Murdoch University Senate

1. PERSONAL

2. MINUTES

3. MESSAGE OF THANKS

4. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

5. SENATE MEMBERSHIP

6. PRO-CHANCELLOR

RESOLVED 1/81

that Mr. R. M. Hillman be re-elected as Pro-Chancellor for a term to commence 26th February 1981

7. COMMITTEES OF THE SENATE

   (i)

   The Chancellor stated that he felt that the time was now opportune for an examination of the structure of Senate committees by a small group and for the same group then to suggest the allocation of members to the various committees. He pointed out that this review could involve some reconsideration of the existing membership of each committee and also that it might result in committee places not being available for all members of Senate.

9. VISITOR OF THE UNIVERSITY

10. AVCC MEETING

11. INDUSTRIAL AFFAIRS

    (i)

    The Senate noted that the visit of the Academic Salaries Tribunal to Perth in connection with the inquiry into academic salaries had been postponed following the appointment of the Chairman, Mr. Justice Ludeke, to the Full Court of the Arbitration Commission for the inquiry into wage fixation. It was now expected that the Tribunal’s visit including a visit to Murdoch and discussions here would take place in April.

    (ii)

    The Vice-chancellor reported that there had been some uncertainty regarding the application of the Tribunal’s decision on part-time academic rates of pay which had set rates below those actually being paid in some universities, and that the matter had accordingly been referred back to the Tribunal with a request for clarification.

12.  ENROLMENTS

13. STUDENT HOUSING

14. PEACE AND CONFLICT STUDIES

15. HARKNESS FELLOWSHIP

16. 6UVS/FM

17. COMMUNITY TELEVISION

18. INFORMATION FOR DISABLED STUDENTS

19.  VICE-CHANCELLOR - LEAVE

20. ACADEMIC COUNCIL

21. AWARD OF DEGREES AND DIPLOMAS

22. AUSTRALIAN VETERINARY ASSOCIATION PRIZE FOR UNDERGRADUATES

 On the recommendation of the Academic Council following a request from the Australian Veterinary Association

RESOLVED 6/81

that the title of this prize be changed to "Australian Veterinary Association Federal Student Award in Veterinary Pathology".

23. PROPOSED EXAMINATION STATUTE

Senate noted that some concern had been expressed that the provision for unrestricted student membership of certain academic committees and boards could result in students participating in academic judgements on the performances of other students. After considering various ways of dealing with the situation the Vice-Chancellor had proposed to the Academic Council that a statute should be drafted to provide that students should not participate in the deliberations of any board or committee of which they were members on any matters relating to the assessment or progress of individual students. The matter had been discussed at length in the Academic Council and, while some reservations had been expressed concerning the full application of the proposal, which would exclude students from deliberations on appeals relating to academic progress, the Council had eventually recommended the drafting of a statute. The Council had been assured that the proposed statute would not reduce the Dean’s discretionary authority to consult as he saw fit regarding any appeal against an individual course grade.

In introducing this item the Vice- Chancellor made it clear that there was no suggestion that there had been any improper activity and that the concern was not with any possible breaches of confidentiality but rather that it was essentially improper for one student to sit in academic judgement on another and that if the existence of this possibility became widely known it could throw some doubt on the value of the Murdoch qualification and hence harm all students. He therefore suggested that a statute should be made in unequivocal terms to bar student members of committees from any part in individual assessment.

In discussion, while there seemed to be a consensus that students should not be involved in the actual examination process, there was some concern that student representatives should continue to have some involvement in any appeals against assessments and in more general deliberations on student progress. It was pointed out that the Academic Council vote on this matter had been split.

Attention was drawn to the possibility of a student being treated unfairly because of a personality clash with a lecturer and it was suggested that in a case of this nature it was desirable that the student concerned should be able to have another student present as a friend or advocate. It was not seen, however, that this possibility would be infringed in any way by the proposed amendment. An assurance was given that the Statute if made would not affect the administration and assessment of Independent Study Contracts.

It was claimed that student representation on a committee dealing with academic progress under previous conditions had been instrumental in averting some inequities and it was also suggested that there could be a case to ease the ban by extending the exception to include part-time as well as full-time staff members enrolled as students.

Several changes in the wording proposed in the Academic Council Resolution were agreed with the object of defining the area of concern more closely as "the assessment or examination results or academic progress of individual students".

RESOLVED 7/81

That a statute should be drafted to provide that, 7/81 notwithstanding the provisions of any statute or regulation or resolution of the Senate, the Academic Council, or any other Board or Committee within the University,  an enrolled student, other than a person who is also a full-time member of the academic staff, shall not participate in the deliberations of any Board or Committee of which he or she is a member on any matter related to the assessment results or academic progress of individual students, and shall withdraw from any meeting of the Board or Committee during such deliberations; and  the Secretary of a Board or Committee shall ensure agenda papers relating to the assessment or examination’ results of individual students are not distributed, or other wise made available, to any student other than a student who is also a full-time member of the academic staff."

24. PRIZES 1980

The Senate noted a list of 1980 Prize Awards.

25. COMMITTEE ON OVERSEAS ACADEMIC RELATIONS

Attention was drawn to the establishment by the Vice-Chancellor, following a request from the AVCC, of a committee on overseas academic relations to deal with matters of development assistance, exchanges and cultural missions. The Committee would consist of the Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor ex officio, together with one representative of each school and a student member. The Committee’s terms of .reference would be

(a)	to advise the Vice-Chancellor on matters of policy concerning relationships between Murdoch University and overseas universities;
(b)	to advise on the establishment of special links between the University as such, or sections within it, and particular overseas universities;
(c)	to consider requests from government agencies for assistance with the placement of students and to facilitate arrangements for the placement of students and the exchange and secondment of staff; and
(d)	generally to act as a reference point for all matters of academic cooperation arising between this University and overseas universities, and between this University and national and international agencies, including those concerned with international development assistance programmes.

27. FINANCE AND STAFFING COMMITTEE

The Minutes of the meeting of the Finance and Staffing Committee held on 2nd February 1981 were received, those items requiring consideration by the Senate being noted separately hereunder.

28.  EN 0592 LECTURSHIP IN SOUTHEAST ASIAN STUDIES

On the recommendation of the Finance and Staffing Committee

RESOLVED 8/81

that position EN 0592 Lecturer in Southeast Asian Studies, which was originally established on a three year basis, be established on a permanent basis.

29. CASUAL TEACHING RATES

On the recommendation of the Finance and Staffing Committee

RESOLVED 9/81

(i) that the casual teaching rates recommended by the Academic Salaries Tribunal and updated by   4.2% - National Wage adjustment, July 1980 4% - Academic Salaries Tribunal: interim increase in academic salaries 3.7% - National Wage adjustment, January 1981 for lectures and marking be adopted.   (ii) that the existing rates for tutoring and demonstrating be retained until such time as the recommended rates catch up as a result of national wage or other adjustments, with the proviso that the University does not suffer any funding loss as a result.

30. ANIMAL RESOURCES CENTRE

The Senate noted that the Animal Resources Centre building had now been completed, the Director had taken up duty and action was being taken to commission the facility. However action had not yet been taken by the State Government to establish a statutory authority and as it was necessary to begin the progressive recruitment of technical staff the Project Committee had asked the University to establish the first six positions on the basis that they would be transferred to the centre when the appropriate authority was established and that all costs would be met by the members of the consortium.

On the recommendation of the Finance and Staffing Committee

RESOLVED 10/81	(i)	that the following positions be established:
		Chief Technician, GIl 6/7, $17565 –19627, 1-4-81 Secretary/Typist (Grade 1), C3 1/2, $1149 7-12181, 1-5-81 Animal House Assistant, Gl0, $5299-12515, 1-6-81 Animal House Attendant (2), G7, $4608-11458, 1-7-81 Senior Technician, GII 5, $16540-17028, 1-9-81 and
	(ii)	that the University accept no commitment to the cost of these appointments beyond the agreed share of the cost of the State Animal Resources Centre.

31.  STUDENT HOUSING

The Senate was informed that a concept proposal for the student housing project would be submitted to the Universities’ Council by 31 March 1981 as the University’s first priority for capital funding in the 1982/84 triennium. In addition the Fund-Raising Committee was seeking support for the project from various firms in the form of materials and services.

In these circumstances the Finance and Staffing Committee had considered the possibility of a contribution from the University’s own funds to the project and had recommended that the Senate shoulc¹ underwrite the cost of the detailed planning and documentation of the project.

On the recommendation of the Finance and Staffing Committee

RESOLVED 11/81

to underwrite the cost of the detailed planning tender stage of the student housing project to a limit of $100,000.

32. GROUND STAFF SALARIES - MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES (KINGS PARK BOARD AND OTHERS) AWARD NUMBER 12 of 1972

On the recommendation of the Finance and Staffing Committee

RESOLVED 12/81	(i)	that wage rates for grounds staff employed under the Municipal Employees (Kings Park Board and Others) Award Number 12 of 1972 be increased as follows:
		Group 1 (a) - Motor vehicle and sanitary service workers $9.30 per week Group (b) - Machine drivers $8.20 per week Group (c&d) - Mower operators and gardeners $10.40 per week Group (e&f) - General and foremen $8.60 per week
	(ii)	that Murdoch University be named as a respondent to the above award.

33. PROPERTY COMMITTEE

The Minutes of the meeting of the Property Committee held on 12th February 1981 were received, those items requiring consideration by the Senate being noted separately hereunder.

34. INDOOR TENNIS COMPLEX

The Senate noted that there had been some preliminary discussions concerning the possibility of the development on the University site by a private developer of an indoor tennis complex comprising six courts, a gymnasium and associated facilities. The discussion had been on the basis that all costs would be met by the developer, with the University offering a lease of the land required at a nominal rental for up to ten years with the option of a renewal of the lease at a negotiated rental for a further ten years. At the expiry of the lease the whole property would revert to the University. In discussing the proposal the Property Committee had noted that the University would wish to exercise control over such aspects as the aesthetics of the buildings, the naming of the complex, ongoing mainten and other similar considerations and had recommended that, subject to these issues, the Senate should accept the proposed development as compatible with the overall development of the campus.

During discussion it was urged that the interests of students and staff be raised during any further discussions and some concern was expressed as to what immediate benefits there might be for students if the complex would be managed on a commercial basis for 20 years. It was pointed out that, besides providing convenient access to a facility which could be of interest to many members of staff and students, there was the possibility of concessional rates or of reduced rates at times which could be particularly convenient for members of the university and also that there should be real possibilities of part time employment.

It was noted that the site proposed was remote from other developments and in an area designated on the campus plan for sporting facilities.

On the recommendation of the Property Committee

RESOLVED 13/81

that the proposed development comprising six indoor tennis courts gymnasium sports shop change rooms and sauna facilities office and lounge creche kitchen facilities and dining facilities be accepted as compatible with the overall development of the campus.

35. SENATE GUILD LIAISON COMMITTEE

The Vice-Chancellor reported that a meeting of this Committee had been held on 19th February at which the main item of discussion had been the indoor tennis complex.

36.  HEALTH SERVICE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 29 January 1981, at which the Committee had discussed further the possible extension of the University Health Service by the provision of the services of a doctor on a sessional basis, were received.

The Senate was informed that inspections had been made of the current service by a private practitioner and a member of the Occupational Health Division of the Public Health Department and that both had suggested that the cost of modifications to the present centre to accommodate a doctor on a full-time basis would be of the order of $24,000. In the light of this information, the favourable comments made by both doctors on the present service, the small number of referrals from that service to practitioners or to hospitals and the lack of any other clear evidence as to the need for a medical service on campus, the committee had agreed that no change should be recommended at this stage in the existing service and that the matter be looked at again when the funding position for the next triennium was known.

37. FUND-RAISING

The Senate noted with interest that proqress was being made by the Fund-Raising Committee in obtaining offers of construction materials for the student housing project and that one firm had offered to supply all the roofing and guttering. Some offers of financial support had also been received not necessarily related to the housing project, and there also appeared to be good prospects of progress with the equestrian track.

The Vice-Chancellor was asked to convey to members of the Fund-Raising Committee the Senate’s deep interest in and appreciation of its work.

38. COMMONWEALTH YOUTH EMPLOYMENT SCHEME

In response to a question as to whether the University might be able to co-operate with service clubs- in developing emp1oyment opportunities for young people, the Senate was informed of the university’s heavy involvement with the Commonwealth Employment Service in offering work experience opportunities for young people. Up to thirty people at one time had been employed within the University under this scheme and it was known that the Commonwealth Employment Service regarded the University as a model employer for this purpose. Consideration was now being given to ways in which the University might assist with the employment of aborigines under a similar scheme.

39. APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN OF APPEAL BOARDS AND BOARDS OF REFERENCE

RESOLVED 14/81

that in accordance with Sections 14 and 10 of Statute No. 14, Mr. B. W. Rowland QC be appointed Chairman of Appeal Boards and Mr. T. A. Walsh Chairman of Boards of Reference for 1981.

40. FUNDATION FOR CONTINUING VETERINARY EDUCATION

Having noted that Professor Kakulas had been unable to accept re-appointment to this Foundation and on the recommendation of the Board of the School of Veterinary Studies

RESOLVED 15/81

that Dr. R. Nowotny be appointed a member of the Foundation for Continuing Veterinary Education for a term of three years commencing on the 1st January 1981.

41. ACADEMIC STAFF PROMOTIONS AND ACCELERATED INCREMENTAL ADVANCEMENT

The Senate noted the following academic staff promotions and accelerated incremental advancements approved by the Vice-Chancellor on the recommendation of the Academic Staff Promotions Committee with effect from 1st January 1981.

Promotion from Senior Lecturer to Associate Professor:

Dr. L.R. Davidson - School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences

Dr. P.J. Jennings - School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences

Dr. C.J. Marsh - School of Education

Dr. M. Renfree - School of Environmental and Life Sciences

There were nine applications for promotion to Associate Professor.

Promotion from Lecturer to Senior Lecturer:

Dr. J.C.L. Cornish - School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences

Dr. K.G. Johnson - School of Veterinary Studies

Dr. P. Newman - School of Environmental and Life Sciences

Dr. P. Williamson - School of Veterinary Studies

There were eleven applications for promotion to Senior Lecturer.

Promotion from Tutor to Senior Tutor

Dr. L. Layman - School of Social Inquiry

Dr. R. Pascoe - School of Social Inquiry

Dr. A.M. Van Der Kraan - School of Social Inquiry

There were four applications for promotion to Senior Tutor.

There were nine applications for accelerated incremental advancement, of which three were approved.

42. ACADEMIC STAFF PROBATIONARY REVIEW

The Senate noted that the review of lectureships due to expire between 1st April 1981 and 30th September 1981 had resulted in the grant of tenure to one Associate Professor and two Lecturers.

43. OUTSIDE STUDIES PROGRAMMES

The Vice-Chancellor reported that seventeen applications for outside studies programmes to commence after the end of first semester 1981 had been received. Sixteen applications had been approved and one was not approved.

Reports from Professor Hill and Dr. Huxtable on their outside studies programnes were noted.

44. STAFF CHANGES

The Senate noted the attached statement giving details of appointments and resignations of members of the academic staff since the last meeting of the Senate.

Attention was drawn to the resignation of Associate Professor Marilyn Renfree who had been a foundation member of the lecturing staff and whose promotion to associate professor had been approved earlier in the meeting.

45. LEAVE OF ABSENCE

RESOLVED 17/81	that Leave of Absence be granted
	(i)	to Sir Noel Bayliss for the March meeting of the Senate, and
	(ii)	to The Hon. Mr. Beazley from 25th February 1981 to 1st June 1981,when he would be overseas.

46. NEXT MEETING

RESOLVED 18/81

that the date of the next meeting of the Senate be varied from 30th March 1981 to 23rd March 1981.

The meeting closed at 6.25pm.