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A Meeting of the Committee of Convocation was be held in the Jim Potter Conference Room, Old Physics Building, University of Melbourne, on Wednesday 15 December 2004 at 5.45pm.
PRESENT
Dr RJ Condron in the Chair,
Mr MJ Anderson, Mr G Bartle, Ms LJ Boston, Dr C Close, Mr RE Cook, Ms JM Crowe,
Mr BFB Dance, Mr DM Dodd, Ms JH Elton Brown, Ms HM Fitzpatrick, Mr AG Handberg,
Dr JK Harcourt, Mr RTA Hardcastle, Mr PR Hirst, Mr J Humphrey, Mr GLE Israel,
Dr PA Lowe, Mr JG Meehan, Mrs AM Neal-Adam, Dr JR Nelson, Mr JF Nicholas,
Dr DG Parbery, Dr NMcH Ramsey, Dr B-A Rodan, Miss AS Rusden, Dr S Sahhar,
Dr L Simpson, Dr J Stillman and Mr GH Thomas.
Mr LN Currie, University Secretary, Mr JM Green, Assistant University Secretary and
Miss HA Davies, Minute Secretary, were in attendance.
BUSINESS
0. Preliminary Matters
0.1 Returning Officer’s Report
The University Secretary and Returning Officer, Mr Len Currie, advised that with regard to the Committee’s nominated representatives to members of Faculties and appointments to central University committees, two nominations had been received for one of the committees. He advised that a ballot to determine the representative for the Buildings and Estates Committee would be conducted. Ms L Boston and Dr J Stillman were appointed scrutineers.
Mr Currie explained that only members present at the meeting would be eligible to vote. He asked members to return their marked voting papers to the Assistant University Secretary as quickly as possible. The result would be declared late in the meeting.
1. Apologies and Leave of Absence
Apologies were received from Mr AW Abbott, Ms HM Cohn, Ms JH Elton Brown, Mr MW Gorton, Mr JC Jones, Mr FAM Lees, Dr DA McCann, Dr L McKenzie and Ms M Weston.
Leave of Absence previously had been granted to Mr RA McGauran and Dr PA Lowe for the December meeting, however Dr Lowe was able to attend the meeting.
2. Starring of Additional Items
Items 8.6 and 8.8 were starred to receive oral reports.
3. Minutes of Meeting 9/04 (17.11.2004)
The Minutes were adopted as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
4. Matters Arising
4.1 Creation of a Design Advisory Panel (Minute 4.0)
The President invited Mr John Nicholas to speak to this item. Mr Nicholas advised that consideration of the Committee of Convocation’s suggestion by the Buildings and Estates Committee had been postponed to 17 February next year. After discussion, it was agreed that a Sub-Committee be formed to formulate a proposal to be considered at the March meeting of the Committee of Convocation before it is submitted to BEC. It was suggested that it may be prudent to discuss the matter with The Hon Justice Chernov, the Chair of BEC, prior to its submission.
It was agreed that Messrs Peter Hirst, Rob McGauran, John Nicholas and Dr Leah McKenzie, would form the Sub-Committee.
4.2 Election of Committee Representatives (Minute 11.1 )
Mr Currie advised that Mr Rob McGauran was the successful nominee for the Buildings and Estates Committee. Mr John Nicholas was thanked for 21 years’ service in representing the Committee of Convocation on Buildings and Estates Committee.
In addition to confirming the nominees which were circulated in the revised list of Committee Representatives, Mr Peter Hirst, Mr Roy Hardcastle, Mr John Harcourt, Dr Beverley-Anne Rodan and Mr John Nicholas were declared nominated to the Faculties of Architecture, Building and Planning, Engineering, Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences as a representative of Dental Science Graduates, to the School of Dental Science Advisory Board and to the Landscape Advisory Group respectively.
4.3 Drop in HECS Dental Science Places (Minute 8.1)
The University Secretary confirmed that the figures showing an actual intake of 32 against a quota of 41 Commonwealth subsidised students in the BDSc course in 2004 were correct. In response to a question by a member, Mr Currie assured the meeting that he doubted that the University had an intention to reduce the number of places.
4.4 Joint Awards for Research Projects Allocation (Minute 8.1)
The University Secretary advised that approximately $50,000 had been reported as expended from a provision of $100,000 for International Collaborative Research Grants, because the other $50,000 had been reserved for allocation in a second round later in the year.
4.5 Unfunded Bonded Medical Places (Minute 11.3)
The President invited Dr Noel Ramsey to speak to this item, who was followed by Dr Peter Lowe. After discussion, the Committee resolved to express its disapproval of the Commonwealth Government requirement that a proportion of existing HECS medical places be bonded, and to express its support instead for the provision of additional medical places in Victoria, located in the rural campuses.
5. Report 9/04 to December 2004 Council
The report was received for information.
6. Legislation Regulations and Standing Resolutions
6.1 Statute to be amended by Council at its December meeting
The Committee noted that Council made the following Statute as detailed in the report:
| (1) |
Amendment of Statute 14.1 recommended by the University Secretary |
To amend provisions relating to intellectual property (108/04) |
6.2 Regulations to be made and amended by Council at its December meeting
The Committee noted Council made the following Regulations as detailed in the report:
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(1)
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Amendment of Regulation R6.5 recommended by the University Secretary |
To amend the subject of three of the Dwight Prizes (99/04) |
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(2)
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Amendment of Regulation R6.72 – Commemorative Scholarships and Awards |
To govern The Caluna Prize (94/04) |
(3) |
Amendment of Regulation R6.72 – Commemorative Scholarships and Awards |
To update The Alice Brokenshire Taylor Scholarship (95/04) |
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(4)
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Amendment of Regulation R6.72 – Commemorative Scholarships and Awards |
To update the Ian Charles Taylor Scholarship (96/04) |
(5) |
Amendment of Regulation R6.72 – Commemorative Scholarships and Awards |
To update The Charles Anthony Taylor Scholarship (97/04) |
(6) |
Making of a Regulation R6.72 recommended by the University Secretary |
To govern the Peter Hone Scholarships Fund (98/04) |
(7) |
Amendment of Regulation R6.72 recommended by the University Secretary |
To govern the Katharine Woodruff Memorial Prize in Palliative Medicine (100/04) |
(8) |
Amendment to Regulation R7.128 recommended by the University Secretary |
To update the terms of The Melbourne University Engineering School Foundation (91/04) |
(9) |
Amendment of Regulation 12.1.R1 recommended by the University Secretary |
To update the delegation of appointment of examiner in relation to PhDs (85/04) |
6.3 Standing Resolutions amended by Council
None.
7. Report of Council Meeting 11/04 (13/12/04)
7.1 Vice-Chancellor's Report
- Part 1
- Part 2
7.2 Oral report on December Council Meeting
The President invited the Deputy President, Mr Allan Handberg, to give an oral report on the December Council meeting. He advised that the Chancellor was retiring after 21 years of involvement with Council. In addition, the Vice-Chancellor was also retiring.
Mr Handberg reminded members of the discussion and presentation from Doug Daines at the last meeting of the Committee and its concern by Dr Daines’ statement that Buildings and Estates Committee and Council had given approval in principal to the conversion of the underground carpark to an Information Resource Centre. Mr Handberg advised he had reported to Council that the Committee was concerned and surprised. He had also reported the Committee’s history of concerns and that twelve months previously he had communicated that the Committee was troubled about the underground carpark to Council.
8. Reports of Faculty Meetings and Committee Meetings
8.1 Planning and Budget Committee
- Meeting 10/2004
- Meeting 11/2004
The Committee received the reports for information.
8.2 Finance Committee
- Meeting 9/2004
- Meeting 10/2004
The Committee received the reports for information.
8.3 Building and Estates Committee
The Committee received the Report for information.
8.4 Theatre Board
The Committee received the Report for information.
8.5 Libraries Committee
The Committee received the report for information.
8.6 Faculty of Veterinary Science
Dr J Stillman, The Committee’s representative on the Faculty, gave an oral report supplementary to the.report which had been circulated.
8.7 Student Support Committee
The Committee received the report for information.
8.8 Landscape Advisory Group
Ms H Fitzpatrick, the Committee’s representative on the Advisory Group, gave an oral report.
9. Guest Speakers
9.1 Guest Speaker at Dinner
The guest speaker at dinner was Ms Jillian Crowe, a representative of the graduates of Law on the Committee of Convocation. Ms Crowe spoke about the Magistrates Court.
10. President's Report
10.1 Minute of Appreciation
Dr Condron advised that Mr Malcolm Anderson was attending his last meeting of the Committee. Mr Anderson had served on the Committee of Convocation for 35 years. He was the Committee’s representative on the Faculty of Economics and Commerce as well as Legislation Committee for many years. He had been the University’s representative on the Australia University Alumni Council in recent years.
10.2 16 March 2005 Meeting at Graduate House
The President announced that arrangements were underway for the first meeting for 2005 to be held at the newly built Graduate House. Prior to the meeting, a tour of the new facilities would be conducted and the after-meeting dinner would also be held on the premises.
10.3 Mr Roy Hardcastle
Mr Roy Hardcastle was congratulated on being recognised as one of the longest-serving life-savers in Melbourne.
11. Any Other Business
11.1 Proposed Victorian Changes to the Melbourne University Act in
response to the Commonwealth Protocols.
The University Secretary outlined the Victorian Governments proposed changes to the Melbourne University Act, which included constraints beyond the requirements of the Commonwealth’s Protocols. Discussion took place, and members voiced their willingness to write to their local Members of Parliament.
It was resolved that the Committee of Convocation note the University’s concern and offer to support the University of Melbourne on this matter in any way it can.
11.2 Material on Convocation Suggested for inclusion in Conferring
Booklets
The University Secretary referred to the circulated material and invited feedback from members. Mr Currie invited anyone who had suggestions to improve the document to contact his office. He would endeavour to have an improved entry on the Committee included in Conferring Booklets.
11.3 The University of Melbourne “Learning Management System” (LMS)
Dr Laurence Simpson was invited to speak to this item. He outlined the advantages of the Blackboard application which is becoming widespread in Australian universities for teaching.
11.4 2005 Graduation Ceremony Information
The President advised that the 2005 Conferring Dates which had been circulated had now been recommended by Council at its December meeting.
11.5 Committee of Convocation Email Addresses
The Committee received the Email Address list for information.
11.6 Principal Dates 2005
The President reported that the Principal Dates for 2005 had yet to be finalised and accordingly could not be tabled.
11.7 Minutes of Appreciation
a) The Committee passed the following Minute of Appreciation for Professor Lee Dow:
On the Occasion of the Retirement of Professor Kwong Lee Dow as Vice Chancellor of the University, the Committee of Convocation wishes to record its appreciation of his long and outstanding contribution to the academic affairs and good governance of the University culminating with his Vice Chancellorship during 2004.
Furthermore, the Committee of Convocation wishes to acknowledge Professor Lee Dow’s remarkable contribution to the development of teaching and learning, particularly in the area of curriculum and assessment at Year 12 level in the State of Victoria and his leadership and guidance in the evolution of public education and higher education at both State and Federal governmental policy levels.
In addition, the Committee wishes to thank Professor Lee Dow for his ongoing support and consideration of the activities of the Committee of Convocation.
The Committee of Convocation extends its warmest congratulations to Professor Lee Dow on his award of Doctors of Laws (Honoris Causa) by the University.
b) The Committee passed the following Minute of Appreciation for Mrs Fay Marles:
On the Occasion of the Retirement of Mrs Fay Marles as Chancellor of the University, the Committee of Convocation wishes to record its appreciation of her long and outstanding contribution to the academic affairs and good governance of the University culminating with her Chancellorship from 2001.
Furthermore, the Committee of Convocation wishes to acknowledge Mrs Marles’ remarkable contribution to the University’s Equal Opportunity Committee, which she chaired for over fifteen years, to the Human Resources Committee and the Koori Education Committee, both committees which she chaired, as a member of the Council of Medley Hall for sixteen years as well as to Council, on which she served for twenty-one years: fifteen years as Deputy Chancellor and four years as Chancellor.
In addition, the Committee wishes to thank Mrs Marles for her ongoing support and consideration of the Activities of the Committee of Convocation
11.8 Thanks to Committee Officers
The Committee agreed to record its appreciation of the support provided by Mr Len Currie, Mr John Green and Ms Heather Davies.
The Committee also agreed to express its appreciation to Dr Robin Condron for his services to the Committee.
12. Receipt of Unstarred Items
The unstarred items were received.
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