29 April 2009 - Senate Minutes

Present:	Mr Terry Budge (Chair) Prof John Yovich (Vice Chancellor) Mr Brian Aitken Ms Janice Bowra Prof Nick Costa Assoc Prof Lance Fung Mr Russell Gibbs Mr Garry Hunt Dr Marion Kemp Ms Maxine Murray Mr Paul Niardone Ms Courtney Robertson Dr Lyndy Scott Ms Basha Stasak Dr Stewart Washer
Secretary:	Mr Jeremy Rigg
Observers:	Mr Ian Callahan (DVC – Corporate) Prof. Jim Reynoldson (DVC – Research) Prof. Jan Thomas (DVC – Academic) Prof. Gary Martin (DVC – Faculty, Enterprise & International) Assoc. Prof Beverly Thiele (President, Academic Council) Mr John Pike Ms Trudi McGlade
Apologies	Mr Tony Iannello, Mr Darren Munday, Ms Eva Skira

1. MEMBERSHIP
2. APOLOGIES
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (MURDOCH UNIVERSITY ACT s17A)
4. CONFIRMATION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
5. VICE CHANCELLOR'S REPORT
6. MURDOCH UNIVERSITY MASTERPLAN
7. THE EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH FOR AUSTRALIA (ERA) INITIATIVE
8. LEGISLATION COMMITTEE
9. MEMBERSHIP OF SENATE COMMITTEES
10. ACADEMIC COUNCIL
11. CHANCELLOR'S COMMITTEE
12. HONORARY AWARDS & CEREMONIAL COMMITTEE
13. OFFICIAL SEAL
14. GRADUATION CEREMONIES 2010
15. FUTURE SENATE MEETING DATES FOR 2009

Meeting commenced at 4:35pm

1.MEMBERSHIP

1.1	On behalf of Senate the Chancellor welcomed Associate Professor Lance Fung to his first Senate meeting.  Members noted that Associate Professor Fung had been elected from the Academic Staff to fill the casual vacancy caused by the resignation of Dr Jacqui Phillips, for a term through to 29/11/2011.  Associate Professor Fung provided a brief outline of his background and noted that he was honoured to be able to serve on the Senate.
1.2	Members noted that Mr Tony Ianello’s current term on Senate expires on 23/05/2009 and that he had indicated that he was willing to be co-opted for a further term.  On the recommendation of the Governance and Nominations Committee. Senate resolved that Mr Tony Iannello be co-opted to the Senate for a term of three years.
	Resolved: S/16/2009	to co-opt Mr Tony Iannello to the Senate for a term of three years to 23/05/2012.
1.3	Members noted that Professor Nick Costa’s term on Senate expires on 22/10/2009 and that an election will be held later this year to fill this position. Members also noted that the Chancellor’s term expires in November 2009.  and the process for filling the position will be managed by the Deputy Chancellor.

2.APOLOGIES

Mr Tony Iannello, Mr Darren Munday, Ms Eva Skira.

3.DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (MURDOCH UNIVERSITY ACT s17A)

Associate Professor Fung noted in relation to item 10 of the agenda, that he is a staff member of the School of Information Technology.

4.CONFIRMATION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

Senate confirmed the minutes of the meeting held on 25/02/2009 and noted the report of action on resolutions passed at this meeting.

5.VICE CHANCELLOR'S REPORT

The Vice Chancellor spoke to his report to Senate, with emphasis on the issues raised in the Commonwealth Government Response to the Bradley Review. In particular, it was noted that:

• The prevailing view in the Higher Education sector is that significant regulatory changes are likely to precede any significant increase in funding.

• There is competitive tension between a number of policy objectives contemplated by the Review.  For example, the objective of significantly increasing student numbers may potentially limit the ability to increase funding on a per student basis.

• The splitting of Education and Research across Ministerial portfolios may also create some policy divergence that will need careful consideration within the sector.

• It is hoped that the Federal Budget (to be released on 12/05/2009) will provide greater detail on a number of the policy objectives that have been included in the Government's response.

The Chancellor noted that the Senate retreat will provide an opportunity to consider the impact of the Review and the University’s options in responding to the likely reforms.

The recently launched Murdoch University television commercial was shown to Senate. The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Corporate) outlined the objectives and target audience for the advertisement, and noted that it is supported by an extensive on-line campaign and broader strategy that includes linking other marketing activities (such as press ads and school visits) to this theme.

6.MURDOCH UNIVERSITY MASTERPLAN

The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Corporate) spoke to this item.  The history of the previous Masterplan, adopted by Senate in 2004, was outlined.
A number of significant developments since 2004 (including the Fiona Stanley Hospital and proposed relocation of DAFWA) warranted an update to the plan.  It was noted that the version presented to Senate for approval was prepared from a program of consultation with key stakeholders including the local community, City of Melville and the Western Australian Planning Commission.
The following core principles for the plan were highlighted to Senate:

• The maintenance and effective operation of the veterinary farm.

• Improving public transport access by linking the University to the new Southern passenger railway.

• Earmarking the Eastern Precinct for a future phase of building because of its proximity to the public transport node and other infrastructure.

• Recognising modern trends in university evolution to integrate collaborative and complementary industry and business opportunities with teaching and research.

• The development of the campus as an open university town.

The following aspects of the proposed Masterplan were discussed:

• The areas of expansion in relation to St Ives and student accommodation.

• The proposed reduction in size of the playing field in light of the high cost of maintenance (and in particular, the volume of water consumption) relative to the level of utilisation.

• The preservation of wetland, natural bush areas and environmental corridors (including plans to assist with Carnaby’s black cockatoo habitats).

• The linking of the campus to the proposed Main Street from the Fiona Stanley Hospital development provides improved public transport access.

• The possibility of state planning guidelines for the proposed Murdoch Activity Centre being imposed on the Eastern Precinct of the campus.

It was noted that the proposed Murdoch Activity Centre that accompanies the Fiona Stanley Hospital would be likely to see traffic in excess of the current capacity of the local road network, and that provision of parking will be restricted and become a more significant cost in future developments.

A member of Senate suggested that the discussion of the Eastern Precinct within the plan should refer to the University’s current position in relation to the scope of its powers to undertake commercial activities to fund the University’s objectives. 

The comments made by the Environmental Committee were also briefly discussed.  Although not specifically addressed in the plan, it was noted that both the issue of green ratings for buildings and the preservation of the flooded gums in the vicinity of Murdoch College, will be able to be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Senate resolved to adopt the Masterplan.

Resolved: S/17/2009

Subject to incorporating the comments of Senate, to adopt the Murdoch University South Street Campus Development Strategy and Development Design Guidelines to guide the future development of the South Street Campus.

7.THE EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH FOR AUSTRALIA (ERA) AUSTRALIA

The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research) spoke to the agenda paper on this item, outlining the approach to measuring quality of research proposed under the Excellence in Research Australia (ERA)
Some of the key points included:

• That the quantitative approach to assessment will advantage larger research groups, purely on volume of articles published, which may be of the same quality as those from smaller research groups.

• The classification of journal articles into distinct groups may create some anomalies of adequate recognition of research outputs in interdisciplinary areas.

• The implications for university research groups of having a low ranking or not being ranked in an area are not clear at this stage, but there are indications that in may result in reduced access to grants, funding and ability to supervise higher degree research students in those areas.

It was noted that a trial of the ERA will occur this year to evaluate the Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences and Humanities and Creative Arts clusters. The outcomes of these trials will inform the full ERA process in 2010, and it is hoped that some anomalies in relation to conflicts between the ERA and existing government policy may be resolved through this process.  It is likely that there would be a second iteration of the ERA within the subsequent 5 years.

The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research) expressed the view that research specialisation and concentration in the sector will be likely to occur in an immediate and dramatic fashion if the ERA is implemented, and that the strategies to ensure that Murdoch University retains its position as one of the leading research universities in Australia need to be carefully considered.  In this regard, it was noted that the adoption of the new Research Institutes structure is proving to be effective in development of interdisciplinary and university-wide approaches in a number of different fields, which should provide an advantage in gaining funding for such projects and optimising the use of our skills and strengths.

Senate agreed that the implications of the ERA and the University’s likely response would be a key topic for discussion at the Senate retreat.

8. LEGISLATION COMMITTEE

Senate noted the minutes of the Legislation Committee decision by circular resolution effective 09/04/2009.  The General Counsel and University Secretary advised of a further minor wording change to clause 13(b) of the Bachelor Degree Regulations to refer to “a major/course” as opposed to solely “a course”, consistent with the drafting of earlier clauses of those Regulations.  Senate resolved as follows: 

Resolved: S/18/2009	To approve the following amendments to legislation (as set out in the attachment to the agenda)
	(i)	delete extract 49 of the ‘Bachelor Degree Regulations’;
	(ii)	amend Clause 13 of the ‘Academic Progress Rules for Bachelor Degrees’ (with the additional amendment proposed at the meeting);
	(iii)	amend Clause 9 of the ‘Academic Progress Rules for Postgraduate Coursework Qualifications’;
	(iv)	amend Clause 42 of the ‘Rules on Credit and Exemptions’;
	(v)	amend Clause 41 of the ‘Postgraduate Coursework Regulations’; and
	(vi)	amend Clause 39 of the ‘Professional Doctorate  Regulations’.

9.MEMBERSHIP OF SENATE COMMITTEES

Members noted that Associate Professor Fung replaces Dr Phillips as a member of the Legislation Committee.  

10.ACADEMIC COUNCIL

Senate noted the minutes of the Academic Council meetings held on 04/03/2009 and 07/04/2009.  Members also noted the summary of the panel report for the School of Information Technology Review. 

11.CHANCELLOR'S COMMITTEE

Performance objectives - Vice Chancellor

Senate noted the Vice Chancellor’s priority performance objectives for the year to 31/10/ 2009 which had been approved by circular decision of the Chancellor’s Committee dated 10/03/2009 (Resolution CC/01/2009).

12.HONORARY AWARDS & CEREMONIAL COMMITTEE

Senate noted the minutes of the Honorary Awards and Ceremonial Committee held on 24/03/2009.

13.OFFICIAL SEAL

Senate noted the official seal report provided in accordance with resolution S/51/2007.

14.GRADUATION CEREMONIES 2010

Members noted are advised that the graduation dates for 2010 had been confirmed as follows:

• Wednesday 3 March 2010

• Wednesday 10 March 2010

• Thursday 18 March 2010

• Thursday 16 September 2010

Senate members were strongly encouraged to attend to support our students in this celebration.

15.FUTURE SENATE MEETING DATES FOR 2009

Members noted the future meeting dates for 2009.

Meeting concluded at 6:35pm