Council Meeting No 10/04

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A meeting of the Council was held in the Council Chamber, 1st Floor, Old Quadrangle on Monday 8 November 2004 at 4.00 p.m.

Present

Members

The Chancellor, Ms F S Marles (in the Chair)
The Deputy Chancellor, (Mr I A Renard)
The Vice-Chancellor (Professor K C Lee Dow)
The President of Academic Board (Prof L Skene)
Ms E Alexander, Mr T L Anning, Dr M Doig, Associate Professor M A Elgar,
Mr G Hehir (from 5.30 pm), Judge I Lawson (from 5.00 pm),
Dr B Lochtenberg (until 6.00 pm), Mr J Osborn, Professor P Pattison,
Ms E N S Ritchie, Ms R Storelli, Mr E Thornley, Hon Mr D R White and Mr L Williams.

Others Attending

The President of Convocation (Dr R Condon)
The President of the Postgraduate Association (Mr M Bellegham)
The Nominee of the Student Union (Mr R D’Souza)
Visitors from Tsinghua University (Mr Li and Dr Guo)
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) (Professor F Larkins)
The Dean of Land and Food Resources (Professor R Richardson)
The Senior Vice-Principal (Mr I Marshman)
The Vice-Principal and Chief Financial Officer (Mr D Percival)
The Vice-Principal and General Counsel (Mr C Penman)
The Vice-Principal (Property & Buildings) Dr D Daines)
The Vice-Principal (Human Resources) (Ms E Baré)
The Vice-Principal and Academic Registrar (Ms L Martin)
The University Secretary (Mr L Currie)
The Assistant University Secretary (Mr J Green)
The Senior Media Adviser (Ms C Buckridge)
The Senior Strategic Planner, Property and Buildings (Ms F de Preu)
The Manager, Media and Publication Services, Mr B Wardley
Professor J Gunn, Ms R Trott.

Business

1. Apologies and Leave of Absence (Item A.01)
   
   

   Apologies were received from the Hon. Mr Justice Chernov and Justice Crennan.
   
   Leave of absence for the December meeting was granted to the Hon. Mr Jus t ice Chernov.

2. Returning Officer's Report

   The University Secretary drew members’ attention to his call for nominations for the office of Deputy Chancellor for the coming three year term.
   
   The University Secretary, as Returning Officer, declared the following election results:

   • in the election to the office of Chancellor, Mr Ian Renard elected for a term from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2007.
   • in the election for the member of Council from the general staff, Mr Tim Anning elected for a term from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2006.
   • in the election for the member of Council from the enrolled students, Mr Ben Barnett elected for a term from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2005.

   The University Secretary also advised that he had completed elections to various student offices, as directed by Council at its September meeting. The results had been posted on the University Secretary’s website.

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

3.1 The minutes of Council meeting 9/04 held on 4 October 2004, copies of which had been distributed, were confirmed.

3.2 The Action Sheet was noted from Meeting No. 9/04.

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

Items A6(a).13, 14 & 17 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])

Council adopted the Chancellor’s advised recommendation that its December 2005 meeting date be set as Monday 12 December.

7. Vice-Chancellor's Report (Item A.4)

Council received the Vice-Chancellor’s Report, together with tabled documents concerning world university rankings.

7.1 Directors’ Fees – Melbourne Ventures Pty Ltd

Council adopted the recommendation to endorse payment of an annual fee of $12,500 to external directors of Melbourne Ventures.

7.2 Arrangements for Student Representation

Council resolved that in the light of the advice of the Senior Vice-Principal set out in Appendix A to the report, there were circumstances which made it necessary for Council to revoke its resolution of 13 September 2004 regarding the repeal of Statute 15.1. Council adopted the Senior Vice-Principal’s recommendations as follows:

• as a consequence of Melbourne University Student Union Incorporated (“MUSUI”) no longer being recognised by the Council with effect from 1 January 2005, MUSUI is no longer entitled to receive any distribution from the Amenities and Services Fund from that date, and consequently has no obligation from that date to provided amenities and services funded by those means;
  
• to revoke the resolution passed at Council’s September 2004 meeting in the following terms:

“that the Legislation Committee of Council be requested to bring forward legislation to repeal Statute 15.1 with effect from 1 January 2005 ”, and

• that all other resolutions passed at its September 2004 meeting as set out in paragraph 8.4 of the Minutes of that meeting remain in full force and effect.

7.3 Intellectual Property Developments at the University of Melbourne

Council agreed that discussion of this report from the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) should be deferred until its December meeting, when it should be considered in conjunction with a comparative report on research commercialisation in Australian universities to be prepared by the Director Commercialisation and Commercial Strategy.

7.4 Faculty of Land & Food Resources

Council adopted the Vice-Chancellor’s suggestion that matters related to the future of the Faculty of Land and Food Resources (LFR) be considered in conjunction with his report, including the document circulated as confidential Appendix 13 to the report of the Planning and Budget Committee, the tabled updated version of the PhillipsKPA document forming an attachment to that appendix, and recommendation number two in the report from the Committee of Convocation.

7.4.1 In introducing the revised proposals set out in document A.6(a) Appendix 13, the Vice-Chancellor advised Council that the NTEU had raised concerns about the University’s initial plans, culminating in lodgement of a dispute notification early in November. However, at a meeting on November 8, the NTEU representatives had indicated that, while they considered grounds for a dispute existed, they would defer any action until after Council’s meeting. They had stated that they would not regard a decision by Council which improved consultation and decision making processes as exacerbating the dispute.

7.4.2 A lengthy discussion ensued, in the course of which Professor Richardson, the Dean of Land and Food Resources, responded to queries, and the President of Convocation was invited to speak to his Committee’s concerns.

7.4.3 Council resolved to:

• note the outcome to date of the consultations that had taken place in relation to issues affecting LFR;
• agree that option two, as described in the revised proposals set out in document A.6(a) Appendix 13, was the preferred approach for continuing to progress those issues;
• note that the preferred option might be refined as a result of further consultation with key interested parties;
• request that a report on any funding or major operational issues considered likely to affect LFR’s programs in 2005 be submitted to Council’s December meeting, along with advice as to how it is anticipated those matters will be resolved;
• request that a further substantive report on progress in resolving outstanding issues relating to LFR be submitted to Council’s meeting in March 2005; and
• note that as a consequence, LFR will maintain its existing VET offerings for 2005, subject to satisfactory finalisation of the 2005 VET profile agreement with the Department of Employment and Training.

7.4.4 In response to a member’s query, the Vice-Chancellor emphasised that no current LFR students would be unable to complete their current course at their present campus, and new students would commence on each campus in 2005 with that same assurance.

7.4.5 Council resolved to receive and note the recommendation from the Committee of Convocation “that the consultation with graduates, industry and government, to determine the options for the future directions of LFR courses, be broadened to include a review of the LFR course offerings, course content and marketing strategies, in order to better understand and to improve the limited demand for the LFR course offered at regional campuses, described by Professor Richardson”.

Council agreed –

• to acknowledge the concerns reflected in the Committee’s motion,
• to minute Council’s view that the revised course of action now adopted by Council constitutes a significant step towards addressing community concerns, and
• to note that the Vice-Chancellor had undertaken to further outline the revised proposals adopted by Council in his address to a Committee of Convocation dinner following its November meeting.

8. Administrative Committee (Item A.5[a])

Council received the report of meeting 14/04 of the Administrative Committee held on 8 November 2004.

8.1 Amenities and Services Fee for Students 2005

Council adopted the following recommendations:

1. the Amenities and Services Fee for Students for 2005 be charged as shown in Attachment A of the report;
2. Subject to the provision of satisfactory budgetary documentation by UMPA, MUSUL and MUS, allocations be made from the Amenities and Services Fund for 2005 in accordance with the schedule in Attachment B of the report.
3. Allocation is to be made to the ILFR campuses in accordance with Attachment B of the report. Any subsequent recommended adjustment to this allocation arising from the review outlined in 1.8.1 of Attachment A to the report, or from other review processes resulting in a change to the campus structure, is to be submitted to the Administrative Committee for consideration for its recommendation to Council.
4. The Vice-Principal and Academic Registrar be authorised to

• implement the allocation of funds as outlined above;
• finalise the funding agreements to be made with UMPA and MUSUL, subject to the submission of satisfactory budget and other financial documentation, which will enable the University to meet its statutory obligations under the Tertiary Education Act; and
• approve variations of expenditure at the request of a student organisation, during the course of the year, provided these requests conform with requirements for expenditure under the Tertiary Education Act.

8.2 Additional Conferring Ceremony

Council adopted the recommendation that an additional conferring ceremony to cater for higher numbers of graduating International Students be scheduled, with a revised Schedule for Conferring Ceremonies for 2004 as shown at Attachment C to the report.

9. Planning and Budget Committee [Item A.6 (a)]
   
   Council received the report of meeting 6/04 of the Planning and Budget Committee held 14 July 2004 .

9.1 Proposal for the establishment of a Professorial Fellow position

Council adopted the recommendation that a new Professorial Fellow position be established in the Faculty of Economics and Commerce (Appendix 1).

9.2 Proposal for the establishment of a Chair of Adolescent Health

Council adopted the recommendation that a Chair of Adolescent Health within the Department of Paediatrics be established (Appendix 2).

9.3 Proposal for the establishment of a Chair of Social Research in Alcohol

Council adopted the recommendation that a Chair of Social Research in Alcohol within the School of Population Health be established (Appendix 3)

9.4 Proposal for the establishment of a Chair of Old Age Psychiatry

Council adopted the recommendation that a Chair of Old Age Psychiatry be established (Appendix 4).

9.5 Review of the International Conflict Resolution Centre

Council adopted terms of reference for the cyclical review of the International Conflict Resolution Centre (Appendix 5).

9.6 Refilling of the Chair of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Council adopted t he recommendation that the Chair of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology be refilled.

9.7 Report from Research Sub-Committee

Council adopted the following recommendations:

• the PBC Research Sub-Committee and the Research and Graduate Studies Committee be replaced by a new Research and Research Training Committee, as a committee reporting to the Planning and Budget Committee and Academic Board
• PBC Research Sub- Committee and Research and Graduate Studies Committee be disestablished
• the Terms of Reference of the new Committee prescribe the manner in which the Chair shall be appointed in a way that is consistent with Regulation 17.1.R11.

9.8 Draft 2005 Operational Plan

Council adopted the draft 2005 Operational Plan (Appendix 7), subject to the following amendments:

• The addition of a further Key Strategy for 2005 (page 3 of the draft) – “Strengthening the University’s systems infrastructure through complete implementation of replacement human resource and learning management systems, the introduction of a new research management system and determining future arrangements for the student information system”; and
• An addition to the list of activities to enrich the life of the community set out in strategy 5.6 (page 14 of the draft) – “Supporting Meanjin as a significant literary quarterly”.

9.9 Draft Ensuring Accountability

Council adopted the revised Ensuring Accountability (Appendix 8).

9.10 Teaching and Learning Management Plan

Council adopted the Teaching and Learning Management Plan (Appendix 9).

9.11 Research and Research Training Plan

Council adopted the Research and Research Training Plan (Appendix 10).

9.12 2005 Funded Load Targets and Intake Quotas

Council adopted the following recommendations:

• that the 2005 CGS funded load targets and undergraduate course intake quotas be as set out at Attachment 1, Tables 1 and 1 (a);
• that the Vice-Chancellor be authorised to approve on behalf of Council variations to funded and teaching load targets and course intake quotas during the new student selection period, on the advice of the President of the Academic Board and the Senior Vice-Principal; and

Council noted that, after the University had finalised the ‘funding agreement’ with DEST (after the results of the Federal election were known), the funded load targets and intake quotas would be reviewed to ensure that they were consistent with the student profile to be supported through the ‘funding agreement’. Revised targets and quotas, if any, would be submitted to Planning and Budget Committee when they were available and following any necessary further consultations with faculties.

10. Committee on Convocation (Item A.7 [a])

Council received the report of meeting 8/04 of the Committee of Convocation held 20 October 2004.

10.1 Urban Design Framework and Design Advice

Council received a recommendation that it consider the establishment of an appropriately flexible and expert group of urban design, landscape, architecture, community consultation, social planning, heritage, planning, transport and movement, services and engineering experts (possibly drawn from Alumni), to provide timely independent review of University processes and proposals and adjacent development that might impact on the University.

It was agreed that this matter should be dealt with in the course of the Property and Buildings presentation to the Committee of Convocation at its next meeting.

10.2 Press Release re Institute of Land and Food Resources

This matter was dealt with under the Vice-Chancellor’s Report

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

Council received the report of meeting 9/04 of the Academic Board held on 21 October 2004. The president also made a brief oral report in which she advised members that, following her attendance with the Vice-President of the Board at the National Conference on University Governance in October, Board officers were considering what measures should be adopted to assess the Board’s own performance and that of its committees.

11.1 Appointment of Chair Selection Committees

Council adopted the Board’s recommendation to establish the following Chair Selection Committees

• Chair of Adolescent Health (Appendix A)
• Chair of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Appendix B)
• Chair of Old Age Psychiatry (Appendix C)
• Chair of Social Research in Alcohol (Appendix D

11.2 Student Awards

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

• Victorian Metropolitan Alliance Prize in General Practice (Appendix E)
• Goulburn Valley Health Prize (Appendix F)
• Shepparton Surgeons and Physicians Prize (Appendix G)
• Philip Barclay Memorial Prize (Appendix H)
• RFI Industries Pty Ltd Undergraduate Prize (Appendix I)
• Honours Scholarships in Physics for Interstate Students (Appendix J)
• MUPHAS Prize for Academic Excellence in English Literature (Appendix K)
• MUPHAS Prize for Academic Excellence in Modern Greek (Appendix L)
• MUPHAS Prize for Academic Excellence in History (Appendix M)
• MUPHAS Prize for Academic Excellence in Indonesian (Appendix N)
• MUPHAS Prize for Academic Excellence in Psychology (Appendix O)

11.3 Selection Matters

11.3.1 Alternate Entry Pathway

 Council adopted the Board ’s recommendation that the American Advanced Placement Program subjects English Language and Composition and English Literature and Composition be deemed equivalent to VCE English and suitable for meeting the University’s English language entry requirement.

11.3.2 Academic Board Resolutions on Selection

Council adopted the Board ’s recommendation of the Academic Board Resolution on Selection for a new stream, International Clinical, of the Master of Psychology as follows:

Eligibility

1. The Selection Committee will evaluate the applicant’s ability to pursue successfully the course using the following criteria–
• a 4-year undergraduate degree including an accredited sequence in psychology (or its equivalent) with at least a H2A (75%) in the fourth year of study.

Selection

1. Selection depends upon the availability of a supervisor and resources. Selection will be based primarily upon performance in the fourth year of study in psychology, with some consideration given to third year performance.
2. The Selection Committee may conduct interviews and tests and call for referees’ reports to determine suitability for undertaking the course.

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

Council received the report of meeting 8/04 of the Finance Committee held on 20 October 2004, and heard an oral report from the Acting Chair in which he briefed members on proposed revised arrangements for obtaining funding for Universitas 21 Global operations through 2005.

Council resolved to minute its appreciation of Mr Renard’s contribution as Acting Chair of the Finance Committee during 2004

12.1 Appointment to Committee Vacancy

Council noted the appointment of Ms Elizabeth Alexander and adopted the recommendation that she be invited to join and chair the Finance Committee and the Subsidiaries Sub-Committee

12.2 2005 Annual Budget

Council adopted the 2005 Annual Budget, noting that any updates required in response to finalisation of the University’s Annual Funding Agreement and associated Commonwealth funding allocations for 2005 would be reported to Finance Committee in November and forwarded to Council’s December meeting for final approval.

In response to a member’s query regarding the allocation of scholarships funding set out on page 36 of the budget document, the Senior Vice-Principal advised that further information would be provided in the documentation submitted to the December meeting

13. Buildings and Estates Committee [Item B.4 (a)]
    
    Council received the report of meeting 8/04 of the Buildings and Estates Committee held on 16 September 2004.
    
14. Buildings and Estates Committee [Item B.4 (b)]

Council received the report of meeting 9/04 of the Buildings and Estates Committee held on 14 October 2004.

15. Report on behalf of Chair of the Buildings and Estates Committee [Item B.4 (o)]

In the absence of Justice Chernov, Dr Lochtenberg introduced the material tabled under this item. The Vice-Principal (Property and Buildings) briefed Council on the consultation program for the University Land Use Policy Framework.

16. Committee on Staff Salaries [Item B.6 (a)]

Council received the report of meeting 6/04 of the Committee on Staff Salaries held on 1 September 2004, and noted that the recommended 1% increase in the first pay period after 31 August 2004 had been approved by the Vice-Chancellor on behalf of Council.

17. Council Nominations and Governance Committee [Item B.7 (a)]

 Council received the report of meeting 4/04 of the Council Nominations and Governance Committee held on 4 October 2004 .

17.1 Council Membership Matters

Council adopted the following recommendations:

• that Justice Chernov be reappointed as a member of Council for a further term.
• that Ms Storelli be reappointed as a member of Council for a further term.

17.2 Draft Standing Resolutions of Council to Codify its Practices with regard to Induction and Self Assessment

Council adopted the recommendation of the draft Standing Resolutions attached as Appendices A and B to the report. With regard to the Standing Resolution on Induction of Council Members, Council agreed to ask the University Secretary to consider Mr Williams’ request to add supplementary material with particular reference to the induction of student members. The University Secretary was also asked to check with current members whether they needed up-to-date copies of reference material listed in the Standing Resolution.

(At this stage Council resolved to suspend its Standing Orders so much as required to allow the continuation of consideration of business beyond 7.00 pm .)

18. Legislation Committee [Item C]

Council received the tabled report of meeting 7/04 of the Legislation Committee held on 25 October 2004 .

18.1 Council made the following Statute as detailed in the report:

(1)	Amendment of Statute 11.2 recommended by the University Secretary	To clarify any inconsistency in numbering as a result of the new Student Discipline Statute (88/04)
(2)	Enactment of Statute recommended by the Vice-Chancellor	To affiliate and recognise The Australia and New Zealand School of Government Limited (39/04)

18.2 Council made the following Regulations as detailed in the report:

(1)	Amendment of Regulation R6.5 recommended by the University Secretary	To amend the subject of three of the Dwight Prizes (99/04)
(2)	Amendment of Regulation R6.72 – Commemorative Scholarships and Awards	To govern The Caluna Prize (94/04)
(3)	Amendment of Regulation R6.72 – Commemorative Scholarships and Awards	To update The Alice Brokenshire Taylor Scholarship (95/04)
(4)	Amendment of Regulation R6.72 – Commemorative Scholarships and Awards	To update the Ian Charles Taylor Scholarship (96/04)
(5)	Amendment of Regulation R6.72 – Commemorative Scholarships and Awards	To update The Charles Anthony Taylor Scholarship (97/04)
(6)	Making of a Regulation R6.72 recommended by the University Secretary	To govern the Peter Hone Scholarships Fund (98/04)
(7)	Amendment of Regulation R6.72 recommended by the University Secretary	To govern the Katharine Woodruff Memorial Prize in Palliative Medicine (100/04)
(8)	Amendment of Regulation R7.128 recommended by the University Secretary	To update the terms of The Melbourne University Engineering School Foundation (91/04)
(9)	Amendment of Regulation 12.1.R1 recommended by the University Secretary	To update the delegation of appointment of examiner in relation to PhDs (85/04)


18.3 In the course of discussion of the amendment to Regulation R7.128 regarding the Engineering School Foundation, a member asked that a check be made that there were no circumstances in other University foundations similar to those described in the explanatory note to the amendment, and what action if any needed to be taken to prevent them occurring.

19. 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].

20. Report from the Melbourne Theatre Company Board of Management [Item D.5 (a)]

Council received the report for meeting 7/04 of the Melbourne Theatre Company Board of Management held on 17 September 2004.

The meeting then closed.