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Murdoch University Senate

 

 

16 August 2005 - Senate Agenda

  1. MEMBERSHIP
  2. APOLOGIES
  3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (SENATE STANDING ORDERS CLAUSE 4.2)
     
    PART A - MAJOR ISSUES
     
  4. AUQA AUDIT STATUS REPORT - WHOLE OF INSTITUTION AUDIT
     
    PART B - OTHER ISSUES FOR DISCUSSION
     
  5. VICE CHANCELLOR'S REPORT
  6. ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT
  7. RATIFICATION OF STATUTE AMENDMENTS
  8. UPDATE ON MURDOCH UNIVERSITY VETERINARY TRUST
  9. SENATE PRIORITIES 2005
     
    PART C - OTHER ITEMS
     
  10. CONFIRMATION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
  11. ACADEMIC COUNCIL
  12. AUDIT AND RISK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
  13. CHANCELLOR'S COMMITTEE
  14. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE
  15. GOVERNANCE AND NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE
  16. HONORARY AWARDS AND CEREMONIAL COMMITTEE
  17. LEGISLATION COMMITTEE
  18. RESOURCES COMMITTEE
  19. OFFICIAL SEAL
  20. SENATE MEETING DATES 2005
  21. MATTERS FOR INFORMATION
     
    PART D – CONFIDENTIAL MATTERS
     
  22. AEG AND MURDOCH COLLEGE LITIGATION

1.MEMBERSHIP

1.1 The Minister has approved the re-appointment of Alison Gaines to the Senate for a further 3 years, which commenced on 20/07/2005.
1.2 The Universities Legislation Amendment Act 2005 (WA) is expected to commence on 16 or 23 August. On commencement, the Guild President will cease to be an ex officio member of the Senate. The Chancellor will move a vote of thanks to Barbara Whelan.
1.3 A list of current Senate members is attached.

2.APOLOGIES

2.1 Bob Pett, Malcolm Macpherson, Dick Lester
2.2 Any apologies received after circulation of the agenda will be reported to the meeting.

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

Members of Senate (and any member of staff presenting to Senate) must declare the nature, character and extent of any material personal interest in any matter included on the agenda.

3.1 Senate resolution S/35/2005 noting the Vice Chancellor’s declaration of interest regarding the merger proposal from Curtin University of Technology, remains in effect.

PART A - MAJOR ISSUES

4. AUQA AUDIT STATUS REPORT - WHOLE OF INSTITUTION AUDIT

The PVC (Academic) will provide speak to her report to Senate.

The draft Whole-of-Institution Audit (WOIA) Performance Portfolio will be circulated separately to this agenda. It is anticipated that the draft will be finalised and circulated on Friday 12 August 2005.

Senate is asked to provide feedback on the Portfolio. The final version is due to be submitted to the WOIA Review Panel in September, prior to the next meeting of Senate. Members will have the opportunity to comment on a further draft when University feedback is sought and will be provided a copy of the final version with the agenda for the October meeting.

As the final Portfolio will be submitted before the next meeting, Senate will be requested to delegate authority to a full meeting of the Senior Executive to approve the final version of the WOIA Performance Portfolio.

AQUA To delegate authority to a full meeting of the Senior Executive to approve the final version of the WOIA Performance Portfolio to be submitted to the WOIA Review Panel.

PART B - OTHER ISSUES FOR DISCUSSION

5. VICE CHANCELLOR'S REPORT

The Vice Chancellor will speak to his report to Senate, a copy of which is attached.

6. ANNUAL EDUCATION REPORT

The Pro Vice Chancellor, Academic will speak to her report to Senate, a copy of which is attached.

7. STATUTE CHANGES

7.1 Approval of statute amendment
On 09/08/2005 the Legislation Committee endorsed (cf LC/08/2005) a proposed amendment to Statute 5-Academic Council in the terms attached (changes marked up). The change is the consequence of the deleted position no longer existing within the University.
7.2 Ratification of statute amendment
On 28/06/2005 Senate approved amendments to Statute 23-Student Discipline in the terms attached (changes marked up). Notice of the proposed amendments has been displayed at the University in accordance with paragraph 25(1)(b) of the Murdoch University Act.
  Note: In accordance with section 25 of the Murdoch University Act, an absolute majority of Senate must approve/ratify these amendments

8. UPDATE ON MURDOCH UNIVERSITY VETERINARY TRUST

The Chair of the Murdoch University Veterinary Trust, Mr Brian Aitken, will speak to his report to Senate. A copy of the Trust’s annual report and financial statements for year ending 31 December 2004 is attached.

9. SENATE PRIORITIES

By resolution S/23/2005, Senate adopt the following priorities for 2005, including the allocated responsibility for preparing discussion papers:

  • Maximising the University’s return on its assets, e.g. land, intellectual property by establishing an appropriate endowment/investment policy (Responsibility: Resources Committee and PVC (Resource Management)).
  • Engagement with external parties and the community, i.e. the extent to which members of Senate can support and promote the University through their external contacts and networks (Responsibility: Director of Development and Director Corporate & Public Relations).
  • Identification of long-term goals for the University, including understanding the changing nature of higher education policy (Responsibility: PVC (Resource Management) and PVC (Strategy)).
  • Maintain the University’s compliance with the National Governance Protocols (Responsibility: Governance & Nominations Committee and General Counsel & University Secretary).

PART C - OTHER ITEMS

The Chancellor will put the following as a single item for noting and for the approval/acceptance of any recommendations contained in them. Members of Senate may request that any of these items to be reserved for discussion.

10. CONFIRMATION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

10.1 Confirmation of the minutes of the meeting held on 28/06/2005.
10.2 Note the attached report of action on resolutions passed at the previous meeting.

11. ACADEMIC COUNCIL

The minutes of the Academic Council meetings held on the 15/06/2005 and 20/07/2005 are attached. Other than in relation to legislative matters, the following items contain recommendations to Senate:

AC/118/2005 To disestablish the Centre for Agricultural and Natural Resource Management.

Note: All legislative matters are dealt with under item 17 of the agenda (Legislation Committee).

12. AUDIT AND RISK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The minutes of the Audit and Risk Management Committee meeting held on 26/07/2007 are attached. There are no recommendations to Senate.

13. CHANCELLOR'S COMMITTEE

The minutes of the Chancellor’s Committee meeting held on 14/07/2007 are enclosed in the confidential envelope included with this agenda. The following items contain recommendations to Senate:

CC/09/2005 To endorse the progress of the merger feasibility study and the actions of the Vice Chancellor to date.

14. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE

The Environmental Committee met on 27/07/2005. The meeting was inquorate. The notes of the discussion at the meeting are attached for noting.

15. GOVERNANCE AND NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE

The minutes of the Governance and Nominations Committee meetings held on 20/05/2005 and 18/07/2005 are attached, together with the minute of the Governance and Nominations Committee resolution by circulation dated 28/07/2007. The following items contain recommendations to Senate:

NC/05/2005
(ii) Amend the terms of reference for the Resources Committee by adding up to 2 co-opted external members (see attached marked up copy), noting that in the process of seeking candidates to fill the McCall/Pett vacancies, suitable female co-optees will be sought out.
NC/06/2005
(i) Form a working party, comprising the Chancellor, Pro Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, Guild President, Director of Human Resources, Alison Gaines and Assoc. Prof. Nick Costa, to conduct the search to identify suitable candidates for selection as the next Chancellor, noting that the Chancellor will not take part in the decision to recommend the final proposed candidate.
GNC/12/2005 Amend the Standing Orders in the terms attached (changes in mark up), noting that the discretion to permit proxy voting does not arise unless at least 25% of the members of Senate are unable to attend.

16. HONORARY AWARDS AND CEREMONIAL COMMITTEE

The Honorary Awards and Ceremonial Committee meeting was held on 12/08/2007. The minutes of the meeting and proposed resolutions to Senate will be provided separately due to time constraints.

17. LEGISLATION COMMITTEE

The minute of the Legislation Committee resolution by circulation dated 09/08/2005 is attached. The following items contain recommendations to Senate:

LC/8/2005 Endorse Academic Council recommendations (minutes dated 15/06/2005 and 20/07/2005) to amend Diploma Regulations, Bachelor Degree Regulations and Master by Coursework Degree Regulations (AC/82/2005, AC/92/2005, AC/93/2005, AC/109/2005).

18. RESOURCES COMMITTEE

The minutes of the Resources Committee meeting held on 02/08/2007 are attached. The following items contain a recommendation to Senate:

AEG Note the foreshadowed application for affiliated institution status.
SGA Note the proposed business relationship and foreshadowed application for affiliated institution status.

19. OFFICIAL SEAL

In accordance with resolution S/54/2004, the General Counsel & University Secretary has provided a report detailing the documents to which the official seal has been affixed since the last Senate meeting.

20. SENATE MEETING DATES 2005

20.1 The Senate’s meeting dates for 2007 and respective closing dates for agenda items are attached.
20.2

Rather than the Senate holding one meeting at Rockingham and one in Mandurah each year, the Senate and Academic Council will alternate between each location each year.

In 2005 the Senate’s June meeting was at Rockingham and the Academic Council’s March meeting was at Mandurah. This will be reversed in 2006.

21. MATTERS FOR INFORMATION

21.1 The Office of Legal & Governance has prepared a guide for staff regarding compliance with the law relating to anti-competition conduct and unfair practices. A hard copy of this guide is included in the agenda for Senate members and an electronic copy is available at: https://www.legal.murdoch.edu.au/common/TPAcomplianceguide.pdf
21.2 A copy of any newspaper or other articles of relevance or interest are attached.

PART D - CONFIDENTIAL MATTERS

22. AEG AND MURDOCH COLLEGE LITIGATION

The General Counsel & University Secretary will provide a verbal report to Senate
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