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A meeting of the Council was held in the Council Chamber, University,
on Monday 29 March, 1999 at 4.00 p.m.
Present
The Chancellor, Sir Edward Woodward (in the Chair)
The Deputy Chancellor (Dr N G Curry)
The Deputy Chancellor (Ms F S Marles)
The Vice-Chancellor (Professor A D Gilbert)
The President of Academic Board (Professor S A Walker)
Mr P Allen, Professor J A Angus, Mr T L Anning, Mr L J Carden, Mr Justice
Chervonv, Ms A Chinn, Mr J S Doyle, Hon B Forwood, Dr B H Lochtenberg,
Ms E M Proust, Associate Professor M R Theobald, and Ms C M Walter.
The President of Convocation (Dr T Latham)
The President of University of Melbourne Postgraduate Association (Ms
S Roberts)
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Management) (Professor C B Schedvin)
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Staff and Students) (Professor K C Lee Dow)
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) (Professor F P Larkins)
The Registrar (Dr J B Potter)
The Vice-Principal (Administration) (Mr I Marshman)
The Deputy Principal, Administration (Ms J Stephens)
The Deputy Principal, Human Resources (Ms E Baré)
The General Manager, Vice-Chancellor’s Office (Ms M O’Keefe)
The Manager, Central Secretariat (Mr J A Goodwin)
Dr R Canale, Dr J Langan-Fox, Ms A Lees, Mr P O’Keefe, Dr J Orton and
Dr S Rees were in attendance.
Business
1. Welcome
The Chancellor welcomed Dr Jan Langan-Fox and Dr Sandra Rees, who
were attending Council to "shadow " senior members of the
University, as part of a personal development program. He also welcomed
Dr Jane Orton from the Department of Language, Literacy and Arts Education
and Dr Ric Canale from the Multimedia Education Unit, who were attending
for the first part of the meeting only, in order to make a presentation
to Council.
2. Leave of Absence (Item A.01)
An apology was received from Mr Crawford.
Leave of absence for this meeting had been granted to Lord Dearing
and Professor Lim Pin.
Leave of absence for the May meeting was granted to Lord
Dearing and Professor Lim Pin.
3. Minutes of Meeting 1/99 (Item A.1)
The minutes of meeting of Council 1/99, held on 1 March 1999, copies
of which had been distributed, were confirmed, subject to an amendment
to Minute 7.3 - Melbourne University Private, deleting the statement
that Dr Lochtenberg and Mr Crawford withdrew for this item.
4. Starring of Additional Items (Item A.2[a])
Items A.5 (6), B.1 (9), B.2 (1), B.2 (2), B.2 (4) and B.6 (1) were
starred for discussion.
5. 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.
6. Chancellor’s Matters (Item A.3)
6.1 Council received a paper containing a recommendation from the
Chancellor.
6.2 Revocation of Standing Resolution 3.18
Council adopted the recommendation that Standing Resolution 3.18
be revoked.
6.3 Performance Appraisal of Council Members
Council discussed the possible introduction of a system of annual
performance appraisal of members of Council. It was agreed that this
should take the form of informal discussions with the Chancellor,
at least in the first instance. Council noted a request that, in addition,
members be provided with a copy of their annual attendance record.
7. Vice-Chancellor's Report (Item A.4)
7.1 Council received the Vice-Chancellor's Report, together with
two tabled appendices (Appendix A, and Part 2 of Appendix E to the report),
and two additional papers – 1999 Student Load, and Quality of Research
Supervision and Academic Support.
7.2 Honorary Degree
The Vice-Chancellor, on behalf of Council, congratulated
the Registrar, Dr J B Potter, on the award of the honorary degree
of Doctor of Laws at the Conferring of Degrees on
Saturday 27 March 1999.
7.3 University Square
Ms Walter declared a conflict of interest,
and withdrew.
When introducing the recommendations, the Vice-Chancellor
gave an assurance that the full terms and conditions
of the proposed borrowing had been reviewed by the Council’s due diligence
sub-committee, and that the proposals under consideration conformed
to the criteria set out by that Council sub-committee at the end of
1998.
He further assured members of Council that the pre-conditions
of Loan Council and State Treasurer approval had been obtained.
7.3.1 Council approved a borrowing from
the National Australia Bank Limited of up
to $150 million to fund the academic buildings to be built by Equiset
in the University Square precinct.
7.3.2 Council authorised the University
to execute the borrowing documentation.
7.3.3 Council authorised the Registrar
or the Vice-Principal (Corporate Services) to
execute other transaction documentation, such as draw down notices.
7.3.4 Council noted that the borrowing
transaction as a whole is a benefit to the University.
7.4 Overseas Foundations, Trusts and Tax-Exempt
Status
Council noted, that in order to establish a tax-exempt
body in the United States, the University would need to satisfy the
requirements of the IRS in regard to evidence of an anti-discrimination
policy.
Council adopted the following principle, for embodiment
in a University Statute:
Consistent with the Equal Opportunity Policy of
the University of Melbourne (the "University"),
the University admits the students of any race to all the rights,
privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available
to students at the University. The University
does not discriminate on the basis of race in administration of its
education policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs
and athletic and other University-administered programs, except to
provide special access and support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Island students.
7.5 Melbourne Business School
Council adopted the recommendation that Mr David Percival,
Vice-Principal (Corporate Services), be appointed
to the Board of the Melbourne Business School.
7.6 Chair of Irish Studies
Council adopted the recommendation that a member of
Council, Mr Peter Allen, be added to the Chair
selection committee for the Gerry Higgins Chair of Irish Studies.
7.7 Bridges to China
Dr Jane Orton, Department of Language, Literacy
and Arts Education and Dr Ric Canale, Multimedia
Education Unit, gave a presentation on a new Web-based course in Modern
Chinese.
8. Administrative Committee (Item A.5[a])
8.1 Council received the report of the Administrative
Committee meetings 3/99 to 5/99 inclusive.
8.2 1999 Schedule of Conferring Ceremonies
Council approved the 1999 Schedule of Conferring Ceremonies.
9. Endowments and Trusts Committee (Item A.5[b])
9.1 Council received, on behalf of the Endowments
and Trusts Committee, a report of meeting 1/99
of the Russell and Mab Grimwade Miegunyah Fund Committee, held on 9
March 1999, together with the 1998 Annual Report of
the Russell and Mab Grimwade Miegunyah Fund Committee.
Council adopted the following recommendations:
9.2 Melbourne University Press (MUP)
that, subject to the provision of further costing
information, $37,946 be provided from the Russell
and Mab Grimwade Fund to cover a shortfall of funds in the Bequest
Fund for Melbourne University Press;
9.3 Miegunyah Distinguished Fellows Program
that $69,920 be provided from the Russell and Mab
Grimwade Miegunyah Fund toward the cost of inviting
distinguished visitors to the University from overseas in
1999;
that funds in the vicinity of $60,000 be made available
from the Russell and Mab Grimwade Miegunyah Fund in 2000 toward the
cost of visits of Distinguished Fellows in 2000;
9.4 Grimwade Scholarship
that $65,000 be provided from the Russell and
Mab Grimwade Miegunyah Fund in 1999 to fund
Grimwade Scholarships;
that a Grimwade Scholarship to be financed from
the Russell and Mab Grimwade Miegunyah Fund be offered in 1999 for
commencement in 2000;
9.5 The University of Melbourne Conservation Service
that $159,764 be provided from the Russell and Mab
Grimwade Miegunyah Fund for the University of
Melbourne Conservation Service, as follows:
$95,803 for the Grimwade Chief Conservator
$63,961 for the Grimwade Conservator
9.6 The Ian Potter Museum of Art
that $43,500 be provided from the Russell and Mab
Grimwade Miegunyah Fund for the Ian Potter Museum
of Art, as follows:
$35,000 for the Grimwade Internship
$8,500 for Digital Imaging and
Photography
10. Planning and Budget Committee (Item
A.6)
10.1 Council received the report of meeting 2/99
of the Planning and Budget Committee, held on
10 March 1999.
10.2 The Strategic Capital Plan: Perspective 2000
- 2004.
Council adopted the Strategic Capital Plan: Perspective
2000 - 2004, subject to further refinement of
the plan.
10.3 Eminent Scholars Panel
This matter was dealt with in conjunction with Recommendation
3 of the Academic Board.
10.3.1 Council adopted the recommendation that
the appointment of Personal Chairs be discontinued, subject to the
introduction of the new promotion to Professor process.
10.3.2 Council adopted the recommendation
of the Academic Board, that a new professorial
appointment styled 'Distinguished Professor' be established,
subject to determination of an appropriate title
to replace the title ‘Distinguished Professor’.
10.3.3 Council adopted the recommendation of the
Academic Board, that the Eminent Scholars Panel be invited to reconsider
the title to be granted to eminent scholars appointed from within
the University of Melbourne professoriate, and bring a recommendation
to the Planning and Budget Committee in due course.
10.3.4 Council
adopted the recommendation that appointment as
an eminent Professor from within the University of Melbourne professoriate
would be for an initial five year period, and attract remuneration
as indicated in the paper.
10.3.5 Council adopted the governance arrangements
for the Eminent Scholars Panel, as detailed in Attachment 1 to Attachment
2 of the report of the Planning and Budget Committee.
10.4 Department of German and Swedish
Studies
Council noted that the teaching of Russian had been
contracted out to Monash University, and adopted the recommendation
that the Department of Germanic Studies and
Russian in the Faculty of Arts be re-named the Department of German
and Swedish Studies.
10.5 Chairs of Medicine at Austin and Repatriation
Medical Centre
Council adopted the following recommendations:
10.5.1 that provision be made for one Chair of
Medicine (fully University-funded) in the
Department of Medicine at the Austin and Repatriation Medical Centre
from 1 January 2000;
10.5.2 that the forthcoming vacancy in the Chair
of Medicine (Regulation 7.1.R2, Schedule A Item 70) not be re-filled
and that the Chair be discontinued;
10.5.3 that the Chair of Medicine (Austin and
Repatriation Medical Centre) (Regulation 7.1.R2 Schedule B) be transferred
to Schedule A from 1 January 2000 as a continuing fully University-funded
Chair of Medicine; and
10.5.4 that the Chair of Medicine (Austin and
Repatriation Medical Centre) (Regulation 7.1.R2 Schedule B) be discontinued.
10.6 Recognition of Echuca Hospital
Council adopted the recommendation that Echuca Hospital
be recognised as a hospital fulfilling the requirements for degrees
and diplomas in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences,
and associated for teaching purposes with the clinical schools of
the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences for clinical
instruction in the undergraduate medical course.
10.7 Gerry Higgins Chair of Irish Studies
Council noted that the Vice-Chancellor, on behalf
of Council, had approved the establishment of the Gerry Higgins Chair
of Irish Studies in the Department of History in the Faculty of Arts,
which is to be fully funded from an endowment.
11. Committee of Convocation (Item A.7)
Council received the report of meeting 1/99 of the Committee
of Convocation, held on 17 March 1999.
12. Academic Board (Item B.1)
12.1 Council received the report of meeting 2/99
of the Academic Board, held on 18 March 1999.
12.2 Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws
Council approved the award by the Victorian
College of the Arts of an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws to the
person whose career statement was tabled at the meeting of Council.
12.3 Gerry Higgins Chair of Irish Studies
Council approved the establishment of a selection
committee for the Gerry Higgins Chair of Irish Studies, as set out
in Appendix A to the report.
12.4 Eminent Scholars
This matter was dealt with in conjunction with Recommendation
2 of the Planning and Budget Committee- see Minute 10.3 above.
12.5. Academic Board Resolutions on Selection
12.5.1 Council adopted the amended Academic
Board Resolutions on Selection for entry to undergraduate courses
in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, as outlined
in Appendix B to the report.
12.5.2 Council adopted the recommendation that,
as a consequence of the introduction of the new MBBS/BMedSc course
in 1999, the current Academic Board Resolutions on Selection
for second and later year entry to the pre-1999 MBBS course be modified
to apply only to third and later year entry.
12.6 Trinity Foundation Studies Requirements
for Mathematics
Council adopted the recommendation that prerequisites
for entry to the Bachelor of Commerce course in 2000 for applicants
from the Trinity Foundation Program be changed from Mathematics 1A
to Mathematics 1A or Mathematics 1B.
12.7 Student Awards
Council approved the establishment of the following
new student awards in the Faculty of Law, as
set out in Appendix C to the report;
Herbert Greer and Rundle Prize
Victorian Society for Computers
and the Law Prize
12.8 Legal Liability of Heads of Departments
The proposed position descriptions for Heads of
Departments included a section on exercise of delegations. This raised
the question of indemnification of Heads of Departments, which was
discussed at some length.
The Vice-Chancellor invited Council to consider setting
up a small working group, with the aim of providing all members of
staff with a definitive statement on their legal liability, setting
out the conditions under which the University would indemnify members
of staff, and the conditions under which it would not.
12.9 Oral Report by the President of the Academic
Board
The President of the Academic Board, Professor
Sally Walker, gave a brief oral report to the
Council.
13. Finance Committee (Item B.2)
13.1 Council received the report of meeting 2/99
of the Finance Committee, held on 17 March, 1999.
13.2 University Financial Statements for 1998
Council approved the financial statements for
the University of Melbourne for the year ended 31 December 1998, and
authorised the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar to sign them on behalf
of the University once they have been cleared by the auditors.
13.3 University Square
Council noted that the second sentence in the
report on the progress of the University Square development should
read " A group of senior members of Council are reviewing the
development contract".
14. Human Resources Committee (Item B.3)
14.1 Council received the report of meeting 1/99
of the Human Resources Committee, held on 12 March
1999, together with a tabled document – Staff Training Program 1999.
14.2 Standing Resolution 3.29
Council noted that Standing Resolution 3.29 (Professorial
Associates with the title of Professor) had become redundant, and
resolved that Standing Resolution 3.29 be revoked.
14.3 Oral Report by the Chair of the Human Resources
Committee
The Chair of the Human Resources Committee, Ms Fay
Marles, gave a brief oral report to the Council.
15. Committee on Staff Salaries (Item B.6)
15.1 Council received the report of meeting
1/99 of the Committee on Staff Salaries, held
on 4 March 1999.
15.2 Change to Terms of Reference
Council approved an amendment to Item III of the Terms
of Reference of the Committee on Staff Salaries
to read:
The Committee determines on behalf of Council the
level of remuneration and conditions of employment
for the offices of Vice-Chancellor (except as
specified in Statute 2.4.3), Deputy Vice-Chancellors, any Assistant
Vice-Chancellor, Vice-Principals, Deputy Principals,
Deans and Officers of the Academic Board.
15.3 Senior Structure – Remuneration
Council approved the following changes to the remuneration
structure for senior University staff:
- The University to use Band 3 of the current remuneration
structure to remunerate Deputy Principals with broader roles or where
market forces dictate higher salaries.
- The University creates a Band 4 remuneration structure
to place other Deputy Principal positions.
- The remuneration range for Band 4 be from $110,000
–$130,000.
- That as each Deputy Principal position is filled,
the allocation to Salary Band 3 or 4 be determined by the size of
the job, the expertise of the candidate, and market forces.
15.4 On-Call Arrangements - ITS
Council approved a 25% non-superannuable base salary
loading for the permanent on-call arrangement in Information Technology
Services for 1999.
15.5 Rates for External Examiners
Council approved the following rates for external
examiners:
Degree of Master $177.00
Degree of Doctor of Philosophy
or Higher Doctorate $313.00
16. Legislation Committee (Item C)
16.1 Council received the report of meeting 2/99
of the Legislation Committee, held on 22 March 1999.
16.2 Council made the following Regulation as
detailed in the report:
- Amendment of Regulation 7.92 To expand the
membership of the committee of the
Lorna Stirling Fund (5/99)
- Summary of Reports on Matters dealt with by the
Vice-Chancellor (Item D.2[a])
Council received the summary of reports on matters
dealt with by the Vice Chancellor, as set out
in Items D.2[a] and [b].
18. Melbourne Theatre Company Board of Management
(Items D.5[a] and D.5[b])
Council received the reports of meetings 12/98 and 1/99
of the Melbourne Theatre Company Board of Management,
held on 11 December 1998, and 26 February 1999, respectively.
19. Introduction of New Professors (Item F.2)
Professor Mary-Jane Gething, Chair of Biochemistry and
Molecular Biology, Professor Merle Ricklefs, Director of the Melbourne
Institute of Asian Languages, and Professor Bruce Grundy, Chair of Finance,
were introduced to Council members and welcomed to the meeting.
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