1998

THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE

COUNCIL MEETING NO 7

A meeting of the Council was held in the Council Chamber, University, on Monday 2 November, 1998 at 4.00 p.m.

Present

The Chancellor, Sir Edward Woodward (in the Chair)
The Deputy Chancellor (Dr N G Curry)
The Deputy Chancellor (Mrs F S Marles)
The Vice-Chancellor (Professor A D Gilbert)
The President of Academic Board (Professor T W Healy)
The President of University of Melbourne Postgraduate Association (Ms A Chinn)
Mr T L Anning, Mr L J Carden, Hon. B Forwood, Dr B H Lochtenberg, Ms E M Proust, Mr I A Renard and Professor S A Walker.

The President of Convocation (Dr T Latham)


The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Professor C B Schedvin)
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) (Professor F P Larkins)

The Registrar (Mr J B Potter)
The Academic Registrar (Mr I Marshman)
The Director of Financial Operations (Mr D Percival)
The Director of Information Technology Services (Mr N Reidl)
The Director of Human Resources (Ms E Baré)
The Director of Recruitment and Admissions (Dr I Irvine)
The Director of Executive Services (Mr L N Currie)
The Acting General Manager, Vice-Chancellor's Office (Ms W Lawler)
The Manager, Central Secretariat (Mr J A Goodwin)
Ms M Coulson and Mr P O'Keefe were in attendance

Business

1. Leave of Absence (Item A.01)

Apologies were received from Mr Justice Chernov, Ms Marshall and Mr Spring.

Leave of absence for this meeting had been granted to Lord Dearing, Professor Lim Pin, Associate Professor Marjorie Theobald, and Mr Tricks.

Leave of absence for the December meeting was granted to Lord Dearing.

2. Welcome

The Chancellor noted that in the absence of Ms Marshall, the President of the Student Union, Ms Mandy Coulson, the General Secretary of the Student Union, was attending the meeting as an observer, and welcomed her to the meeting.

3. Returning Officer's Report

The Registrar, as Returning Officer, advised that Professor Jim Angus, who would be the Vice-President of the Academic Board in 1999, had been elected unopposed as the member of Council representing the professors, for a term ending 31 December 1999, that Mr Tim Anning had been re-elected to represent the general staff for a further term ending 31 December 2000, that the student representative elected for 1999 would be Mr Joseph Doyle and the postgraduate student representative would be Ms Alana Chinn.

He informed Council that the 1999 President of the Student Union would be Ms Elizabeth Blandthorn.

He also advised that only one nomination had been received for the office of Chancellor, (Sir Edward Woodward), and reminded members that a call for nominations for Deputy Chancellor had been sent to all members, and that nominations would close on 11 November.

4. Re-election of the Chancellor

The Deputy Chancellor, Mrs Marles, on behalf of Council, thanked Sir Edward Woodward for his agreement to serve as Chancellor once again. Sir Edward Woodward advised that the new term would be his final term of office; that he would not be making himself available for a further term from 1 January 2002.

5. Minutes of Meeting 6/98 (Item A.1)

The minutes of meeting of Council 6/98, held on 5 October 1998, copies of which had been distributed, were confirmed.

6. Starring of Additional Items

(Item A.2[a]) Items B.2 (4) and B.4 (3) 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. Chancellor's Matters (Item A.3)

8.1 Council received a paper entitled "Process for Appointment To Council Committees, Statutory Committees & Outside Bodies", together with oral reports from the Chancellor on the University Sesquicentenary and Council self-evaluation.

8.2 Appointment To Council Committees, Statutory Committees & Outside Bodies

Council noted that in 1998 the process of appointment to Council committees had been that the Chancellor had reviewed the committees in the light of changes in Council membership and the availability of Council members and others, and had brought forward recommendations accordingly. Council agreed that this procedure should continue as the standard arrangement for making such appointments.

Council adopted the recommendation that Standing Resolution 3.22 - Appointments to Council Committees, Statutory Committees and Outside Bodies be revoked.

8.3 University Sesquicentenary

Council was reminded that at the May 1998 meeting of Council a Sesquicentenary Working Party, comprising the Chancellor, the Deputy Chancellors, the Presidents of MUSUI and UMPA, the President of Convocation, the Vice-Chancellor, the President and Vice-President of the Academic Board, and Mr Ian Renard to prepare preliminary advice for submission to Council at a meeting later in the year.

As other more urgent matters had obtruded, the Chancellor suggested that Working Party review this matter immediately prior to the opening session of the Council Planning Conference in February 1999. 8.4 Council Self-Evaluation. The Chancellor advised that he would be preparing a paper on this matter before the end of the year, to be the basis for an agenda item at the Council Planning Conference in February 1999.

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

9.1 Council received the Vice-Chancellor's Report, together with a tabled paper headed "Trade Practices Act and Changes in Course Requirements" and a tabled copy of a Media Release dated 2 November 1998 - "Melbourne Targets and Rewards Top Students".

9.2 Acting Vice-Chancellor

Under Statute 2.5.2 the Council must nominate the order in which the Deputy Vice-Chancellors, if they are available, will perform the duties of Acting Vice-Chancellor when necessary.

Council agreed that in 1999 the order should be Professor Schedvin, Professor Lee Dow, Professor Larkins.

9.3 Land & Food Services Limited

Council approved the constitution of Land & Food Services Limited, as set out in Appendix A to the report, subject to such minor changes as the Vice-Chancellor judged necessary.

9.4 The Asia Centre

Members of Council were reminded that in 1996 Council had approved an allocation of up to $15 million for the Asia-Pacific Institute building and for cognate programs and activities. In June 1997 the Lindenderry Conference of the Planning and Budget Committee had resolved to recommend to Council that funds be made available for the construction of a Central Teaching Facility related to Asia-Pacific initiatives, and this was agreed to by Council at its meeting in July 1997. At the time the question of a title for the building was left open.

Council noted a progress report on this project, and endorsed the proposal that the building be named "The Asia Centre".

9.5 Melbourne Theatre Company Board

Council endorsed the proposed new structure of the MTC Board, as set out in Appendix B to the report, subject to the following amendments to Section 7.3 on page 4 of the document in regard to the proposed membership of the Board, so that the fourth and fifth paragraphs would read:

"In that event, the University of Melbourne, as the entity responsible for the assets, debts and liabilities of the MTC, would require that:

The University also determines that six further members be appointed, as follows:

9.6 Trade Practices Act and Changes in Course Requirements

Council agreed that the general principle set out in the fourth paragraph of the document, "The Trade Practices Act and Changes in Course Requirements" , should be applied to changes to course requirements, and directed that it be used to implement the current introduction of a common point structure across Faculties.

Council requested that the Legislation Committee review Statute 5.4.6 in consultation with the officers of the Academic Board and, as appropriate, amend the Statute to require that where student disadvantage is substantiated the Academic Board must ensure that all necessary steps are taken to alleviate the disadvantage, including the initiation of special arrangements where necessary.

9.7 The Year 2000 and The University of Melbourne

The Registrar spoke to this matter and answered a number of questions from members of Council. He advised that any written comments from members of Council would be appreciated, and assured Council that further reports would be forthcoming over the course of the next two years.

9.8 Environmental Management System

Council received a report on the progress being made towards certification of an Environmental Management System under ISO 14001.

It was noted that the consultant engaged to conduct a preliminary environmental audit in November 1996 had expressed the view that the University could not, at that stage, demonstrate due diligence in environmental matters. Council considered that the progress report, although comprehensive, was inadequate in that it had failed to indicate whether the observed deficiencies that had led to the consultant's judgment had since been rectified.

The Vice-Chancellor assured Council that this information would be provided to the next meeting of Council.

9.9 Audit Functions of Council

It was agreed that at its 1999 Planning Conference, Council would review its committee structures and particularly consider how it should audit compliance matters generally, and how to carry out its other broad audit functions.

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

Council received the report of the Administrative Committee meetings 25/98 to 27/9 inclusive, together with the report of meeting 3/98 of the Occupational Health and Safety Committee.

11. Planning and Budget Committee (Item A.6)

11.1 Council received the report of meeting 9/98 of the Planning and Budget Committee, held on 14 October 1998.

Council adopted the following recommendations:

11.2 Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering

that the name of the Department of Computer Science in the Faculty of Engineering be changed to the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering, as shown in Attachment 1 to the report;

11.3 Variation to Academic Year Dates - School of Physiotherapy

that the variations to academic year dates in 1999 for the first and second year undergraduates in the School of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences be as set out in Attachment 2 to the report;

11.4 Variation to Academic Year Dates - Faculty of Education

that the variations to academic year dates in 1999 for a number of postgraduate and undergraduate courses in the Faculty of Education be as set out in Attachment 3 to the report;

11.5 Centre for Genetic Epidemiology

that a Centre for Genetic Epidemiology be established within the Department of General Practice and Public Health in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, as set out in Attachment 4 to the report;

11.6 Professor/Director of Surgical Oncology

that the position of Professor/Director of Surgical Oncology (Peter MacCallum Institute) be established, and an appointment be made as Professorial Fellow with the title Professor under Regulation 7.1.R4.5, as set out in Attachment 5 to the report; and

11.7 Professor/Director of Head and Neck Surgery/ Otolaryngology

that the position of Professor/Director of Head and Neck Surgery/ Otolaryngology (Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Inner & Eastern Health Care Network) be established, and an appointment be made as Professorial Fellow with the title Professor under Regulation 7.1.R4.5, as set out in Attachment 6 to the report.

12. Committee of Convocation (Item A.7)

Council received the report of meeting 6/98 of the Committee of Convocation, held on 21 October 1998.

13. Academic Board (Item B.1)

13.1 Council received the report of meeting 7/98 of the Academic Board, held on 22 October 1998, together with a Supplementary Report from the President of the Academic Board.

Council adopted the following recommendations:

13.2 Honorary Degrees of Doctor of Surveying

that, pursuant to Statute 12.7.2, the honorary degree of Doctor of Surveying be awarded to the two persons whose career statements were tabled at the meeting;

13.3 Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws

that, pursuant to Statute 12.7.3, the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws be awarded to the person whose career statement was tabled at the meeting;.

13.4 Professor/Director of Surgical Oncology (Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute)

that a joint University/Institute selection committee be established for the position of Professor/Director of Surgical Oncology, (Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute) as set out in Appendix A to the report; and

13.5 Professor/Director of Head and Neck Surgery (Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Inner and Eastern Health Care Network)

that a joint University/ Hospital-Network selection committee be established for the position of Professor/Director of Head and Neck Surgery, (Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Inner and Eastern Health Care Network) as set out in Appendix B to the report.

13.6 Academic Board Resolutions on Selection

13.6.1 Additional English Language Requirements for Full-Fee Overseas Undergraduate Students.

Council approved the Academic Board Resolutions on Selection for the Faculty of Economics and Commerce, Institute of Land and Food Resources, and Faculty of Engineering, for overseas students who are required to undertake additional English language studies as part of their undergraduate course, as outlined in Appendix C to the report.

13.6.2 Admission to Courses in the Faculty of Education

Council adopted the recommendation that section D of the Academic Board Resolutions on Selection be revoked, and be replaced by a new section D, as set out in Appendix D to the report.

13.7 Guaranteed Entry of Students from HELP Institute, Malaysia

Council adopted the recommendation that students from the HELP Institute, Malaysia, who satisfy entrance requirements for admission to the Bachelor of Computer Science and Bachelor of Commerce courses be guaranteed entry, as outlined in Appendix E to the report. .

13.8 Minimum Level of Performance for Admission to Fee Paying Programs for International Undergraduate Students in 1999

13.8.1 Council revoked a resolution made at the October 1998 meeting of Council, which had approved the document (Appendix J to the Academic Board Report) submitted under the heading:

"9. Minimum Level of Performance for Admission to Fee Paying Programs for Australian Undergraduate Students in 1999"

13.8.2 Council approved minimum academic entry standards for admission to fee-paying programs for international undergraduate students in 1999 based on 1998 entry standards, as set out in Appendix F to the report.

13.9 New Courses

Council approved the following new courses, as set out in the appendices to the report:

Master of Intellectual Property Law (Appendix A)
Master of International Tax (Appendix B)

14. Finance Committee (Item B.2)

14.1 Council received the report of meeting 10/98 of the Finance Committee, held on 21 October 1998.

14.2 Purchase of Lincoln Square Buildings

Council approved the purchase of the Lincoln Square Buildings at 623-629 Swanston Street for a total cost of $5 million, to be financed by cash flow subject to completion of a satisfactory Memorandum of Agreement between the Minister of Planning and Local Government and the University.

14.3 Car Parking Facilities

Council approved the construction of two underground car parks in the areas referred to as Eastern Precinct and University Square and that these car parks be funded from cash flow at the interest rate and conditions as set out in Attachment 2 to the report.

15 Human Resources Committee (Item B.3)

15.1 Council received the report of meeting 5/98 of the Human Resources Committee, held on 9 October 1998, a tabled paper providing additional information on appointments referred to in the report.

15.2 International Exchange

Council approved the new policy Section 7.5 of Personnel Policy and Procedures - International Exchange, as set out in Attachment A to the report.

15.3 Initiatives for Reduction in Staff Turnover

The foreshadowed report on behalf of the Human Resources Committee on Initiatives for Reduction in Staff Turnover was not tabled, but withheld for submission to a subsequent meeting.

16. Buildings and Estates Committee (Item B.4)

16.1 Council received the report of meeting 9/98 of the Buildings and Estates Committee, held on 12 October 1998.

16.2 Master Plan

The Chancellor noted the suggestion that the University Master Planner be invited to make a presentation to Council at some appropriate time, and the request that if this were to happen the Committee of Convocation also be invited to attend.

17. Legislation Committee (Item C)

17.1 Council received the report of meeting 6/98 of the Legislation Committee, held on 26 October 1998.

17.2 Council made the following Legislation as detailed in the report:

(1) Amendment of Statute 1.1 - To provide for a new management structure for the University (78A/98)

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

(1) Amendment of Regulations 7.1.R6, 8.1.R12 & 17.1.R11 - To provide for a new management structure for the University (78/98)
(2) Revocation of Regulations R3.331, R3.220, R3.214, R3.210, R3.238, R3.193, R3.313, R3.314, R3.192, R3.191, R3.276, R3.277, R3.278, R3.279, R3.280, R3.209, R3.215, R3.325, R3.332, R3.334 & R3.254 and making of Regulation R3.1 To provide for a generic award (65/98)
(3) Revocation of Regulations R3.236, R3.229, R3.211, R3.212, R3.190, R3.158, R3.218, R3.295, R3.246, R3.223, R3.269, R3.112, R3.128, R3.131, R3.132, R3.143, R3.11A, R3.134, R3.145, R3.140, R3.177, R3.275, R3.176, R3.178, R3.179, R3.207, R3.208, R3.88, R3.234, R3.166, R3.324, R3.225, R3.242, R3.80, R3.106, R3.301, R3.241, R3.118, R3.120, R3.222, R3.125, R3.303, R3.117, R3.272, R3.256, R3.122, R3.270, R3.271, R3.291, R3.335, R3.336, R3.156, R3.203, R3.265, R3.266, R3.267, R3.204, R3.201 & R3.239 & making of Regulation R3.2 To provide for a generic award (66/98)
(4) Revocation of Regulations R3.287 & R3.340 and making of Regulation R3.3 To provide for a generic award(67/98)
(5) Revocation of Regulations R3.100, R3.101, R3.317, R3.316, R3.219, R3.247, R3.297, R3.315, R3.108, R3.109, R3.110, R3.111, R3.141, R3.115, R3.281, R3.282, R3.283, R3.284, R3.326, R3.233, R3.298, R3.235, R3.119, R3.293, R3.290, R3.126, R3.286, R3.300, R3.288, R3.197 & R3.97 and making of Regulation R3.4 To provide for a generic award (68/98)
(6) Amendment of Regulation R6.72 To establish the Robertson Scholarship (74/98)
(7) Making of Regulation R3.341 To establish the degree of master of Intellectual Property Law (75/98)
(8) Making of Regulation R3.342 To establish the degree of master of International Tax (76/98)
(9) Amendment of Regulation R6.144 To revise a condition relevant to the Truganini Scholarships (77/98)
(12) Revocation of Regulation 4.1.R4 To place revised International Exchange Guidelines outside the Regulations (70/98)

 

18. Summary of Reports on Matters dealt with by the Vice-Chancellor (Item D.2[a])

Council received the summary of reports on matters dealt with by the Vice-Chancellor, as set out in Items D.2[a] and [b].

19. Melbourne Theatre Company Board of Management (Item D.3)

Council received the report of meeting 9/98 of the Melbourne Theatre Company Board of Management, held on 18 September 1998.

20 Introduction of New Professors (Item F.2)

Professor Cynthia Hardy, Chair of Management and Professor Margaret Britz, Chair of Food Science were introduced to Council members and welcomed to the meeting.

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