Minutes - Meeting No 9/05

A Meeting of the Committee of Convocation was held in the Council Chambers, Old Quadrangle, University of Melbourne, on Wednesday 16 November 2005 at 5.45 pm.

PRESENT:

Dr R Condron in the Chair,
Mr AW Abbott, Ms AM Ada, Ms LJ Boston, Dr CE Close, Mr R Cook, Ms JM Crowe, Mr BFB Dance, Mr AT Douglas, Ms JH Elton-Brown, Mr AG Handberg, Dr JK Harcourt, Mr RTA Hardcastle, Mr PR Hirst, Mr J Humphrey, Mr GLE Israel, Mr JC Jones, Mr FAM Lees , Dr PA Lowe, Dr L McKenzie, Mr JG Meehan, Mrs AM Neal-Adam, Dr JR Nelson, Mr JF Nicholas, Dr DG Parbery, Dr B-A Rodan, Ms C Rollinson, Miss AS Rusden, Dr S Sahhar, Dr J Stillman, Mr GH Thomas, Ms MA Weston, Mr NJ Whiting.

IN ATTENDANCE:

Mr JM Green, the Assistant University Secretary and Mr G Duke, Acting Minute Secretary, were in attendance.

BUSINESS

Preliminary Matters

The President and Chair, Dr Robin Condron, welcomed to the meeting Professor James Angus, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, who was attending the meeting to give an oral report on ‘Representing Graduates Effectively’.

1. Apologies and Leave of Absence

Apologies were received from Mr G Bartle, Ms H Cohn, Ms HM Fitzpatrick, Mr MW Gorton, Dr DA McCann and Ms E Parker.

Leave of Absence previously had been granted to Mr DM Dodd, Mr R McGauran, Dr NMcH Ramsey, Dr L Simpson and Mr BN Southern for the meeting.

Leave of Absence was granted to Mr AG Handberg and Mr PR Hirst for the December meeting.

2. Starring of Additional Items

Items 8.1, 8.2, 8.4 and 12.1 were starred.

3. Minutes of Meeting 8/05 (19.10.2005)

The Minutes were adopted as a true and accurate record of the meeting subject to a minor correction to Item 4.1(a)(vi).

4. Matters Arising

4.1 Formalisation of arrangements for alternates for Committee Members appointed to University bodies (Minute 4.1a)

The Assistant University Secretary reported that no formal procedures are in place for alternate appointments to University bodies. Alternate appointments are currently made at the prerogative of the chair.

4.2 Associate Degrees (Minute 4.2(a))

The Assistant University Secretary reported that the chair of the Academic Programs Committee will give a report on Associate Degrees to the Committee early in 2006.

4.3 New Budget Funding Allocation Model and the effect on the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences (Minute 7.2)

The Assistant University Secretary reported in response to a previous question that funding allocations for the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences have been flat in 2005 and are expected to remain the same in 2006. This is partly attributable to the change in the budget funding allocation model and a decline in research performance in 2003 and 2004.

5. Report 8/0519 October 2005 submitted to November Council

The Committee received the report for information.

6. Legislation, Regulations and Standing Resolutions

Nil.

7. Report of Council Meeting 10/05 (14/11/05)

7.1 Vice-Chancellor's Report

The Committee received the report for information.

7.2 Oral report on October Council Meeting

The President reported on Council discussions regarding the Vice-Chancellor’s Growing Esteem paper, the integration of the Victorian College of the Arts with the University, the decision to invest further equity in U21 and the proposal from the Faculty of Education to unify its departments.

7.2.1 Growing Esteem

The President reported on the Vice-Chancellor’s Growing Esteem document which was presented to Council for wider consultation, prior to further consideration by Council members at the December meeting. The document suggests that the University should strengthen its research profile and international ranking through the introduction of generalist undergraduate degrees and specialist graduate schools on the American and European model.

In response to a number of questions regarding the lack of detail in Growing Esteem the President pointed out that it is intended as a broad vision statement. Specific details regarding the implementation of the strategy at the level of individual faculties and schools is a matter to be addressed after Council members have endorsed the overall strategy direction outlined in the document.

Dr Lowe moved that the Committee should offer an expression of support for the strategic direction outlined in Growing Esteem and also indicate its willingness to contribute to further discussion. The motion was seconded by Mr Dance. In discussion some members felt there had been insufficient time for the Committee to form a considered opinion and it was agreed that Dr Lowe’s motion will lie on the table until the December meeting of the Committee.

7.2.2 Integration of the Victorian College of Arts (VCA) with the University of Melbourne

The President reported on the integration of the VCA with the University which will result in the VCA becoming a Faculty. An agreement has been reached which is beneficial for both parties insofar as it is financially positive and respects the sensitivities of the VCA. From 2006 the President of the VCA will be an observer at Council meetings and from 2007 the VCA will have a three year fixed-term appointment to Council.

In reference to Appendix J of the Vice-Chancellor’s Report to Council (14 November 2005) Mr Nicholas pointed out that the proposed membership of the VCA Faculty Board contained in the draft amendment to Regulation 5.1.R1 does not provide for a Committee of Convocation member appointed by Council. Advice on the number of graduates would help to clarify implications for membership of the Committee of Convocation. The Assistant University Secretary agreed to provide advice on the possibility of including such a provision in the VCA Faculty Board at the next meeting.

7.2.3 U21 Global

The President reported that Council adopted the recommendations from Council’s U21 Global Due Diligence Group for additional funding.

7.2.4 Faculty of Education

The President reported on the proposal for the Faculty of Education to become a single department faculty from 1 January 2006.

8. Reports of Faculty Meetings and Committee Meetings

8.1 Planning and Budget Committee

a) Meeting 9/2005 ( 12 October 2005 )

The Committee received the report for information. In reference to Appendix 7 of the PBC Report to Council Ms Crowe noted that the Committee does not have a member on the ‘Melbourne Experience Working Group’. Mr Hirst expressed an interest in joining the working group and it was agreed that the University Secretary’s Department would approach the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) to nominate Mr Hirst as a member.

8.2 Finance Committee

a) Meeting 8/2005 (20 October 2005)

The Committee received the report for information. In reference to Appendix A Mr Nicholas noted an apparent inconsistency between Regulation 6.1.R7 and the Attachment to that regulation which lists the University’s research centres. The Assistant University Secretary agreed to follow up on this for the next meeting.

8.3 Theatre Board

a) Meeting 8/05 (14 October 2005)

The Committee received the report for information.

8.4 Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences School of Dental Science Advisory Meeting

a) Advisory Committee Meeting on 14 November 2005

The Committee received the report of the meeting for information. It was agreed that the discussion paper should be included on the agenda for the next meeting so that it can be discussed by Committee members.

9. Alumni Relations Report

The Committee received and noted the report. Dr Lowe spoke briefly on the need for the University to maintain strong alumni relations.

10. Guest Speakers

Professor James Angus, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, spoke on Representing Graduates Effectively.

Professor Angus discussed seven key issues regarding the engagement of the MDHS Faculty with graduates and welcomed the important role of Convocation representatives. He suggested that further involvement in the Faculty’s planning may be possible in the new year.

In response to a question from Dr Lowe, Professor Angus noted the advantages of maintaining relationships with affiliated institutions for the University from the perspective of research and training profile. Professor Angus also emphasised the need to grant affiliated institutions independence and suggested that high-level clinical staff at affiliated institutions merit the title of professor for their teaching efforts and international profile even if they are not strictly professors within the meaning of that term as used within the University.

Members were reminded that the guest speaker at dinner was Mr Geoff Rees, a Director of Melbourne University Private Pty Ltd. Mr Rees’ topic is ‘A Public Institution and Private Funding: Melbourne IT, Melbourne University Private Limited and Uniseed’.

11. President’s Report

The President noted that the annual dinner of Convocation is to take place on Friday 9 December at the Melbourne Club. The President also congratulated Mr Lees on the successful opening of the new Graduate House

12. Any Other Business

12.1 University of Melbourne Retired Academic Staff Association (UMRASA)

The Committee received and noted the report. Dr Harcourt spoke briefly to the meeting regarding the activities of UMRASA.

12.2 Friends of the Grounds - Annual General Meeting

The Friends of the Grounds’ Annual General Meeting would be held on Wednesday, 30 November at 5.30 pm in Lecture Theatre 1, Old Geology Building . The Annual General Meeting will be followed by a further talk from Mr Bill Pye on University Icons - “Sticks and Stones – Names???” All Committee of Convocation members were invited to attend.

12.3 Proposed New Conservatorium of Music

Ms Elton-Brown spoke to the meeting on the proposal for a new Melbourne Conservatorium of Music to be located in new facilities at Southbank. The proposed conservatorium is to be Australia’s premier music and music performance training institution and centre of scholarship incorporating the Music Faculty of the University, the Music School of the VCA, the Australian National Academy of Music and a new School of Operatic Performance. Ms Elton-Brown noted that such a re-location and the subsequent loss of a music presence from the main campus of the University would be detrimental to ‘The Melbourne Experience’. It may also inconvenience students taking combined courses including music.

Ms Elton-Brown put forward a motion that the Committee should obtain information from Council regarding the potential negative impact of a relocation of the Faculty of Music from the Parkville campus to Southbank. The motion was seconded and endorsed by Committee members.

12.4 Australian University Alumni Council (AUAC)

The Committee received an oral report from Dr Lowe on the activities of the AUAC for information.

12.5 Casual Vacancy for Faculty of Engineering Representative

The President noted that Mr Hardcastle is not renewing his term which will conclude on 31 December 2005. As a result the December meeting will decide a casual vacancy in Engineering to be filled from March 2006.

12.6 Committee Representative on Human Resources Committee

The Committee noted that Mr Handberg has resigned from the Human Resources Committee effective from 1 January 2006. A replacement will be appointed at the next meeting.

13. Receipt of Unstarred Items

The unstarred items were received.

The meeting closed at 7.50pm.