A meeting of the Committee of Convocation was held
in the Jim Potter Conference Room, Conference Centre, Old Physics Building,
the University of Melbourne on Wednesday 18 December 2002 at 5.45pm.
Present
Dr RJ Condron in the Chair,
Mr MJ Anderson, Mr G Bartle, Dr D Brownbill, Dr C Close, Ms HM Cohn,
Ms CF Connan, Mr RE Cook, Ms JM Crowe, Mr BFB Dance, Mr GF Dawson, 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, Mr FAM Lees, Dr PA Lowe,
Mrs AM Neal-Adam, Mr JF Nicholas, Dr IR Price, Mr J Puls, Dr NMcH Ramsey,
Dr B-A Rodan, Ms AS Rusden, Dr S Sahhar, Dr J Stillman, Ms MA Weston.
Mr LN Currie, University Secretary and Ms HA Davies,
Minute Secretary, were in attendance.
BUSINESS
0. Preliminary Matter
The Deputy President, Mr Allan Handberg, took the
Chair due to the delayed arrival of the President.
1. Apologies and Leave of Absence
Apologies had been received from Ms LJ Boston,
Mr C Chandraraj, Mr DM Dodd, Mr JC Jones, Dr L McKenzie, Mr JG Meehan,
Ms E Parker, Mr GH Thomas and Ms C Willis.
Leave of Absence previously had been granted to
Dr AA Jones for this meeting. Leave of Absence was requested for Mr
Chrys Chandraraj and Dr Leah McKenzie for the March meeting.
The University Secretary reminded members that membership
of the Committee can lapse under Clause 23 (10)(b) of the Melbourne
University Act, which states:
'… if any elected member of the committee
by writing under his hand directed to the president resigns his office
or if he is absent from all meetings thereof held during a period of
six consecutive months without the leave of the committee previously
granted his office shall become vacant; …'
2 Starring of Additional Items
Item 8.2 was starred for discussion.
3. Minutes of Meeting 8/02 (20.11.2002)
The minutes of meeting 8/02 held on 20 November
2002 were approved.
4. Matters Arising
4.1 Distinguished Portraits Project (Minute 4.3)
The Deputy President invited Ms Malory
Weston, a member of the Steering Committee for the Distinguished Portraits
Project, to speak to the item. Ms Weston advised that a meeting of the
Steering Committee had been held the previous week to review submissions
received to date. She reported that two-thirds of the articles have
been received and editing of that material was to commence. Although
the deadline for submission of entries had passed, Ms Malory requested
those who had yet to submit their entry agree with her the date upon
which she may expect to receive their submission.
A member of the Committee was concerned that the
Baillieu Library did not retain the entire collection of the University
Gazette, and reported that the material that was kept was so disorganized
it precluded ease of access. The University Secretary undertook to
seek from the University Librarian a response to the Committee's concerns
that volumes of the University Gazette, which provided valuable historic
material relating to the University of Melbourne, were unavailable
and that the material which was held was disorganized.
4.2 Ellis Stones Memorial Fund (Minute 6.5)
The Deputy President reported that the item raised
by Mr Peter Hirst for clarification, had been discussed with the President
prior to Dr Condron's attendance at the December Council meeting.
The University Secretary reported that Council had been alerted to
this issue by a member of the Legislation Committee.
4.3 School of Dental Science (Minute 8.6)
Mr Handberg referred members to Item 10 in the
Vice-Chancellor's Report to Council which outlined the background
to the development of the new Dental Hospital and reported on continuing
negotiations taking place between the University and Dental Health
Services Victoria to resolve the accommodation difficulties. The University
Secretary reported that the Vice-Chancellor supplemented his written
report with oral advice that part of the problem had been the inadequacy
of accommodation provisions for the students when undertaking clinical
work, and the Government had recently made an improved offer in that
respect..
The Vice-Chancellor had commented that this was
an appropriate matter for the Committee of Convocation to have raised.
The President reported that the University was
very concerned with the situation and a decision had been taken that
the University will not move the Dental School until the matter is
resolved.
Dr Stan Sahhar, on behalf of the Dental representatives,
thanked the Committee for its support as well as the President, who
met with the Head of the School of Dental Science to be fully briefed
so as to make effective representation.
Following extensive discussion, the Committee
resolved that, if the President on the advice of the dental representatives
on the Committee determined it necessary, a Special Meeting of the
Committee be called in February to receive a report on the progress
of negotiations and advice of the view of the Head of the Dental School.
5. Report of Meeting 8/02 to Council
The Committee received the report of meeting 8/02
held on 20 November 2002 that was submitted to December Council.
6. Legislation and Standing Resolutions of Council
6.1 Statute amended by Council at its December
meeting
None.
6.2 Regulations revoked by Council at its December
meeting
IIt was noted that council amended the following
Regulations, as detailed in the report, as follows:
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(1)
|
Amendment of regulation recommended
by the University Secretary |
To update the regulation governing the
Catherine Grace McWilliam Bequest (105/02)
|
|
(2)
|
Amendment of regulation
recommended by the University Secretary |
To update the terms
of The George Bryce McIndoe Prize (106/02) |
|
(3)
|
Amendment of regulation
recommended by the University Secretary |
To govern the P.W.
Crohn Scholarship (107/02) |
|
(4)
|
Amendment of regulation
recommended by the University Secretary |
To update Regulation
R6.185 - The Anita Morawetz Scholarship (108/02) |
|
(5)
|
Amendment of regulation
recommended by the University Secretary |
To amend the number
of William and Kate Herschell Scholarships (109/02) |
|
(6)
|
Making of a regulation
recommended by the University Secretary |
To govern the Lillian
Ernestine Lobb Bequest (110/02)
|
|
(7)
|
Amendment of regulation
recommended by the University Secretary |
To update the regulation
governing the Truganini Scholarships (111/02)
|
|
(8)
|
Amendment of regulation
recommended by the University Secretary |
To update information
concerning the SAF Pond - MUR Scholarship (112/02)
|
|
(9)
|
Amendment of regulation
recommended by the University Secretary |
To update the terms
of The William Allan Stewart Bequest (113/02)
|
|
(10)
|
Amendment of regulation
recommended by the University Secretary |
To update the application
of the David Lachlan Hay Memorial Fund (114/02)
|
|
(11)
|
Amendment of regulation
recommended by the University Secretary |
To govern the Michael
Kierce Prize (115/02) |
|
(12)
|
Making of a regulation
recommended by the University Secretary |
To govern the Ellis
Stones Memorial Fund (116/02) |
|
(13)
|
Amendment of regulation
recommended by the University Secretary |
To add an institution
to the Schedule of Recognised Institutions (13/02)
|
|
(14)
|
Amendment of regulation
recommended by the University Secretary |
To amend the regulation
dealing with assessment in relation to location of exams, timetables
and published lists (102/02) |
|
(15)
|
Amendment of regulation
recommended by Council |
To add and remove
Chairs to the schedules to the regulation governing academic and
general staff ranks and titles (118/02) |
|
(16)
|
Amendment of regulation
recommended by Council |
To update the List
of Departments and Centres (119/02) |
|
(17)
|
Amendment of regulation
recommended by the Finance Committee |
To update the regulation
governing Melbourne University Publishing (120/02) |
|
(18)
|
Revocation of regulation
recommended by Council |
To revoke the regulation
governing Melbourne University Publishing (121/02) |
|
(19)
|
Making of regulation
recommended by the University Secretary |
To govern the fund
for the Stevenson Chair in Paediatrics (122/02)
|
|
(20)
|
Making of regulation
recommended by the University Secretary |
To govern the V.B.
Trapp Endowment Fund (123/02) |
6.3 Standing Resolutions
The Committee noted the proposed changes to Standing
Resolution 2.3.2 Chair Committees which had been circulated.
6.4 Statutes proposed for consideration by Council
at its next meeting
None.
6.5 Regulations proposed for consideration by
Council at its next meeting
None.
7. Report of Council Meeting 8/02 (16/12/02)
7.1 Vice-Chancellor's Report
7.2 Oral report on December Council Meeting
Dr Robin Condron, the President, gave a brief
oral report of the December Council meeting. He referred once again
to Council discussion of the Dental School, and to the Vice-Chancellor's
Taking Stock presentation earlier in December.
The President drew attention to the recommendation
in the Vice-Chancellor's Report of Recognition of Prior Indigenous
Occupation of University Sites. It was resolved that the Committee
of Convocation applaud the University's formal recognition of Indigenous
Occupation of University Sites.
8. Reports of Faculty Meetings and Committee Meetings
8.1 Planning and Budget Committee Meeting 10/02
(13/11/02)
The Committee received the report for information.
8.2 Finance Committee
- Meeting 10/02 (18/11/02)
A member raised a query regarding an item in the Report: Setting
Off Amounts Owed to Students in that he questioned whether the University
had any right to offset one debt against another and believed that
in doing so may be in contravention of the law. The University Secretary
agreed to raise the Committee's concerns at Legislation Committee's
February meeting.
- Meeting 11/02 (4/12/02)
A question was raised by a member of the proposed sale by Trinity
College of sites in Royal Parade. It was advised that the property
in question was on the west side of Royal Parade.
The Committee received the report for information.
8.3 Student Support Committee
The Committee received the report for information.
8.4 Buildings and Estates Matters
The Committee received the report and tabled
supplement to the report for information.
8.5 Faculty of Arts
The Committee received the report for information.
8.6 Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning
The Committee received the report for information.
8.7 Theatre Board
The Committee received the tabled report for
information.
8.8 Libraries Committee
The Committee received the tabled report for
information.
8.9 Faculty of Veterinary Science
An Oral report by the Committee's representation
on the Faculty was given. In particular, she was concerned about the
number of students being admitted into first year courses (up from
50 students to 90) and the impact this must have on teaching quality,
especially in the clinical component. Dr Stillman proposed to circulate
a paper for consideration by the Committee at its next meeting.
9. Alumni Relations Report
There was not a report this month.
10. Guest Speakers
Two University of Melbourne Bachelor of Music students,
Ms Marilla Homes, soprano and Mr Peter Draper, guitarist, gave a musical
performance in lieu of a dinner guest speaker
11. President's Report
11.1 Taking Stock' Presentation and Dinner
The President spoke of the success of this event
and the occasion it afforded of members of the Committee liaising
with Council members and Deans of Faculties over dinner.
12. Any Other Business
12.1 Schedule for the Conferring of Degrees
for 2002
The Committee received the Schedule for information.
12.2 A Short History of the Graduate Union
Mr Frank Lees, President of the Graduate Union,
announced that A Short History of the Graduate Union was soon to be
published and invited members wishing to purchase copies to obtain
from him an order form. In particular, Mr Lees was grateful for the
assistance provided by University Archives in producing this monograph.
12.3 Minute of Appreciation
The Committee resolved to record a Minute of
Appreciation for the work carried out by the University Secretary,
Mr Len Currie, and the Minute Secretary, Ms Heather Davies.
13. Receipt of Unstarred Items
The Committee received all unstarred items.
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