Council Meeting No 10/06
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A meeting of the Council was held in the Council Chamber, 1 st Floor, Old Quadrangle on
Monday 13 November 2006 at 4.00p.m.
Present
Members
The Chancellor (Mr I Renard) (in the Chair)
The Vice-Chancellor (Professor G Davis)
The Deputy Chancellor (Hon Justice A Chernov)
The Deputy Chancellor (Dr B Lochtenberg)
The President of Academic Board (Professor L Skene)
Ms E Alexander, Associate Professor L Allen, Mr T L Anning, Dr M Doig, Professor M Elgar,
Mr P Erickson , Mr G Hehir, Judge I Lawson, Ms L Ooi, Ms E Ritchie, Ms M Sloss,
Ms R Storelli, and the Hon. Mr D White.
Others Attending
The President of Convocation (Ms L Boston)
The President of the Postgraduate Association (Mr A Williams)
The President of UMSU (Ms J Giles)
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) (Professor P McPhee)
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Innovation & Development) (Professor V Braach-Maksvytis) (from 4.55 pm)
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) (Professor F Larkins)
The Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) (Professor J Damousi)
The Senior Vice-Principal (Mr I Marshman)
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 (Human Resources) (Ms E Baré)
The Vice-President of Academic Board (Professor P Pattison)
The Acting Director of the Victorian College of the Arts (Ms S Baker)
The University Secretary (Mr L Currie)
The Assistant University Secretary (Mr J Green)
The Senior Media Adviser (Ms C Buckridge)
Mr M Coyle, Ms E Fazio, Professor M Morgan.
The following Deans attended for Council’s discussion of listed key issues:
The Dean of the Faculty of Education (Professor F Rickards)
The Dean of the Faculty of Engineering (Professor J van Deventer)
Business
- Formal Matters
Apologies and Leave of Absence Requests [ Item A01]
Council received an apology from Mr P Briggs.
Leave of absence for the meeting had been granted to Mr Thornley and Professor Li.
Leave of absence for the December meeting was granted to Professor Li.
- Returning Officer’s Report [A02]
2.1 The University Secretary reported that only one nomination for the position of Deputy Chancellor currently held by Dr Lochtenberg had been received, and therefore declared Ms Rosa Storelli as elected from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2008.
2.2 The University Secretary reported that Ms Jessie Giles had elected by the enrolled students as a student representative on Council for the year 2007.
- Minutes of Previous Meeting and Follow Up Action Sheet [Item A1(a) and Item A1(b)]
3.1 The minutes of Council meeting 9/06 held on 9 October 2006, copies of which had been distributed, were confirmed, subject to the amendment of minute 12.1 to read as follows -
“After a lengthy discussion, Council rejected a proposal to increase the fees of nominated external directors of a subsidiary.
Council resolved that consideration of any increase in the fees of external directors of University companies should not be made until policy guidelines for review of director’s fees, which are to include consideration of company performance, have been agreed.”
3.2 The Action Sheet from Meeting No. 9/06 was noted.
3.3 Melbourne Theatre Company
With regard to the Melbourne Theatre Company (MTC) matters on the Action Sheet, Deputy Chancellor Chernov reported that since the October meeting of Council there had been a meeting between some members of Council’s Finance Committee and some of the MTC Board of Management. Three issues were discussed: the potential impact of depreciation costs; the most appropriate vehicle for the University’s ownership of the MTC; and the preparation of a Business Plan to allow write off of the MTC debt to the University.
On the depreciation matter, it was understood that full provision for depreciation calculated on the total value of the assets to be utilised by the MTC would move its financial position from surplus to deficit. The Chair of Finance Committee had explained however, that provision only for normal replacements and maintenance was what was expected, and that a deficit in a particular year was not necessarily a problem provided break-even was achieved over a longer cycle.
Further investigations were being made regarding the best vehicle for the University’s ownership of the theatre company, and the MTC Business Plan would be submitted to Finance Committee shortly.
- 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, 14, 22 & 24; A7.1; A9.1; B1(b).4; B2(a).2 & 11; and B4.3 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]
The Chancellor advised members that the University Secretary would circulate the Council performanc e evaluation questionnaires during the current month.
Council noted that the following officers of the Academic Board had been elected for the period 1 January to 31 December 2007: President, Professor Pip Pattison ( School of Behavioural Science); Vice-President, Professor Geoff Stevens (Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering); Deputy Vice-Pres ident, Professor Ron Slocombe (Faculty of Veterinary Science/Faculty of Land and Food Resources).
- Listing of Key Issues and Documents for Discussion [Item A4(a)]
The following items were listed under Key Issues and Documents for Discussion –
- Report from Knowledge Transfer Taskforce
(documents A10.2 and B1(b).3)
- Growing Esteem Implementation Reports [Item A4(b)]
9.1 Updates – November 2006
Council noted the Growing Esteem Implementation Update for November 2006.
- Vice-Chancellor’s Report [Item A5]
Council received and noted the Vice-Chancellor’s Report, together with two supplementary reports, one concerning interim arrangements for the administration in implementing the Melbourne Model and the other concerning trust administration
10.1 US Studies Centre
The Vice-Chancellor advised Council that it was expected that the University of Sydney would be announced as the location of the U.S. Studies Centre. He noted that the University would wish Sydney the best in this endeavour.
10.2 Trust Administration
This matter was discussed in conjunction with related items in the reports of the Finance Committee and the Legislation and Trusts Committee (refer minute 11.2 below). The Vice-Chancellor withdrew the trusts related items from his reports and advised that he would submit reworded material to the next meeting of Council.
10.3 Implementing the Melbourne Model
Council discussed the University’s objectives in regard to the student experience for entrants in 2008 and 2011, and the impact of the implementation of the Melbourne Model on entry levels and the University’s reputation. In response to a query, the Senior Vice-Principal indicated that a systematic program would be instituted to monitor the success of the University’s communication package with year 12 students, parents and other stakeholders.
Council noted that the Senior Vice-Principal had been appointed as project leader of the operational aspects of implementing the Melbourne Model and overseeing the current round of Growing Esteem business planning being undertaken by faculties and budget divisions. In undertaking that role the Senior Vice-Principal would work closely with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), who would retain carriage of the academic components of the Melbourne Model. Responsibilities which would remain with the Senior Vice-Principal were generally those that related to the planning and implementation activities for Growing Esteem and the Melbourne Model, and for Universitas 21 matters.
Councilappointed the Vice-Principal (Human Resources) Ms Elizabeth Baré as Deputy to the Senior Vice-Principal with the title of Vice-Principal and Head of Administration from 20 November 2006 to 30 June 2007, and noted the broad responsibilities she would undertake during this period. Council also noted the consequential interim arrangements for the appointment of Acting Vice-Principal (Human Resources), being Mr Nigel Waugh for the period 20 November to 28 February 2007, followed by Ms Julia McQuillan for the period 1 March 2007 to 30 June 2007.
10.4 Faculty of Engineering Review
The Dean of Faculty of Engineering, Professor J van Deventer presented a report on progress in implementing the recommendations from the Broers Review of the Faculty. A member requested that Council see a timetable for completion of the implementation, when available.
10.5 Academic Board Officers Elected for 2007
Council, in accordance with Statute 2.5.4(1),approved the appointments of Professor Pattison (in her capacity as President of the Board) and Professor Stevens (in his capacity as Vice-President of the Board) as Pro-Vice-Chancellors of the University for the period from 1 January to 31 December 2007.
10.6 Woodward Medals
Council resolved to minute its congratulations to Professor Joshua Gans and Dr Stuart Wyithe, who had been awarded the Woodward Medals for 2006.
- Finance Committee [Item A7(a)]
Council received and noted the report of the Finance Committee meeting 9/06 held on 25 October 2006.
11.1 Growing Esteem Transition Fund – Advance Funding Requests
Council approved an advance drawdown of funds from the 2007 allocation of the Growing Esteem Transition Fund, being $500,000 each for the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Science.
11.2 Administrative Levy on University Trust Funds
This matter was considered in conjunction with related items in the Vice-Chancellor’s Report (document A.5, item 14) and the report of the Legislation and Trusts Committee (document C, item 2).
Council agreed that the administrative levy on the University’s trusts funds to cover the costs of managing the University’s trusts be increased from 1.8% to 2.5% and that this amount be reviewed after three years.
Following a lengthy discussion of the recommendation regarding the plan for managing the University’s trusts funds, and the related recommendations by the Legislation and Trusts Committee, Council deferred further deliberation until its 11 December meeting.
- Buildings and Estates Committee [Item A9]
Council received the report of meeting 6/06 of the Buildings and Estates Committee held on 12 October 2006.
12.1 Heritage Subcommittee and Landscape Advisory Group
Council approved revised Terms of Reference for the Landscape Advisory Group as set out in Appendix A to the report, subject to the removal of the phrase “Subject to the approval of the Vice-Chancellor,” from the co-option clause, and amendment of the body’s name to the Landscape Sub-Committee.
12.2 Naming Proposal – Physics Building (192)
Council endorsed the proposal that the Physics Building be named in honour of Professor David Caro and that a citation in the form or to the effect of the draft received be displayed at the appropriate location.
- University Relations Committee [Item A10]
Council received the report of meeting 3/06 of the University Relations Committee held on 8 November 2006.
13.1 Committee Membership
Council agreed that the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Innovation and Development) be added to the membership of the University Relations Committee.
13.2 Knowledge Transfer
This item was considered in conjunction with the report from the Knowledge Transfer Taskforce (see minute 16.3 below).
- Council Due Diligence Group – Replacement Student System [Item A13(a).1 & .2]
Council received the tabled report of meeting 2/2006 of the Council Due Diligence Group – Replacement Student System held on 10 November 2006, together with a related set of recommendations from the senior Vice-Principal.
14.1 Due Diligence Group
Council noted the conclusion reached by the Council Due Diligence Group, that nothing had come to the Group’s attention that would lead it to recommend to the Vice-Chancellor to not accept the recommendations endorsed by the Senior Vice-Principal to proceed with plans to replace the University’s student system. It was also noted that further meetings of the Due Diligence Group will be required on a twice yearly basis throughout the implementation process.
14.2 StudentOne Proposal
Council endorsed the Senior Vice-Principal’s recommendation to purchase and implement the Student Administration System software (currently known as StudentOne) on terms as agreed between the University and the vendor, subject to a satisfactory Strategic Agreement and Contract being finalised. Council approved a total budget of $23.1million for the project, with $22.2million to be provided from funds budgeted to become available over 2007-9 from within the Infrastructure Investment component of the University budget and the remaining $0.8million to be contributed from the University’s Administration’s 2007-9 budget allocations. It was noted that the recurrent costs of the Student System would remain, as previously advised, at $4.477million with a half-year maintenance fee of $553,000 in 2009 Council noted and approved the project governance arrangements as set out in the Senior Vice-Principal’s paper, including half-yearly formal reporting to the Due Diligence Group and a formal evaluation by Mr David Abraham prior to go-live.
- Planning and Budget Committee [Item B1(a)]
Council received the report of meeting 9/06 of the Planning and Budget Committee held on 11 October 2006.
15.1 Planning and Budget Committee Membership
Councilagreed to add the Pro Vice-Chancellor (University Relations) to the membership of the Planning and Budget Committee.
15.2 Centre for Health Policy, Programs and Economics
Council approved the establishment of a Centre for Health Policy, Programs and Economics within the School of Population Health.
15.3 Report from International Committee
Council adopted the following recommendations:
- that a university level linkage for academic cooperation and postgraduate student exchange be established with Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi;
- that a university level linkage for academic cooperation and undergraduate/ postgraduate student exchange be established with the University of Helsinki;
- that a university level linkage for academic cooperation and undergraduate/ postgraduate student exchange be established with the University of Latvia in Riga;
- that a university level linkage for academic cooperation and undergraduate/ postgraduate student exchange be established with the Universidad de Chile; and
- that a university level linkage for research collaboration, staff exchanges and graduate student visits be established with Vanderbilt University.
- Planning and Budget Committee [Item B1(b)]
Council received the preliminary report of meeting 10/06 of the Planning and Budget Committee held on 8 November 2006.
16.1 Faculty of Arts Restructure 1 January 2007 (Revised Paper)
Council adopted the Faculty of Arts restructure proposal to disband all existing departments, with the exception of the School of Languages and Linguistics, the Asia Institute and the Philosophy Department, and the establishment of the following schools effective from 1 January 2007:
Asia Institute
School of Culture and Communication
School of Historical Studies
School of Languages and Linguistics
School of Philosophy
School of Political Science , Criminology and Sociology
School of Social and Environmental Enquiry
16.2 Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute Regulation 6.1.R9
Council agreed in principle to the changes to the regulation as set out in Appendix 1 of the report, noting that the formal legislation would come before it to be made in the report of the Legislation and Trusts Committee (minute 21.2 below).
16.3 Report from the Knowledge Transfer Taskforce
Related matters in the report of the University Relations Committee were considered in conjunction with this item.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Innovation and Development), Professor Braach-Maksvytis, introduced the Knowledge Transfer Taskforce Report, emphasising that the Taskforce had found that there was a strong foundation of knowledge transfer work across the University and that the approach the University was taking leads the field. The Taskforce viewed the process as essentially a two-way one in which partnership with outside parties was critical, an aspect which was perhaps not clearly captured in the term ‘knowledge transfer’.
There was a lengthy discussion of the report and of the performance measures it proposed. Members also discussed the question raised by Council’s University Relations Committee, whether “Knowledge Transfer” was best used to signify all the activities which comprise the third strand of the triple helix, or rather to designate the subset of community engagement activities generally understood from the term (e.g. commercialisation of research, public lectures). The Vice-Chancellor pointed out that a balance had to be found between the value of the work already put in to promoting the University’s broader usage of the term as against the risk that its continued use in that way might lead to difficulty and confusion.
Council agreed to ask Professor Braach-Maksvytis to consult further and bring back her recommendations to its December meeting.
16.4 Commercialisation Strategy for the University of Melbourne
Council deferred consideration of the proposed Commercialisation Strategy for the University of Melbourne set out in Appendix 3 of the report until its 11 December meeting.
- Academic Board [Item B2(a) & (b)]
Council received the report of meeting 9/06 of the Academic Board held on 26 October 2006 and Supplementary Report.
17.1 Award of Honorary Degrees of Doctor of Medicine and Laws
(Dr Lochtenberg left the meeting for consideration of this item.)
Council adopted the Board’s recommendation to award the honorary degrees of Doctor of Medicine to the two persons for whom citations were tabled at the meeting, and to award the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws to Dr Bernard Lochtenberg.
17.2 New and Cancelled Courses
17.2.1 New Courses
Council agreed to establish the following new courses:
17.2.2 Cancelled Courses
Council agreed to cancel the following courses with effect from Semester 1, 2007:
- Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Theology double degree (the Bachelor of Theology is offered by the Melbourne College of Divinity)
- Graduate Certificate in Arts (History Education)
- Graduate Diploma in Arts (History Education)
- Graduate Diploma in Animateuring
- Graduate Diploma in Dramatic Art (Direction)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Dramatic Art (Methodologies for Actor Training)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Dramatic Art (Voice)
- Graduate Diploma in Dramatic Art (Design)
- Graduate Diploma in Production (Design)
- Graduate Diploma in Dramatic Art (Sound Design)
- Graduate Diploma in Production (Sound Design)
- Graduate Diploma in Dramatic Art (Production and Events Management)
- Graduate Diploma in Production (Production and Events Management)
- Graduate Diploma in Dramatic Art (Lighting Design)
- Graduate Diploma in Production (Lighting Design)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Puppetry
- Graduate Diploma in Visual Art
- Postgraduate Certificate in Classical Ballet Teaching
- Graduate Diploma in Opera (Vocal)
- Graduate Diploma in Opera (Repetiteur)
- Bachelor of Dramatic Art (Production Stream)
- Bachelor Music/Bachelor of Teaching double degree
- Bachelor of Nursing Science (standard)
- Master of Arts (Mathematics and Statistics) Thesis only.
17.3 Selection Matters
17.3.1 Academic Board Resolutions on Selection
Council adopted Resolutions on Selection for entry to the following courses, as set out in Appendix C of the report:
- Master of Applied Commerce (Management)
- Master of Education (Special Education, Inclusion and Early Intervention)
- Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology, Clinical Neuropsychology and Clinical-Child Psychology)
- Master of Social Health (Health Policy)
- Master of Environment (Public Health).
17.3.2 Alternative Entry Pathways
On the recommendation of the Academic Board, Council made the following resolutions concerning alternative entry pathways:
17.3.2.1 Bellerbys College Foundation Programme (UK)
- The Bellerbys combination of four Physics subjects be deemed equivalent to VCE Physics 3/4 for undergraduate entry,
- The Bellerbys combination of two Chemistry subjects be deemed equivalent to VCE Chemistry 3/4 for undergraduate entry,
- The Bellerbys combination of Pure Mathematics 1 & 2 be deemed equivalent to VCE Mathematical Methods 3/4 for undergraduate entry,
- The Bellerbys combination of Pure Mathematics 1 & 2 and Mechanics 1 & 2 be deemed equivalent to VCE Specialist Mathematics 3/4 for undergraduate entry;
17.3.2.2 South Australian Universities’ Foundation Studies Program (SAUFSP)
- that the SAUFSP Physics course be deemed equivalent to VCE Physics 3/4 for undergraduate entry; and
17.3.2.3 Taylor ’s College Science Foundation Program (Malaysia)
- The TCSFP subjects Physics 1A & 1B be deemed equivalent to VCE Physics 3/4 for undergraduate entry,
- The TCSFP subjects Chemistry 1A & 1B be deemed equivalent to VCE Chemistry 3/4 for undergraduate entry,
- The TCSFP subjects Biology 1A & 1B be deemed equivalent to VCE Biology 3/4 for undergraduate entry,
- The TCSFP subjects Mathematics 1A & 1B be deemed equivalent to VCE Mathematical Methods 3/4 for undergraduate entry,
- The TCSFP subjects Physics 1A, 1B, 2A & 2B be deemed equivalent to VCE Specialist Mathematics 3/4 for undergraduate entry,
[Note: the TCSFP subjects immediately above were incorrectly titled in the documentation submitted to Council, and the Vice-Chancellor has subsequently agreed on behalf of Council that the TCSFP subjects Mathematics 1A, 1B, 2A & 2B be deemed equivalent to VCE Specialist Mathematics 3/4 for undergraduate entry.]
- The TCSFP subjects English 1 & 2 be deemed equivalent to VCE English 3/4 for undergraduate entry.
17.3.3 University of Melbourne Extension Program
Council approved guidelines for the selection of high achieving secondary students into the University’s Extension Program in 2007 (Appendix D of the report).
17.4 New Student Awards
Council established the following student awards:
- Melbourne Theatre Company Board of Management [Item B3(a)]
Council received the report of meeting 10/06 of the Melbourne Theatre Company Board of Management held on 20 October 2006.
- The Ian Potter Museum of Art [Item B3(b)]
Council received the report of meeting 5/06 of the Ian Potter Museum of Art held on 3 October 2006.
- Committee of Convocation [Item B4(a)]
Council received the report of meeting 8/06 of the Committee of Convocation held on 18 October 2006.
20.1 Legislation – Victorian College of the Arts - Amendments to Regulation 5.1.R1
Council did not agree to the recommendation that it make an amendment to the Victorian College of the Arts section of regulation 5.1.R1. However, Council confirmed its intention to act under Statute 5.1 to adopt a future recommendation from the Committee of Convocation to appoint a member of that Committee who is a representative of the graduates of the Victorian College of the Arts to membership of that faculty.
20.2 ‘New Generation’ Juris Doctor Degree
The Vice-Chancellor commented on the concern expressed in the Committee of Convocation report that the new Juris Doctor arrangements could in some way devalue that degree. The Vice-Chancellor advised that neither the Dean of Law nor he shared that view, nor was it their view that the existing degree was designed for some kind of elite cohort. It was the Dean’s opinion that the recognition and status of the degree would be enhanced by its becoming the only way in which entry to the profession via a Melbourne qualification occurred. This was also a view expressed in feedback the Dean had received from current students in the existing course, who strongly support the changes.
- Legislation and Trusts Committee [Item C]
Council received and noted the report of the Legislation and Trusts Committee meeting 7/06 held on 25 September 2006.
21.1 Council made the following Statutes as detailed in the Report:
(1) |
Amendment of Statute 12.5 recommended by the Academic Board |
To allow for a “cotutelle” or co-badged degree (74/06) |
(2) |
Amendment of Statute 2.2 recommended by the University Secretary |
To delete the requirement that Council meeting dates be prescribed by regulation (77/06) |
21.2 Council made the following Regulations as detailed in the Report:
(1) |
Amendment of Regulation 8.1.R1 recommended by the University Secretary |
To reflect the name change of the Information Division to Information Services (75/06)\ |
(2) |
Amendment of Regulation 8.1.R7 recommended by the University Secretary |
To reflect the name change of the Information Division to Information Services (76/06) |
(3) |
Amendment of Regulation 6.1.R9 recommended by the University Secretary on the advice of the Bio21 Institute |
To change the name of the management committee and to describe its current role more accurately (80/06) |
21.3 Council made the following Standing Resolutions as detailed in the Report:
(1) |
Repeal of Standing Resolution 3.23 recommended by the University Secretary |
To repeal the Standing Resolution relating to Council meeting dates as a consequence of the amendment to Statute 2.2 (78/06) |
21.4 PBC Proposal for Trust Management in the University of Melbourne
This matter was discussed in conjunction with the related recommendations from Finance Committee (refer minute 11.2 above). Further deliberation on the issue was deferred to Council’s 11 December meeting.
- 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 at 7.25pm.
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