Council Meeting No 5/07

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A meeting of the Council was held in the Council Chamber, 1 st Floor, Old Quadrangle on
Monday 4 June 2007 at 4.00pm.

Present

Members

The Chancellor (Mr I Renard) (in the Chair)
The Vice-Chancellor (Professor G Davis)
The Deputy Chancellor (Justice A Chernov) (from 4.45 pm)
The Deputy Chancellor (Ms R Storelli)
The President of Academic Board (Professor P Pattison)
Ms E Alexander (from 6.00pm), Associate Professor L Allen, Mr P Briggs,
Mr M Coyle, Dr M Doig, Professor M Elgar, Ms J Giles, Mr R Johanson,
Mrs L Landy, Judge I Lawson, Ms M Sloss and Mr T Williams.

Others Attending

The Vice-President of the UMPA (Ms M Smith)

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) (Professor P McPhee)
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Innovation and Development) (Professor V Braach-Maksvytis)
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) (Professor J McKenzie)
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (University Relations) (Professor W Bebbington)
The Vice-President of Academic Board (Professor G Stevens)
The Senior Vice-Principal (Mr I Marshman)
The Vice-Principal and Head of Administration (Ms E Baré)
The Vice-Principal and Chief Financial Officer (Mr D Percival)
The Vice-Principal and General Counsel (Mr C Penman)
The Vice-Principal and Academic Registrar (Ms G Luck)
The University Secretary (Mr L Currie)
The Director, Office of the Vice-Chancellor (Mr D Speagle)
The Assistant University Secretary (Mr J Green)
The Senior Media Adviser (Ms C Buckridge)
Ms E Fazio, Ms C Rytmeister.

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

The Dean of the Faculty of Arts (Professor B Probert)

Business

1. Formal Matters

1.1 Apologies and Leave of Absence Requests [Item A01]

Council received apologies from Ms E Ritchie and Mr D White.

Leave of Absence for 9 July meeting was granted to Mr I Renard.

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

2.1 The minutes of Council meeting 3/07 held on 7 May 2007 and meeting 4/07 held on 23 May 2007, copies of which had been distributed, were confirmed subject to a minor correction to minute 9.3 (3/07) to amend “had” to “has” in the last sentence.

2.1 The Ac tion Shee t from Mee ting No. 3/07 was no ted. With regard to discussions of a proposal to write-off accumulated Melbourne Theatre Company deficits, an issue dating back to Council’s September 2006 meeting, the Chief Financial Officer advised that the matter was expected to be finally resolved within the next three months

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

The 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 A5.7 & 10; A8, and B1.2 & 6 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) ]

Council received the Chancellor’s Report and noted the attached background papers for the dinner discussion of issues related to the size and membership of Council. The Chancellor advised that it might be necessary to schedule an extra Council meeting towards the end of July, to finalise a submission to the National Governance Protocols Review.

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

No matters were singled out as Key Issues and Documents for Discussion.

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

8.1 Update – June 2007

Council noted the Growing Esteem Implementation Update for June 2007.

9. Vice-Chancellor’s Report [Item A5]

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

9.1 Discriminatory Terms in Trusts and Other Awards

Council noted advice on the ‘charitable benefits’ exception provided by all anti-discrimination legislation, and noted also the role of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (University Relations) in determining whether or not the University would make use of that exception in particular instances. Several members expressed the view that it would be preferable for some Guidelines to be provided for such determinations, and the Chancellor agreed to form and chair a working group to bring forward a proposal to Council.

9.2 Childcare

Council noted the update provided in the Vice-Chancellor’s Report and a tabled copy of a media article which referred to University plans to “outsource” childcare operations in its new centre. Council noted that the document referred to in the article was a part of an options paper being prepared for consideration at the July meeting of Planning and Budget Committee.

9.3 Student Association Membership Numbers

In the course of discussion of membership numbers for the student associations, the Vice-President of UMPA queried the enrolment figure on which the membership percentage for her organisation was based, and requested further details.

9.4 Environmental Sustainability Initiatives

Council noted University environmental sustainability initiatives currently undertaken and planned for future implementation. The Vice-Chancellor indicated that he would bring forward a report on steps which might be taken to move the University towards a position of ‘carbon neutrality’.

9.5 Meanjin

Council noted publicity regarding recent decisions taken by the Board of the Meanjin Company Limited and was briefed on background to the issue by the Dean of the Faculty of Arts. It was noted that the Subsidiaries Sub-Committee would be considering the matter at its meeting later in the week.

9.6 Environmental Health and Safety Issues

(Item 5 in the Report to Council from the Audit and Risk Committee [document A8] was considered in conjunction with this item.)

Council discussed two environmental health and safety issues outlined in the Compliance Report (Appendix I to the Vice-Chancellor’s Report) –

9.6.1 Glass Louvres Incident in the David Penington Building

Council asked to receive a report on how the incident had occurred, with advice as to what basis existed for assurance that it would not recur.

9.6.2 Gas Leak

Council asked to receive a report on the apparent delay in action following report of the leak, together with a copy of the consultants’ report on the University’s iron piping.

10. Finance Committee [Item A7]

Council received the report of meeting 3/07 of the Finance Committee held on 23 May 2007.

10.1 Report from the University Infrastructure Committee

Council adopted the Building Works and Infrastructure Technology Bids as outlined in Appendix 1 to the report.

10.2 Economics and Commerce Scholarship Fund

Council agreed to the setting up of a Trust Account to operate in the manner as outlined in Option C (Hybrid Structure) of Appendix 2 to the report.

10.3 Report from Subsidiaries Sub-Committee

Council endorsed the new constitution and reform of the governance and committee structure of Australian Music Examinations Board (Vic) Ltd as outlined in Appendix 3 to the report.

11. Audit and Risk Committee [Item A8]

Council received the report of meeting 2/07 of the Audit and Risk Committee held on 23 May 2007 and heard a report from Dr Doig on behalf of the Chair.

12. Building and Estates Committee [Item A9]

Council received the report of meeting 2/07 of the Building and Estates Committee held on 2 May 2007.

12.1 Memorial Tree Policy

Council adopted the Memorial Tree Policy and Guidelines as set out in Appendix A to the report.

12.2 Naming Proposal – The Jennifer Sabine Rushes Room

Council approved the renaming of the room within the Film and Television Building of Victorian College of the Arts currently known as “Rushes 1” to become “The Jennifer Sabine Rushes Room”.

13. Planning and Budget Committee [Item B1]

Council received the report of meeting 3/07 of the Planning and Budget Committee held on 16 May 2007.

13.1 International Committee

Council endorsed the establishment of new university level and faculty level linkages, with academic cooperation and exchange as outlined below:

1. Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil.
2. Universidad de Los Andes, Colombia.
3. Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, Italy (through Faculty of Arts).
4. Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, France (through Faculty of Veterinary Science).

13.2 Review of Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute

A member expressed concern at the apparent confusion of direction found within Bio21. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) advised that the University’s response to the Review recommendations should provide greater clarity in delineating the role of the Institute.

13.3 Development Grants for Innovation in Large Group Teaching

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) drew Council’s attention to seed funding which had been awarded from the Learning and Teaching Performance Fund to support innovations in large group teaching. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor advised that he was meeting with Professor Williams to discuss possible roles for the Colleges in enhancing the Melbourne Experience.

14. Academic Board [Item B2]

Council received the report of meeting 4/07 of the Academic Board held on 24 May 2007.

14.1 New Coursework Programs

Council endorsed the establishment of the following coursework programs:

• Postgraduate Certificate in the Teaching of Shakespeare (Appendix A of the report)
• Master of Education (International Baccalaureate) and Postgraduate Certificate in Education Studies (International Baccalaureate) (Appendix B of the report)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Dance Science (Appendix C of the report)
• Master of Production (Appendix D of the report)
• Master of Theatre Practice (Appendix E of the report).

14.2 New Student Awards

The following student awards were established:

• Towards a Just Society Bursaries (Appendix F of the report)
• Chinese Lions Club Scholarship (Appendix G of the report).
  

15. Melbourne Theatre Company Board of Management [Item B3]

Council received the report of meeting 5/07 of the Melbourne Theatre Company Board of Management held on 18 May 2007.

16. Committee of Convocation [Item B4]

Council received the report of meeting 3/07 of the Committee of Convocation held on 16 May 2007. In its discussion of the Committee’s concerns regarding permanent banners and billboards on certain University buildings, Council noted that it had transpired that the City of Melbourne turned down the applications for permits, on the basis that the proposals were contrary to planning scheme provisions applicable to the University.

17. Legislation and Trusts Committee [Item C]

Council received and noted the report of the Legislation and Trusts Committee meeting 3/07 held on 28 May 2007.

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

(1)	Amendment of Statute 3.1 recommended by the University Secretary	To provide for the proper application of staggered election terms following a determination by Council to decrease the number in a class or group of elected members of the Committee of Convocation (41/07)
(2)	Amendment of Statute 2.4 recommended by the University Secretary	To allow the Vice-Chancellor to correct demonstrable clerical mistakes or errors arising from accidental slips or omissions in Statutes, Regulations, and Standing Resolutions (42/07)

Council agreed that in the new paragraph to be added to Statute 2.4, the phrase “which has demonstrably occurred” should be amended to “which demonstrably has occurred”.

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

Council approved the following recommendations in relation to amendment number 35/07 (item 3 in the table below- The Adrienne Clarke Chair of Botany) :

1. the recommendation of the Board of Management of the University of Melbourne School of Botany Foundation at its meeting on 18 October 2006 that the sum of $2 million, plus any further sums received by the Foundation from donors for the purpose of the Chair, be applied to fund the Adrienne Clarke Chair of Botany; and
2. that the University’s interest in the estate of the late John William Maddison be applied to fund the said Chair.

(1)	Amendment of Regulation 8.1.R11 recommended by the Planning and Budget Committee	To update the composition of the board of Asialink (31/07)
(2)	Amendment of Regulation 11.1.R3 Attachment A Appendix G recommended by the Academic Board	To update the details of entry requirements for the degree of Juris Doctor (33/07)
(3)	Making of Regulation R7.241 recommended by the Trusts Lawyer	To govern The Adrienne Clarke Chair of Botany (35/07)
(4)	Making of Regulation R6.245 recommended by the Trusts Lawyer	To govern The Future Generations Scholarships Fund (40/07)

17.3 Standing Resolutions of Council as detailed in the Report:

(1)

Making of a Standing Resolution recommended by the University Secretary

Protocol for the Accessioning, Storage and Deaccessioning of Human Remains and Burial Artefacts and Sacred or Secret Objects

Council made the above Standing Resolution, subject to the Vice-Chancellor being satisfied that proper consultation with the indigenous community had taken place.

17.4 Trusts

The Chair of Legislation and Trusts Committee drew attention to the considerable workload which would be involved in amending trust and other legislation to accommodate changes related to Melbourne Model courses. The Vice-Chancellor advised that the University proposed to obtain extra assistance with a general review of its legislation, which might relieve some of the workload the Committee was facing.

18. Melbourne Theatre Company – Annual Report 2006 [Items D1]

Council received the Melbourne Theatre Company – Annual Report 2006.

19. 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 6.35pm.