6 June 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 Mr Tony Iannello Mr Darren Munday Ms Maxine Murray Mr Paul Niardone Ms Courtney Robertson Dr Lyndy Scott (by telephone) Ms Eva Skira Ms Basha Stasak Dr Stewart Washer
Secretary:	Mr Jeremy Rigg
Observers:	Mr Ian Callahan (DVC – Corporate) Prof. Gary Martin (DVC – Faculty, Enterprise & International) Prof. Jim Reynoldson (DVC – Research) Prof. Jan Thomas (DVC – Academic) Mr John Pike Ms Trudi McGlade Ms Anne Randall
Apologies	Dr Marian Kemp

1. MEMBERSHIP
2. APOLOGIES
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (MURDOCH UNIVERSITY ACT s17A)
4. CONFIRMATION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
5. VICE CHANCELLOR'S REPORT
6. NEW BUILDINGS
7. POSITION OF THE CHANCELLOR
8. MURDOCH UNIVERSITY VETERINARY HOSPITAL (MUVH) BAD DEBTS
9. ACADEMIC COUNCIL
10. RESOURCES COMMITTEE
11. OFFICIAL SEAL
12. FUTURE SENATE MEETING DATES FOR 2009

Meeting commenced at 3:50pm

1.MEMBERSHIP

The Chancellor welcomed members to the meeting. 

2.APOLOGIES

Dr Marian Kemp.

3.DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (MURDOCH UNIVERSITY ACT s17A)

The Chancellor declared an interest in relation to Item 7 of the agenda, and indicated that he would vacate the Chair for this item and leave the meeting, with the item to be Chaired by the Deputy Chancellor.

The Deputy Chancellor advised Senate that, as of December 2008, she no longer held any association with the Kaplan Education Group.

4.CONFIRMATION OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

Senate confirmed the minutes of the meeting held on 29th April 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, highlighting the following:

• Murdoch has been awarded $25 million towards the establishment of a National Centre of Excellence in Desalination to be based at the Rockingham campus.  This is the largest single such grant to have been awarded in Western Australia.


• The Federal government budget provided for an allocation of $15 million to the Royal Institution of Australia in support of the establishment of a national science exchange.  Murdoch University is a key partner and is the Western Australian node for this Institution.

It was also noted that Senate member Courtney Robertson had achieved the distinction of being nominated as finalist in the Western Australian Citizen of the Year Awards 2009, Youth Award category.  Senate congratulated Ms Robertson on this achievement.

The Chancellor moved from the Chair that Senate commend the Vice Chancellor and the executive team for achieving the award of the significant grant of funds towards the Centre of Excellence in Desalination.

Resolved: S/19/2009

That the Chancellor, on behalf of Senate, pass on his congratulations to the Vice Chancellor, the executive team and other key staff members on the receipt of Federal and State government funding for towards the establishment of a National Centre of Excellence in Desalination.

 

6.NEW BUILDINGS

Murdoch Institute of Technology (MIT) and Business School

Members noted that at the Resources Committee meeting on 6 May 2009, a proposal for a new building to house the Murdoch Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Business School had been considered.  As that meeting had been inquorate the matter had been circulated to members of the Resources Committee for decision by circular resolution. 

Members had before them a briefing paper setting out the proposal for the development, the notes of the inquorate meeting and the decisions taken by circular.  

Mr Tony Iannello, Chair of the Resources Committee, spoke to the proposal Mr Iannello noted that the Committee had requested additional information when the proposal was presented to its February meeting.  The Committee was satisfied that the business case was now more clearly articulated, and has recommended (RC/12/2009) that Senate approve the new development.

Senate resolved in accordance with the recommendation of the Committee.

Resolved: S/20/2009	(i)	to authorise the MIT and School Academic Office Building to proceed to tender; and
	(ii)	provided that tender outcomes are within reasonable limits of $8.1m estimated project cost, authorise the Vice Chancellor to execute building contracts for the project.

7.POSITION OF CHANCELLOR

This item was heard in camera with the Chancellor and all observers withdrawing.

The Deputy Chancellor led a discussion on the process for appointing the Chancellor in accordance with existing University policy and as outlined in the paper attached to the agenda.

It was noted that the process included an opportunity to provide feedback in relation to the position of Chancellor. Members of Senate were encouraged to contact the Deputy Chancellor to provide any feedback, and the possibility was raised of holding a forum for Senate members to discuss such feedback if there was sufficient interest to do so.

The proposed membership of the subcommittee for reporting on the ballot of Senate members was outlined, and Senate resolved to establish the subcommittee accordingly.

Resolved: S/21/2009

To establish a subcommittee, to report to Senate at the next meeting on the result of a ballot of Senators in relation to the position of Chancellor for the period 29 November 2009 to 28 November 2012, comprising: Deputy Chancellor (as Chair) three lay Senators (Mr Tony Iannello, Mr Brian Aitken and Ms Janice Bowra) one of the Senators elected by the academic staff (Professor Nick Costa) the Senator elected by the general staff (Mr Darren Munday) one of the Senators elected by the students (Ms Basha Stasak), and the Vice Chancellor

 

8. MURDOCH UNIVERSITY VETERINARY HOSPITAL (MUVH) BAD DEBTS

The Veterinary Surgeons Act 1960 (WA) obliges veterinary hospitals to relieve pain and suffering, whether by conservative treatment or euthanasia, regardless of clients’ ability to pay. For this reason, MUVH annually has a number of bad debts.

The matter had been considered by the Resources Committee at its meeting of 6 May 2009 and subsequent decisions by circular resolution. The Resources Committee had resolved (RC/13/2009) to recommend the write off of these debts to Senate

Resolved: S/22/2009

To approve the write off of bad debts accrued by Murdoch Veterinary Hospital at 22 April 2009 in the amount set out in the agenda.

9.ACADEMIC COUNCIL

Senate noted the minutes of the Academic Council meetings held on 15 April 2009 and 13 May 2009.  Members noted the summary of the panel report for the School of Chiropractic and Sports Science Review.

10.RESOURCES COMMITTEE

Senate noted the Notes of the Inquorate meeting of the Resources Committee held on 6 May 2009 and also the subsequent Decisions by Circular Resolution effective 19 May 2009.

11.OFFICIAL SEAL

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

12.FUTURE SENATE MEETING DATES FOR 2009

Members noted the future meeting dates for 2009.

 

The meeting closed at 4:20pm