Council Meeting No 1/08

A meeting of the Council was held on Saturday 1 March 2008 at 12.30 pm, at the Mt Eliza Centre for Executive Education.

Present

Members

The Chancellor (Mr Ian Renard) (in the Chair)
The Vice-Chancellor (Professor Glyn Davis)
The President of the Academic Board (Professor P Pattison)
Ms S Beattie, Professor G Bowes, Mr M Coyle, Professor P Dawkins,
Ms H Hayman, Mr R Johanson, Associate Professor M Joshi, Ms L Landy,
Dr V Mansour, Ms E Ritchie, Ms M Sloss and Hon Mr D R White.

Others Attending

Ms E Alexander and Mr P Briggs
The President of Convocation (Ms L Boston)
The President of UMSU (Ms L Buckingham)
The President of the UMPA (Ms T Jonas)

The Provost (Academic) (Professor P McPhee)
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Innovation & Development) (Professor V Braach-Maksvytis)
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) (Professor F Larkins)
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) (Professor J McKenzie)
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching, Learning & Equity) (Professor S Elliott)
The Vice-President of Academic Board (Professor G Stevens)
The Senior Vice-Principal (Mr Ian Marshman)

The University Secretary (Ms Janet White)
The Deputy University Secretary (Mr J Green)
The Director, Office of the Vice-Chancellor ( Speagle)
Ms T Waser

BUSINESS

1. Formal Matters
   
   1. Apologies and Leave of Absence Requests [Item A01]
      
      

      The Chancellor welcomed each of the new members of Council: Professor Glenn Bowes, Professor Peter Dawkins, Associate Professor Mark Joshi, Ms Sally Beattie and Ms Hannah Hayman. He noted, with regret, that the Governor-in-Council nominees had not yet been determined for the period commencing 1 January 2008. Accordingly, Ms Alexander and Mr Briggs would be recorded as “in attendance” for this meeting.

      Leave of absence had been granted to Justice Chernov, Dr Doig and Ms R Storelli.

   2. Declarations of Interest

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

2. CHANCELLOR’S MATTERS
   
1. “Taking Responsibility”
   
   

   Council recalled that it had received a document prepared by the Senior Vice-Principal during the previous day’s conference proceedings and expressed its appreciation for the in-depth analysis that Mr Marshman had provided of University Governance and management arrangements. The paper had generated considerable discussion and Council looked forward to reviewing at its next meeting, a draft of the sample agenda contained in the paper. It agreed that work should commence on convening the working groups proposed and looked forward to reviewing formal proposals on the other matters outlined in due course.

2. Appointments to Council Committees 2008

Council received and noted the tabled paper outlining the proposed appointments to Council Committees for 2008. After some consideration of the role and functioning of the University Relations Committee, Council approved its abolition. In answer to a question, it was noted that commercial operations in Faculties would be overseen by Finance Committee.

Council approved the following appointments to Council Committees for the year to 28 February 2009:

AUDIT & RISK COMMITTEE
Council Members – category	The Hon. David White (Chair) Dr Meredith Doig Associate Professor Mark Joshi
Other Members - category	Mr Paul Barker Ms Margaret Crossley Ms Alison Kitchen
BUILDING & ESTATES COMMITTEE
Council Members – category	The Hon. Alex Chernov (Chair) Ms Melanie Sloss, SC Ms Lynne Landy
Other Members - category	Mr Tim Anning Dr R Di Nicholantonio Ms Sally Beattie
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Council Members – category	Ms Elizabeth Alexander (Chair)* The Hon Mr David White Mr Robert Johanson
Other Members - category	Ms Hannah Hayman Mr Bruce Brook
LEGISLATION & TRUSTS COMMITTEE
Council Members – category	Ms Melanie Sloss, SC (Chair) Professor Glenn Bowes Mr Michael Coyle
Other Members - category	Ms Leneen Forde
REMUNERATION & EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS COMMITTEE
Council Members –	The Hon. Alex Chernov Judge Irene Lawson* Mr Robert Johanson Ms Eda Ritchie Professor Peter Dawkins Dr Virginia Mansour
MIEGUNYAH FUND COMMITTEE
Other Members -	Professor Richard Wettenhall (until 31 March 2008) Professor Mark Considine (from 1 April 2008)
MTC BOARD OF MANAGEMENT
Council Member –	The Hon. Alex Chernov

[* pending notification of re-appointment to Council as Governor-in-Council nominees]

3. Charter of Human Rights Matter

Council was reminded that the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act (2006) came into force in Victoria on 1 January 2008, as reported at the December meeting. The University was awaiting a reply from the Solicitor-General with regard to its possible effect on discriminatory terms in some University Trusts. Proceedings would not commence until such a reply has been received and further opinion sought. A progress report will be provided to the next meeting of Council.

3. VICE-CHANCELLOR’S REPORT
   
   

   1. Report on Official Travel to Hong Kong and the United States during January 2008

      Council noted the report on the Vice-Chancellor’s trip to Hong Kong and the United States during January 2008.
   2. Recommendation for the Appointment of a Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research)
      
      Council was reminded that Professor John McKenzie would retire as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) with effect from 30 April 2008. Following a full selection process, the Selection Committee has recommended that Professor Peter Rathjen, Dean of the Faculty of Science, be appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research).

Council approved the recommendation that Professor Rathjen be appointed as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) upon Professor McKenzie’s retirement.

1. Appointments to the VCA Advisory Board
   
   

   Council noted that the Vice-Chancellor had approved, on behalf of Council, the following appointments to the VCA Advisory Board in accordance with regulation 5.5R1: Mr Noel Turnbull, Ms Vanessa Pigrum, Mr Geoff Allen and Dr Janine Kirk.

4. OTHER BUSINESS
   
   1. Council Mentors for 2008
      

Council received and endorsed the tabled Council Mentor list for 2008.

2. Collaboration Agreements with Other Universities
   
   

   Council received a tabled paper outlining two draft agreements between the University and Victoria University ( Melbourne) and the Australian National University, respectively. It noted that such agreements would facilitate the increasing trend for Universities to collaborate on combined bids for research and would create enhanced student pathway opportunities.

   Council confirmed its support for the Vice-Chancellor to sign, on the University’s behalf, Memoranda of Understanding with each of the Universities once details have been finalised.

3. Disclosures made to Council Members under the Whistleblowers Protection Act
   
   

   Council received and noted the tabled memorandum from the Senior Vice-Principal outlining the procedures to be followed by Council members should they receive disclosures of improper conduct by University staff.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 1.00 p.m.