Council Meeting No 6/07

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A meeting of the Council was held in the Council Chamber, 1 st Floor, Old Quadrangle on Monday 9 July 2007 at 4.00pm.

Present

Members

The Deputy Chancellor (Justice A Chernov) (in the Chair)
The Vice-Chancellor (Professor G Davis)
The President of Academic Board (Professor P Pattison)
Ms E Alexander, Associate Professor L Allen, Mr P Briggs, Dr M Doig, Professor M Elgar, Ms E Ritchie,
Mr R Johanson, Mrs L Landy, Ms M Sloss, Mr D White and Mr T Williams

Others Attending

The President of Convocation (Ms L Boston)
The President of UMSU (Ms B Ahern)
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Innovation and Development) (Professor V Braach-Maksvytis)
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) (Professor F Larkins)
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) (Professor J McKenzie)
The Senior Vice-Principal (Mr I Marshman)
The Vice-Principal and Head of Administration (Ms E Baré)
The Vice-Principal and Academic Registrar (Ms G Luck)
The Vice-Principal and Chief Financial Officer (Mr D Percival)
The Vice-Principal and General Counsel (Mr C Penman)
The University Secretary (Mr L Currie)
The Director, Office of the Vice-Chancellor (Mr D Speagle)
The Deputy University Secretary (Mr J Green)
The Manager, Corporate Affairs (Ms C Buckridge)

The following Deans attended for Council’s discussion of listed key issues:

The Dean of the Faculty of Arts (Professor B Probert)
The Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Commerce (Professor M Abernethy)
The Dean of the Faculty of Law (Professor M Crommelin)
The Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences (Professor J Angus)
The Dean of the Faculty of Architecture Building and Planning (Professor T Kvan)
The Associate Dean of the Faculty of Victoria College of the Arts (Associate Professor S Baker)

Business

1. Formal Matters

1.1 Apologies and Leave of Absence Requests [Item A01]

Council received apologies from Mr M Coyle and Ms J Giles.

Leave of Absence had been granted to Mr Renard, Ms Storelli and Judge Lawson for this meeting.

Leave of Absence was granted to Ms Ritchie for the September meeting.

2. Minutes of Previous Meetings and Follow Up Action Sheet [Item A1(a) and A1(b)]

2.1 The minutes of Council meeting 5/07 held on 4 June 2007, copies of which had been distributed, were confirmed subject to a correction to minute 1.1 to add “Leave of Absence for 9 July meeting was granted to Mr I Renard".

2.2 The Ac tion Shee t from Mee ting No. 3/07 was no ted.

3. Declarations of Interest [Item A2(a)]

The Deputy Chancellor called for any declarations of interest for items on the agenda for the current meeting. No declarations were received.

4. Starring of Additional Items [Item A2(b)]

Additional items A5.3,A7.2, A7.3, A.9, A10.2 and B.4 were starred for discussion.

5. Motion to Adopt or Receive “Unstarred Items of Business” [Item A2(c)]

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 A3 (a) ]

The Deputy Chancellor sought members’ advice on how Council should be involved in the process to finalise its submission to the National Governance Protocols Review. Following discussion, it was agreed that Council would hold a special meeting on Monday 30 July to consider the draft submission prepared by Council’s Working Group.

7. Listing of Key Issues and Documents for Discussion [Item A4(a)]

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

• Structural Change to Support the Growing Esteem Strategy
  (Document A5.1 and Appendix A)

8. Growing Esteem Implementation Reports [Item A4(b)]

8.1 Update – July 2007

Council noted the Growing Esteem Implementation Update for July 2007.

9. Vice-Chancellor’s Report [Item A5]

Council received and noted the Vice-Chancellor’s Report.

9.1 Planning and Budget Committee Conference

9.1.1 Council noted a set of recommendations from the Planning and Budget Committee Conference listed on pages 13-15 of Document A5 Appendix A to the report and the intention that these would be finalised for submission to Council at its meeting on 10 September. The Deans of the Faculties of Law, Medicine Dentistry and Health Sciences, Economics and Commerce, Architecture Building and Planning, Arts, and the Victorian College of the Arts commented on issues to be resolved in finalising the recommendations.

9.1.2 The Vice-Chancellor and Professor Probert, the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, briefed Council on a developing deficit in the budget projections for the Faculty of Arts, and of the need to deal with this in the course of the Faculty’s renewal strategies. Council noted that the Dean would bring forward a detailed renewal plan to its September meeting.

9.1.3 Council noted that the forthcoming recommendations from the PBC Conference included a proposal for a review including to consider the future of the Faculty of Music and in particular, its relationship to the School of Music at the VCA with the intention of bringing the two music programs together as Australia’s largest and finest School of Music. The Vice-Chancellor reported that the two bodies had agreed to terms of reference for the review, as set out in Appendix B to his report

9.2 Student and Staff Grievances

In the course of Council’s discussion of this item, a student member requested that any readily available details on annual numbers of student grievances resolved below Academic Board level be brought forward to a subsequent meeting.

9.3 Ridley College

Council resolved as follows:

• that the affiliation of Ridley College as a residential college of the University be terminated, and Statute 9.9 be revoked; and
• that Ridley College be invited to put forward a case for recognition by the University pursuant to Regulation 17.1.R19.

9.4 Compliance Report

Council received the Compliance Report for July and noted that actions were in train to attempt to resolve residents’ concerns regarding noise emanating from the Bio21/Veterinary Science precinct. Council also noted and commended the prompt action taken by University officers in dealing with a potential asbestos contamination problem at the Queensberry Street Children’s Centre arising from works on an adjoining non-University site.

9.5 Meanjin

Council approved the amendment of the Memorandum and Articles of Meanjin to remove Article 34.1, which provides for the CEO and Editor to be a Director by virtue of his or her office.

9.6 Appointment of University Secretary

Council endorsed the recommendation to appoint Ms Janet White as University Secretary for a five year term from a date to be agreed with the Vice-Chancellor.

9.7 Reappointment of Chair of Australian National Academy of Music Ltd

Council noted that the Vice-Chancellor had approved on behalf of Council the reappointment of Mr John Haddad AO as Chair of the Board of Australian National Academy of Music Ltd from 8 May 2007 until 25 February 2010.

9.8 Appointment of Director of Melbourne Business School Ltd

Council noted that the Vice-Chancellor had approved on behalf of Council the appointment of Professor Margaret Abernethy (Dean of Faculty of Economics and Commerce) as a director of the Melbourne Business School Ltd.

9.9 Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) Competition

Council agree to record its congratulations to the members of the student team which had won the national SIFE title at the recent competitions, and noted that Council would look forward with pleasure to seeing the student presentation at its September meeting. Council also noted that the team would represent Australia at the global final in New York later in the year.

9.10 Universitas 21

Council noted that U21 Equity would meet later in the week, to receive advice on future options for operations, in the light of the departure of the previous joint venture partner.

10. Council Nominations and Governance Committee [Item A6]

Council received the report of meeting 2/07 of the Council Nominations and Governance Committee held on 18 June 2007.

10.1 Vacancy for a Council Appointee to its Membership

Council adopted the recommendation to appoint Dr Virginia Mansour to its membership, for a term expiring on 31 December 2009.

11. Finance Committee [Item A7]

Council received the report of meeting 4/07 of the Finance Committee held on 20 June 2007.

11.1 Growing Esteem Transition Fund Bids

On the recommendation of the Finance Committee, Council resolved to:

1. adopt the principles set out in Appendix 1 to the report, for the allocation from the Growing Esteem Transition Fund;
2. approve initiatives proposed to be funded from the Growing Esteem Transition Fund as set out in the attachment to that Appendix; and
3. reaffirm that the Senior Vice-Principal is to provide Finance Committee with quarterly reports of expenditure and deliverables against GETF program plans agreed with faculties and administrative divisions.

11.2 Policy Guidelines for Review of Directors’ Fees

Council adopted the draft policy guidelines for review of Directors’ fees set out in Appendix 2 to the report, subject to the addition of the following sentence to the fourth dot-point - “All directors’ fees and variations thereto are subject to Council’s approval”.

11.3 Possible Property Acquisitions

Council approved allocation of a total of up to $ 45m from University Reserves for the purchase of proposed property acquisitions.

Council noted that the purchase of one of three targeted properties had been completed.

12. Building and Estates Committee [Item A9]

Council received the report of meeting 3/07 of the Building and Estates Committee held on 27 June 2007, together with a supplementary report from that meeting.

12.1 University Foundation Plate – Parkville Campus

A recommendation by the Buildings and Estates Committee, concerning a proposal from the Committee of Convocation to present the University with a replica of the plaque which had been inscribed and incorporated within the stone work of the old quadrangle at the time of the foundation of the University, was withdrawn to allow clarification of some details of the Buildings and Estates Committee decision.

12.2 Naming Proposal – John Sumner Auditorium

Council agreed that, subject to the approval of the Chancellor, the auditorium in the new Melbourne Theatre Company theatre be named the “Sumner Auditorium”.

12.3 Policy and Guidelines on Naming Proposals

Council agreed that the Policy and Guidelines for Naming Proposals be amended by the insertion of the following phrase at point 5:

“…and have given their consent to the proposal”.

12.4 Memorial Tree Policy and Guidelines

Council agreed to amend dot point (4) of the Memorial Tree Policy and Guidelines to read as follows:

“(4) The Landscape Sub-Committee will investigate the proposal and make such recommendation as it considers appropriate to the Building and Estates Committee.”

13. University Relations Committee [Item A10]

Council received the report of meeting 2/07 of the University Relations Committee held on 7 June 2007.

14. Remuneration and Employment Conditions Committee [A11]

Council received the report of meeting 2/07 of the Remuneration and Employment Conditions Committee held on 22 June 2007.

14.1 Dean of Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences

Council adopted the recommendation that Professor James Angus be appointed to a further five-year term as Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences following the completion of his current term, due to expire on 23 July 2008.

15. Planning and Budget Committee [Item B1]

Council received the report of meeting 4/07 of the Planning and Budget Committee held on 16 June 2007.

15.1 Proposed Formal Affiliation Agreement with the Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute

Council approved the Affiliation Agreement with the Peter McCallum Cancer Institute, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

15.2 Planning and Budget Conference Mt Eliza 14-16 June 2007: Academic and University Management Structures Outcomes

These matters were dealt with under the Vice-Chancellor’s Report (minute 9.1 above refers).

16. Academic Board [Item B2]

Council received the report of meeting 5/07 of the Academic Board held on 21 June 2007. The President of the Board drew members’ attention to the executive summaries of the 2006 Evaluation Cycle reports, attached to the Board’s report as Appendices C and D.

16.1 Course Related Matters

16.1.1 Discontinuation of Courses

Council adopted the Board’s recommendation to discontinue the following courses into which there would be no new first year intakes in 2008:

• Graduate Certificate in Arts (Public History and Heritage).
• Graduate Diploma in Arts (Public History and Heritage).
• Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Public History and Heritage).
• Master of Arts (Public History and Heritage) Coursework and Minor Thesis.
• Postgraduate Certificate in Art Conservation.

16.1.2 Renaming of Postgraduate Physiotherapy Courses

Council adopted the Board’s recommendation to rename the following courses:

• Master of Physiotherapy (Cardiothoracic Physiotherapy) renamed as Master of Physiotherapy (Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy).
• Master of Physiotherapy (Continence & Women’s Health Physiotherapy) renamed as Master of Physiotherapy (Women’s Health and Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy).
• Postgraduate Certificate in Physiotherapy (Continence and Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation) renamed as Postgraduate Certificate in Physiotherapy (Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy).

16.2 Selection Matters

16.2.1 English Language Requirements for PhD Program in Faculty of Economics and Commerce

Council adopted the Board’s recommendation to revise the following English language requirements for international students seeking to undertake PhD studies in the Faculty of Economics and Commerce:

To gain admission to PhD candidature, international students must have -

1. Completed English language tests with the following scores:
   IELTS - 7.0, written 7.0 with no band lower than 6.0 or
   TOEFL - 600 and TWE 5.0 or
   Computer-based TOEFL - 250 and 5.0 essay rating or
   Internet-based TOEFL - 100 and written score of 24.
   OR

2. completed at least a two-year tertiary degree within the last five years in an institution where English is the language of instruction and assessment for the entire institution.

16.2.2 Revised Entry Requirements - Bachelor of Agriculture

Council adopted the following revised VCE entry requirements for the Dookie-based Bachelor of Agriculture course from 2010:

• A score of 25 in English (Units 3 and 4) and Mathematical Methods (Units 3 and 4).

16.2.3 Academic Board Resolutions on Selection

Council adopted the Board’s recommendation of the following Academic Board Resolution on Selection for the new generation course, Postgraduate Certificate in the Teaching of English:

1. The Selection Committee will evaluate the applicant’s ability to pursue successfully the course using the following criteria -
   • An appropriate undergraduate degree and a fourth- year level education qualification, An appropriate undergraduate degree and a fourth-year level education qualificor equivalent, including, in one or both, significant study of drama, literature or allied disciplines; or
   • An undergraduate degree in a relevant area, e.g. English, drama, together with at least two years professional experience in either theatre performance, directing or production, or in working in educational contexts, or equivalent;
   • In addition to one of the above, access to a school or educational setting where the work-place based component can be implemented.
2. The Selection Committee may conduct interviews or tests and may call for referee reports and employer references to elucidate any of the matters referred to above.

16.2.4 New Student Award

Council adopted the Board’s recommendation for the establishment of the following student award:

• Alan Missen Foundation Prize (Appendix A to the report).

17. Melbourne Theatre Company Board of Management [Item B3(a)]

Council received the report of meeting 6/07 of the Melbourne Theatre Company Board of Management held on 22 June 2007.

18. The Ian Potter Museum of Art Board [Item B3(b)]

Council received the report of meeting 3/07 of the Ian Potter Museum of Art Board held on 29 May 2007.

19. Committee of Convocation [Item B4]

Council received the report of meeting 4/07 of the Committee of Convocation held on 20 June 2007.

The President of Convocation queried the omission of the listing of membership of the Committee of Convocation from the recent University Annual Report, and the Vice-Chancellor agreed to bring forward a response.

Note. Subsequently, the Vice-Chancellor determined that the listing of Committee of Convocation membership, which had been deleted some years previously as one of a number of items not formally required for compliance with Victorian and Commonwealth legislation, should be restored with effect from the University’s Annual Report for 2007.

20. Legislation and Trusts Committee [Item C]

Council received and noted the report of the Legislation and Trusts Committee meeting 4/07 held on 25 June 2007.

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

(1)

Amendment of Statute 9.49 recommended by the University Secretary

To update the affiliation for the Australian Antarctic Division (43/07)

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

(1)	Amendment of Regulation R3.60 recommended by the Research and Research Training Committee	To encourage publication during candidature for Doctor of Philosophy (44/07)
(2)	Amendment of Regulation 17.1.R11 recommended by the Planning and Budget Committee and the Vice-Chancellor	To include the Pro Vice-Chancellor (University Relations) as a member of the Planning and Budget Committee (45/07)
(3)	Amendment of Regulation 8.1.R13 recommended by the University Secretary	To change the membership of the Board of Management of the Melbourne University Bookshop (46/07)

20.3Council adopted the following Standing Resolutions as detailed in the Report:

(1)

Re-numbered and re-ordered Standing Resolutions of Council recommended by the Nominations and Governance Committee

Standing Resolutions of Council: Chapter 1 Definition Chapter 2 Resolutions on Council Chapter 3 Council Committees Chapter 4 General Resolutions including Protocols

21. School of Botany Foundation – Annual Report 2006 [Items D1(a)]

Council received an extract of the School of Botany Foundation’s 2006 Annual Report.

22. Summary of Reports of Matters Dealt with by the Vice-Chancellor [Items D2(a) & D2(b)]

Council received the summary of reports on matters dealt with by the Vice-Chancellor, as set out in Items D2(a) and D2(b).

The meeting closed after 7.10pm.