In accordance with resolution S/71/2001, the Vice Chancellor presented his State of the University address, speaking to a PowerPoint presentation. Key points were:

Higher Education reforms
As the sector moves forward, more and more federal funding will be attached to competitive pools, with an increasing number of private and public providers which further increases competition for funds. DEST will also be focussing on reform in relation to teaching only universities, voluntary student unionism and course attractiveness.

Education

• Murdoch performed very well in the DEST Course Experience Questionnaire, registering 88.1% compared to the national level of 81.5%.
• Murdoch has filled all places, which was an increased number compared to previous years and has also increased its share of the first preference pool. These achievements have been made in an environment where applications to all universities have declined.
• There is a strong demand for some units but others are not as readily subscribed to. Careful analysis of the course mix and answering demand will be a high priority. There was discussion about the criteria on which course offerings would be reviewed and decisions made. There are a complex matrix of issues to be addressed, but Murdoch will need to be proactive in its approach.

Research
Murdoch’s academic performance was very successful in 2004, with research income from all sources showing growth.

The Shanghai Institute of Higher Education ranked Murdoch in the 400-500 band, of the top 500 universities in the world and the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economics & Social Research ranked Murdoch as 14 out of 38 in Australia in its index of international standing of Australian universities.

Management
Highlights include achievement of a surplus budget and various commercial ventures. However there is a need for careful investment planning into the future when returns will be significant.

University issues that need to be addressed in the long term:

• International students, as the market continues to become more aggressive;
• Capital and maintenance programme for the University’s infrastructure; and
• A long term investment strategy.

Senate reviewed the draft list of priorities for 2005, noting that these will be discussed and settled at the upcoming Senate retreat on 12-13 March.

Senate also noted that resolution S/71/2001 tends to restrict given its requirement for Senate to identify its priorities at the first meeting of each year when, as in 2005, the intention is to discuss and agree priorities at the retreat.

The Vice Chancellor spoke to his report, a copy of which was included in the agenda. Significant matters noted include:

• DEST confirming Murdoch’s compliance with the National Governance Protocols;
• Accreditation being obtained for the nursing programme being delivered at Peel;
• Murdoch has received capital funding for the Peel Campus for 3rd straight year.

Sir William Heseltine presented the Audit & Risk Management Committee’s annual report. His comments by way of overview included:

• Whilst there were some initial delays on actioning audit items, all but one had been actioned by year’s end, with the outstanding item the subject of an agreed action plan.
• Members of the Committee intend to undertake a professional development course in April and are looking to co-opt a further member to add to the Committee’s skill base.
• On behalf of the Committee, he thanked the members of the Internal Audit team for their endeavours during the year and for their helpful recommendations in audit reports.

Sir William Heseltine also spoke to Murdoch’s draft 2005 strategic risk management plan. Points of significance during his comments and discussion included:

• Two of the top three 2004 strategic risks have been downgraded from High Risk to Low Risk.
• IT remains one of the top strategic risks. This is an area that needs careful analysis based on needs and resources and will be the subject of an IT review, the recommendations from which may require Senate support based on their nature.
• Typographical mistakes and the paragraph commencing “The natural consequence of this …” in relation to the first strategic risk identified for 2005 need to be removed.
• Murdoch’s staff play a significant role in achieving and maintaining student satisfaction which affects our ability to maintain our 5-star rating.

Prof Jan Thomas, PVC (Academic) spoke to her paper on Murdoch’s preparations for the upcoming AUQA audit. During the course of discussion, she confirmed that there is a detailed timeline for educating all areas. The following roles for members of Senate were identified:

• Ideally, a member of Senate should be on the working party preparing for the audit.
• One member of Senate should be on the assessment panel for the Whole of University Review planned for late 2005.
• Members of Senate will be asked to provide input on Murdoch’s portfolio, in particular in relation to governance matters. They will also be asked to review the draft portfolio.
• Members of Senate should acquire a good working knowledge/understanding of the portfolio contents, including an awareness of identified weaknesses and strategies in place to address them.
• Taking the initiative and visiting Schools and other areas of interest.
• The review panel and also the AUQA panel will interview a number of members of Senate. Areas of particular interest will be decision-making processes, governance processes.

Senate reviewed the draft annual report attached to the agenda and noted:

• It would be beneficial to include details about the size of the Murdoch communities, e.g. number of students, Alumni, etc.
• The information in the Course Completion Probability table was confusing and the information is better represented in the Student Progression Rate Table. The Vice Chancellor will confirm whether or not the inclusion of the Course Completion Probability table is a requirement of the Office of the Auditor General, and if not, it will be removed.

Mr Andrew Bain has recently resigned as University Secretary, a position he has held since March 1999. He was Secretary of the Senate throughout this period.

In addition to his roles within the Secretary’s office (1973-1980), School of Human Communication (1980-1983), and Student Records (1983-1985), Andrew was also Officer in Charge, Secretary’s Office (1985-1991) when his title changed to Assistant Registrar. In 1992 he was appointed to the position of Deputy Registrar; however this did not become permanent until July 1995. The position of Deputy Registrar became redundant in August 1998 and Mr Bain was appointed to the position of University Secretary in 1999.

Senate confirmed the minutes of the meetings held on 22/11/2004 and 23/12/2004. It also noted the report of action to implement the resolutions of Senate.

In response to a question regarding asbestos removal, Mr Ian Callahan, PVC (Resource Management), advised that the asbestos removal work has been completed. However, the building contractors are still on site to attend to rectification of unanticipated building structural issues that were discovered during the asbestos removal process.

Senate noted the following matters which had been approved by the Summer Committee by circulation. The date of effect was 13/12/2004, when a majority of members had voted in support.

PeelCampus

South Street Campus

Senate noted the minutes of the meeting of the Academic Council held on 02/02/2005 and resolved in accordance with the recommendation of the Academic Council as follows:

Senate noted the minutes of the meeting of the Chancellor’s Committee held on 08/02/2005. There was a discussion regarding the recommended changes to the Statement of Governance Principles, the drafting of which was referred back to the committee for further consideration.

The Chancellor recommended an amendment to the committee’s terms of reference to make the Director of Human Resources a member.

Senate noted the minutes of the meeting of the Honorary Awards & Ceremonial Committee held on 10/12/2004 and resolved in accordance with the recommendation of the committee as follows:

Senate noted the minutes of the meeting of the Resources Committee held on 15/02/2005 and, after discussion in relation to the item relating to the bookshop, resolved in accordance with the recommendation of the committee as follows:

Senate moved into camera for this item.

The Vice Chancellor provided an oral report on the status of discussions with this matter. He also stressed the significance of the Senate support for the proposal.