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A Meeting of the Committee of Convocation was held in the Council Chamber, Old Quadrangle, University of Melbourne, on Wednesday 19 May 2004 at 5.45pm.
PRESENT
Dr RJ Condron in the Chair,
Mr AW Abbott,
Ms AM Ada, Ms LJ Boston, Dr C Close, Ms HM Cohn, Mr BFB Dance, Mr DM Dodd, Mr AT Douglas, Ms HM Fitzpatrick, Dr JK Harcourt, Mr RTA Hardcastle, Mr PR Hirst, Mr J Humphrey, Mr FAM Lees, Mr RA McGauran, Dr L McKenzie, Mr JG Meehan, Mrs AM Neal-Adam, Dr JR Nelson, Mr JF Nicholas, Dr DG Parbery, Ms E Parker, Dr NMcH Ramsey, Dr B-A Rodan, Dr S Sahhar, Dr L Simpson, Dr J Stillman, Mr GH Thomas,
Ms MA Weston.
Professor D Holm, Professor of Chinese, Mr LN Currie, University Secretary, Mr JM Green, Assistant University Secretary and Miss HA Davies, Minute Secretary, were in attendance.
BUSINESS
0. Preliminary Matters
0.0 Welcome to Professor David Holm
The President welcomed to the meeting Professor David Holm, Professor of Chinese and Head of Chinese Studies, who was the guest speaker at dinner. Professor Holm attended the meeting to better understand the Committee of Convocation.
0.1 Welcome to new member
A new member, Ms Anne Ada, who had been elected to a casual vacancy to represent the graduates of the Institute of Land and Food Resources for a term expiring in 2005,was welcomed to the meeting by the President. Dr Jenny Stillman formally introduced Ms Ada by giving a brief synopsis of her career.
1. Apologies and Leave of Absence
Apologies were received from Dr SC Ducker, Mr MW Gorton, Mr AG Handberg and Ms L Juracich
Leave of Absence had previously been granted to Mr MJ Anderson and Miss A Rusden for this meeting, Mr G Bartle for this as well as June and July meetings, Ms JH Elton Brown, Mr JC Jones and Dr PA Lowe for this and June meetings, and Ms JM Crowe for the July meeting.
Leave of absence was granted to
Ms HM Fitzpatrick for the June meeting.
2. Starring of Additional Items
Item 8.4 was starred to receive advice from the Chair, Item 8.5 was starred to receive a supplementary oral report on the Faculty of Veterinary Science, Item 8.7 was starred to receive an oral report on the Landscape Advisory Group and item 8.8 was starred to receive an oral report on the Buildings and Estates Matters.
3. Minutes of Meeting 2/04 (21/4/2004)
The minutes of meeting 2/04 held on 21 April, 2004 were adopted.
4. Matters Arising
4.1 Questionnaire – Faculties (Minute 4.2 (a) 17 March 2004)
The President introduced this item with the comment that the response rate to the Questionnaire relating to Faculties was commendable. Mr John Nicholas spoke to the item and advised that he had initiated this exercise so members may better understand what Faculties did and how they operate. In general faculties meet about three to four times a year, primarily providing information with not much to decide upon. Those who wish to take anything up further, they now have the basis on which to put it.
It was agreed that this exercise be referred to Mr Handberg’s Working Group for further action.
4.2 Other Matters Arising (minute 4.2)
- If there were set procedures to determine how Faculties appoint their committees
The University Secretary advised that he had asked Faculty General Managers to provide him with details of the involvement of “Faculty Boards” in establishing Faculty committees and appointing their members. It is expected that responses will be available for reporting to the June meeting.
- Details of the ownership of the old Dental Hospital site
Mr Currie advised that the Dental Hospital was jointly owned by the University and the State Government, and its future use is the subject of clauses in the Bio21 Agreement between those two parties. Any use outside that agreement would require the consent of the University.
- If it is appropriate for the Melbourne Theatre Company to receive funding paid out of fee income
In speaking to this item, the University Secretary advised that t he central component of fee income was used for a variety of purposes including salary increases and to supplement the budget allocation for building works. Any end of year balance would revert to University Reserve Funds. The Chief Financial Officer had advised that the central component of fee income was the most appropriate source of funding for the assistance provided to the MTC in respect of a contract appointment related to its new theatre development, as the $110,000 is a recurrent cost (for three years only) and should therefore be met from recurrent income.
- If it was permissible to have reported to the Committee the remuneration for deans
Mr Currie reported that Ms L Baré, Vice-Principal (Human Resources), would attend the June meeting to speak to this item.
- A comparison of the present situation of fee paying students compared with the situation as it existed for students when HECS was first introduced
The University Secretary advised that a ccording to the minutes of its March meeting, the Committee's question actually was directed to "how the present number of government subsidised places in each faculty compared with the situation that existed at the inception of HECS". In 1989 the government did not allocate its places by faculty: the total government funded load in 1989 was 20,540 as compared to 21,516 in 2003. It should be noted that the 1989 figures do not include the VCA or the Victorian College of Agriculture.
In addition, Mr Currie advised that our statistics did not show the allocation of that load by faculty but rather, in accordance with Commonwealth reporting requirements, "by broad field of study". The field of study "Health" showed 2283 in 1989 and 2204 in 2003; "Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences" 5425 in 1989, 5314 in 2003; a field with a big reduction is "Education" 5176 in 1989, 2307 in 2003; a field with a significant increase was "Engineering/Surveying" 1514 in 1989, 2820 in 2003.
A member was interested in knowing figures for dentistry, as she understood there had been a 20% reduction in the number of dentists in government funded places being trained and expected there will be a shortage in the future.
5. Report 2/04 to May 2004 Council
The Committee received the report for information.
6. Legislation and Standing Resolutions
6.1 Statutes amended by Council at its
May meeting
None.
6.2 Regulations amended by Council at its
May meeting
The Committee noted the Regulations amended by Council as detailed in the Report.
(1) |
Amendment of Regulation 17.1.R19 recommended by the University Secretary |
To delete an institution from the Schedule of recognised institutions (34/04) |
(2) |
Amendment of Regulation 7.1.R2 recommended by Council and the University Secretary |
To add three Chairs to Schedule A of the regulation governing academic and general staff ranks and titles (37/04) |
(3) |
Amendment of Regulation 7.1.R2 recommended by Council
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To add a Chair in the Schedule of Chairs to the regulation governing academic and general staff ranks and titles (38/04)
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6.3 Standing Resolutions made and amended by Council
The University Secretary brought to members’ attention the revised title and Terms of Reference of the former Audit Committee which were set out in Appendix A of the Finance Committee’s Report to Council.
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 5/04 (10/5/04)
7.1 Vice-Chancellor's Report
7.2 Oral report on Council Meeting
As the President had not been able to attend the May Council meeting, the University Secretary gave an oral report of matters discussed. Mr Currie referred members to the What Happened at Council website which gave an overview of business transacted by Council. In addition, he outlined matters contained in the Vice-Chancellor’s oral report to Council. He reported that this University is due to have its AUQA audit in July 2005 and submissions need to be completed in April of that year.
The University Secretary reported that there would be a stock-take of areas of the University’s operations prior to the incoming Vice-Chancellor, Professor Glyn Davis, taking up his appointment. In particular, this exercise will examine:
- The University’s performance in research;
- Teaching and learning;
- Administration; and
- Finances.
8. Reports of Faculty Meetings and Committee Meetings
8.1 Planning and Budget Committee 3/04
The Committee received the report for information.
8.2 Finance Committee 3/04
The Committee received the report for information.
8.3 Faculty of Science
The Committee received the report for information.
8.4 Student Support Committee
The Committee received the
replacement report, which had been tabled, for
information.
8.5 Faculty of Veterinary Science
The tabled Faculty report was drawn to members’ attention. Dr Stillman gave a brief oral supplementary report.
8.6 Faculty of Arts
The Committee received
the tabled report
for information.
8.7 Landscape Advisory Group
Ms Fitzgerald gave an oral report on the recent meeting of the Landscape Advisory Group.
8.8 Building and Estates Matters
The Committee’s representative on the Building and Estates Committee, Mr Nicholas, gave a brief oral report. Subsequent to the meeting, the written paper was distributed.
9. Alumni Relations Report
Ms Sarah Wall, the Alumni Relations Manager, gave an oral report on the Alumni Relations Program. Ms Wall spoke of the overseas tours to be undertaken by the Chancellor, confirmed that Melbourne University Magazine was due to be distributed in June and advised that material relating to Unifund would be circulated by the end of May.
10. Guest Speaker
The guest speaker at dinner was Professor David Holm, Professor of Chinese and Head, Chinese Studies, Melbourne Institute of Asian Languages and Societies. Dr Holm spoke on the religious resurgence in China as well as answering in detail questions pertaining to the teaching of Chinese in courses he conducts.
11. President's Report
11.1 Annual Ordinary Meeting of Convocation, Wednesday 28 April 2004
The President advised that the draft minutes of the Annual Ordinary Meeting of Convocation held on 28 April 2004 had been tabled for information.
12. Any Other Business
12.1 Operational Plan 2004
The Committee received the report for information.
12.2 Teaching and Learning Management Plan 2004
The Committee received the report for information.
12.3 Research and Research Training Plan 2004
The Committee received the report for information.
12.4 University of Melbourne ’s Annual Report 2003
The Committee discussed some matters contained in the University’s Financial Statements. In particular, interest was shown in Melbourne University Private Ltd and its submissions to the Australian Taxation Office concerning the tax exempt status of Melbourne Enterprises International Ltd. The University Secretary agreed to invite an appropriate University officer to brief the Committee on the issue.
12.5 Universitas 21 Annual Review 2003/2004
The Committee received the report for information.
12.6 Sculpture on Campus
The Committee received the brochure for information.
12.7 Culture on Campus
The Committee received the brochure for information.
13. Receipt of Unstarred Items
The unstarred items were received.
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