A meeting of the Committee of Convocation was held in the Lower East
Dining Room, University House, University of Melbourne, on Wednesday 20
March, 2002 at 6.30 p.m.
Present
Dr RJ Condron in the Chair,
Mr MJ Anderson, Dr D Brownbill, Mr C Chandraraj, Ms HM Cohn, Mr RE Cook,
Mr BFB Dance, Mr GF Dawson, 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, Dr PA Lowe, Dr L McKenzie, Mr JG Meehan, Dr IR Price,
Mr J Puls, Dr NMcH Ramsey, Dr JT Robinson, Mrs MC Robinson, Dr B-A Rodan,
Ms AS Rusden, Dr S Sahhar, Dr J Stillman, Mr GH Thomas, Ms MA Weston,
Ms C Willis.
Mr LN Currie, University Secretary; Ms S Wall, Alumni Relations Manager
and Ms H Davies, Minute Secretary, were in attendance.
BUSINESS
0. Preliminary Matters
0.0 Welcome to Alumni Relations Manager
The President welcomed to her first meeting Ms Sarah Wall, who is
the current Alumni Relations Manager,.
0.1 Report from Returning Officer
The University Secretary referred to the circulated Report declaring
the results of the call for nominations to fill casual vacancies.
He advised that as no more than one nomination was received for each
of the categories Economics and Commerce and Science, Mr JG Meehan
and Dr IR Price were declared elected unopposed to their respective
Faculties.
0.2 Welcome to new members
The President welcomed to the meeting the new members and called
upon the following members to introduce them to the Committee:
Mr Geoffrey Thomas introduced Mr Joshua Puls, who was elected to
represent the graduates in Arts for a term expiring in 2005;
Mr Malcolm Anderson introduced Mr John Meehan, who was elected to
fill a casual vacancy to represent the graduates in Economics and
Commerce for a term expiring in 2005;
The President introduced Ms Catherine Willis, who was elected to
fill a casual vacancy to represent the graduates in Agriculture and
Resource Management for a term expiring in 2005;
Dr Stan Sahhar introduced Dr John Harcourt and Dr Beverly-Ann Rodan,
both of whom were elected to represent the graduates in Medicine,
Dentistry and Health Sciences with each term expiring in 2005;
Dr Sophie Ducker introduced Ms Malory Weston, who was elected to
represent the graduates in Science for a term expiring in 2005; and
Dr Ian Price, who was elected to fill a casual vacancy to represent
the graduates in Science for a term expiring in 2003.
The President also introduced Dr Jenny Stillman, who was elected
to fill a casual vacancy to represent the graduates in Veterinary
Science for a term expiring in 2005.
1. Apologies and Leave of Absence
Apologies had been received from Mr G Bartle, Ms LJ Boston, Mr DM
Dodd, Mr AT Douglas, Mr FAM Lees, Mrs AM Neal-Adam and Mr JF Nicholas,
Leave of Absence had not been previously granted for this meeting.
Leave of Absence was granted to Dr D Brownbill for the May meeting
and to Dr P Lowe for the June meeting.
2 Starring of Additional Items
Item 8.5 was starred to receive a verbal report.
3. Minutes of Meeting 1/01 (19.12.2001)
The minutes of meeting 10/01 held on 19 December, 2001 were approved.
4. Matters Arising
4.1 Representatives to Membership of Faculties and Appointed to
Other Committees (Minute 4.1)
The President drew attention to the circulated document which highlighted
three vacancies for Committee of Convocation membership: two for membership
of Faculties and one as a channel to the Libraries Committee. It was
resolved that Dr Jenny Stillman fill the vacancy as the Committee's
member of the Faculty of Veterinary Science; Ms Catherine Willis fill
the position as a member of the Institute of Land and Food Resources
Board; and Ms Helen Cohn continue as the Libraries Liaison Officer.
4.2 Casual Vacancies to be Filled (Minute 0.1)
The University Secretary advised that as there were still three
casual vacancies to be filled, that the April 2002 meeting will be
declared a Special Meeting to fill these positions: two in Arts and
Social Work for terms expiring 20003 and 2005, and another in Education
and Music for a term expiring in 2005.
4.3 Governance of the University (Minute 6.3)
The Committee received the recommendation of the Working Group considering
Governance of the University that had been circulated. The author
of the document, Mr Geoff Dawson, stressed that there was some concern
that the Standing Resolution relating to Governance did not address
the appointment of graduates to central University committees. The
Working Group had met and decided that it needed more knowledge of
the Statutes, Regulations, Standing Resolutions and accepted University
practices providing for election or selection by the Committee of
either one of its members or a representative to serve on the Committees
and Advisory Bodies of the University. It was resolved that the University
Secretary investigate this matter and report back to the Committee,
whereupon the Working Group will reconvene to consider the results
of the Secretary's investigations.
4.4 Representing Graduates Effectively (Minute 4.1)
The Deputy President advised that he was keen to receive a written
report from each Committee representative to Faculty Boards reporting
the results of their review into how their Faculty consults with its
graduates. He further advised that during the next month he would
be contacting those representatives yet to submit a paper to encourage
them to do so.
- Faculty of Education
- Theatre Board
The Committee received the circulated reports prepared by the
Committee's representative on the Faculty of Education and Theatre
Boards, Dr Jeffrey Robinson, that set out each of their current
practices for maintaining contacts with students. Dr Robinson's
reports also contained suggestions of how each Board could better
represent graduates effectively in the future.
- Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
The Committee's representative member of the Faculty of Medicine,
Dentistry and Health Sciences, Dr Noel Ramsey, referred to The Melbourne
PostCard, the newsletter of the University of Melbourne Medical
Society that had been circulated. Dr Ramsey had arranged for The
Melbourne PostCard to be circulated as it was an example of one
method of communication employed by the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry
and Health Sciences with its graduates. He further advised that
all medical graduates of this University who are on the Graduate
Roll receive this biennial newsletter.
4.5 Degree Abbreviations (Minute 8.1)
The University Secretary reported that at the March Council Meeting
the Vice-Chancellor had agreed to investigate the Committee's recommendation
concerning Degree Abbreviations and would take back advice to Council.
5. Report of Meeting 10/01 to Council
The Committee received the report of meeting 10/01 held on 19 December,
2001 that was presented to March Council.
6. Legislation and Standing Resolutions of Council
6.1 Statutes made by Council at its March meeting.
No statutes were made by Council at its March meeting.
6.2 Regulations made by Council at its March meeting.
Council made the following Regulations detailed in the report:
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(1)
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Amendment of Regulation 12.6.R1
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To amend the regulation governing academic
dress (1/02)
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(2)
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Amendment of Regulation 17.1.R20
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To amend the regulation governing the Koori
Education Committee (2/02)
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(3)
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Amendment of Regulation R7.204
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To allow the expenditure of capital from
the Seabrook Chambers Lectureship fund (3/02)
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(4)
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Revoking of Regulation R6.127
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To revoke Regulation R6.127 governing The
Mona McCaughey Scholarships (4/02)
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(7)
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Amendment of Regulation R3.60
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To amend the regulation governing the degree
of Doctor of Philosophy (7/02)
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(8)
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Making
of Regulation R6.214 |
To
govern the fund for the Muriel Ramm Bursary and the Ramm Prize in
Experimental Physics (8/02)
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(9)
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Amendment
of Regulation R6.72 |
To
revoke a paragraph in Regulation R6.72 governing the Muriel Ramm
Bursary (9/02)
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(10)
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Making
of Regulation R6.215 |
To govern
the William Allan Stewart Bequest (10/02)
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6.3 Standing Resolutions made by Council
The University Secretary reported that the Standing Resolution for
Chair Appointment Procedures had been amended by Council at its last
meeting.
6.4 Statutes proposed for consideration by Council at its next meeting
There was no legislation for consideration by Council at its next
meeting.
6.5 Regulations proposed for consideration by Council at its next
meeting
There were no regulations for consideration by Council at its next
meeting.
7. Report of Council Meeting 1/02 (4/3/02)
7.1 Vice-Chancellor's Report
7.2 Oral report on Council Meeting
The President reported on the March Council meeting. The 150th Anniversary
celebrations were discussed, which had the theme of giving to students
as well as giving to the community. There were opportunities for involvement
by this Committee. A gala Gown and Town Dinner was planned for 1st
May, 2003, for which the President sought direction from the Committee.
It was resolved that the Committee of Convocation accept in principal
that the Annual Dinner of Convocation be held in conjunction with
the Gala Dinner.
Dr Condron spoke about the planned Scholarship Program that will
focus on disadvantaged groups. The President will seek, and then provide,
more information on this. In addition, there was to be a major colloquium:
the University Secretary will provide details of its theme. There
was to be a major exhibition from the British Museum at The Potter.
Dr Condron advised that the Vice-Chancellor had also reported to
Council the latest developments concerning Melbourne University Private
Limited, and that this matter would be dealt with at the April Council
meeting. After discussion, it was resolved that the Committee of Convocation
supports the view that the University should seek to build up the
research profile of Melbourne University Private in order to support
its University status; and with the retention of the word "University"
within its title.
8. Reports of Faculty Meetings and Committee Meetings
8.1 a) Planning and Budget Committee 11/01
b) Planning and Budget Committee 1/02
The Committee received the reports for information.
8.2 Finance Committee 11/01
The Committee received the report for information.
8.3 Building and Estates Matters
The Committee received the report for information.
8.4 Student Support Committee
The Committee received the report for information.
8.5 Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
The Committee received a verbal report for information, which highlighted
some of the problems being experienced by the School of Dental Science.
Dr Sahhar advised that he would be seeking further information to
report at the next Committee meeting.
9. Report of Alumni Relations Manager
The Alumni Relations Manager, Ms Sarah Wall, reported on current activities
of her Office. She spoke of invitations being issued for the joint Alumni/Convocation
Annual Dinner on 8 May and also to "musical tours" being organised,
to which invitations will be extended to members. Ms Wall reported that
the Chancellor also proposed to attend Alumni functions in the United
States of America as well as the United Kingdom. It was expected that
the Melbourne University Magazine will be published and distributed
by early June. This year's Virtual Alumni Summit will focus on The Globalisation
of the Workforce and will be held the week commencing 13th May. There
will be a mail-out for the University's Annual Fund Appeal on 20th May.
10. President's Report
The President gave a brief verbal report in which he gave details of
the Annual Ordinary Meeting of Convocation to be held on 8th May, and
the joint Alumni/Convocation Dinner.
11. Guest Speaker
Dr Andrew Drinnan, Reader in the School of Botany, conducted a tour
of the Systems Garden prior to the meeting. In addition, Professor Robert
Richardson, Dean of the Institute of Land and Food Resources, was guest
speaker at dinner following the meeting.
12. Information related to the Committee of Convocation
12.1 Membership List - March 2002
12.2 Email Address List of Members
12.3 Meeting dates for 2002
12.4 Mission Statement and Objectives
12.5 Standing Orders of Convocation (without appendices)
12.6 Graduate numbers for 1998, 2000 and 2002
The material relating to the Committee of Convocation, which had been
circulated, was received for information.
13. General Information
13.1 Council Membership 2002
13.2 2002 Schedule for the Conferring of Degrees
13.3 2002 Graduation Ceremony Information
13.4 Free Public Lecture Series
The Committee received the General Information that had been circulated.
14. Any Other Business
14.1 Student Ambassador Leadership Program - Invitation from VITAL
The President referred to the invitation extended to all members
by Mr Vincent, Goh Lian Kiah, VITAL Co-Ordinator to attend a VITAL
Internet and e-mail classes, which was an initiative of the Student
Ambassador Leadership Program.
14.2 Notice of Motion
The President referred to the Notice of Motion that had been circulated,
and invited its author, Dr Angela Jones, to open discussion. It was
resolved that the Committee of Convocation applauds the University's
decision to commit to environmental best practice and environmental
sustainability and to signing the Talloires Declaration.
14.3 AUAC Submission to the Review of University Governance
The President invited Dr Peter Lowe to speak to this item. He referred
to the tabled document which reported the Submission of the Australian
University Alumni Council to the Review of University Governance by
the Victorian Government.
15. Receipt of Unstarred Items
The Committee received all unstarred items.
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