University of Melbourne - Executive Committee Minutes Dec 1997

THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

MEETING 1/97

A meeting of the Executive Committee of Council was held at 4.00 p.m. on Monday 22 December 1997 in the Vice-Chancellor’s Conference Room, 9th floor, Raymond Priestley Building.

Present

The Chancellor, Sir Edward Woodward (in the Chair)
The Deputy Chancellor, Mrs F S Marles
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor A D Gilbert
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor C B Schedvin
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Resources), Professor B A Sheehan
The President of the Academic Board, Professor T W Healy
The Registrar, Mr J B Potter
The Chairperson of the Finance Committee, Mr L J Carden
Mr T L Anning.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor F P Larkins, the Academic Registrar, Mr R I A Marshman, and the Director of Executive Services, Mr L N Currie, were in attendance.

Apologies for non-attendance were received from Dr Curry and Professor Walker

Business

A RECOMMENDATIONS

Nil

B REPORTS

1. Minutes of Previous Meeting 2/96 (23/12/96)

The minutes of the previous meeting 2/96, held on 23 December 1996, were confirmed.

2. Vice-Chancellor’s Report

2.1 The Committee received the Vice-Chancellor’s Report together with six tabled supplementary papers. The titles of the tabled papers were as follows: Melbourne University Private Limited - Determination Required for Compliance with Section 40A of the Melbourne University Act; Melbourne University Private Limited - Recommendations from the Council Steering Group; Melbourne University Private - Interim Board Membership; Appointment of a New University Master Planner; External Review of the University’s Koori Support Services - Report to the Executive Committee of Council; New Budgetary and Structural Arrangements for Teaching and Research in Asian Languages.

2.2 Appointment by Promotion to Professor

On behalf of Council, the Executive Committee adopted as policy the processes, eligibility requirements and criteria set out in the paper entitled "Appointment by Promotion to Professor" (Appendix A).

2.3 Dean of the Faculty of Science

On behalf of Council, the Executive Committee approved the composition of the Selection Committee and Search Committee for the position of Dean, Faculty of Science, as set out in Appendix B.

2.4 Melbourne University Private Ltd

On behalf of Council, the Executive Committee adopted the following recommendations from the Council Steering Group:

2.4.1 that the name for the new entity be ‘Melbourne University Private’;

2.4.2 that Melbourne University Private be established as a not-for-profit public company, limited by shares, as outlined in the draft Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association for Melbourne University Private Ltd attached to the Vice-Chancellor’s Report;

2.4.3 that the subsidiary schools of Melbourne University Private be established as operating business units, either as public companies limited by shares or as business units of a single public company limited by shares (the formal determination of the structure and the establishment of the Schools to be the responsibility of Melbourne University Private);

2.4.4 that an Interim Board for Melbourne University Private be established, chaired by the Vice-Chancellor and including at least two external members of the University of Melbourne Council, its role being to

oversee the establishment of Melbourne University Private

appoint a Chief Executive Officer

establish the subsidiary schools of Melbourne University Private

oversee and manage the transition from an Interim Board to the Inaugural Board of Melbourne University Private;

2.4.5 that at least for 1998, the Council Steering Group should continue to advise The University of Melbourne Council on the relationship with Melbourne University Private Ltd; and

2.4.6 that, because it is required for the management and conduct of the affairs and concerns of the University, it be resolved that the University participate in the formation of a company to be called Melbourne University Private Ltd - the reason for the establishment of the company is to provide a structure to encompass a series of privately funded professional schools, each providing education and training for Australian and international students, and offering research, development, technology transfer and consultancy services to public sector and corporate clients, especially in South-East and North Asia.

2.5 Interim Board Membership of Melbourne University Private

On behalf of Council, the Executive Committee approved a list of proposed Interim Board Members as tabled at the meeting and authorised the Vice-Chancellor

to negotiate with those listed and confirm their agreement

in the event that fewer than seven members accept appointment, to add further names in consultation with the Chancellor

2.6 Appointment of a New University Master Planner

The Executive Committee of Council noted that Mr Daryl Jackson had been offered an initial three year appointment as the University of Melbourne Master Planner.

2.7 External Review of the University’s Koori Support Services

The Executive Committee received the report of the Review of the Koori Support Services at the University and on behalf of Council, approved

the relocation of the current facilities for Koori students to a strategic position within the main campus of the University

the appointment of a Director of the relocating services support centre as a matter of urgency.

2.8 New Budgetary and Structural Arrangements for Teaching and Research in Asian Languages

The Executive Committee noted proposals set out in the document "New Budgetary and Structural Arrangements for Teaching and Research in Asian Languages".

2.9 Chair of Earth Sciences

On behalf of Council, the Executive Committee agreed that the second Chair of Earth Sciences should be refilled, and noted that the Vice-Chancellor might need to act to update the membership of the Selection Committee.

3. Administrative Committee

The Executive Committee noted that there were no urgent matters requiring recommendation by the Administrative Committee.

4. Cultural and Community Development Committee - Alumni Association

On behalf of Council, the Executive Committee adopted the recommendation that the University of Melbourne Alumni Association be discontinued.

5. Planning and Budget Committee

5.1 The Executive Committee received the report of Meeting 11/97 of the Planning and Budget Committee held on 10 December 1997, together with a supplementary report.

5.2 External Review of the Faculty of Science

The Executive Committee noted that the recommendations of the Planning and Budget Committee under this heading had been dealt with under the Vice-Chancellor’s Report (refer minute 2.3 above).

5.3 Centre for Rural Vocational Education and Training

On behalf of Council, the Executive Committee resolved to establish a Centre for Rural Education and Training within the Faculty of Education and the Institute of Land and Food Resources.

5.4 Collaborative Centre for Vocational Assessment Research

On behalf of Council, the Executive Committee gave retrospective approval to the establishment of the Collaborative Centre for Vocational Assessment Research.

5.5 Report of the Review Group on Departmental Arrangements in the Faculty of Arts

On behalf of Council, the Executive Committee adopted the following recommendations -

that a School of Fine Arts, Classical Studies and Archaeology be established as a department as from 1 January 1998

that the Department of Fine Arts and the Department of Classics and Archaeology be combined to form the School of Fine Arts, Classical Studies and Archaeology

that a Centre for Ancient and Classical Languages be established within the School of Languages, Faculty of Arts, as from 1 January 1998, and that Dr R G Jenkins of the Department of Classics and Archaeology be appointed Director of the Centre for three years as from 1 January 1998.

5.6 Asialink Centre

The Executive Committee noted that the recommendation in the report of the Planning and Budget Committee had been superseded by the recommendation in the Supplementary Report and, on behalf of Council, resolved that the Asialink Centre continue in its present form until 31 March 1998 and that the Vice-Chancellor be authorised to constitute Asialink as a non-academic department of the University as from 1 April 1998 and to recommend to Council the necessary resolutions.

6. Academic Board

6.1 The Executive Committee received the report of Academic Board Meeting 9/97 held on 18 December 1997.

6.2 Revised Course

On behalf of Council, the Executive Committee approved the introduction of the Graduate Diploma in Adolescent Health and Welfare and the deletion of the Graduate Diploma in Adolescent Health.

6.3 Academic Board Resolutions on Selection and English Language Requirements for Overseas Students

On behalf of Council, the Executive Committee adopted the recommendation that English language requirements for full-fee overseas students, at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, be as set out in Appendix C.

6.4 Student Awards

On behalf of Council, the Executive Committee established as student awards the Melville Hughes Scholarship (Appendix D) and the Bruce Knox Honours Prize (Appendix E).

7. Finance Committee - Strategic Property Acquisitions

The Executive Committee received the report of Meeting 11/97 of the Finance Committee held on 10 December 1997 and on behalf of Council adopted the recommendation that the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Resources) be given authority to acquire non-University properties of strategic imporatnce not exceeding a total cost of $6 million, and to submit to Finance Committee a plan for future property acquisitions

8. Council Committee Membership 1998

8.1 On behalf of Council, the Executive Committee made the appointments of Council members to Council committees listed in Appendix F.

8.2 The Executive Committee made the appointments deferred for its action by Council at its 1 December meeting, as shown at Appendix G.

8.3 On behalf of Council, the Executive Committee appointed Mr J Eddey to the Finance Committee as an external member with financial or business expertise.

9. Human Resources Committee - Meeting 11/97

9.1 The Executive Committee received the report of Meeting 11/97 of the Human Resources Committee held on 12 December 1997, together with four supplementary papers. The supplementary papers comprised a document with details of the review of honorary and visiting appointments, a page in tabular form to be added to Attachment C to the report, some revised pages to Personnel Policy & Procedures for substitution as Appendix D to the report, and some supplementary information on appointments made by the Human Resources Committee at its meeting.

9.2 Definition of Family

On behalf of Council, the Executive Committee approved amended Sections 9.12.5 (Appendix H) and 9.4.2 (Appendix I) of Personnel Policy and Procedures.

9.3 Review of Honorary and Visiting Appointments

On behalf of Council, the Executive Committee resolved that

no further appointments of honorary and visiting staff be made under the categories of Academic Affiliate, Associate, Senior Associate, Senior Associate with the Title of Associate Professor, Clinical Instructor, Clinical Associate, Clinical Senior Associate, Professorial Associate, Professorial Associate with Title of Professor, Honorary Professor, Honorary Professorial Fellow, Visiting Professor, Visiting Fellow, Visiting Research Fellow

subject to any necessary changes to legislation, all future appointments of such staff be made under the following five appointment categories - Professor Emeritus, Professorial Fellow with title of Professor, Principal Fellow with title of Associate Professor, Senior Fellow (at the level of Senior Lecturer), Fellow (at the level of Lecturer)

appointments in the four Fellow categories above be for up to five years in the first instance and be renewable for periods of up to five years on any occasion

appointments and reappoinments as Fellow, Senior Fellow and Principal Fellow be made by Deans acting on recommendations from Heads of Departments

appointments and reappoinments as Professorial Fellow be made by the Senior Appoinments Committee acting on the recommendation of Deans

criteria for appointment in the four Fellow categories will follow University norms for the appointment/promotion of salaried academic staff of rank Lecturer and above

appointments as Professor Emeritus be made by the Senior Appoinments Committee

9.4 Guidelines - Discrimination Complaints Procedures for Staff and Students

On behalf of Council, the Executive Committee approved the Guidelines, Discrimination Complaints Procedures for Staff and Students, as set out in Appendix J, subject to revision of section 6.8 of the Guidelines to ensure that a potential respondent to a complaint receives proper notification before any action affecting them is taken.

9.5 Amendments to Policy on Selection Processes

On behalf of Council, the Executive Committee approved changes to Section 2.2 of Personnel Policy & Procedures, as set out in Appendix K and noted that, while strict application of the provisions was restricted to selection committees for positions below professorial level, the same underlying principles would apply to Chair selections.

The meeting then closed.