Minutes - Meeting No 5/06

A Meeting of the Committee of Convocation was held in the Jim Potter Conference Room, Old Physics Building, University of Melbourne, on Wednesday 19 July 2006 at 5.30 pm.

PRESENT:

Ms LJ Boston (in the Chair), Mr AW Abbott , Ms AM Ada , Dr CE Close, Ms H Cohn, Mr R Cook, Mr M Corrigan, Ms JM Crowe, Mr BFB Dance, Ms J Digby, Ms HM Fitzpatrick, Dr A Gibbs, Mr AG Handberg, Dr JK Harcourt,
Mr PR Hirst, Mr J Humphrey, Mr GLE Israel, Mr FAM Lees , Dr P Lowe, Mr RA McGauran, Mr J Meehan,
Mrs AM Neal-Adam, Dr JR Nelson, Dr DG Parbery, Ms E Parker, Dr N McH Ramsey, Dr B-A Rodan,
Miss AS Rusden, Dr S Sahhar, Dr L Simpson, Mr BN Southern , Dr J Stillman, Mr GH Thomas, Ms MA Weston and Mr NJ Whiting.

IN ATTENDANCE:

Professor P McPhee, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Mr JM Green, the Acting University Secretary and Dr G Duke, Minute Secretary.

BUSINESS

0. Preliminary Matters

0.1 Report of Returning Officer

The Returning Officer, Mr JM Green, reported that Dr R McMillan has been elected to the Committee as a representative of the Graduates in Education and Music for a term expiring on 31 December 2009.

At the date set for the close of nominations, no nominations were received for the remaining two vacancies:

• a representative of the Graduates in Arts and Social Work for a term expiring on 31 December 2007.
• a representative of the Graduates in Science for a term expiring on 31 December 2009.

1. Apologies and Leave of Absence

Apologies were received from Mr DM Dodd, Mr AT Douglas, Ms JH Elton-Brown and Mr MW Gorton.

Leave of Absence had previously been granted to:

• Dr B Fary, Mr J Nicholas and Dr R Otzen for the July meeting;
• Dr N McH Ramsey for the August meeting;
• Dr A Gibbs for the August and September meetings; and
• Ms H Fitzpatrick, Mr AG Handberg, Ms E Parker and Ms A Rusden for the September meeting.

Leave of Absence was granted to

• Dr P Lowe and Mr B Southern for the August meeting.

2. Starring of Additional Items

No additional items were starred.

3. Receipt of Unstarred Items

Unstarred items were received.

4. Minutes of Meeting 4/06 (21.6.2006)

The Minutes were adopted as a true and accurate record of the meeting.

5. Action Sheet

The Chair noted that Item 1 (comparison of proposed medical degree course structure under Melbourne Model and US curricula) would be dealt with under Agenda Item 6.2. Items 2 and 5 were completed prior to the meeting.

6. Matters Arising

6.1 Academic Board Review

The Chair reported that Mr AW Abbot will attend a meeting of the Academic Board review panel as a representative of the Committee of Convocation. The meeting, which will be attended by the Academic Board Officers, the Secretary of the Board and the Chairs of the Board Committees, will discuss whether the Board’s Terms of Reference are still appropriate and whether any changes are necessary.

Professor Skene, the President of Academic Board, has also invited the President of Convocation to attend one or two meetings of Academic Board to observe its procedures. The President of Convocation has accepted the invitation and will attend the 27 July Academic Board meeting.

6.2 MDHS Course Structures – Comparisons with US curricula

At the May meeting, in the context of a discussion of standards of medical education, Committee of Convocation members agreed that it would be beneficial to make some comparisons between medical programs under the proposed Melbourne Model and medical school curricula in the United States, where the two-level degree structure is standard. The University Secretary agreed to request this information from MDHS.

The Acting University Secretary reported that a document titled “Comparison between the Melbourne Model and medical school curricula in the United States of America” had been prepared for the Committee of Convocation by Associate Professor Susan Elliott and Mr Jon Epstein from the Medical Education Unit. The document provides a comprehensive overview of current medical school curricula in the US, proposed medical curricula under the Melbourne Model, and also offers some points of divergence between the two models.

Committee members commended Associate Professor Elliott and Mr Epstein for the thoroughly researched and well-written paper and asked the Minute Secretary to pass on the Committee’s gratitude.

Committee members from other faculty groupings expressed a desire to receive more information on the University’s new generation professional degrees under the Melbourne Model. It was agreed that any concerns regarding particular professional programs should be put in writing and sent to the Minute Secretary in the first instance. Any such written reports on professional programs can then be included with the Committee papers and considered by members at future meetings.

7. Report to Council 5/06 – 21 June 2006 submitted to 10 July Council

The Committee received the report for information.

8. Legislation, Regulations and Standing Resolutions

The Committee noted amendments to Statutes and Regulations approved by Council at its July meeting.

Clarification was sought on the provision contained in the Dr David Bickart Bequest (Section 2.3, Item 2) to the effect that “Council may, on such recommendation of the dean, apply the capital in whole or in part for the purpose provided in section 2.” The question was raised whether it was standard practice for Council, on the recommendation of the dean, to have the capacity to apply the whole of a capital sum in excess of 6 million dollars.

The Acting University Secretary reported that this provision is in conformity with the terms of the bequest left to the University by Dr Bickart.

9. Issues of Concern to Members

None

10. Report of Council Meeting 6/06 (10/7/06)

10.1 Vice-Chancellor's Report

The Committee received the report for information.

10.2 Oral report on July Council Meeting

The Chair reported on the following issues discussed by Council at its July meeting:

• The review of the Faculty of Engineering and the Bachelor of Engineering;
• The ‘Taking Stock’ Council briefing to be held on 14 August;
• Council approval of a Finance Committee recommendation that a sum of $15 million be allocated in each of the five years commencing in 2007 for additional infrastructure investment;
• The appointment of Associate Professor Cathy Falk as Dean of the Faculty of Music until 31 December 2007;
• Universitas 21 Fellowships and Scholarships;
• Council approval of the payment of a 1.59% salary increase to all staff covered by the University’s Enterprise Agreement;
• Council approval of an amendment to the terms of reference of the Remuneration and Employment Conditions Committee;
• Council adoption of a recommendation from Finance Committee that the University replace its ageing Merlin student system;
• Course changes; and
• Academic Board Resolutions on Selection.

The Acting University Secretary reported on the following issue discussed by Council at its July meeting:

• Council approved a Growing Esteem Transition Fund to provide assistance with course development and structural adjustment costs associated with the implementation of the Melbourne Model.

11. Reports of Faculty Meetings and Committee Meetings

11.1 Planning and Budget Committee, Meeting 5/2006

The Committee received the report for information.

11.2 Finance Committee 5/2006

The Committee received the report for information.

11.3 Theatre Board Minutes 5/2006

The Committee received the report for information.

11.4 Building and Estates Committee 3/2006

The Committee received the report for information.

11.5 Faculty of Engineering, 2/2006

The Committee received the report for information.

11.6 School of Dental Science Advisory Committee

The Committee received the report for information.

12. Guest Speakers

Professor Peter McPhee, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), was attending the meeting to speak on the new generation degrees to be introduced under the Melbourne Model.

Professor McPhee gave Committee members an overview of the rationale behind the adoption of the 3+2+3 (3-year generalist undergraduate program, 2-year professional program, 3-year PhD program) curriculum model. In addition to greater educational depth and breadth, the Melbourne Model is designed to promote:

• mature and considered student career choices;
• the development of generic and professional skills;
• interdisciplinary teaching across faculty boundaries;
• a sense of shared engagement within student cohorts;
• engagement with community and industry and participation in international exchange programs; and
• access at graduate level for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Professor McPhee also briefed Committee members on the progress of the implementation of the Melbourne Model. A consensus has been reached on the names of the six new generation undergraduate degrees and the Academic Board is set to consider prerequisites for the new generation degrees on 27 July so that the University will be able to advise students on Open Day (20 August). The Curriculum Commission is scheduled to provide its report to the University on the Melbourne Model in Sepetmber.

In response to a question concerning the transition period between the implementation of the new degrees and the phasing out of the old degrees, Professor McPhee noted that the University Council has approved a Growing Esteem transition fund. Professor McPhee also briefed Committee members on the University’s development of strategies to maintain high education standards and avert the threat of “bright flight” (the loss of high-achieving students to other universities where degrees in law, medicine or architecture may be completed in fewer years and will be available at lower cost).

13. Alumni Relations Report

None.

14. President’s Report

The President reminded Committee members that they should forward any suggestions for 2007 Annual Ordinary Meeting of Convocation guest speakers to the Minute Secretary.

*15. Any Other Business

15.1 Length-of-Service - Recommendations

At the previous meeting Committee members considered the first four recommendations contained in a document prepared by Mr Dance, Ms Crowe and Mr Hirst on the issue of length-of-service. The document contained several more recommendations for consideration by Committee members at the meeting.

The Chair noted that the meeting would need to be extended by 15 minutes in order that members could consider the remaining recommendations.

Mr Dance read the preamble of the fifth recommendation and after some discussion the following recommendation was seconded and then carried by the Committee:

• Any action taken to replace members retiring or to fill casual vacancies lies with the Faculty group.

Committee members agreed that it many cases it would be possible to recruit future members in consultation with the deans or general managers of each faculty.

Mr Dance read the preamble of the sixth recommendation regarding the length of service of the President and Deputy President and after some discussion it was decided that no action should be taken.

Mr Dance read the preamble of the seventh recommendation and after some discussion the following recommendation was seconded and then carried by the Committee:

• That the President gives consideration to the establishment of specialist sub-committee, their role, composition, duties and responsibilities.

Committee members agreed that the Length-of-Service Sub-Committee should be composed of representatives from each faculty grouping and that the faculty representatives should engage in consultation in the two weeks following the meeting with the objective of nominating one representative from each grouping to be on the Sub-Committee.

Mr Dance read the preamble of the eighth recommendation and it was decided that the recommendation should be divided into two separate recommendations. After some discussion the following recommendations were seconded and then carried by the Committee:

• That the Committee considers the merits of allowing a role for former members serving on Sub-Committees.
• That the President determine the extent of the role of former members on Sub-Committees.

15.2 Committee of Convocation Members by Exit Years

Committee members received the report for information.

15.3 Questionnaire Responses

Committee members received the report for information.

15.4 Induction to the Committee

Committee members received the report for information.

*16. Items for Future Discussion

None.

17. Any Other Business

There was no other business.

The meeting closed at 7.20 pm.