Council Meeting No 6/05

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A meeting of the Council was held in the Council Chamber, 1 st Floor, Old Quadrangle on Monday 11 July 2005 at 4.00p.m.

Present

Members

The Chancellor, Mr I A Renard (In the Chair)
The Deputy Chancellor, (Dr B Lochtenberg)
The Vice-Chancellor (Professor G Davis)
The President of Academic Board (Professor L Skene)
Mr T L Anning, Mr B Barnett, Mr M Belleghem, Mr P Briggs, Dr M Doig,
Mr G Hehir, Judge I Lawson, Ms E Ritchie, Ms R Storelli, and Hon Mr D White.

Others Attending

The President of Convocation (Dr R Condron)
The Chair of the Interim Student Representative Committee (Mr P Donegan)
Professor M Elgar, Dr G Sharrock, Dr N Buch

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor ( Research) (Professor F Larkins)
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) (Professor P McPhee)
The Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Dentistry and Health Sciences (Professor J Angus)
The Senior Vice-Principal (Mr I Marshman)
The Vice-Principal and Chief Financial Officer (Mr D Percival)
The Vice-Principal (Property & Buildings) (Dr D Daines)
The Acting Vice-Principal and Academic Regis t rar (Dr M Emison)
The Vice-Principal (Human R esources) (Ms E Baré)

The University Secretary (Mr L Currie)
The Assistant University Secretary (Mr J Green)
The Director, Office of the Vice-Chancellor (Ms M O’Keefe)
The Manager, Media and Publication Services (Mr B Wardley)
The Senior Media Adviser (Ms C Buckridge)

Business

1. Formal Matters [Item A.01]

The Chancellor congratulated Mark Elgar on his recent promotion from Associate Professor to Professor.

Leave of absence for this meeting had been granted to Ms Alexander, Justice Chernov, Professor Pattison and Mr Thornley.

Apologies had been received from Justice Crennan and Professor Li.

Leave of absence for the August and September meetings was granted to Professor Li.

2. Returning Officer’s Report [Item A.02]

The University Secretary advised that Professor Elgar’s success in gaining promotion in the most recent round means that he was no longer able, under the terms provided by the Melbourne University Act, to hold a position on Council as the member elected by the non-professorial academic staff. An election to the casual vacancy would be conducted in conjunction with the scheduled elections for members from the professorial and non professorial academic staff for terms commencing 1 January 2006 . Nominations would be called on 19 July.

The University Secretary also advised that he had delegated the election of a member from the postgraduate students for 2006 to the Postgraduate Association, in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 2.1.R1. A decision on delegation of the election of the member from the enrolled students generally had been deferred until Council reached a decision on whether to formally recognise a new student representative body.

3. Minutes of Previous Meeting [Item A.1 (a)]

3.1 The minutes of Council meeting 5/05 held on 6 June 2005 , copies of which had been distributed, were confirmed.

3.2 The Action Sheet was no t ed from Mee t ing No. 5/05. It was noted that the Committee Structure Review Paper would be circulated to Working Group members within the next few days.

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

Item A.4(b).6, 11 & 12; A4(b) Supplementary; and B1(a).1 & 3 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 (a)]

Council endorsed the Chancellor’s proposal that, to maintain input of staff views to Council meetings until the casual vacancy for a member from the academic staff was filled, Professor Elgar be invited to attend Council as an observer.

The Chancellor reminded Council members of the Taking Stock Briefing scheduled for 8 August, the Austin Hospital visit on 9 August, the AUQA panel interviews from 15 August, the Town and Gown Dinner scheduled for 31 August, and the Menzies Oration on 19 October which would be given by Professor McPhee.

7. Listing of Key Issues and Documents for discussion [Item A.4 (a)]

The following items were listed as Key Issues and Documents for Discussion –

• The Melbourne Agenda
(document A.4(b) Appendix A)

• Payment of Council Members
(document B.7(b) Recommendation 1 and Appendix A)

8. Vice-Chancellor’s Report [Item A.4 (b)]

Council received the Vice-Chancellor’s Report, together with a tabled supplementary report.

8.1 The Melbourne Agenda

Council discussed at length the draft consultation paper, Growing Esteem: Choices for the University of Melbourne, and made a number of suggestions for amendment. Subject to those amendments being made in terms approved by the Vice-Chancellor, Council endorsed the paper as a basis for consultation with the University community.

8.2 School of Melbourne University Private

On the recommendation of the Vice-Chancellor, Council agreed to:

• confirm that, as a consequence of the merger of academic operations effected on 6 June 2005 , students of Melbourne University Private Ltd are from that date students of the University of Melbourne ;
• resolve, in order to provide academic management and oversight of Melbourne University Private awards until such time as they are integrated into other faculties or schools of the University of Melbourne, to establish a School of Melbourne University Private as set out at Appendix C to the Vice-Chancellor’s report, which is to report to the Academic Board in a manner similar to the School of the Victorian College of the Arts and the Melbourne Business School; and
• confirm the award courses listed at AppendixD to the report as University of Melbourne awards, noting that the President of the Academic Board reported to its meeting on 23 June 2005 that she had reached agreement with the Chairs of the relevant Board committees on a basis for the Board to assume responsibility for providing those awards, and noting also that in that listing under Graduate Certificates the expression “Waterways Management” should be removed and the expression “River Health” inserted.

8.3 Faculty of Land and Food Resources

Council noted the Faculty’s progress in implementing a strategy for the disengagement from the delivery of Vocational Education and Training and in the restructuring of the Faculty to concentrate on higher education and research programs.

Following advice from the Board of the Faculty of Land and Food Resources, Council adopted the recommendation that Mr Bob Cumberlidge’s term of office on the Board be extended until 31 August 2005 . Council also extended Ms Anne Adams’ appointment as Chairperson until 31 August 2005 .

8.4 Memorandum of Understanding between Universitas 21 Global and the University of Melbourne

To assist the University in thinking through its strategy on U21, Council agreed to reconvene the ad-hoc working group it had established in October 2004 to advise on the venture. The previous members were the Chancellor, Dr Lochtenberg, Professor Skene, Mr Thornley and Hon. Mr White. Ms Alexander was added to the group, subject to her agreement. In response to a member’s query, the Vice-Chancellor indicated that the Working Group’s advice would be discussed at the October meeting of Council.

8.5 Arrangements for Student Representation

Council noted the progress report concerning the activities of the Working Group and the proposed timelines for consideration of recognition of a new student representative body. Following discussion, Council agreed that it would consider recommendations on this matter at a Special Meeting to be held at 4.00 pm on 8 August 2005 . The Taking Stock briefing scheduled for that time would be deferred to commence at 5.30 pm .

8.6 Phasing Out of Shepparton Nursing Course.

Professor Angus, the Dean of Medicine Dentistry and Health Sciences, was invited to explain the background to this decision. A member stressed the need for reassurance on the continuity of the University’s commitment to its relationship with the region. The Chancellor suggested that for the September or October meeting of Council the Vice-Chancellor’s report include advice on progress with the University’s Goulburn Valley strategy.

8.7 Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Teaching, Learning and Equity)

Council adopted the recommendation that Associate Professor Susan Elliott be appointed as Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Teaching, Learning and Equity) from 1 August 2005 for a period of 3 years.

8.8 Dean of Architecture, Building and Planning

Council adopted the recommendation that Professor Fincher be reappointed Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning for the period 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2008 .

8.9 Australian Music Examinations Board (Vic) Limited

Council adopted the recommendation that Associate Professor Catherine Falk be appointed as a director of Australian Music Examinations Board (Vic) Limited for a three year term commencing 3 August 2005 .

8.10 Learning and Teaching

Council agreed to defer to its September meeting an oral report by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) on actions taken to improve Course Experience Questionnaire outcomes.

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

Council received the report of meeting 6/05 of the Administrative Committee held 1 June 2005 .

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

Council received the report of meeting 5/05 of the Planning and Budget Committee held 18 June 2005 .

10.1 Proposal for the establishment of an Affiliation Agreement between the University of Melbourne and the Austin Research Institute

Council endorsed the establishment of an Affiliation Agreement between the University of Melbourne and the Austin Research Institute, as outline in Appendix 1 of the report.

The Dean of Medicine Dentistry and Health Sciences commented on possible futures for the Institute, in view of its need for new infrastructure.  A member requested that a more general report be prepared for consideration by Council later in the year concerning developments within the University's medical affiliates, and the University's relations with them.

10.2 Proposal to change the name of the VicHealth Koori Health Research and Community Development Unit to Onemda VicHealth Koori Health Research Unit

Council approved the change of name of the VicHealth Koori Health Research and Community Development Unit to the Onemda VicHealth Koori Health Research Unit, as outlined in Appendix 2 of the report.

10.3 Proposal to refill the Chair of Higher Education and Director of the Centre for the Study of Higher Education (CSHE)

Council endorsed the proposal to refill the Chair of Higher Education and Directorship of the Centre for the Study of Higher Education (CSHE) following the resignation of the current incumbent from the position at the end of 2004.

10.4 Report from Melbourne Scholarships Policy Committee

Council adopted the recommendation to revise the membership and terms of reference for the Melbourne Scholarships Policy Committee, as outlined in Appendix 3 of the report.

Council also adopted the recommendations to update provisions concerning the –

• Human Rights Scholarships
• Full-Time Requirement for Undergraduate Scholars, and
• Commonwealth Learning Scholarships: Selection and Management Policy 2006,

as outlined in that Appendix.

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

Council received the supplementary report of meeting 5/05 of the Planning and Budget Committee held 16-18 June 2005.

12. Committee of Convocation [Item A.7 (a) & (b)]

Council received the report of meetings 3/05 & 4/05 of the Committee of Convocation held 18 May and 15 June 2005 .

12.1 Fee Paying Students in Veterinary Science

Council received the Committee’s recommendation that a review be undertaken of the perceived inequity between fee-paying Pre-Vet Stream students and CSP Science students regarding selection of students for CSP places in first year BVSc courses. Council referred the recommendation to the Vice-Chancellor for advice and deferred discussion of the matter to its next meeting.

13. Academic Board [Items B.1 (a)]

Council received the report of meeting 5/05 of the Academic Board held on 23 June 2005 .

13.1 Award of Honorary Degree of Doctor of Music

Council adopted the Board’s recommendation to award an honorary degree of Doctor of Music to the person whose citation was tabled at the meeting.

13.2 Appointment of Chair Selection Committee

Council established the Chair selection committee for the Chair of Higher Education, as outlined in Appendix A of the report.

13.3 New and Cancelled Courses

Council adopted the Board’s recommendation for the introduction of the following courses:

• Postgraduate Diploma in Music (Appendix B)
• Graduate Certificate in Visual Art (Appendix C)

Council adopted the Board’s recommendation for the cancellation of the following courses in the Faculty of Arts:

• Master of Gender Studies (Gender and Development)
• International Masters ( Asia )

(The President of the Academic Board agreed to forward to a member of Council some background information concerning the cancellation of the International Masters ( Asia ) course.)

13.4 Selection Matters

13.4.1 English Language Requirements for the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning

Council adopted the Board’s recommendation that the English language entry requirements for exchange and study aboard students entering the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning’s undergraduate and postgraduate courses change from an IELTS score of 6.5 to an IELTS score of 6.0 (6.0 written component).

13.4.2 Alternative Entry Pathways

Council adopted the Board’s recommendation that students who have undertaken specified studies at Bagrut Secondary School, Israel, the University of Southern Queensland Foundation Studies Program and the HELP Matriculation Centre Malaysia Foundation Studies Program be accepted for admission to the University, as set out in Appendix D.

13.4.3 Academic Board Resolutions on Selection

Council approved Academic Board Resolutions on Selection for courses in the Victorian College of the Arts and the Faculties of Arts, Land and Food Resources, Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, Music and Science, as set out in Appendix E.

13.5 New Student Award

Council adopted the Board’s recommendation to establish the Michael Clyne Honours Prize, as set out in Appendix F.

14. Finance Committee [Item B.2 (a)]

Council received the report of meeting 4/05 of the Finance Committee held on 15 June 2005 .

14.1 Short Term Funding Against Cash Flow – MDHS Contribution to Equipment for the New Dental School

Council adopted the recommendation that a loan facility of $900,000 for a period of up to three years be made available to the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences to fund its share of the cost of new equipment required for the relocation of the Dental School and that such facility be provided from the cash flow component of University Reserves.

14.2 Recommendation on Extending Commitment to UniSeed

Council adopted the recommendation that the University preserve its one third ownership share of UniSeed by extending its commitment by $8 million over the period 2006-2015, with funding from University Reserve Funds.

15. Human Resources Committee [Item B.3 (a)]

Council received the report of meeting 2/05 of the Human Resources Committee held on 21 June 2005 .

15.1 Clinical Academic Associate Appointments

Following comments by the Dean of Medicine Dentistry and Health Sciences on the importance of recognising the contributions of honorary clinical teachers, Council agreed that amendments of Regulation 7.1.R.3 to provide for the appointment of Clinical Fellows should be prepared, as outlined in Attachment A of the report.

16. Buildings and Estates Committee [Item B.4 (a)]

Council received the report of meeting 5/05 of the Buildings and Estates Committee held on 23 June 2005 .

17. Committee on Staff Salaries [Item B.6 (a)]

Council received the report of meeting 2/05 of the Committee on Staff Salaries held on 30 June 2005 .

18. Council Nominations and Governance Committee [Item B.7 (a)]

Council received the report of meeting 1/05 of the Council Nominations and Governance Committee held on 3 June 2005 .

18.1 Revision of Induction of Council Members Standing Resolution

Council adopted the revised Induction of Council Members Standing Resolution, as set out in the Appendix A to the report.

18.2 Election to Council by the Professors

Council agreed in principle to draft legislation to provide that Academic Board officers will not be eligible to stand for election by the professors, as set out in Appendix B of the report. Consideration of the precise terms of the amendment to Statute 2.1 was deferred until the report of the Legislation and Trusts Committee was considered (item 20.1 below).

18.3 Evaluation by Council of the Chancellor’s Performance

Council adopted the proposal prepared by the Chancellor, as set out in Appendix C of the report.

19. Council Nominations and Governance Committee [Item B.7 (b)]

Council received the report of meeting 2/05 of the Council Nominations and Governance Committee held on 22 June 2005 .

19.1 Payment of Council Members

Following considerable discussion of a recommendation that the Minister be advised that the University of Melbourne Council seeks her approval to remunerate eligible members, the matter was referred back to the Council Nominations and Governance Committee for further consideration.

19.2 Council’s Responsibility to Monitor Commercial Activities of the University

 Council approved the recommendation for adoption of arrangements whereby each Dean and each head of an administrative division annually prepares a summary of significant commercial activities undertaken within their faculty or division, to include where practicable a balance sheet and statement of revenue and expenditure for each activity, and to note variations during the past year from a risk and liability perspective, all such documents to be submitted to the Internal Auditor for review and report to the Audit and Risk Committee.

20. Legislation and Trusts Committee [Item C]

Council received the report of meeting 4/05 of the Legislation and Trusts Committee held on 1 July 2005 , together with a supplementary report concerning the outcomes of a meeting of the Russell and Mab Grimwade Miegunyah Fund Committee.

20.1 Council made the following Statute as detailed in the Report:

(1)	Amendment to Statute 2.1 recommended by the Council Nominations and Governance Committee	To make the Vice-President and Deputy Vice-President of Academic Board ineligible for election to Council under the categories listed (57/05)
(2)	Revocation of Statute 10.4 recommended by the University Secretary	To revoke the Statute governing Foundations (74/05)

 

20.2 Council made the following Regulations as detailed in the Report :

(1)	Amendment of Regulation 5.4.R1 recommended by the University Secretary	To amend the list of awards of the University (73/05)
(2)	Revocation of Regulation 6.1.R5 recommended by the University Secretary	To revoke the regulation governing the Strathfieldsaye Institute of Teaching and Research in Agriculture and Allied Sciences (71/05)
(3)	Making of a Regulation recommended by the University Secretary on the advice of Finance Committee	To govern The Land and Food Services Scholarship Fund (75/05)
(4)	Making of a Regulation recommended by the University Secretary on the advice of the Trusts Manager	To govern the Margaret McArthur Scholarships Fund (76/05)
(5)	Amendment of Regulation R6.72 recommended by the University Secretary	To correct a reference in The John Inglis Lothian Memorial Prize (56/05)
(6)	Amendment of Regulation R6.72 recommended by the Head of the School of Botany	To govern the Klemperer-Ducker Scholarship (77/05)
(7)	Amendment of R6.72 recommended by the Faculty of Science	To update the terms of the Maurice H. Belz Prizes in Statistics (78/05)
(8)	Amendment of Regulation R6.72B recommended by the University secretary on the advice of the Planning and Budget Committee	To update the value and where necessary the subjects of the exhibitions and scholarships (79/05)
(9)	Revocation of Regulation R7.175 - recommended by the University Secretary	To revoke the regulation governing the Russell and Mab Grimwade Miegunyah Fund and Bequests (85/05)
(10)	Making of Regulation R7.235 recommended by the Miegunyah Fund Committee	To govern The Russell and Mab Grimwade Miegunyah Fund (80/05)
(11)	Making of Regulation R7.236 recommended by the Miegunyah Fund Committee	To govern The Russell and Mab Grimwade Bequests (81/05)
(12)	Amendment of Regulation 7.1.R2 recommended by the University Secretary	To add a Chair to Schedule A of the regulation governing academic and general staff ranks and titles (58/05)
(13)	Amendment of Regulation 7.1.R2 recommended by the University Secretary	To add a Chair to Schedule B of the regulation governing academic and general staff ranks and titles (59/05)
(14)	Amendment of Regulation 7.1.R2 recommended by the University Secretary	To add a Chair to Schedule B of the regulation governing academic and general staff ranks and titles (60/05)
(15)	Amendment of Regulation 7.1.R2 recommended by the University Secretary	To add a Chair to Schedule A of the regulation governing academic and general staff ranks and titles (61/05)
(16)	Amendment of Regulation 7.1.R2 recommended by the University Secretary	To add a Chair to Schedule B of the regulation governing academic and general staff ranks and titles (62/05)
(17)	Amendment of Regulation 7.1.R2 recommended by the University Secretary	To add a Chair to Schedule A of the regulation governing academic and general staff ranks and titles (63/05)
(18)	Amendment of Regulation 7.1.R2 recommended by the University Secretary	To add a Chair to Schedule A of the regulation governing academic and general staff ranks and titles (66/05)
(19)	Amendment of Regulation 7.1.R2 recommended by the University Secretary	To rename a Chair in Schedule A of the regulation governing academic and general staff ranks and titles (68/05)
(20)	Revocation of Regulation 8.1.R3A recommended by the Melbourne Theatre Company Board of Management	To revoke Regulation 8.1.R3A – Aims and Objectives of the Melbourne Theatre Company (70/05)
(21)	Amendment of Regulation 8.1.R3 recommended by the Melbourne Theatre Company Board of Management	To update the regulation governing the Melbourne Theatre Company (69/05)
(22)	Revocation of Regulation 17.1.R18 recommended by the University Secretary	To disestablish the Endowments and Trusts Committee (72/05)
(23)	Making of regulation recommended by the University Secretary	To establish the School of Melbourne University Private (87/05)
(24)	Amendment of Regulation R3.1 recommended by the University Secretary	To amend the definition of “faculty” to include the School of Melbourne University Private (89/05)
(25)	Amendment of Regulation R3.2 recommended by the University Secretary	To amend the definition of “faculty” to include the School of Melbourne University Private (90/05)
(26)	Amendment of Regulation R3.3 recommended by the University Secretary	To amend the definition of “faculty” to include the School of Melbourne University Private (91/05)
(27)	Amendment of Regulation R3.4 recommended by the University Secretary	To amend the definition of “faculty” to include the School of Melbourne University Private (92/05)
(28)	Amendment of Regulation R3.6 recommended by the University Secretary	To amend the definition of “faculty” to include the School of Melbourne University Private (93/05)
(29)	Amendment of Regulation 5.4.R1 recommended by the University Secretary	To make provision for the School of Melbourne University Private and its awards (88/05)
(30)	Making of Regulation R3.354 recommended by the University Secretary	To add the Professional Certificate (94/05)
(31)	Making of Regulation R3.355 recommended by the University Secretary	To add the Specialist Certificate (95/05)

 

Council noted that the explanatory notes for regulations R3.354 and R3.355 should have made clear that these regulations had been approved on behalf of the academic Board on 1 July 2005 .

20.3 Russell and Mab Grimwade Miegunyah Fund Committee

Council received the report of the meeting of the Russell and Mab Grimwade Miegunyah Fund Committee held on 6 April 2005 .

Council adopted the following recommendations:

20.3.1 Ian Potter Museum of Art

To allocate $50,000 to the Ian Potter Museum of Art for the care of items in the Grimwade Collection in 2005;

 20.3.2 Miegunyah Distinguished Fellows Program

To allocate $100,000 for Miegunyah Distinguished Visiting Fellows in 2006;

20.3.3 Grimwade Scholarships

To approve the increase in the value of Grimwade Scholarship stipends from $20,000 per annum to $22,000 per annum, from 2005, to bring them into line with University postgraduate scholarships, and to set aside $85,000 for stipends and for associated costs of three Grimwade Scholars in 2005;

20.3.4 Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation

To allocate $289,909 to the Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation in 2005 for the following:

• $229,909 for recurrent costs, within the five-year budget of at least $200,000 per annum approved by Council for the CCMC in 2004
• $60,000 for the purchase of a gas chromatography mass spectrometer and associated equipment.

20.3.5 Baillieu Library Special Collections

To allocate $52,830.50 for conservation work in 2005;

20.3.6 School of Art History , Cinema, Classics and Archaeology

To allocate $25,000 per year for the years 2005 – 2007 ($75,000 in total) as a contribution to the funding of the RE Ross Trust Curatorship position in the School;

20.3.7 Melbourne University Archives

To allocate $39,297 for the further development of the Grimwade collection; and

20.3.8 Melbourne Museum – Donald Thomson Collection

To allocate $30,000 for the production of a publication of photographs from the Donald Thomson Collection.

21. Summary of Reports of matters dealt with by the Vice-Chancellor [Item D.2 (a) & (b)]

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

22. Report from the Melbourne Theatre Company Board of Management [Item D.5 (a)]

Council received the report of meeting 4/05 of the Melbourne Theatre Company Board of Management held on 27 May 2005 .

23. Report from the Ian Potter Museum of Art Board [Item D.5 (b)]

Council received the report of meeting 3/05 of the Ian Potter Museum of Art Board held on 7 June 2005 .

The meeting then closed.