1996

THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE

COUNCIL MEETING NO 7

A meeting of the Council was held in the Council Chamber, University, on Monday 4 November, 1996 at 4.00 p.m.

Present

Mr T L Anning, Mr T C Borgeest, Professor W A Bebbington, Professor D G Beswick, Miss G M Blood, Mr L J Carden, Mr A Chernov, Rev. Dr G Cole, Mr N D Cole, Mrs N E Davies, Mr J V Eddey, Hon. B Forwood, Mrs B M Hamer, Professor A G Klein, Dr P J L'Estrange, Mr J Li, Dr B Lochtenberg, Professor S F Macintyre, Associate Professor P T McTigue, Mr I A Renard, Mr M Taylor, Mr D V C Tricks, Ms C M Walter and Mr D D Westmore.
Mr B Donovan, Mr P O'Keefe, Mr J Varghese and Mr C Wootton were in attendance.

Business

1. Welcome to 1997 President of the Student Union
The Chancellor welcomed the 1997 President of the Student Union, Mr Jacob Varghese to the Council meeting, which he was attending as an observer.
2. Leave of Absence (Item A.01)
An apology was received from Mr Perton.

Leave of absence for this meeting had been granted to Professor Kincaid-Smith and Professor Theobald.

3. Returning Officer's Report (Item A.02)
The Registrar, as Returning Officer, advised that the student elections had been completed, and as a result the President of the Student Union for 1997, an ex officio member of Council, would be Mr Jacob Varghese, and the undergraduate representative for a two-year term from 1 January 1997, would be Ms Jasmine Hirst.

He also reminded members that Mrs Marles' current term of office as Deputy Chancellor finished at 31 December 1996, that nominations for a two-year term as Deputy Chancellor had been called, and that nominations would close at 5 p.m. on Wednesday 13 November.

The Registrar also drew attention to Attachment A to the Report of the Administrative Committee, which set out the procedures for appointing people to committee vacancies for 1997.

4. Minutes of Meeting No 6/96 (Item A.1)
 
4.1The minutes of meeting 6/96 of Council held on 7 October 1996, copies of which had been distributed, were confirmed.
4.2 Council noted an omission in the minutes of meeting 5/96 and resolved that the minutes be amended to include the following minute in regard to the report of the Human Resources Committee:
11.4 Associate Professors in Special Cases
Council approved the guidelines for the consideration of Associate Professors in Special Cases, as set out in Attachment A to the Second Report.

5. Review of Arrangements for the Governance of Universities in Victoria

The Chancellor read out details of an announcement by the Minister for Tertiary Education and Training, Mr Phil Honeywell, that he had established a committee to review the current arrangements for the governance of universities in Victoria to consult extensively with Vice-Chancellors and University Councils and report back to him no later than 30 April, 1997.

Council agreed to delegate authority to the Chancellor to constitute a small working committee of Council to prepare some ideas for a submission to the committee, to be brought back to the December meeting of Council.

6. Starring of Additional Items (Item A.2[a])
Items A.5.3, B.1.4, B.1.6, B.4.1, B.4.3 and C were starred for discussion.

7. 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.

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

8.1Council received the Vice-Chancellor's Report and a tabled supplementary report. A second tabled paper 'Proposed Expansion of the Melbourne Business School' was withdrawn by the Vice-Chancellor.

8.2 Re-appointment of Deans

Council approved the re-appointment as Deans, for the period 1 January 1997 to 31 December 1999, of the following:

Professor Homer Le Grand - Faculty of Arts
Professor Bruce McKellar - Faculty of Science
Professor Kwong Lee Dow - Faculty of Education
Professor Ross Williams - Faculty of Economics and Commerce

Council adopted the following recommendations:

8.3 Chair Selection Committee

that Professor Emeritus David Beswick be added to the Chair selection committee for the Chair of Educational Development and Research in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, as a member of Council who is not a member of the staff of the University;

8.4 Chair of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Mercy Hospital For Women)

that Mr S Solomon, Group CEO, Mercy Health and Aged Care, and Mr C Targett, Mercy Hospital be co-opted to the selection committee for the Chair of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Mercy Hospital for Women;

that the Reverend Dr Graham Cole and Ms Catherine Walter also be appointed to the selection committee.

8.5 Appointments: Deputy Vice-Chancellors

that Professor C B Schedvin, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) and Professor B A Sheehan, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Resources) be appointed members of Council for 1997;

that during 1997 Professor Schedvin be nominated as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor to perform the duties of Acting Vice-Chancellor pursuant to sub-section (1) of Statute 2.5.3.

8.6 Acting Vice-Chancellor

that Statute 2.5 be amended to add an additional sub-section as follows:
Notwithstanding the provisions contained in sub-sections (1) and (2) of this section the Vice-Chancellor may, when he or she considers it desirable or necessary to do so, appoint any Deputy Vice-Chancellor to act as Vice-Chancellor for a specified period.

8.7 Appointment of Acting Vice-Chancellor

that Professor F P Larkins be appointed as Acting Vice-Chancellor from Friday 8 November, 1996 to Tuesday 19 November, inclusive;

8.8 Endowments and Trusts Committee

that an Endowments and Trusts Committee be established, as shown in Appendix A to the report;

8.9 Acting Dean of Faculty of Engineering

that Professor Rob Evans be appointed Acting Dean of the Faculty of Engineering for the period 1 January, 1997 to 30 June, 1997, or until an appointment to this position commences, whichever is the earlier; and

8.10 Foreshadowed Professorial Appointment

that Council delegate to the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor and the President of the Academic Board, the power to determine the offer to a distinguished scientist, of a non-salaried professorial appointment at the University of Melbourne.

8.11 Proposed Expansion of the Melbourne Business School

Before dealing with this item, Council noted that Ms Walter is a member of the Board of Directors of the Melbourne Business School.

Council noted that the University has received advice from the Board of Directors of the Melbourne Business School Limited that, with a view to a major expansion of the School in the next few years, it wishes to purchase from the University all the property to the South of the existing School in the area bordered by Leicester Street, Pelham Street, Bouverie Street and Scotts Place.

It was noted that this area included a number of University facilities which would need to be relocated for all this area to be made available, that further discussions would be necessary to determine the precise nature of the transactions to be undertaken, and that this matter would be brought back to the December meeting of Council.

8.12 Research Performance

Council noted the comparative analysis of research performances of Australia's leading research universities, congratulated the researchers of the University of Melbourne and acknowledged the contribution of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) and his staff.
9. Administrative Committee (Item A.5)
9.1 Council received the report of Administrative Committee meetings 30/96 to 32/96 inclusive.

Council adopted the following recommendations:

9.2 VCA - Graduation Ceremony - 1997

that the Victorian College of the Arts 1997 Graduation Ceremony be held on Sunday 1 June 1997;

9.3 1997 Menzies Oration

that the 1997 Menzies Oration on Higher Education and Conferring of Degrees Ceremony be held on 1 October 1997;

9.4 Appointments to Council Committees - Standing Resolution 3.22

9.4.1 that all vacancies on Council Committees be filled at the meeting of Council in December 1996;

9.4.2 that the procedures for appointing people to committee vacancies and representative positions, as outlined in Attachment A to the report, be approved;

9.5 Allocations from the Amenities and Services Fund

9.5.1 that the allocation of $132,000 previously held in reserve to the Sport and Physical Recreation Centre to enable it to undertake capital works previously proposed north of Tin Alley, be approved; and

9.5.2 that a variation of $45,000 and $15,000 respectively in the previously agreed recurrent allocations to Melbourne University Student Union and University of Melbourne Postgraduate Association in recognition of the anticipated increase in numbers of international student enrolments in 1997 be approved, on the understanding that the additional amounts will be allocated after consultation with international student representatives.

10. Planning and Budget Committee (Item A.6)
10.1 Council received the report of meeting 6/96 of the Planning and Budget Committee, held on 11 September 1996.

10.2 Chair of Educational Development and Research

Council approved the recommendation that a Chair of Educational Development and Research be established in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, as set out in Appendix A to the report.

10.3 Doctorate of Psychology

Council noted that the Vice-Chancellor had approved the Committee's recommendation for the introduction of a Doctorate of Psychology, in order not to delay advertisement of this new course.
11. Committee of Convocation (Item A.7)
Council received the report of the Committee of Convocation meeting 6/96, held on 16 October, 1996.
12. Academic Board (Item B.1)
12.1 Council received the report of meeting 7/96 of the Academic Board, held on 24 October, 1996.

12.2 Chair of Educational Development and Research

Council adopted the recommendation that a selection committee for the Chair of Educational Development and Research be established, as set out in Appendix A to the report.

12.3 New Courses

Council approved the following new courses, as set out in the appendices to the report:
Graduate Diploma in Animateuring Appendix C)
Graduate Diploma in Improvisation (Appendix D)
Diploma of Music Performance (Appendix E)

12.4 Student Awards

Council approved the following new student awards in the Faculty of Law, as set out in the appendices to the report:
Craig Andrew Walsh Memorial Prize (Appendix F)
Freehill Hollingdale and Page Principles of Labour Law Prize (Appendix G)
Freehill Hollingdale and Page Health and Safety at Work Prize (Appendix H).

12.5 Report of Review of Academic Year Dates Working Group

Council adopted the arrangements set out in the Report of the Review of Academic Year Dates Working Group, as set out in Appendix I to the report of the Academic Board, but in a modified form incorporating the revised features set out in the alternative model considered by the Board as set out in Appendix J to the report of the Academic Board.

13. Finance Committee (Item B.2)

13.1 Council received the report of the Finance Committee meeting 9/96, held on 23 October, 1996.

13.2 Disposal of Obsolete Equipment

Council adopted the recommendation, as set out at Attachment 1(a) and Attachment 1 (b) to the report, that as a matter of policy, the following be included in Delegations in Relation to Financial Matters:

"The University, through the Registrar, has power to transfer property considered in accordance with the above principle, to be unserviceable, obsolete or surplus to requirements without public auction or tender to:

(a) institutions having the same or similar aims to the University; or

(b) charities

which are conducted not for profit."

13.3 Community Relations Allowances 1997 and Entertainment Matters

Council approved the Community Relations Allowances 1997 and Entertainment Matters, as set out in Attachment 2 to the report.

14. Human Resources Committee (Item B.3)

Council received the report of the Human Resources Committee meeting 5/96, held on 11 October, 1996.

15. Building and Estates Committee (Item B.4)

15.1 Council received the report of the Building and Estates Committee meeting 5/96, held on 21 October, 1996.

15.2 Monash Road/Swanston Street Entrance

Council approved a proposal to widen the footpath on the south side of the Alice Hoy building in Monash Road, and to landscape and pave the area at the east end of the Alice Hoy Building on Swanston Street, as set out in amended plans and cost estimates provided by Mr G Bentley, Landscape Architect.

Council noted a correction to this item of the report: the proposal would retain a two-car entry and two-car exit at Gate 4.

15.3 Agriculture & Forestry Building Extension

Council noted that a proposal for an extension to the Agriculture Building to accommodate administration staff from the VCAH, had been rejected by the Campus Master Planning Committee and the Buildings and Estates Committee, because the extension was not stepped back to avoid shadows being cast over the Registrar's residence and the System Garden.

Council approved a revised plan produced by Mr Mark Alsop, The Irwin Alsop Group, showing a stepped back facade.

15.4 Eastern Precinct

Council approved a revised building plan for a three-storey residential complex for the Eastern Precinct, as prepared by Perrott Lyon Mathieson Pty Ltd, Architects.
 

16. Legislation Committee (Item C)

16.1 Council received the report of Legislation Committee meeting 6/96, held on 28 October, 1996, plus a replacement amendment of Statute 13.1.

16.2 Council made the following legislation:

(1) Amendment of Statute 2.5 To add a provision dealing with deputy vice-chancellors acting vice the vice-chancellor (80/96)
(2) Amendment of Statute 13.1 To increase the maximum fines payable under the student discipline statute (83/96)
(3) Amendment of Statute 5.3 To expand the provisions governing the appointment of deans of faculties (85/96)

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

(2) Amendment of Regulation 7.1.R3 To make changes concerning the re-appointment of honorary professors (75/96)
(3) Revocation of Temporary Regulation R3.221 To revoke a redundant regulation (76/96)
(4) Revocation of Regulation 6.1.R8 To revoke a redundant provision (77/96)
(5) Amendment of Regulation 12.6.R1 To add to the provisions governing academic dress (81/96)
(6) Amendment of Regulation 5.1.R1 To expand eligibility for membership of the faculty of Music (82/96)
(8) Amendment of Regulation 7.1.R2 To make provision for six further chairs (87/96)
(9) Amendment of Regulation 5.1.R1 To change some requirements concerning membership of the faculty of Engineering (92/96)
(11) Making of Regulation 17.1.R18 To establish the Endowments and Trusts Committee(94/96)
(13) Amendment of Regulation 8.1.R17 To add guidelines concerning use of The University of Melbourne Campus-Wide Information System (CWIS) and conditions for electronic publishing using The University of Melbourne World Wide Web (WWW) Facilities (73/96)
(14) Amendment of Regulation 17.1.R17 To add an officer to the Committee Membership (98/96)

Council noted that Item (1) and Item (12) had been withdrawn.

17 Financial Report 1995 - Department of Veterinary Clinic and Hospital (Item D.1)
Council received the Financial Report 1995 of the Department of Veterinary Clinic and Hospital
18. Summary of Reports on Matters dealt with by the Vice-Chancellor (Items D.2[a] and D.2[b])
Council received the summary of reports on matters dealt with by the Vice-Chancellor, as set out in Items D.2(a) and D.2(b).
19. Melbourne Theatre Company (Item D.5)
Council received the report of the Melbourne Theatre Company Board of Management meeting 9/96, held on 20 September, 1996.
20. Introduction of New Professors
Professor P Dawkins, Director, MIAESR, Professor L Maglen, Chair of Vocational Education and Training, Professor J Robinson, Chair of Building, and Professor L Sterling, Chair of Computer Science were introduced to Council members and welcomed to the meeting.

Copyright © 1996, The University of Melbourne
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Date created: 12 November 1996
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