Council Meeting No 2/07
A meeting of the Council was held in the Council Chamber, 1 st Floor, Old Quadrangle on
Monday 26 March 2007 at 4.00p.m.
Present
Members
The Chancellor (Mr I Renard) (in the Chair)
The Vice-Chancellor (Professor G Davis)
The Deputy Chancellor (Ms R Storelli)
The President of Academic Board (Professor P Pattison)
Ms E Alexander (until 6.15pm), Associate Professor L Allen, Mr P Briggs, Mr M Coyle, Professor M Elgar, Ms J Giles, Mrs L Landy, Judge I Lawson, Ms E Ritchie, Ms M Sloss, Mr T Williams and the Hon. Mr D White.
Others Attending
The President of Convocation (Ms L Boston)
The President of UMSU (Ms B Ahrens)
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) (Professor P McPhee)
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 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 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 Vice-Principal (Information) (Ms L O’Brien)
The Acting Vice-Principal (Human Resources) (Ms J McQuillan)
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.
The following Deans attended for Council’s discussion of listed key issues:
The Dean of Architecture Building and Planning (Professor T Kvan)
The Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences (Professor J Angus)
Business
- Formal Matters
Apologies and Leave of Absence Requests [Item A01]
Council received apologies from Justice Chernov, Dr Doig and Mr Johanson.
Leave of absence for the May meeting in 2007 was granted to Ms Alexander and Mr Renard.
- Minutes of Previous Meetings and Follow Up Action Sheet [Item A1(a), A1(b) and A1(c)]
2.1 The minutes of Council meeting 11/06 held on 11 December 2006, copies of which had been distributed, were confirmed subject to correction of Mr McRae’s title in the attendance record and in minute 9.9.
2.2 The minutes of Council meeting 1/07 held on 16/17 February 2007, copies of which had been distributed, were confirmed.
2.3 The Ac tion Shee t from Mee ting No. 11/06 was no ted. With regard to the item concerning the Ridley College relationship, Council noted that it would seek to determine this matter not later than its July meeting.
2.3.1 Knowledge Transfer By-Line
Council adopted the recommendation by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Innovation and Development) to use ‘connection and exchange’ as the by-line for knowledge transfer.
2.3.2 Commercialisation Strategy
Council noted that, following the decision at its December 2006 meeting, the boards of UMEE Ltd and Melbourne Ventures Pty Ltd should include a person who is not a current officer or employee of the University, Dr Lochtenberg had accepted appointment to both boards.
- 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.
- Starring of Additional Items [Item A2(b)]
Additional items A5.5, A5.16, B1(b) and B2(a) were starred for discussion.
- 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.
- Chancellor’s Matters [Item A3 (a)]
Council received and noted the report of Chancellor’s Matters.
6.1 Appointment of Council Members
Council noted that confirmation had been received for the appointments of Dr Doig and Mr Johanson as members of Council from 6 March 2007 to 31 December 2009.
6.2 Leave of Absence for Judicial Members
Council noted that, from time to time, judicial commitments would preclude Justice Chernov and Judge Lawson from attending some meetings in 2007, and resolved to grant them leave of absence for those occasions.
6.3 Position of University Secretary
Council noted arrangements in train to refill the position of University Secretary in view of the retirement of Mr Currie later in the year.
6.4 VCA Integration Committee
Council agreed on the names of five members to serve as its nominees to the VCA Integration Committee required under the Heads of Agreement between the University and the Victorian College of the Arts.
Note: Subsequently it was discovered that Regulation 5.5.R1, which took effect from
1 January 2007, limited the number of University Council nominees to three.
- Listing of Key Issues and Documents for Discussion [Item A4(a)]
The following items were listed under Key Issues and Documents for Discussion –
- Implementing the Melbourne Model
(documents A5.1, A7(c) Attachments 1 and 2, B1(b) Appendix 4 and Document B2(c))
Council received a ‘Commercial-in-Confidence’ document on implementing the Melbourne Model – minute 9.1 below refers.
Council heard a presentation by the Dean of Architecture Building and Planning on how the Bachelor of Environments would relate to professional training in his faculty.
- Growing Esteem Implementation Reports [Item A4(b), (c) and (d)]
8.1 Updates – January, February and March 2007
Council noted the Growing Esteem Implementation Updates for January, February and March 2007.
- Vice-Chancellor’s Report [Item A5]
Council received and noted the Vice-Chancellor’s Report, together with supplementary documents concerning the co-ordination of parties on the Royal Children’s Hospital campus.
9.1 MM08
Council agreed to proceed with the implementation of the Melbourne Model from 2008, endorsed the policies and strategies as set out in the paper ‘Implementing the Melbourne Model’ (document A4[a]) prepared by the Director (Integrated Administration), and resolved to proceed with the proposed launch.
A member pointed out the desirability of including secondary curriculum co-ordinators as well as careers teachers in the University’s communications strategies.
9.2 Annual Report
Council received the draft Annual Report of Operations 2006 and further –
- noted that the text might require amendment in response to any comment which might be made by the Victorian Office for Higher Education;
- endorsed the Report of Operations, subject to any such amendments; and
- authorised the Vice-Chancellor and Chancellor to approve any significant changes to the final text.
9.3 Melbourne Business School – Change of Constitution
Council approved the following changes to the Melbourne Business School Constitution:
Clause 8.1
SUBJECT to the Code and to these Articles, the School and the business affairs and property thereof shall be managed by a Board of Directors consisting of 17 Directors PROVIDED THAT until the election or appointment in accordance with these articles of the balance of the Directors the Board shall consist of the Directors appointed by the University of Melbourne.
Clause 8.3.1
The University of Melbourne may, by notice in writing given to the School, appoint three persons as Directors of the School from time to time. Such persons may be removed as Directors by the University of Melbourne by notice in writing given to the School. Such appointment or removal shall take effect from the delivery to the registered office of the School of the notice of the appointment or removal.
9.4 Student System
Council adopted the following correction to an error in minute 14.2 of the 13 November 2006 minutes –
"It was noted that the recurrent costs of the Student System would remain, as previously advised, at $2.277 million with a half-year maintenance fee of $553,000 in 2008”.
9.5 Co-ordination of Parties on Royal Children’s Hospital Campus
Council noted the supplementary papers and heard a presentation by the Dean of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences. Following discussion, Council resolved to note the approach taken and endorse the University negotiating position as proposed.
9.6 “Voluntary Student Unionism”
In response to a member’s query, the Senior Vice-Principal advised that student union membership appeared to have dropped to between fifteen and twenty percent nationally. At the University of Melbourne, supplementary funding had been provided to maintain essential services. The subsidy to such services would be reassessed in the light of this year’s experience.
9.7 Government Allowances
In response to a student member’s query on progress in obtaining changes to Youth Allowance provisions and related matters, the Vice-Chancellor advised that any outcome of negotiations would not be available until the federal budget.
- Council Nominations and Governance Committee [Item A6]
Council received and noted the report of the Council Nominations and Governance Committee meeting 1/07 held on 8 March 2007.
- Finance Committee [Item A7(a)]
Council received and noted the report of the Finance Committee meeting 11/06 held on 8 December 2006.
- Finance Committee [Item A7(b)]
Council received and noted the report of the Finance Committee meeting 1/07 held on 12 February 2007.
- Finance Committee [Item A7(c)]
Council received and noted the report of the Finance Committee meeting 2/07 held on 16 March 2007. The Chair of the Committee introduced the items related to the Melbourne Model implementation.
13.1 Growing Esteem Transition Fund Initiative Allocations
Council resolved as follows:
- To adopt the principles for the initial allocation round from the Growing Esteem Transition Fund, as set out in Attachment 1 to the report;.
- To approve items identified in that Attachment for initial GETF support, noting that funding is predominantly for the 2007 components of the bids concerned;
- To note that the allocation for Marketing and Recruitment is subject to further joint advice by Deans and Central Officers responsible for marketing and student recruitment as to how available resources might be most effectively deployed to support both centrally coordinated activities and the “product specific” marketing requirements of individual faculties;
- To support the proposals in Appendix B to the Attachment, for an expanded Melbourne Scholarships program associated with the introduction of the Melbourne Model and the funding arrangements for that program; and
- To make the allocations detailed in Appendix C to the Attachment, for initiatives proposed to be funded in this initial round.
13.2 Moving to the Melbourne Model – Revenue and Cost Considerations
Council noted a report on revenue and cost considerations relevant to the Melbourne Model and approved the following recommendations:
- from a financial perspective, the University should, and is in a reasonable position to, proceed with implementation of the Melbourne Model from 2008; and
- given the anticipated widening gap between revenue earned as a result of the University’s learning and teaching activities and the cost of those activities, a gap that is not the creation of the Growing Esteem or the Melbourne Model, the Vice-Chancellor be asked to implement, in a manner compatible with the transition to the Melbourne Model, a co-ordinated and strategic program aimed at containing costs and to report regularly on progress being achieved.
13.3 Year 2006 Financial Statements
13.4 Acceleration of Expenditure on Infrastructure
Council approved the funding against cash flow of a total of $6.7M to accelerate infrastructure projects in 2007, noting that this amount would become the first charge against 2008 appropriations.
In response to a query concerning the readiness of the University’s infrastructure for implementation of the Melbourne Model, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) undertook to bring forward a list of teaching space projects currently in train.
13.5 Membership of Investment Management Committee
Council approved the following recommendations:
- that Terms of Reference for the Investment Management Committee be changed to allow two persons to be co-opted; and
- that once the Terms of Reference are so approved, Ms Amanda Fong be co-opted to the Investment Management Committee.
- Audit and Risk Committee [Item A8]
Council received the report of meeting 1/07 of the Audit and Risk Committee held on 19 March 2007, and heard an oral report in which the Chair of the Committee drew attention to the risk assessments attached to the report.
14.1 Audit of the Annual Accounts
- Building and Estates Committee [Item A9]
Council received the report of meeting 7/06 of the Building and Estates Committee held on 14 December 2006, and noted the valuable contribution which had been made by retiring members.
15.1 Naming Proposal - Rod Tucker Entrance
15.2 Building and Estates Committee Membership
- University Relations Committee [Item A10]
Council received the report of meeting 1/07 of the University Relations Committee held on 15 March 2007.
16.1 Terms of Reference and Membership
- Honours Committee [Item A12]
Council received the report of meetings 4/06 and 1/07 of the Honours Committee held on 12 December 2006 and 15 March 2007, respectively.
17.1 Laureate Professors
17.1.1 Reappointments
Council endorsed the following recommendations:
- that Professors Rod Tucker, Marilyn Renfree and Stuart Macintyre (whose current terms end on 31 July 2007) be reappointed as Laureate Professors for a term commencing 1 August 2007 and ending 31 July 2010; and
- that Professor David Boger (whose current term ends on 31 December 2007) be reappointed for a term commencing 1 January 2008 and ending on 31 December 2009.
17.1.2 Nominations
Council endorsed the following recommendation:
- that Professor Cheryl Saunders, Professor Sam Berkovic and Professor Keith Nugent (who have not previously been so appointed) be appointed as Laureate Professors for a term commencing 26 March 2007 and ending on 25 March 2010.
Each of the appointments in 17.1.1 and 17.1.2 is subject to discontinuance if at any time the holder ceases to be employed by the University on 0.4 or more of full-time employment.
Note: Subsequent to the meeting, the Vice-Chancellor agreed on behalf of Council that these three appointments should be for five years, the usual initial term for Laureate appointments.
17.2 Proposals for Award of Gold Medal
17.3 Amendment to Standing Resolution 3.6 – Awarding of Silver and Gold Medals
- Planning and Budget Committee [Item B1(a)]
Council received the report of meeting 1/07 of the Planning and Budget Committee held on 14 February 2007.
18.1 Research and Research Training Committee Terms of Reference -
18.2 Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) Centre for Therapeutic Target Discovery
Council endorsed the establishment of the Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) Centre for Therapeutic Target Discovery, as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report.
- Planning and Budget Committee [Item B1(b)]
Council received the report of meeting 2/07 of the Planning and Budget Committee held on 14 March 2007.
19.1 Growing Esteem Draft University 2007 Plan
Council adopted the Growing Esteem University 2007 Plan, attached as Appendix 1 to the report.
19.2 Australian National Fabrication Facility Limited. (ANFFL)
Council resolved that it was in the interests of the management or conduct of the affairs or concerns of the University to participate in the formation of ANFFL, a company limited by guarantee. The purposes of the company relate to providing access for researchers to facilities related to the fabrication of new materials and devices incorporating key advances in materials science, bioscience, photonics and electronics, as set out in Appendix 2 to the report.
19.3 Transitional Funding Arrangements for Student Associations
Council was advised that Planning and Budget committee had received a report regarding the anticipated execution of the transitional funding agreements before 30 March 2007 covering allocation of funding in 2007 to student associations (including MUSUL), and as a framework for such funding in 2008 and 2009 (Appendix 3 to the Committee’s report). Council noted that there would be a variation to the terms of the facilities and services agreement between MUSUL and UMSU as a result of the execution of a transitional funding agreement between those parties, and that the variation would not otherwise affect the basis on which approval was provided by Council for UMSU as a recognised student organisation under Statute 15.1.
19.4 School of Social Work
Council approved in principle the transfer of Social Work to Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences from 2 April 2007.
- Academic Board [Item B2(a)]
Council received the report of meeting 1/07 of the Academic Board held on 22 February 2007.
20.1 Award of Honorary Degrees of Doctor of Commerce
Council adopted the Board’s recommendation to award the honorary degree of Doctor of Commerce to Professor Murray Kemp.
20.2 Course Related Matters
20.2.1 New Coursework Programs
Council adopted the establishment of the following new coursework programs in the Faculty of Land and Food Resources, as set out in Appendix A to the report:
20.2.2 Name Change – New Generation Undergraduate Degree
Council agreed that the “new generation” Bachelor of Bioscience course be renamed as the Bachelor of Biomedicine.
20.2.3 Revised Definitions for Graduate and Postgraduate Studies
Council adopted the following definitions:
“postgraduate” - for programs in which either there are entry requirements that demand undergraduate study in a particular area or in which at least 50% of the subjects are offered at a level beyond undergraduate
“graduate” - for programs that have an open entry requirement of any undergraduate degree and in which more than 50% of the subjects are at undergraduate level.
20.3 New Student Awards
Council approved the establishment of the following student awards:
- Academic Board [Item B2(b)]
Council received the report of Non Urgent Matters for meeting 11/06 of the Academic Board held on 7 December 2006.
- Academic Board [Item B2(c)]
Council received the report of meeting 2/07 of the Academic Board held on 22 March 2007.
22.1 Award of Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters
Council adopted the Board’s recommendation to award the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters to the individual whose citation was tabled at the meeting.
22.2 Course Related Matters
22.2.1 New Generation Undergraduate Degrees
Council approved the establishment of the following new courses, and the objectives and core programs (only) of these courses, as set out in the relevant appendices:
- Bachelor of Arts (Appendix B to the report)
- Bachelor of Biomedicine (Appendix C to the report)
- Bachelor of Commerce (Appendix D to the report)
- Bachelor of Environments (Appendix E to the report)
- Bachelor of Music (Appendix F to the report)
- Bachelor of Science (Appendix G to the report)
Council noted that, in giving approval of these courses, the Board had pointed out that there were elements of the course design and content that require subsequent approval by both the Board and Council, and that these elements would be considered later in the year, and recommendations made to Council. These elements included:
- content of and course-specific rules governing the breadth components
- range of honours program areas and the content of honours programs
- specification of new compulsory subjects in each course
- descriptions of other new subjects to be offered.
22.3 Other New Courses
Council established the following new postgraduate courses for introduction in 2008.
Faculty of Architecture Building and Planning
Faculty of Land and Food Resources
Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
22.4 Conversion of Exit-Point Award to Normal Award
Council approved the establishment of a Graduate Diploma in Applied Commerce (Appendix R to the report).
22.5 Concurrent Diplomas with New Generation Undergraduate Degrees
Council approved a revised format for concurrent diplomas in the general terms set out in the report and noted that specific concurrent diploma proposals (including selection criteria) would be recommended to Council by the Board in the usual way.
22.6 Discontinuation and Suspension of Courses
Council approved the discontinuation of the following courses:
- combined Bachelor of Architecture/Bachelor of Building and Planning
- combined Bachelor of Architecture/Bachelor of Landscape Architecture
Council approved the suspension of following course for 2007:
- Graduate Diploma in Psycho-Oncology.
22.7 Selection Related Matters
22.7.1 Academic Board Resolutions on Selection
Council approved adoption of new and revised Academic Board Resolutions on Selection for entry to the following courses, as set out in Appendix S to the report:
New Generation Undergraduate Degrees
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Biomedicine
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Science
On the recommendation of the Chair, Selection Procedures Committee the paragraphs headed “Selection criteria for internal transfer and VTAC E-type applicants” in the BA and BCom courses were withdrawn at the meeting by the President of Academic Board. Council agreed that the final wording for these paragraphs should be approved by the Vice-Chancellor and the President of the Board.
Faculty of Architecture Building and Planning
- Master of Architecture
- Master of Construction Management
- Master of Landscape Architecture
- Master of Property
- Master of Urban Planning
Faculty of Land and Food Resources
- Master of Food Science
- Master of Forest Ecosystem Science
- Master of Urban Horticulture
Faculty of Law/Melbourne Business School
- Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration
Council noted that the wording in respect of the Juris Doctor required amendment. Council agreed that the final wording should be approved by the Vice-Chancellor and the President of the Board.
Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
- Master of Nursing Science
- Master of Social Work
22.7.2 Alternative Entry Pathway
Council approved the indicative scores for entry in 2008 to new generation bachelor degrees and other bachelor degrees by students who have completed the Taylor’s University College Science Foundation Studies Program, Malaysia, as set out in Appendix U to the report.
22.7.3 Extension of ‘Access Melbourne’ to Graduate Students
Council adopted the Graduate Access Melbourne program as set out in Appendix V to the report.
- Melbourne Theatre Company Board of Management [Item B3(a)]
Council received the report of meeting 12/06 of the Melbourne Theatre Company Board of Management held on 15 December 2006.
- Melbourne Theatre Company Board of Management [Item B3(b)]
Council received the report of meeting 1/07 of the Melbourne Theatre Company Board of Management held on 19 January 2007.
- Melbourne Theatre Company Board of Management [Item B3(c)]
Council received the report of meeting 2/07 of the Melbourne Theatre Company Board of Management held on 2 March 2007.
- Melbourne Theatre Company Board of Management [Item B3(d)]
Council received the report of meeting 3/07 of the Melbourne Theatre Company Board of Management held on 16 March 2007.
- The Ian Potter Museum of Art Board [Item B3(e)]
Council received the report of meeting 6/06 of the Ian Potter Museum of Art Board held on 5 December 2006.
- The Ian Potter Museum of Art Board [Item B3(f)]
Council received the report of meeting 1/07 of the Ian Potter Museum of Art Board held on 6 February 2007.
- Committee of Convocation [Item B4(a)]
Council received the report of meeting 10/06 of the Committee of Convocation held on 20 December 2006.
- Committee of Convocation [Item B4(b)]
Council received the report of urgent matters from meeting 1/07 of the Committee of Convocation held on 21 March 2007.
30.1 Recommendation for Amendment Of Statute 3.1 – Convocation and Its Committee
Council received the following recommendations:
- Statute 3.1 be amended to change the divisor for calculations from 40 to 46, as set out in Appendix B to the report;
- that the amendment include provision for a new calculation to be made for the first election called following Ministerial approval of the amendment; and
- that section 8(2) of the Statute be amended as set out in Appendix A to the report.
Council resolved that the Committee’s desired amendments be referred to the Legislation and Trusts Committee for advice as to whether such amendments can properly be made and, if they may be so made, submission of legislation for Council’s consideration at its May meeting. Council asked the Vice-Chancellor to bring forward advice on the pros and cons of proceeding as the Committee as recommended .
- Presentations by 2006 Presidents of Student Bodies [Item B5]
Council heard the presentations by Ms Jessie Giles (2006 President, UMSU) and Mr Tony Williams (2006 President, UMPA).
- Legislation and Trusts Committee [Item C]
Council received and noted the report of the Legislation and Trusts Committee meeting 1/07 held on 12 March 2007.
32.1 Council made the following Statutes as detailed in the Report:
(1) |
Amendment of Statute 4.1 recommended by the Academic Board and the University Secretary. |
To include full-time salaried professorial fellows as members of the Academic Board and to update references and terminology in respect of University staff and members(8/07) |
32.2 Council made the following Regulations as detailed in the Report:
(1) |
Amendment of Regulation R6.72 recommended by the Trusts Lawyer on the advice of the Faculty of Science.
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To up-date the terms of the Baldwin Spencer Prizes (2/2007).
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(2) |
Amendment of Regulation R6.72 recommended by the Trusts Lawyer on the advice of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences.
|
To up-date the terms of the RD Wright Fund (3/2007).
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(3) |
Amendment of Regulation R6.72 recommended by the Trusts Lawyer on the advice of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences.
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To up-date the terms of the Carl de Gruchy Award (4/2007).
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(4) |
Making of a regulation recommended by the Trusts Lawyer on the advice of the Faculty of Arts.
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To govern the Clem and Nina Christesen Bequest (5/2007).
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(5) |
Amendment of Regulation 5.1.R1 recommended by the Vice-Chancellor. |
To include the dean of the Melbourne Business School as an ex-officio member of the faculty of economics and Commerce (6/2007).
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(6) |
Amendment of Regulation 17.1.R6 recommended by the Finance Committee. |
To make changes to the procedures for the issue of credit cards (7/2007).
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32.3 Council made the following Standing Resolutions as detailed in the Report:
(1) |
Making of Standing Resolution 3.46 recommended by the Senior Vice-Principal
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To outline the University’s Intellectual Property Principles (9/2007). |
- Draft Annual Report [Item D1(a)]
Council approved the draft Annual Report (minutes 9.2 and 13.3 above refer).
- Asialink 2006 Annual Report [Item D1(b)]
Council received the Asialink 2006 Annual Report.
- 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.
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