Academic Board Meeting 2-2009

Index of Recommendations and Supplementary Papers

Meeting 2/2009 of the Academic Board will be helf on 22 April 2009, from 3.30pm-5.30pm, in the council Chamber, First Floor, Building 3A, Clayton Campus.

The Agenda papers have been circulated.  The Index of Recommendations is set out below and supplementary papers are attached.

Meetings of the Academic Board are attended by ex officio, elected and appointed members.  A non-member may request permission to attend a meeting of the Board as an observer by telephoning extension 59005.  Observers have no speaking or voting rights.

Members are remonded that items may be starred prior to the meeting by contacting the Secretary, or at the commencement of the meeting under item 2.1 of the Agenda.

Members' attention is directed to agenda item 6 - Questions on Notice.  Please note that questions relating to specific agenda items will be taken at the end of each such item.  Therfore, 24 hours' notice of questions not related to agenda items would be appreciated.

Tea and coffee will be served in the foyer prior to the meeting.

Rhonda Hinds
Secretary
15 April 2009

Members having a direct commercial or financial interest in any item before this meeting must declare that interest to the Chair via the Committee Secretary prior to consideration of the itme, and must not take part in a vote on any matter concerning it.

AGENDA

A     PRELIMINARY AND FORMAL BUSINESS

*1   WELCOME

2    ARRANGEMENT OF AGENDA

*2.1   Starring of Items

Members who wish a non-starred item to be discussed may so request at this point.

* 2.2   Approval of Non-Starred Items

The Chair will move:

That the recommendations of the Steering Committee be adopted without discussion for all items other than those starred.

2.3 Confidential Items – Faculty Discipline Committee Reports (Members Only)

3    MINUTES

*3.1   Minutes of Academic Board Meeting 1/2009

The Minutes of Meeting 1/2009, held on Wednesday 25 February 2009, were distributed to members via email on 9 March 2009.

Recommendation:

That the Minutes of Academic Board Meeting 1/2009, held on 25 February 2009, be confirmed.

3.2   Business arising from the Minutes

3.2.1  Schedule of Action Items                38-39

The updated Schedule of Action Items is attached for noting.

Recommendation:

That Academic Board receive and note the updated Schedule of Action Items.

3.2.2   The use of information technology in assessment (Minutes item 6.1)
40-41

Attached for the Board’s consideration is a briefing paper from Associate Professor Cristina Varsavsky, Chair of the Assessment Working Party.

Recommendation:

That Academic Board receive and consider the attached proposals regarding the use of information technology in assessment.

4    PRESIDENT’S BUSINESS

4.1   President’s Report

Professor Jayne Godfrey will report.

4.1.1  Establishment of the TAC/Worksafe Research Institute                253-256

Recommendation:

That Academic Board receive and note the President’s Report.

*5    VICE-CHANCELLOR’S BUSINESS

5.1   Vice-Chancellor’s Report                To follow

A report from the Vice-Chancellor is attached.

Recommendation:

That Academic Board receive and note the Vice-Chancellor’s report.

6    QUESTIONS ON NOTICE

Members are requested to provide at least 24 hours’ notice for questions on items not related to the agenda.

B     DIRECTION OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

*7    PRESENTATION – OFFICE OF THE CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER (CIO)
42-62

The Chief Information Officer, Mr Alan McMeekin, will present to Academic Board on the contribution of information technology to the University’s academic endeavours, with a particular emphasis on initiatives and projects.

Recommendation:

That Academic Board receive and note the presentation by Mr McMeekin.

8    ENVIRONMENTAL SCAN                63-64

Attached for information is an analysis of recent Federal Government announcements regarding policy changes in the tertiary education sector.

Recommendation:

That Academic Board receive and note the attached analysis.

C     SUPERVISION OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

9    ADMISSIONS AND LOAD REPORT                257-264

Attached for noting is the VTAC Admissions and Student Load 2009 Report.

Recommendation:

That Academic Board receive and note the VTAC Admissions and Student Load 2009 Report.

10    ACADEMIC PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND REVIEW                65-100

10.1   PhD in Theatre Performance

At its Meeting 4/2008, the Board of the Faculty of Arts endorsed the proposal for a PhD in Theatre Performance for transmission to the Research Graduate School Committee and external assessment.

Noting that the proposal had been reviewed by assessors, the Research Graduate School Committee, at its meeting 1/2009, endorsed for approval by Academic Board the attached proposal to introduce the degree of PhD in Theatre Performance.

Amendment to the Regulations pertaining to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy will be made in due course.

Recommendation:

That Academic Board:

• Endorse the establishment of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the specialty of Theatre Performance.
• Note that amendment to the Regulations pertaining to the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy will be made in due course.

*11    REPORTS FROM THE DEPUTY-VICE CHANCELLORS

Professor Edwina Cornish, Professor Stephanie Fahey and Professor Adam Shoemaker will report on the latest developments in the Research, International and Education Portfolios.

Recommendation:

That Academic Board receive and note the reports from the Deputy Vice-Chancellors.

D     GOVERNANCE

12    LEGISLATION

12.1   Guidelines under Monash University Statute 6.3 – Exclusion for Health Reasons
101-110

The attached Guidelines under Statute 6.3 have been drafted by the Office of the University Solicitor and approved by the Safer Community Committee.

Recommendation:

That Academic Board note the Guidelines under Monash University Statute 6.3 – Exclusion for Health Reasons.

13    POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND REVIEW

*13.1   Monash University Ethics Statement                111-118

Attached for the Board’s consideration is the draft Monash University Ethics Statement. Ms Karen Haywood, Divisional Director Human Resources will attend and speak to this item.

Recommendation:

That Academic Board consider and endorse the draft Monash University Ethics Statement for transmission to Council.

*13.2   Use of Animals in Coursework Programs                119-136

The Chair will introduce the attached briefing paper and proposed policy document. Dr Thomas Ford, University Panning and Statistics, will be in attendance to respond to queries.

Recommendation:

That Academic Board:

• Approve the Use of Animals in Coursework Programs Policy; and
• Note the Use of Animals in Coursework Programs Procedures approved by Education Committee Meeting 1/2009.

13.3   Unit Coding Policy and Procedures                137-146

At its Meeting 1/2009 the Education Committee endorsed the Unit Coding Policy for transmission to Academic Board and approved the accompanying Procedures.

Recommendation:

That Academic Board:

• Approve the Unit Coding Policy.
• Note the accompanying Unit Coding Procedures.

13.4   Collaborative Coursework Arrangements Policy and Transnational Quality Assurance Procedures                147-156

At its Meeting 1/2009 the Education Committee endorsed the Collaborative Coursework Arrangements Policy for transmission to Academic Board and approved the accompanying Transnational Quality Assurance Procedures.

Recommendation:

That Academic Board:

• Approve the Collaborative Coursework Arrangements Policy
• Note the accompanying Transnational Quality Assurance Procedures.

13.5   Coursework Course Review Policy and Procedures                157-166

At its Meeting 1/2009 the Education Committee endorsed the Collaborative Coursework Arrangements Policy for transmission to Academic Board and approved the accompanying Transnational Quality Assurance Procedures.

Recommendation:

That Academic Board:

• Approve the Coursework Course Review Policy
• Note the accompanying Procedures.

13.6   Academic Review Policy and Procedures                265-272

The attached Academic Review Policy was approved by Education Committee at its Meeting 1/2009 and by Monash University Research Committee at its Meeting 2/2009. Both Committees approved the accompanying Procedures.

Recommendation:

That Academic Board:

• Approve the Academic Review Policy
• Note the accompanying Procedures.

14    REVIEW OF STANDING COMMITTEES

14.1   Monash University Research Committee (MRC)                167-190

Attached for consideration by Academic Board is the report of the review of the MRC committee structure. The recommended changes were endorsed by MRC Meeting 1/2009.

Recommendation:

That Academic Board:

• Receive and note the Report of the Review of the Monash University Research Committee and its standing committees;
• Disestablish the Centre and Institute Directors Group (CIDG) as a standing committee of the Monash University Research Committee (MRC);
• Approve the revised Terms of Reference of the:  Monash University Research Committee (MRC);
  • Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee (MUHREC);
  • Monash University Animal Welfare Committee (MUAWC);
  • Monash University Institutional Biosafety Committee (MUIBC);
  • Monash University Clinical Research Governance Committee (MUCRGC).
• Note the role, constitution and operations of the:
  • Monash University Research IT Project Steering Committee;
  • Monash University Research Governance Implementation Committee; and
• Pursuant to section 2.1.2.5 of Statute 2.2 – Academic Board, delegate to the Monash University Research Committee (MRC) the power to constitute such committees as MRC shall think fit.

15    REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES

15.1   Research Graduate School Committee Meeting 1/2009 & 2/2009
191-196, 273-284

Recommendation:

That Academic Board:

• Receive and note the Report of Meeting 1/2009 and 2/2009 of the Research Graduate School Committee.
• Note the Guidelines for implementing HDR enrolments involving multi-disciplinary research institutes (excluding the Monash University Accident Research Centre) (RGSC 1/2009).
• Note the changes proposed to the documentation relating to the University’s English Language Proficiency requirements.
• Note documentation relating to MUELC Fee Waiver processing.
• Note changes to the handbook to reflect the regulations relating to confirmation and non-confirmation.

15.2   Monash University Research Committee Meeting 1/2009                197-198

Recommendation:

That Academic Board receive and note the Report of Meeting 1/2009 of the Monash University Research Committee.

15.3   Education Committee Meeting 1/2009                199-202

Recommendation:

That Academic Board receive and note the Report of Meeting 1/2009 of the Education Committee.

15.4   General Library Committee Meeting 1/2009                203-212

Recommendation:

That Academic Board receive and note the Report of Meeting 1/2009 of the General Library Committee.

16    FACULTY BOARD REPORTS

16.1   Faculty of Information Technology Meeting 1/2009                213-222

Recommendation:

That Academic Board:

• Receive and note the Reports of Meeting 1/2009 of the Board of the Faculty of Information Technology and Meeting 5/2008 of the Executive of the Faculty of Information Technology.
• Receive and note the briefing paper on the Jean and Phyllis Whyte Funds.

16.2   Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Meeting 1/2009
223-226

Recommendation:

That Academic Board receive and note the Report of Meeting 1/2009 of the Board of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

16.3   Faculty of Engineering Meeting 1/2009                227-234

Recommendation:

That Academic Board receive and note the Report of Meeting 1/2009 of the Board of the Faculty of Engineering.

16.4   Faculty of Business and Economics Meeting 1/2009                235-236

Recommendation:

That Academic Board receive and note the Report of Meeting 1/2009 of the Board of the Faculty of Business and Economics.

16.5   Faculty of Arts Meeting 1/2009                285-288

Recommendation:

That Academic Board:

• Receive and note the Report of Meeting 1/2009 of the Board of the Faculty of Arts.
• Note the approval of the Board of the Faculty of Arts of unit and course proposals, amendments and disestablishments.

E     ITEMS OF OTHER BUSINESS

17    OTHER BUSINESS

18    NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Academic Board for 2009 will be held on Wednesday 17 June 2009 in the Council Chambers, 1st floor, Building 3a, Clayton Campus commencing at 3.30pm.