24 May 2006 - Senate Minutes

Present:
Em. Prof. Geoffrey Bolton (Chair)
Prof. John Yovich (Vice Chancellor)
Mr Brian Aitken
Ms Janice Bowra
Prof. Stuart Bradley
Mr Terry Budge
Assoc. Prof. Nick Costa
Ms Alison Gaines
Sir William Heseltine
Mr Philip Hocking
Assoc. Prof. Jim Macbeth
Mr Malcolm Macpherson
Judge Kate O’Brien

Secretary: Samantha Summerton

Observers:
Mr Ian Callahan (DVC – Corporate)
Prof. Gary Martin (DVC – Enterprise & International)
Prof. Andris Stelbovics (DVC – Research)
Prof. Jan Thomas (DVC – Academic)
Prof. Michael Borowitzka (President, Academic Council)
Prof. Yianni Attikiouzel
Prof. Arnold Depickere
Assoc. Prof. Michael Campion

Apologies
Mr Mal Bradley, Mr Gerry Georgatos, Mr Garry Hunt, Ms Carolyn Jakobsen, Ms Shirley McPherson, Prof. Jim Reynoldson

MEMBERSHIP
APOLOGIES
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (MURDOCH UNIVERSITY ACT s17A)
CHANCELLORS SEARCH WORKING PARTY
VICE CHANCELLOR’S REPORT
DEPUTY CHANCELLORSHIP
MINUTES
DECISIONS BY CIRCULATION
ACADEMIC COUNCIL
GOVERNANCE & NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE
LEGISLATION COMMITTEE
OFFICIAL SEAL

1.MEMBERSHIP

Due to a delay from the Department of Education, the term of Judge Kate O’Brien which expired on 15.05.2006 has not been formally renewed. In order to allow Judge O’Brien to participate in proceedings, the Chancellor moved the following resolution:

Resolved:
S/17/2006

To invite Judge Kate O’Brien to attend the 24/05/2006 Senate meeting as a fully participating and voting member of Senate.

2.APOLOGIES

Mr Mal Bradley, Mr Gerry Georgatos, Mr Garry Hunt, Ms Carolyn Jakobsen, Ms Shirley McPherson, Prof. Jim Reynoldson.

3.DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (MURDOCH UNIVERSITY ACT s17A)

Nil.

4.CHANCELLORS SEARCH WORKING PARTY

Ms Alison Gaines, the Chair of the Chancellors Search Working Party, spoke to Senate in camera. She spoke to Senate members about the instruments and processes used to ascertain the candidates. Key considerations were passion for and commitment to the University, a strong employment background and standing in the community and the availability to value add to the University. The Committee eventually nominated Mr Terry Budge as the best candidate for the role of Chancellor. A unanimous Senate vote resolved the following:

Resolved:
S/18/2006

(i)	To appoint Mr Terry Budge as the Chancellor of Murdoch University on 29 November 2006, for a term of three years.
(ii)	To request the Vice Chancellor authorise a media release announcing the appointment of Mr Budge and the impending retirement of Emeritus Professor Bolton.
(iii)	To request the Vice Chancellor consider the form of acknowledgement of the retirement of Emeritus Professor Bolton, to celebrate his service to the University and an acknowledgement of Mr Budge as the new Chancellor.
(iv)	To thank Ms Gaines and the members of the Chancellors Search Working Party to their efforts and dedication to this task.

5.VICE CHANCELLOR'S REPORT

The Vice Chancellor spoke to his report. Key points made during discussion included the following:

Thanks to Professor Jan Thomas and her team for the excellent work done in achieving a very successful AUQA exercise;
After discussions with Julie Bishop in Canberra, it was noted that Australia will be developing its own RQF model.
The impact of the RQF will be seen in the move to attract the best minds to teach at universities and not just concentrating on research;
Further emphasis has been placed on universities moving towards specialisation and rationalisation;
Ms Alison Gaines spoke to the Senate regarding her attendance at the Chancellor’s Conference held at UTS in April 2006.

6.DEPUTY CHANCELLORSHIP

The Chancellor announced to Senate that Judge Kate O’Brien’s term as Deputy Chancellor would expire on 08/07/2006 and that she did not wish to serve for a further term. The Chancellor invited expressions of interest for the role and would announce potential candidates in the following weeks.

7.MINUTES

Senate confirmed the minutes of the meeting held on 05/04/2006. It also noted a report of action taken to implement previous resolutions of Senate.

8.DECISIONS BY CIRCULATION

Senate noted the following matters which had been approved by circulation. The date of effect was 23/05/2006, when a majority of members had voted in support.

Resolved:
S/20/2006

To ratify the amendments to Statute 22 - Fees in the terms 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.ACADEMIC COUNCIL

Senate noted the minutes of the meeting of the Academic Council held on 12/04/2006. 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.

10.GOVERNANCE & NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE

Senate noted the minutes of the meeting of the Governance & Nominations Committee held on 15/05/2006 and resolved in accordance with the recommendation of the committee as follows:

Resolved:
S/21/2006

To appoint the following individuals to the following Senate Committees:

(i)	Gerry Georgatos, Guild President to the Legislation Committee for the duration of his term on Senate (31/12/2006)
(ii)	Craig Spence, Director, Commercial Services to the Environmental Committee for a three year term commencing on 25/05/2006
(ii)	Beth Strang, president of MUEnSA, to the Environmental Committee for a term of one year, commencing on 25/05/2006

Resolved:
S/22/2006

To co-opt of Mr Tony Ianello to Senate for a term of three years commencing on 24/05/2006.

11.LEGISLATION COMMITTEE

Senate noted the minutes of the Legislation Committee dated 23/05/2006 and resolved in accordance with the recommendation of the committee as follows:

Resolved: S/23/2006	To amend the following regulations in the terms attached (changes shown in mark-up): Certificate regulation 1(c) (mark ups attached) Degree regulation 1(1) (mark ups attached) Diploma regulation 1(1)(b) (mark ups attached)
Resolved: S/24/2006	To amend the Guild Election regulation 3.3 in the terms attached (changes shown in mark-up):

12.OFFICIAL SEAL

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

Murdoch University Senate

24 May 2006 - Senate Minutes