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Murdoch University Senate

 

 

28 June 2005 - Senate Minutes

Present: Em. Prof. Geoffrey Bolton (Chair)
Prof. John Yovich (Vice Chancellor)
Mr Philip Hocking
Prof. Stuart Bradley
Ms Janice Bowra
Mr Terry Budge
Mr Dick Lester (for item 4)
Mr Mal Bradley (for item 4) Dr Jim Macbeth
Mr Malcolm Macpherson
Ms Barbara Whelan
Ms Alison Gaines
Sir William Heseltine
Assoc. Prof. Nick Costa
Secretary: John Pease
Official attendees: Mr Ian Callahan (PVC – Resource Management)
Prof Gary Martin (PVC – Strategy)
Prof Andris Stelbovics (PVC – Research)
Prof Jan Thomas (PVC – Academic)
Prof Kateryna Longley (PVC – Regional Development)
Assoc Prof Michael Borowitzka (President, Academic Council)
Observers: Prof Jim Reynoldson, Prof Yianni Attikiouzel, Assoc Prof Arnold Depickere, Mr Nathan Giles, Melissa Bramley (PPR – consultant).
  1. MEMBERSHIP
  2. APOLOGIES
  3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (SENATE STANDING ORDERS CLAUSE 4.2) See item 4.
  4. CONFIDENTIAL ITEM – CURTIN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
  5. VICE CHANCELLOR’S REPORT
  6. BI-ANNUAL REPORT ON ENROLMENT TRENDS
  7. AUQA AUDIT UPDATE
  8. STATUTE CHANGES
  9. MINUTES
  10. ACADEMIC COUNCIL
  11. AUDIT & RISK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
  12. CHANCELLOR’S COMMITTEE
  13. LEGISLATION COMMITTEE
  14. RESOURCES COMMITTEE (PAPERS & DISCUSSION COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE)
  15. OFFICIAL SEAL

1. MEMBERSHIP

Senate noted a report of its current membership and committee structure.

2. APOLOGIES

Senate noted apologies from Judge Kate O’Brien, Ms Carolyn Jakobsen, Mr Bob Pett, Mr Daniel Narbett, Ms Margaret Banks and Mr Garry Hunt.

3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (SENATE STANDING ORDERS CLAUSE 4.2)

See item 4.

4. CONFIDENTIAL ITEM – CURTIN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Senate dealt with this item in camera, but with members of the Senior Executive Group, who had signed confidentiality undertakings, present. See separate, confidential minute of this item.

The Chancellor reminded all members of Senate that the content of the Senate’s discussion on this topic remains strictly confidential and that any approaches from the media should be referred to the Vice Chancellor who is co-ordinating Murdoch’s responses.

Resolved:
S/35/2005		 To note the Vice Chancellor’s declaration of interest and to confirm that no conflict of interest exists that prevents him from participating in, and voting on, all Senate discussions of the matter.
Resolved:
S/36/2005
(i) To ratify the actions of the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor in participating in preliminary discussions with Curtin University of Technology regarding the conduct of a joint investigation of the merits of merging the two universities.
(ii)

To authorise the Vice Chancellor to form a working party on behalf of Murdoch University, which working party will participate in the joint feasibility study, noting that:

(a) The joint feasibility study will investigate the desirability and feasibility of a merger of the two universities on the understanding that Professor John Yovich will be the Vice Chancellor of the merged entity.
(b) The Vice Chancellor’s working party will include Mr Terry Budge.
(c) Prior to any further meetings of Senate, the Vice Chancellor will provide interim progress reports to the Chancellor’s Committee.
(d) The final report of the feasibility study will be referred to Senate for its consideration and determination whether or not to pursue the issue of a merger.
Secretary’s note: Mr Mal Bradley abstained from voting on this resolution.

5. VICE CHANCELLOR’S REPORT

Senate noted the Vice Chancellor’s report, together with the tabled supplementary details of:

  • progress of the Universities Legislation Amendment Bill through the WA Parliament; and
  • results of the round 2, 2005 linkage grants.

6. BI-ANNUAL REPORT ON ENROLMENT TRENDS

Senate noted the report of the PVC (Strategy) and his presentation of key features, including:

  • Notwithstanding a decreasing number of 1st preferences available in WA, the University increased its share of the available pool, which was against the WA trend.
  • Overall, the University’s percentage of student load and student numbers in 2005 increased by 5% compared to 2004.

7. AUQA AUDIT UPDATE

Prof Jan Thomas, the PVC (Academic) provided an update on Murdoch’s preparations for the upcoming AUQA audit. Key elements included:

  • Members of Senate were encouraged to provide feedback concerning the draft portfolio index/outline as well as the draft content of chapter two, dealing with Governance & Management.
  • Membership of the audit panel for the Whole of University Audit in November 2005 had been finalised. The panel comprises of Prof H.K Cheong from Singapore Institute of Management, Mr Len Scanlon, Mr Terry Budge and Prof Alex Radloff.

8. STATUTE CHANGES

Senate noted a report by the General Counsel & University Secretary, in particular:

  • due to an administrative oversight, Senate resolution S/117/2004, approving amendments to Statute no. 23 - Student Discipline, had not been actioned and, accordingly, the process needed to commence again; and
  • consequent upon Senate resolution S/31/2005(i), notice of the amendments to Statute no. 8 - Interpretation has been displayed at the University in accordance with paragraph 25(1)(b) of the Murdoch University Act.
Resolved:
S/37/2005
(i) To approve amendments to Statute no. 23 - Student Discipline in the terms attached (amendments marked up).
(ii) To ratify amendments to Statute no. 8 - Interpretation in the terms attached (amendments marked up).

Secretary’s note: In accordance with sub-section 25(1) of the Murdoch University Act, an absolute majority of Senate members voted in favour of the resolution.

9. MINUTES

Senate confirmed the minutes of the meeting held on 24/05/2005. It also noted a report of action taken to implement previous resolutions of Senate.

The General Counsel & University Secretary reported that consequent upon Senate resolution S/33/2005, negotiations with AEG to finalise the required agreements were proceeding, but that the 30/06/2005 deadline stipulated in the settlement deed was not achievable.

Resolved:
S/38/2005
 To approve extending the deadline to conclude negotiations with AEG until 15/07/2005.

10. ACADEMIC COUNCIL

Senate noted the minutes of the meeting of the Academic Council held on 18/05/2005. Other than with regard to legislative amendments, there were no recommendations requiring a Senate resolution.

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

11. AUDIT & RISK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Senate noted the minutes of the Audit & Risk Management Committee (on a decision by circulation) dated 20/06/2005 and resolved in accordance with the recommendation of the committee as follows:

Resolved:
S/39/2005
 To endorse Ms Beverley Schubert being co-opted as a member of the Audit & Risk Management Committee for a term of 3 years commencing on 01/07/2005.

12. CHANCELLOR’S COMMITTEE

Senate noted the minutes of the meeting of the Chancellor’s Committee held on 14/06/2005. All recommendations of the committee are dealt with under item 4.

13. LEGISLATION COMMITTEE

Senate noted the minutes of the Legislation Committee (on a decision by circulation) dated 20/06/2005 and resolved in accordance with the recommendation of the committee as follows:

Resolved:
S/40/2005

To amend the following University regulations in the terms attached (amendments marked up):

(i) Bachelor Degree Regulation 1(1);
(ii) Certificate Regulation 1(c);
(iii) Diploma Regulations 1(1)(b) and (c);
(iv) Master by Coursework Degree Regulations 1(1) and 2(1);
(v) Diploma Regulation 1(1)(c); and
(vi) Certificate Regulation 1(d).

14. RESOURCES COMMITTEE (PAPERS & DISCUSSION COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE)

Senate noted the minutes of the meeting of the Resources Committee held on 14/06/2005 and resolved in accordance with the recommendation of the committee as follows:

Resolved:
S/41/2005
(i) To approve the attached Officer’s Indemnity Policy to apply to all members of Senate, third parties co-opted to serve on Senate committees and working parties and all employees of the University, by way of supplement to the University’s director’s and officers’ liability insurance cover in force from time to time.
(ii) To amend resolution S/22/2005 dated 29/03/2005 in the terms attached (amendments marked up).

15. OFFICIAL SEAL

Senate noted the attached report provided in accordance with resolution S/54/2004.
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