A meeting of the Committee of Convocation was held
in the Council Chamber, Old Law Quadrangle, University of Melbourne, on
Wednesday 21 August, 2002 at 5.45pm.
Present
Dr RJ Condron in the Chair,
Mr MJ Anderson, Ms LJ Boston, Dr C Close, Ms CF Connan, Mr BFB Dance,
Mr GF Dawson, Mr DM Dodd, Mr AT Douglas, Dr SC Ducker, Ms JH Elton Brown,
Mr AG Handberg, Dr JK Harcourt, Mr RTA Hardcastle, Mr PR Hirst, Mr J
Humphrey, Dr AA Jones, Mr JC Jones, Mr FAM Lees, Mrs AM Neal-Adam, Mr
JF Nicholas, Ms E Parker, Mr J Puls, Dr N Ramsey, Dr JT Robinson, Mrs
MC Robinson, Dr B-A Rodan, Dr S Sahhar, Dr J Stillman, Mr GH Thomas,
Ms MA Weston, Ms C Willis.
Mr LN Currie, University Secretary, Mr D Crotty,
150th Anniversary Project Officer in the Alumni Relations Unit, and
Ms H Davies, Minute Secretary, were in attendance.
BUSINESS
0. Preliminary Matters
0.1 Report from Returning Officer
The University Secretary reported that there
had been no nominations received for the casual vacancy for a representative
in Education and Music with a term expiring in 2005. It was agreed
that rather than declare the September meeting a Special Meeting to
fill this vacancy when there was a suitable candidate identified,
action would be taken at that time to formally fill this post.
1. Apologies and Leave of Absence
Apologies had been received from Ms HM Cohn, Dr
D Brownbill and Dr L McKenzie,
Leave of Absence previously had been granted to
Mr G Bartle, Dr I Price, Dr P Lowe and Ms A Rusden for this meeting
and Ms J Crowe for the September meeting.
The following requests for Leave of Absence were
received: Mr John Meehan for the September meeting and Mr David Dodd
for the October meeting. In addition, Ms Jane Elton Brown would be an
apology for the September meeting.
2 Starring of Additional Items
No items were starred.
3. Minutes of Meeting 4/02 (17.7.2002)
The minutes of meeting 4/02 held on 17 July, 2002
were approved, subject to the inclusion of the word "suggested"
after Mr Handberg's name in Item 4.1, line 5 and the replacement of
the words "and nominated" by the word "named" in
the second line of item 8.1
4. Matters Arising
4.1 Accommodation of Students (Meeting 2/02)
The Senior Vice-Principal, Mr Ian Marshman,
attended the meeting to speak to this item and in particular, focussed
on how the increasing numbers of students can be physically accommodated
by the University.
He advised that the University was taking steps to physically accommodate
the increased number of students and he believed that this was managed
better now than it had been a few years ago. There was an increase in
available space, such as University Square to which the Law Faculty
had moved which resulted in additional space on the main campus. The
opening of the Sidney Myer Asian Centre had made space available, as
had the renovated Babel building. More usable space would be made available
at a later date upon the development of the 'Western Precinct' as a
result of the Bio21 project. The moves of units to University Square
had necessitated a rationalisation of facilities as space is freed up.
In Lincoln Square, although one building was to be demolished, the remaining
buildings would house Property and Buildings. On the main campus, the
Walter Boas building would be available to house student services To
restore the façade of the old quadrangle, the Scarborough building
and the present Book-room would be demolished.
By first semester next year, there would be more usable space available
together with a budget allocation for upgrading of present teaching
space to enhance multimedia presentations. In addition, Faculties were
being encouraged to make greater use of the academic year.
4.2 Standing Orders of Convocation (Minute 4.2)
Mr John Nicholas spoke to this item, which he
described as important house-keeping. He advised that his report stands
as is. He proposed that the Sub-Committee considering this matter
circulate the amended draft Standing Orders so that they may be read
before, and considered at, the next meeting of the Committee. If the
review is favourable, the draft Standing Orders can be submitted at
the next Annual Ordinary Meeting of Convocation for approval.
4.3 Representing Graduates Effectively (Minute
4.1)
The following written reports were circulated
or tabled, all of which the Committee received for information:
- Faculty of Arts
- Faculty of Economics and Commerce
- Institute of Land and Food Resources
- Faculty of Veterinary Science
- Institute of Land and Food Resources
- Colleges and Halls of Residence
The Deputy President, Mr Allan Handberg, opened
discussion on this item by briefly describing the exercise undertaken
and inviting Committee of Convocation representatives on the following
bodies to report on actions taken to develop relations with graduates.
Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning
Faculty of Arts
School of Dentistry
Faculty of Education
Faculty of Engineering
Institute of Land and Food Resources
Student Support Committee
Faculty of Law
Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
Faculty of Music
Faculty of Economics and Commerce
Faculty of Science
Faculty of Veterinary Science
Alumni Relations
In addition, comments were invited, and received,
by members not specifically allied with Boards or Committees
The Committee agreed that the President's Advisory
Group should provide a summary synthesis of all points made.
4.4 Chairs in the Faculty of Law (Minute 8.1)
The University Secretary advised the Committee
that he had raised the matter of the proposed four new chairs with
the current Dean of the Faculty of Law. The Chairs were advertised
for broad fields of law, which the University devotes its resources
to. The Dean had explained that if there were closely specialised
chairs to be advertised, the Faculty believed it would find sponsorship
for those chairs. Financially, it was not a good idea for the University
to fund Chairs in specialist fields.
Regarding the named chairs, the intention was
not to discontinue the named chairs, but to take advantage of the
fact that by the end of this year named chairs would be vacant, at
which time the Faculty would review how it should proceed with regard
to them.
5. Report of Meeting 4/02 to Council
The Committee received the report of meeting 4/02
held on 17 July, 2002 that is to be presented to September Council.
6. Legislation and Standing Resolutions of Council
6.1 Statute proposed for consideration by Council
at its next meeting
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(1)
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Amendment of Statute 9.17
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To change the name of an affiliated institution
(86/02)
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6.2 Regulations proposed for consideration by
Council at its next meeting
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(1)
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Amendment of Regulation 8.1.R7 |
To correct an incorrect reference in a
regulation (68/02)
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(2)
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Making of Regulation R6.XXX
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To govern the Donald Munro Armstrong Bequest
(69/02)
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A query was raised about the sum of the Donald Munro
Armstrong Bequest and if the amount of $20,820 includes interest. The
University Secretary agreed to investigate this matter and report to
the September meeting of the Committee.
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(3)
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Amendment of Regulation R7.57
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To update recitals to the regulation governing
the Ormond Chair of Music (70/02)
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(4)
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Amendment of Regulation 7.193
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To update the terms of the regulation governing
the Louisa Jean de Bretteville Bequest (71/02)
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(5)
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Amendment of Regulation
R6.72 |
To update the information concerning the
Dr Kate Campbell Prize in Neonatal Paediatrics (72/02)
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(6)
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Amendment of Regulation
R6.72 |
To amend the terms
of The Roy and Iris Simmons Award (73/02)
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(7)
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Replacement of Regulation
R6.72 |
To amend the terms of the John Grice Research
Bursary (74/02)
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(8)
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Amendment of Regulation
R6.196 |
To update the regulation governing the
Nancy Frances Curry Scholarship (75/02)
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(9)
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Amendment of Regulation
R6.190 |
To update the regulation governing the
David Lachlan Hay Memorial Funda (76/02)
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(10)
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Making of Regulation R6.XXX |
To govern the Bronwyn Jane Adams Memorial
Trust Fund (77/02)
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(11)
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Amendment of Regulation
7.1.R2 |
To add Chairs to
Schedule A of the regulation governing academic and general staff
ranks and titles (83/02) |
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(12)
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Amendment of Regulation 17.1.R6 |
To correct references to a title
in a regulation (84/02)
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(13)
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Amendment of Regulation 12.6.R1 |
To correct errors in a regulation
(85/02)
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7. Reports of Faculty Meetings and Committee Meetings
7.1 Planning and Budget Committee
The Committee received the report for information
7.2 Student Support Committee
The Committee received the report for information.
7.3 Faculty of Economics and Commerce
The Committee received the report for information.
8. Alumni Relations Manager's Report
Mr David Crotty, the 150th Anniversary Project
Officer in the Alumni Relations Program, gave an oral report, commencing
with an excerpt from a history written by Professor Geoffrey Blainey
in which he gives a description of the University of Melbourne as it
was originally constructed and it was physically situated. He also reported
that the date celebrated as its founding date was that on which the
legislation approving the formation of the University was passed. Mr
Crotty advised that the calendar of events for the 150th Anniversary
Celebrations is mostly set and that the main events will occur from
9 to 11 May next year. There will be a formal reception on 9 May; a
major conferring of degrees ceremony in Wilson hall on 10 May. followed
by an expanded Town and Gown dinner in Federation Square. On Sunday
11 May there will be a campus open day where the University's buildings
and facilities will be available for inspection by the public.
The theme of the University Conference to be held
is Peace and Reconciliation, and will be attended by overseas
dignitaries, especially from South Africa and Ulster. In addition, there
will be a regional Victoria event held at Shepparton, and it is possible
that Dookie campus will also be included as a site for celebratory festivities.
It is hoped that the Victorian College of the Arts will put together
a program so its students can perform at Shepparton.
The MIALS colloquium will include a public lecture
followed by a retreat session at Ballarat, will talk about optional
papers coming up and for policy papers to go ahead. Areas of: Law, Education
and Community Organisations.
The former Melbourne College of Advanced Education
is to be brought into the University family. There will be two major
exhibitions. The first, entitled Full Majesty of Nature, is to
tour regional Victoria and will be accompanied by a series of Alumni
gatherings. The second exhibition is entitled Mightier than the Sword
and is composed of Islamic writings designed to complement the Colloquium.
Mr Crotty announced that the Diary of Raymond Priestly,
a former Chancellor of the University, is to be published. In addition,
there are a number of histories also to be published by Melbourne University
Publishing and available in June next year, as well as a 'coffee table
book' written by the Director of the Ian Potter Museum of Art, Dr Chris
McAuliffe, entitled Treasures of the University Collection.
The scholarships to be awarded during its 150th
Anniversary Celebrations was addressed in the Vice-Chancellor's column
in Melbourne University Magazine, which was published and distributed
recently. In addition, there were links with the State Library of Victoria
(which was associated with Sir Redmond Barry) which also will be celebrating
its 150th Anniversary: the State Library and the University had been
founded on the same day.
Dr Sophie Ducker raised the possibility of the Committee of Convocation
making a contribution to the University in respect to the 150th Anniversary.
She suggested that a booklet could be produced describing the Chancellors
portrayed in the paintings in the Council Chamber, and also detailing
the artists who had painted the pictured. Dr Ducker suggested that 300
- 400 words be written on each Chancellor and also on each artist. She
thought it appropriate for the
Committee to bear the cost of producing such a booklet. It was agreed
that this was an appropriate matter for consideration by the President's
Advisory Committee, which would discuss this suggestion and report back
to the Committee.
9. Guest Speakers
The guest speaker at dinner was Professor Ian Plimer,
the incumbent of the Chair of Geology in the School of Earth Sciences.
He spoke on his latest monograph, A Short History of Planet Earth.
10. General Information of interest to members
of the Committee of Convocation
10.1 Second Semester 2002 Schedule for the Conferring
of Degrees
The Committee received the Schedule for information.
10.2 Second Semester 2002 Public Lecture Series
The Committee received the Notices of public lectures
for information.
11. Any Other Business
11.1 Report on the Future of Academic Publishing
for Australian Scholars
It was agreed to bring this item forward to the
next meeting of the Committee when there will be additional time available
to give this matter the attention it warrants.
11.2 'Taking Stock'
The Committee noted that appropriate papers were
circulated on 'Taking Stock' in lieu of the yearly oral presentation
given by the Vice-Chancellor. The President announced that it is hoped
that Professor Gilbert will attend the November meeting to speak and
respond to any queries members might have.
11.3 Register of Names for Membership of University
Councils
Mr Douglas raised the matter of the invitation
issued by the Minister of Post-compulsory Education, The Hon Ms Lynne
Kosky, for interested parties to submit their names for inclusion
on a register of possible University councillors. It was noted that
by this approach the State Government wished to broaden the base of
membership of University Councils by this register. It was agreed
that this was a matter for discussion by the President's Advisory
Group and report back to the next meeting of the Committee.
13. Receipt of Unstarred Items
The Committee received all unstarred items.
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