The Chancellor:

• welcomed Philip Hocking to his first meeting as a member of Senate; and
• advised Senate that the Nominations Committee, at its meeting on 20/05/2005, resolved to recommend that the Governor reappoint Alison Gaines for a third term as a member of Senate when her current term expires on 28/06/2005.

Judge Kate O’Brien and Ms Carolyn Jakobsen.

In relation to item 6, Mr Terry Budge and Mr Malcolm Macpherson declared an interest to the extent that the proposed professional development framework refers to the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Senate considered and discussed the draft priorities detailed in the agenda and the matters of importance identified at the March Senate retreat.

The Vice Chancellor spoke to his May report to Senate, noting that the University has responded to a large number of DEST reviews both on its own account and as a member of the Innovative Research Universities Australia group. Key points included:

• As anticipated, the Government has indicated that it will not be changing the current indexation arrangements.
• The Research Quality Framework has attracted keen interest. The University’s submission emphasised the importance of research training being a separate component of any new framework and the need to take a phased approach to funding for any new framework so as to not compromise long-term projects.
• The submission in response to the ‘Building University Diversity’ paper emphasised the need for any institution seeking to call itself a ‘university’ to fulfil the full range and character of services provided by existing universities. The Vice Chancellor gave examples of significant overseas-based groups delivering programmes in the Asia Pacific area and within Australia.
• The Government has issued the Higher Education Workplace Reform Requirements but full details are yet to be provided. Compliance will be essential to qualify for increases in the Commonwealth Grants Scheme funds.
• DEST has released its Teaching & Learning Fund indicators which are broadly consistent with the approach recommended by the University. The AVCC is still questioning the validity of the indicators. The University met all eligibility criteria in stage one and is quietly confident in terms of the outcome of the stage 2 process.
• The University is working closely with AARNet to ensure that a high speed fibre cable is laid as part of the Perth to Mandurah rail link.
• The Malaysian Public Service Department has recognised 16 of the University’s undergraduate degrees. A benefit of this recognition is the availability of Government scholarships for Malaysian students wanting to undertake the courses.
• The Minister for Environment, Science has announced that the University was successful in two grant applications for funding under the Centres of Excellence in Science and Innovation Program, namely the WA Centre for Comparative Genomics (Prof. Matthew Bellgard) and the Institute for Immunology for Infectious Diseases (Prof. Simon Mallal).
• The Vice Chancellor has met with the Leader of the Opposition and briefed him in relation to developments with the Perth-Mandurah rail link and transport options affecting the Rockingham campus.

Senate noted the contents of a briefing paper prepared by the General Counsel & University Secretary dated 17/05/2005. Senate also noted that the General Counsel & University Secretary will be advancing a paper to the June meeting of Senate dealing with Directors’ & Officers’ Liability Insurance.

Senate noted:

• the attached timetable provided by the PVC (Academic); and
• that the AUQA audit has now been scheduled for May 2006.

The General Counsel & University Secretary advised Senate that the information required by May 2005 is comprised in the Statement of Governance Principles, a revised version of which was distributed to members of Senate with the agenda papers.

Senate noted a request by the PVC (Strategy) to alter the dates for reporting required by Senate resolution S/79/2003 so as to enable more comprehensive reporting.

Senate noted the minutes of the meeting of the Academic Council held on 13/04/2005.

Secretary’s note: All legislative recommendations are dealt with under the Legislation Committee.

Senate noted the minutes of the meeting of the Audit & Risk Management Committee held on 03/05/2005.

Senate noted the minutes of the meeting of the Chancellor’s Committee held on 11/04/2007. In response to a query, the Chancellor indicated that he will raise the question of the most appropriate person to chair the committee with the members of the newly named committee when it next meets.

Senate noted the minutes of the meeting of the Environmental Committee held on 04/05/2005

Senate noted the minutes of the Equity & Equal Opportunity Committee resolution by circulation dated 12/05/2005.

Senate noted the following minutes of the Legislation Committee:

• Meeting held on 30/03/2005
• Decision by circulation dated 04/05/2007
• Decision by circulation dated 17/05/2007

Senate noted the minutes of the meeting of the Resources Committee held on 10/05/2005 and resolved in accordance with the recommendation of the committee as follows:

Senate noted a confidential briefing paper dated 21/05/2005, prepared by the General Counsel & University Secretary. In debating the proposal, the following points were raised:

• A complete victory in court would not deliver the flexibility and certainty that the negotiated solution provides
• The parties need to agree the terms of the documents to establish the feeder college by 30 June, failing which they will revert to their original positions
• A more detailed financial analysis will be provided for Senate’s consideration at its June meeting, in particular dealing with return on investment by way of the estimated capital outlay required. However, signing the settlement deed on 25 May commits the University to the proposal, unless the parties are unable to reach agree on the terms of the relevant documents by 30 June
• Great care needs to be take in drafting the relevant documents to ensure precision in the definition of terms such a “secondary education”, “foundation courses” and “feeder college”
• Accommodating the teaching space requirements of the proposed feeder college has been carefully considered, and a space analysis will be provided for Senate’s information at its next meeting

The Chancellor provided a verbal briefing to Senate in terms of his discussions with the Vice Chancellor and the deliberations of the Chancellor's Committee.
Senate unanimously supported the proposed extension of contract.