terms of The John and Elizabeth Robertson Prize (59/03)
(10)	Amendment of Regulation R6.6 recommended by the University Secretary	To amend the terms of the Howitt Natural History Scholarships (18/03)
(11)	Amendment of Regulation R6.72 recommended by the University Secretary	To govern the Selma Bergstrand Prize (60/03)
(12)	Amendment of Regulation 7.1.R2 recommended by the University Secretary	To amend the schedule of Chairs to the regulation governing academic and general staff ranks and titles in relation to a Chair of Economics (44/03)
(13)	Amendment of Regulation 12.2.10.R1 recommended by the Academic Board	To prohibit the use of electronic devices in examinations (47/03)
(14)	Amendment of Regulation 6.1.R7 recommended by the Vice-Chancellor on behalf of Council	To re-name the Centre for Media, Telecommunications and Information Technology Law (49/03)
(15)	Amendment of Regulation 7.1.R2 recommended by Council	To change the name of the Chair in Medicine (Austin and Repatriation Medical Centre) listed in Schedule A of the regulation governing academic and general staff ranks and titles (50/03)
(16)	Amendment of Regulation 7.1.R2 recommended by the University Secretary	To amend the title of a Chair in Schedule A of the regulation governing academic and general staff ranks and titles (62/03)

17. University of Melbourne Annual Report 2002 - Report of Operations (Item D.1)

This matter was dealt with in conjunction with the Vice-Chancellor's Report (refer minute 8.4 above).

18. Summary of Reports of Matters dealt with by the Vice-Chancellor (Item D.2[a] and D.2[b])

Council received a summary of reports on matters dealt with by the Vice-Chancellor, as set out in Items D.2[a] and D.2[b].

19. Melbourne Theatre Company Board of Management (Item D.5[a] and [b])

Council received the report of meeting 2/03 of the Melbourne Theatre Company Board of Management, held on 21 March 2003.