The Vice Chancellor preceded his report by congratulating Prof Nick Costa on saving the life of Prof Geoff Tudor while on a research project in Tibet. Prof Costa performed CPR on Prof Tudor, who had suffered a heart attack. A significant mobilisation effort was also undertaken by the University to get Prof Tudor appropriate health care and back to Perth.

The Vice Chancellor spoke to his report. Key highlights included:

• The efforts of the Art Board in reviewing the strategies for acquisitions and management of the University’s art collection should be acknowledged. The collection is becoming well known and respected as evidenced both by the significant donations of works, and the number of requests for loans of artworks for exhibitions.
• The Elite Athlete Friendly Universities program has now been in place for three years. The level of activity within the program has been increasing and progress has been positive and well received.
• The implementation of the Federal government’s Research Quality Framework is proceeding. In readiness for the RQF, the University will be undertaking a detailed review of its research groups to classify each of them into one of four tiers based on the quality of their outputs.
• Mid year student recruitment campaign has been highly successful in an environment of flattening student demand and increasing competition. Over 900 offers were made, a 17% increase on the numbers as compared to last year, which will be a significant boost for our 2008 student numbers.
• Murdoch University hosted the International Conference on Solution Chemistry, the first time it had been held in the southern hemisphere. The conference organising committee did an excellent job and achieved full registration for the event.
• The outstanding work of the Development Office has continued, with the donations to the Theologian Program well in excess of the target of $750,000. This funding is to be used to support an annual visit from an international theologian.
• The Singapore Manufacturers Association School of Management, one of Murdoch’s partners in offshore program delivery, recently won three awards for best new private education organisation, and for its management studies and finance programs. The University has published a congratulatory advertisement in the Straits Times.

Following the recent meeting of the Murdoch University Veterinary Trust’s Board of Trustees, the Vice Chancellor recommended the appointment of Dr David Neck as a trustee.

The Vice Chancellor also advised Senate as to the recent revision by the National Health and Medical Research Council of its statement on ethical human research, and proposed that Senate affirmed its previous resolution adopting this statement as University policy.

The Chair of the Environmental Committee, Mr Garry Hunt spoke to this report. Mr Hunt thanked staff members Mr Robin Lees, Mr Craig Spence, Ms Lisa Spiers and Ms Caroline Minton for the significant roles they played in the effective running of the Committee and the production of the report.

Mr Hunt reiterated to Senate that under the terms of reference for the Environmental Committee, its role is of an advisory and monitoring nature. The Committee is not an arbiter on development activities. It is important to highlight this issue to ensure that the Committee remains focussed and effective.

Over 2006, the academic members of the Committee assisted greatly in integrating the work of the Committee with the University community.

The key activities of the Environmental Committee in 2006 included development of an Environmental Management System, regeneration of flora across the campus, and involvement in the campus planning around the Murdoch Activity Centre and transit oriented development. The issue of carbon neutrality for the campus has been raised and the Committee will be considering this at subsequent meetings.

It was noted that some figures showed erratic trends, due to anomalies in data collection methods. Mr Hunt confirmed that greater rigour is now applied to collection of data, and future reports will also account for important context such as rainfall levels, or changes in the gross floor area for the built campus.

The Director of Development, Mrs Vicky Dodds, updated Senate on the activity of the University’s fundraising that had taken place since her last presentation at the 25 October 2006 Senate meeting.

Mrs Dodds briefly re-iterated the background information to the fundraising project as presented in October for the benefit of the new Senate members and then explained the structure and goals for the IIID fundraising project.

The University is looking to meet its fund raising target through a mix of donors that will include individuals, companies, trusts and foundations. Work is currently being done to refine a list of potential donors to the most appropriate for contacting in relation to this campaign.

Other benefits of the campaign include growing Murdoch’s reputation in the field of health and medical research, and the strengthening relationships with potential volunteers and donors for future fundraising efforts. In addition, the campaign is also raising the profile of Dr Simon Mallal and his work.

Efforts are currently under way to recruit volunteers for key positions in leading the campaign and Bill and Melinda Gates have been invited to be international patrons. The current time line for the campaign, which runs to late 2008, was presented to Senate.

Senate members have been very helpful in the implementation to date and are asked to continue their assistance by attending campaign events and by speaking for the campaign in the wider community.

The Guild President, Mr Reece Harley spoke to the Guild report that was distributed at the 13 June 2007 Senate meeting. He outlined the role and structure of the Guild and the Student Executive and the four broad areas that the Guild covered:

• Services and outlets;
• Political representation;
• Events, activities, clubs & societies; and
• Education & welfare.

Senate was also advised that, over the past two years, the Guild has worked hard to achieve reforms to its governance and structure, and to increase its level of professionalism. The current levels of partnership between the Guild and the University have also been positive.

From a financial perspective, it was noted that the Guild’s focus has been on efforts to grow income rather than to cut services. Financial membership of the Guild currently stands at 37%, and service outlets must be profitable to support the running of the Guild. 2007 has seen the Guild maintain a positive financial position but the Guild’s long term aim is to be financially independent of its membership base and the University.

Senate noted the minutes of the meeting of the Academic Council held on 20/06/2007, and resolved in accordance with the recommendation of the committee as follows:

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

Senate noted the minutes of the meeting of the Governance & Nominations Committee held on 11/07/2005. There were no recommendations requiring a Senate resolution.

In Chancellor, in his capacity of Chair of the Governance & Nominations Committee, spoke to the minutes informing Senate that the Committee had considered DEST’s proposed review of the National Governance Protocols. The Committee supported the view that the Protocols are satisfactory in their current form, and that there was not a need for any immediate action by the University in relation to possible reforms.

The issue of observers at Senate was also addressed by the Committee who maintained that no further changes need to be considered. The Chancellor suggested that the status quo remain in place until the Senate Retreat in 2008, where the topic could be discussed and reviewed.

Senate also discussed the proposed information session for potential staff candidates for elected positions, and considered that they could be usefully adopted for the student and convocation positions on Senate.

Senate noted the minute of the Legislation Committee decision by circulation resolution effective of 20/06/2007 and resolved in accordance with the recommendation of the committee as follows: