On 24/10/2006, the Murdoch University Veterinary Trust voted to re-appoint 4 trustee members for a term of 3 years commencing on 01/01/2007. Senate resolved in accordance with the recommendation of the trust as follows:

This item was discussed in camera with the minute attached.

The DVC (Enterprise & International) spoke to Senate on the student load and number trends for 2003-2006. Key points from this discussion included:

• The University recorded a record high in 2006 for total student load in all categories;
• The Peel campus saw a large percentage jump in student load due to the implementation of the Nursing programme;
• The University has a very high number of mature aged students. A drop in this group across the WA education sector due to high employment rates has highlighted the need for the University to work hard to retain and increase this group.
• The University has seen a significant increase in the heads of total international onshore student numbers, which is substantially better than most universities in Australia.

The DVC (Research) presented a report on the University’s Research position for 2005 & 2006. Key points from this discussion included:

• The University did not lodge as many research grants over 2005 period as many researchers were involved in co-operative research centres and not operating independently;
• The University has a recruitment and succession planning programme for its researchers to ensure continuity in leadership of areas of strength;
• The University is forefront in the IRUA group for research income, staff, grants and students;
• Murdoch University has improved its position in the top 500 ranking of research universities in the world by 14 places according to the most recent Shanghai Jiao Tong University index;
• Murdoch has been successful in 2005 in securing two State Centres of Excellence, a core partnership in three new Cooperative Research Centres and a major role in a new Federal Centre of Excellence;
• Professor Simon Mallal, the Director of the Centre for Clinical Immunology and Biomedical Statistics received the 2005 Premier’s Award in Achievement in Science;
• A new Research Quality Framework Process will replace the existing Research Block Grant Scheme in 2009. Murdoch University is positioning itself to optimise its funding in the new framework.

Senate noted the minutes of the meeting of the Academic Council held on 13/09/2007. 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.

Senate noted the minutes of the Legislation Committee (on a decision by circulation) dated 12/10/2007 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 03/10/2006 and resolved the attached resolutions in accordance with the recommendation of the committee.

While preparing these minutes it was noted that the document detailing policy statement number 1601 was not attached to the 25/10/2006 agenda. This item will be included on the next agenda to ensure the resolution is correctly passed..

On the recommendation of the Student Guild, Senate resolved to amend Schedule A of the Fees Rules. This amendment will be implemented by the Vice Chancellor using his delegated authority.