22 October 2008 - Senate Agenda

1. MEMBERSHIP
2. APOLOGIES
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
4. VICE CHANCELLOR'S REPORT
    
   PART A - ITEMS FOR APPROVAL
5. FACULTY REGULATIONS
   

   PART B - ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

6. ANNUAL REPORT ON STUDENT LOAD
7. REPORT FROM GUILD OF STUDENTS

PART C - OTHER ITEMS

8. CONFIRMATION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
9. ACADEMIC COUNCIL
10. AUDIT & RISK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
11. LEGISLATION COMMITTEE
12. RESOURCES COMMITTEE
13. OFFICIAL SEAL
14. SENATE MEETING DATES 2008 & 2009
15. MATTERS FOR INFORMATION/NOTING

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1. MEMBERSHIP

1.1	A list of current Senate members is attached, together with a summary of Senate's roles and responsibilities.
1.2	Janice Bowra has been elected by Convocation unopposed for a further 3 year term.

2. APOLOGIES

There are no apologies for this meeting.

3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Section 17A and Division 2 of Schedule 1 of the Murdoch University Act require all members of Senate who have a material personal interest in a matter being considered or about to be considered: (i)to declare the nature and extent of the interest; and (ii) not to be present during consideration of the matter, nor vote on it.

4. VICE CHANCELLOR'S REPORT

The Vice Chancellor will speak to his report to Senate, a copy of which is attached.  Accompanying the Vice Chancellor’s report is an update from the DVC (Academic), Professor Jan Thomas, on the higher education environment and performance highlights.

 

PART A - ITEMS FOR APPROVAL

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5. FACULTY REGULATIONS

The Faculty Regulations were presented to the August meeting of Senate, and as a result of discussion at the meeting Senate requested that they be given further consideration by the Working Party and Academic Council.  This process has resulted in a number of revisions to the Regulations, as described in the attached briefing paper, which address the concerns that had been raised.

Senate is asked to approve the attached revised version Faculty Regulations, as amended by Academic Council at its meeting on 17/09/2008 and approved by the Legislation Committee by circular resolution on 10/10/2008 (see item 11).

 

PART B - OTHER ISSUES FOR DISCUSSION

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6. ANNUAL REPORT ON STUDENT LOAD

The DVC (Faculty, Enterprise & International), Professor Gary Martin, will speak to his attached report.

7. REPORT FROM THE GUILD OF STUDENTS

The President of the Guild of Students, Ms Clare Middlemas, and the Education Vice President, Ms Basha Stasak, will speak to the Guild’s report on their achievements and highlights for 2008.

 

PART C - ITEMS EN BLOC

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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.

8. CONFIRMATION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

8.1	Confirmation of the attached minutes of the meeting held on 27/08/2008
8.2	Note the attached report of action on resolutions passed at the previous meeting.

9. ACADEMIC COUNCIL

The minutes of the Academic Council meeting held on 17/09/2008 are attached. Other than matters of legislation dealt with at item 5 above and item 11 below, there were no recommendations to Senate.

10. AUDIT & RISK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The minutes of the Audit & Risk Management Committee meeting held on 05/08/2008 are attached. There were no recommendations to Senate.

11. LEGISLATION COMMITTEE

The minute of the Legislation Committee decision by circular resolution effective of 10/10/2008 is attached. The following items contain recommendations to Senate:

Resolved: LC/05/2008	to approve the attached amendments to the Postgraduate Coursework Regulations  (AC/103/2008, AC/119/2008 andAC/120/2008).
Resolved: LC/06/2008	to approve the attached Faculty Regulations (AC/113/2008) which will replace the Faculty Regulations implemented under S/49/2007, in its entirety.

12. RESOURCES COMMITTEE

The minutes of the Resources Committee meeting held on 24/09/2008 are attached. There were no recommendations to Senate.

13. OFFICIAL SEAL

In accordance with resolution S/51/2007, the General Counsel & University Secretary has attached a report detailing the documents to which the official seal has been affixed since the last Senate meeting.

14. SENATE MEETING DATES FOR 2008

The Senate’s meeting dates for 2008 and 2009 and respective closing dates for agenda items are attached.

15. MATTERS FOR INFORMATION

A copy of any newspaper or other articles of relevance or interest are attached.