Council Meeting No 5/05

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A meeting of the Council was held in the Council Chamber, 1st Floor, Old Quadrangle on Monday 6 June 2005 at 4.00p.m.

Present

Members

The Chancellor, Mr I A Renard (In the Chair)
The Deputy Chancellor, (Hon Mr Justice Chernov)
The Deputy Chancellor, (Dr B Lochtenberg)
The Vice-Chancellor (Professor G Davis)
The President of Academic Board (Professor L Skene)
Ms E Alexander, Mr T L Anning, Mr B Barnett, Mr M Belleghem,
Hon Justice Crennan, Dr M Doig, Associate Professor M A Elgar,
Mr G Hehir, Judge I Lawson, Professor P Pattison, Ms E N S Ritchie,
Ms R Storelli, Mr E Thornley 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)

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) (Professor F Larkins)
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) (Professor P McPhee)
The Vice-Principal and Chief Financial Officer (Mr D Percival)
The Vice-Principal (Human Resources) (Ms E Baré)

Mr Peter Acton

The University Secretary (Mr L Currie)

Business

1. Formal Matters [Item A.01]

   Leave of absence for the July meeting was granted to Ms Alexander, Justice Chernov, Professor Pattison and Mr Thornley.
   
   An apology had been received from Mr Briggs.
   
   The Chancellor drew members’ attention to the strictly confidential nature of the Key Issues listed for discussion at the meeting and emphasised that, with the exception of such matters as the University released into the public domain, Council’s documentation and discussions on those issues would remain confidential.

2. Returning Officer’s Report [Item A.02]
   
   The University Secretary declared Mr Matthew Belleghem elected to the casual vacancy for a student member of Council for the term ending to 31 December 2005.

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

3.1 The minutes of Council meeting 4/05 held on 9 May 2005, copies of which had been distributed, were confirmed.

3.2 The Action Sheet was noted from Meeting No. 4/05.

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

   Items A.4(b).6 & .11 and A.6(a).12 & .15 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])

6.1 Suggested Council Meeting Dates 2006

Council adopted the proposed meeting dates for 2006.

6.2 Council Nominations & Governance Committee Oral Report

The Chancellor reported that the Council Nominations and Governance Committee had met on 2 June 2005, and drew attention to the tabled extract from Professor Arthur Li’s curriculum vitae. Council adopted the Committee’s recommendation that Professor Li be appointed to the casual vacancy for a member appointed by Council with a term ending 31 December 2006.

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 –

1. Faculty of Land and Food Resources
• (document A.4(a).1)

Council discussed at length a report from Professor Larkins, the Dean of the Faculty of Land and Food Resources, and the attached Phillips KPA Report entitled, “Review of the delivery of VET programs in agriculture and related disciplines by the University of Melbourne – Final Report”.

Council adopted the following principles for engagement in agriculture-related education as the basis for repositioning the responsibilities of the Faculty of Land and Food Resources:

• The Faculty of Land and Food Resources is committed to the delivery of quality higher education and research outcomes in agriculture, food science, forestry and horticulture. This strategic commitment must drive faculty resource and infrastructure decisions and determine strategic priorities.
• The University will develop a framework for contributing to agriculture-related disciplines consistent with the above, having regard to regional differences, government, industry and community expectations both economic and social. This will involve the University disengaging from the delivery of VET programs and concentrating on higher education and research programs. The University will work closely with the Office of Training and Tertiary Education (OTTE) so that the VET activities can be transferred by OTTE to specialist regional TAFE providers.
• The University, informed by extensive consultations, is committed to ensuring that VET opportunities for students in the various regions of Victoria are preserved and where possible enhanced through the identification of alternative VET providers.
• In regions where infrastructure resources are surplus to immediate agricultural-related educational needs alternative uses for those resources will be sought.
• The University will ensure that as a consequence of any changes made to the faculty, opportunities will be available for enrolled students to complete their courses and staff employment entitlements will be managed consistently with industrial award provisions.

Council noted that within this framework the University would undertake the following actions:

• Implement individually tailored solutions region-by-region consistent with preserving or even enhancing VET opportunities.
• Subject to satisfactory due diligence with the relevant alternative provider, negotiate staff arrangements consistent with the University’s industrial relations obligations. Options could include transfer of staff to each relevant VET provider with maintenance of income for up to three years and transfer of funding to the new provider sufficient to cover items such as accrued long service and annual leave.
• Ensure that existing enrolled students have the opportunity to complete awards at the University either directly or, subject to satisfactory quality assurance, by arrangement with the relevant alternate VET provider.
• Develop articulation strategies to facilitate the transfer of selected students on completion of their VET course to appropriate University Higher Education courses.
• Establish an LFR Implementation Taskforce representing the relevant divisions of university administration to assist the faculty with the transition of VET activities to alternative providers and to advise the university on related matters.
• Establish an LFR External Consultative Committee involving representatives from the University, Industry and Government to advise the Dean on the restructuring of the faculty. Council noted a set of proposed media releases regarding its decisions. Council noted its appreciation of Professor Larkins’ work in reaching these outcomes, and congratulated him on its quality.

2. Subsidiaries Sub-Committee – Melbourne University Private Ltd
• (document B.2(b) – refer to minute 13 below.)
8. Vice-Chancellor’s Report [Item A.4 (b)]

Council received the Vice-Chancellor’s Report,

 8.1 Group of Eight

Council noted that, at its board meeting on 1 June, the Group of Eight Vice-Chancellors elected Professor Davis of the University of Melbourne as next President of the group, and congratulated him on that appointment.

8.2 Melbourne University Student Union Incorporated (in Liquidation)

The Senior Vice-Principal outlined his understanding of the stage the liquidator had reached in his activities, and the involvement of other authorities.

9. Administrative Committee [Item A.5 (a)]
   
   Council received the report of meetings 4/05 and 5/05 of the Administrative Committee held 6 April and 4 May 2005.
   
10. Planning and Budget Committee (Item A.6 [a])

    Council received the report of meeting 4/05 of the Planning and Budget Committee held 11 May 2005.

    10.1 Proposal to Establish the Nossal Institute of Global Health and the Foundation Director of Nossal Institute for Global Health and Chair of Global Health

    Council endorsed the establishment by the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences of the Nossal Institute of Global Health and agreed in principle that the Institute should be a school of the faculty. Council adopted the recommendation that Professor Graham Brown be appointed Interim Director of the Institute, and agreed in principle to the establishment by regulation of the Nossal Institute for Global Health Foundation. Council agreed that an Advisory Council and a Scientific Advisory Committee to the Institute be established by the Interim and Foundation Director, as outlined in Appendix 1 of the report. It was noted that the Australian International Health Institute was expected to merge its operations into the Nossal Institute, and that such developments would be a matter to be brought to Council through its Subsidiaries Sub-Committee.

    10.2 Proposal to Establish the Chair of Psychiatric Nursing

    Council adopted the recommendation to establish the Chair of Psychiatric Nursing within the School of Nursing, as outlined in Appendix 2 of the report.

10.3 Proposal to Establish the Chair of Psychiatry

Council adopted the recommendation to establish the Chair of Psychiatry to be based at St Vincent’s Hospital, as outlined in Appendix 3 of the report.

10.4 Proposal to Establish two Chairs of Ophthalmology

Council adopted the recommendation to establish two Chairs of Ophthalmology with sub-specialities in Glaucoma and Anterior Segment Eye Disease, as outlined in Appendix 4 of the report.

10.5 Proposal to Establish the Chair of Clinical Research in Psychiatry

Council adopted the recommendation to establish the Chair of Clinical Research in Psychiatry to be based at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, as outlined in Appendix 5 of the report.

10.6 Proposal to Establish three Chairs of Law

Council adopted the recommendation to establish three Chairs of Law, as outlined in Appendix 6 to the report.

10.7 Proposal to Rename the Adacel Chair of Software Engineering

Council adopted the recommendation to rename the Adacel Chair of Software Engineering to Chair of Software Innovation and Engineering, as outlined in Appendix 7 to the report.

10.8 Proposal to refill the Chair in Media and Communications

Council agreed to refill the Chair in Media and Communications due to the resignation of Professor S Cottle.

10.9 R6.72B –Memorial Awards from the 1920 Appeal

Council approved new values for memorial awards from the 1920 Appeal, as set out in the report.

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

    Council received the report of meeting 4/05 of the Academic Board held on 26 May 2005.

    11.1 Award of Honorary Degree of Doctor of Architecture

Council adopted the Board’s recommendation to award an honorary degree of Doctor of Architecture as tabled at the meeting.

11.2 Appointment of Chair Selection Committees

Council adopted the Board’s recommendation to establish the following Chair selection committees:

• Chair of Global Health (Appendix A)
• Chair of Psychiatric Nursing (Appendix B)
• Chair of Psychiatry (Appendix C)
• Two Chairs of Ophthalmology (Appendix D)
• Chair of Clinical Research in Psychiatry (Appendix E)
• Three Chairs of Law (Appendix F)
• Chair of Media and Communications (Appendix G).

11.3 New, Renamed and Cancelled Courses

Council adopted the Board’s recommendation for the introduction of the following new course, Graduate Diploma in Choreography for the Screen at the Victorian College of the Arts, as set out in Appendix H of the report.

Council adopted the Board’s recommendation for the establishment of a jointly badged Bachelor of Engineering course in Civil Engineering with Universitas 21 partner, the National University of Singapore (NUS) as set out in Appendix I of the report.

Council adopted the Board’s recommendation for the renaming of the following courses in the Victorian College of the Arts:

• Graduate Diploma in Dramatic Art (Production and Events Management) renamed as the Graduate Diploma in Production (Production and Events Management).
• Graduate Diploma in Dramatic Art (Design) renamed as the Graduate Diploma in Production (Design).

Council adopted the Board’s recommendation for the cancellation of the following courses in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences:

• Graduate Certificate in Health Services Research and Evaluation
• Postgraduate Diploma in Epidemiology.

11.4 New Student Awards

Council resolved to establish the following new student awards:

• Land and Food Services Scholarship (Appendix J)
• Harry and Lotti Bench Bursaries (Appendix K)
• Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Prize (Appendix L)
• 2005 Lions Club of Strezlecki Bursaries (Appendix M)
• 2005 Gardiner Foundation Establishment Bursaries ( Appendix N)

11.5 Selection Matters

11.5.1 Academic Board Resolutions on Selection

Council adopted the Board’s recommendation for new and revised Academic Board Resolutions on Selection for courses in the Faculties of Science and Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, as set out in Appendix O of the

11.5.2 ENTER Scores for 2006

Council adopted the Board’s recommendation for Faculty Minimum and Guaranteed ENTER scores for 2006 as set out in Appendix P of the report.

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

    Council received the report of meeting 3/05 of the Finance Committee held on 18 May 2005.

    12.1 Structure of Investment Management Committee

    Council adopted the recommendation that the membership of the Investment Management Committee be revised as follows –

    “A Chairperson nominated by Finance Committee, preferably from among the members of Finance Committee

    The Senior Vice-Principal

    *The Vice-Principal & Chief Financial Officer

    A member of Council appointed by the Finance Committee

    Up to four (previously three) other members appointed by the Finance Committee, three of whom should have investment expertise and be external to the University, and at least one of whom should be a female member.

    The Committee has the power to co-opt one other member who has relevant experience and is external to the University.

    * In the absence of the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Financial Officer’s deputy should attend. ”

    12.2 Subsidiaries Sub-Committee – Melbourne Business School Ltd

    Council adopted the recommendation for the proposed changes to the Melbourne Business School Ltd’s Constitution as outlined in Appendix A of the report.

    12.3 Funding for New Economics and Commerce Building

    Council adopted the recommendation that the University fund the construction of the new building up to a total construction cost of $90M by the following:

    • $50M borrowing from the National Australia Bank on terms outlined in the report, and
    • Internal funding as outlined in the report;

    and noted that its resolution was contingent on proper project costing, estimation and contracts being determined.

13. Subsidiaries Sub-Committee [Item B.2 (b)]

    13.1 Review of Melbourne University Private Limited
    
    Council received the report of special meeting 4/05 of the Subsidiaries Sub-Committee held on 3 June 2005 and heard a presentation from Mr Peter Acton, the external consultant engaged to undertake a “due diligence” review of Melbourne University Private Limited for the Vice-Chancellor.
    
    After a lengthy discussion Council agreed to adopt the following resolutions:

    1. To acknowledge the progress that Melbourne University Private Ltd (MUP) has made in developing innovative, client-focused educational programs for a new range of clients with which the University of Melbourne (UOM) has had limited engagement.
    2. To conclude that, having regard to the advice submitted by the Vice Chancellor about the ongoing changes in the external environment in which MUP is being required to operate, the impact of those changes on the educational and financial prospects for MUP and, given the value MUP has created for the UOM, the benefits of establishing closer linkages between many of the programs conducted by MUP with those of the UOM, it is an appropriate time to merge MUP’s academic and business operations into the UOM.
    3. To advise the board of MUP for its consideration and action as appropriate, that Council believes that it is in the interests of the UOM for MUP, as soon as practicable and if possible by 31 December 2005, to relinquish its right to operate as a private university under Section 10 of the Tertiary Education Act 1993.
    4. To record Council's gratitude to the directors, management and staff of MUP for the contributions they have made in successfully bringing MUP through to a point where the value of many of its activities can now be more effectively pursued through other arrangements.
    5. To confirm that, in reaching the conclusion referred to in resolution 2, the UOM is committed to managing the transition in a manner which has full regard to the obligations that MUP and UOM have to students, staff and clients of MUP.
    6. To confirm previous undertakings that the UOM will provide awards to MUP award course students, from such date as is subsequently advised by the President of the Academic Board, and to seek the advice of the President how to best enable such students to complete their degrees in accordance with the UOM's commitments and its obligations to students.
    7. To note the advice from the Vice Chancellor about the options currently being explored for the future operation of the various businesses conducted by MUP and to request that further advice on these proposals be provided to Council in July 2005.
    8. To note the advice from the Chair of the Board of MUP that each of its Directors has offered to resign as a director, to accept the resignation of Mr Barry Capp, Professor Kwong Lee Dow, Mr David Lloyd, Mr Neil O’Keefe and Ms Kate Spargo, and to appoint as an additional director the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Glyn Davis.

14. 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].

The meeting then closed.