Academic Board Meeting 3-2009

Index of Recommendations and Supplementary Papers

Meeting No 3/2009 of the Academic Board will be held on 17 June 2009, from 3:30pm-5:30pm, in the Council Chambers, 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 reminded 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. Therefore, 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
9 June 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 item, 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.

C  2.3    Confidential Items

3     MINUTES

* 3.1    Minutes of Academic Board Meeting 2/2009

The Minutes of Meeting 2/2009, held on Wednesday 22 April 2009, were distributed to members via email on 7 May 2009.

Recommendation:

That the Minutes of Academic Board Meeting 2/2009, held on 22 April 2009, be confirmed.

3.2    Business arising from the Minutes

3.2.1   Schedule of Action Items            1-2

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   Review of PhD English language proficiency requirements                3-10

Attached is the Report of the Review of PhD English Language Proficiency Requirements.

Recommendation:

That Academic Board:

• Receive and note the Report.
• Approve retention of the current PhD English language proficiency requirements with the facility for faculties to propose faculty-specific variations to the requirements if desired.

3.2.3   Student membership of faculty boards                11-16

At Meeting 2/2009, the President encouraged support by faculty boards of student member attendance, and requested the Secretary to confirm student membership requirements. The result of a survey on student representation on faculty boards is attached.

Recommendation:

That Academic Board receive and note the survey of student representation on faculty boards.

* 4     PRESIDENT’S BUSINESS

4.1    President’s Report

Professor Jayne Godfrey will report.

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.

* 5.2    Award of Honorary Degrees

Professor Larkins will report on the award of honorary degrees during Semester 1/2009.

Recommendation:

That Academic Board receive and note the report of the award of an honorary degree.

5.3    Indirect Costs of University Research                17-26

Attached for information is a letter from the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research providing a progress report on the project to examine the indirect costs of university research and inviting participation in a related survey to be carried out on behalf of the Department by the Allen Consulting Group.

Recommendation:

That Academic Board receive and note the attached letter from the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.

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     FEDERAL BUDGET                209-216

Attached for noting is a briefing paper from the Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Planning and Quality) on the implications for the higher education sector of the 2009-2010 Federal Budget.

Recommendation:

That Academic Board receive and note the Federal Budget briefing paper.

8     COOPERATIVE RESEARCH CENTRES                27-30

Attached for noting is an update on Monash’s potential involvement in six Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs), currently applying for financial support through the Round 11 CRC program.

Recommendation:

That Academic Board receive and note the update on Cooperative Research Centres.

C      SUPERVISION OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

* 9     PRESENTATION - DAMOCLES

Dr David Squire will present on Damocles.

Recommendation:

That Academic Board receive and note Dr Squire’s presentation.

10     ACADEMIC PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND REVIEW                31-70

10.1    Faculty of Engineering – Dual Award PhD Programs

The Faculty of Engineering proposals to establish dual-award PhD programs with Fudan and Shanghai Jiao Tong Universities in China were endorsed by the Research Graduate School Committee Meeting 3/2009. The proposals have also been endorsed by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (International).

Recommendation:

That Academic Board:

• Approve the Faculty of Engineering proposals for dual-award PhD programs with Fudan and Shanghai Jiao Tong Universities.
• Endorse the attached Memoranda of Understanding for transmission to Council.

10.2    Faculty of Information Technology – Dual Award PhD Program

The Faculty of Information Technology proposal to establish a dual-award PhD program with Lulea University of Technology (Sweden) was endorsed by the Research Graduate School Committee Meeting 4/2009 and has the support of the Deputy Vice Chancellor (International).

The proposed agreement is essentially identical to that already established between the Faculty of Engineering and Lulea University of Technology and is intended to formalise and expand the collaboration already in place between the Faculty of IT and the Faculty of Engineering at Lulea.

Recommendation:

That Academic Board:

• Approve the Faculty of IT proposal for a dual-award PhD program with Lulea University of Technology.
• Endorse the attached Memorandum of Agreement for transmission to Council.

10.3    Faculty of Information Technology – Dual Award PhD Program                217-228

The Faculty of Information Technology proposal to establish a dual-award PhD program with The University of Bologna was endorsed by the Research Graduate School Committee Meeting 10/2008.

Recommendation:

That Academic Board:

• Approve the Faculty of IT proposal for a dual-award PhD program with The University of Bologna.
• Endorse the attached Institutional Agreement for transmission to Council.

11     UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC STRUCTURE

11.1    Establishment of the Graduate School of Jewish Studies                71-82

At its Meeting 1/2009, the Board of the Faculty of Arts endorsed the attached proposal to establish a Graduate School of Jewish Studies.

Recommendation:

That Academic Board endorse for transmission to Council the proposal to establish the Graduate School of Jewish Studies.

12     MAINTENANCE OF ACADEMIC STANDARDS – AUQA                229-230

12.2.1 Attached for noting is a briefing paper from the Office of Planning and Quality on preparations for the AUQA Audit.

* 12.2.2 Ms Melissa Dibben and Mr Greg Roughsedge will demonstrate the Business Intelligence (BI) - Education Phase.

Recommendation:

That Academic Board:

• Receive and note the AUQA preparations briefing paper.
• Receive and note the Business Intelligence – Education Phase demonstration.

* 13     REPORTS FROM THE DEPUTY-VICE CHANCELLORS

Professor Edwina Cornish 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

14     LEGISLATION

14.1    Amendment to Faculty Regulations                83-88

Attached are an Explanatory Memorandum and proposal for amendment to the Faculty Regulations.

The proposal changes one position on the faculty board of the Faculty of Engineering.

Recommendation:

That Academic Board endorse, for submission to Council, the proposal to make the Faculties Regulations (Amendment No.1 2009).

14.2    Amendment to Statute 6.2 - Exclusion for unsatisfactory progress or inability to progress and the Regulations pursuant to Statute 6.2                231-246

Attached are an Explanatory Memorandum and proposal for amendment to Statute 6.2 and the Regulations thereunder. The proposed amendments:

• In the case of Statute 6.2, provide Academic Progress Committees with the ability to impose terms and conditions on a student’s enrolment without a formal hearing; and
• In the case of the Regulations, provide that for the purposes of imposing terms and conditions, the membership of the Academic Progress Committee is made up of teaching staff of the faculty only.

The proposals were endorsed by Education Committee Meeting 3/2009.

Recommendation:

That Academic Board endorse, for submission to Council:

• The proposal to amend Statute 6.2 - Exclusion for unsatisfactory progress or inability to progress (Amendment No.1 2009).
• The proposal to make the Exclusion for Unsatisfactory progress or inability to progress regulations (Amendment No.1 2009).

14.3    Amendment to Statute 6.1.5 - Examinations                247-250

Attached are an Explanatory Memorandum and substitute Statute 6.1.5 – Assessment.

The proposal arises from the Report of the Assessment Policy Working Party (agenda item 15.5 is relevant), and was endorsed by Education Committee Meeting 3/2009.

Recommendation:

That Academic Board endorse, for submission to Council, the proposal to make the Faculties Regulations (Amendment No.1 2009).

15     POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND REVIEW

15.1    Student Evaluation Policy and Procedures                89-98

At its Meeting 2/2009 the Education Committee endorsed the Student Evaluation Policy for transmission to Academic Board for approval and approved the suite of accompanying Procedures.

Recommendation:

That Academic Board:

• approve the Student Evaluation Policy; and
• receive and note the accompanying Monash Experience Questionnaire and Monash Support Experience Questionnaire Survey Procedures and Unit Evaluation Procedures.

15.2    Non-award Study Policy and Procedures                99-110

At its Meeting 2/2009 the Education Committee endorsed the Non-Award Study Policy for transmission to Academic Board for approval and approved the accompanying Procedures.

Recommendation:

That Academic Board:

• approve the Non-Award Study Policy; and
• receive and note the accompanying Non-Award Study Procedures.

15.3    Sessional Academic Support and Development Project                111-128

A progress report is attached for consideration by Academic Board.

Recommendation:

That Academic Board:

• Receive and note the progress report on the Sessional Academic Support and Development Project; and
• Approve the use of the Monash Sessional Training Framework as the reference framework for supporting the development of:
  • sessional academic support in faculties across the university, and
  • content and materials for the university website on Sessional Academic Support and Development:

http://www.odvce.monash.edu.au/projects/sessional/index.html

* 15.4 Outside Studies Program (OSP)                129-144

Attached are a covering memorandum and recommendations from the Review of the Outside Studies Program, for consideration by Academic Board. Members are invited to note that these recommendations have also been transmitted to Strategy and Resources Committee for consideration.

Recommendation:

That Academic Board:

• approve the Review Recommendations 1- 9 and 12-16 (Attachment 1 is relevant);
• note the NTEU’s rejection of Recommendation 8 relating to the composition of the OSP committees (Attachment 2 is relevant);
• note the changes to travel grants outlined at paragraph 6 of the attached covering memorandum;
• approve the Staff Development Procedure - Outside Studies Program (Attachment 3 is relevant).

15.5    Report of the Assessment Policy Working Party                251-292

Attached is the final Report of the Assessment Policy Working Party, for consideration by Academic Board. Members are invited to note that:

• On the advice of the University Solicitor, Steering Committee determined that the proposed 2-phase regulatory scheme not be put to the Board for approval. The draft Assessment Regulations (Appendices 4 and 6 to the Report) are therefore included for information only, pending the making and promulgation of Statute 6.1.5. The relevant Regulations will be placed on the Board’s agenda for endorsement at a later meeting this year.
• The recommendations relating to statutory change have been relocated to agenda item 14.

Recommendations:

That Academic Board:

• Note that Assessment Regulations will be put to Academic Board for endorsement at a later meeting in 2009.
• Approve the draft Assessment in Coursework Policy.
• Note the need for faculty boards to approve guidelines relating to the granting of supplementary assessment to a student who will experience ‘significant impact’ on their overall academic progress.
• Approve amendment to the Grading Policy to remove the NP grade from the standard unit grading schema, with effect from of 15 February 2010.
• Note the draft Unit Assessment Procedures, effective 15 February 2010.
• Note amendments proposed to the Special Consideration Procedures to reflect terminology in the draft regulations.
• Note that the South African campus has been requested to draft external moderation procedures for submission to Education Policy and Programs Committee.
• Approve repeal of the following policies and procedures, to be replaced by the proposed Assessment Policy and Procedures:
  • Alternative Arrangements for Assessment Policy and Procedures
  • Assessment of Coursework Policy and Procedures
  • Blind Marking of Examinations Policy and Procedures
  • Examinations Policy and Procedures
  • Extra Exam Time For NESB Students Policy
  • Graduate/Postgraduate Assessment Policy
  • Result Upload & Amendment Policy and Procedures

15.6    Unit Guide Policy and Procedures                293-300

At its Meeting 3/2009 the Education Committee endorsed the Unit Guide Policy for transmission to Academic Board for approval and approved the accompanying Procedures.

Recommendation:

That Academic Board:

• approve the Unit Guide Policy; and
• note the accompanying Unit Guide Procedures.

15.7    Admission of Observers Policy and Procedures                301-304

Attached for consideration by the Board are draft revised Admission of Observers to Council and Academic Board Meetings Policy and associated Procedures. The Board and Council are joint approving authorities.

Recommendation:

That Academic Board approve the Admission of Observers to Council and Academic Board Meetings Policy and Procedures.

16     ACADEMIC BOARD MEMBERSHIP

16.1    Election of Academic Staff to Academic Board                305-306

Attached is the Returning Officer’s Declaration of the Poll in the election of Academic Staff to Academic Board.

Recommendation:

That Academic Board receive and note the Declaration of the Poll.

16.2    Nomination of Heads of Academic Units to Academic Board
145-154, 307-312

Attached are the nominations of Heads of Academic Units to Academic Board from the following faculties:

• Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Faculty of Business and Economics
• Faculty of Science
• Faculty of Arts
• Faculty of Law
• Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
• Faculty of Information Technology

Recommendation:

That Academic Board receive and note the reports of nomination of Heads of Academic Units to Academic Board.

16.3    Election of Director of Research Institute/Centre to Academic Board                155-156

Attached is the Returning Officer’s Declaration of the Poll in the election of one Director, Research Institute/Centre to Academic Board.

Recommendation:

That Academic Board receive and note the Declaration of the Poll.

16.4    Special Leave

Academic Board Regulation 6.1.2 provides that a casual vacancy in the office of an elected member occurs where a member is absent from three consecutive meetings without special leave granted by the Board at or before the last of those meetings. Requests for special leave have been received from:

Professor Chris Browne           MN&HS           Meetings 3/2009

Recommendation:

That Academic Board grant special leave from attendance at meetings of the Board to the members listed above.

17     STANDING COMMITTEES OF ACADEMIC BOARD

17.1    Review of Steering Committee                 313-320

Attached for consideration by Academic Board are proposals for review of the Steering Committee and a process proposed for dealing with urgent business out of the Board’s normal meeting cycle.

Recommendation:

That Academic Board approve:

• The revised Steering Committee Terms of Reference and associated Procedures.
• The revised membership of the Steering Committee.
• The arrangements for implementation of the revised membership.
• The process for dealing with items of urgent business between meetings of Academic Board.

* 17.2    Review of Education Committee                321-332

Attached for consideration by Academic Board is the report of the review of the Education Committee structure. The recommended changes were endorsed by Education Committee Meeting 2/2009.

Recommendation:

That Academic Board:

• Receive and note the Report of the Review of the Monash University Education Committee and its standing committees.
• Delegate to Education Committee the power to establish and disestablish its own subcommittees.
• Approve the revised terms of reference and membership of:
  • Education Committee
  • Learning and Teaching Committee
  • Education Policy Committee
  • Coursework Admissions and Scholarships Committee (CASC)
• Approve reporting to Education Committee by the following sub-committees:
  • Education Policy Committee
  • Learning and Teaching Committee
  • Coursework Scholarships and Admissions Committee
  • Gippsland Board of Studies
  • Campus Education Committee, Sunway
  • Board of Studies Monash South Africa
• Approve that there be no standing subcommittees of Education Committee subcommittees.
• Approve streamlining the membership of Education Committee to balance representation between central divisions and faculties and to enhance the ratio of student representation.
• Approve provision by Faculty Education Committees of a summary of key emerging issues to Education Committee.

* 17.3    Proposal to establish an International Committee                157-158

Attached for consideration by Academic Board is a proposal to establish an International Committee of Academic Board. The proposal was endorsed by the Vice-Chancellor’s Group Meeting of 20 May 2009.

Recommendation:

That Academic Board approve:

• Establishment of the International Committee as a standing committee of the Board.
• The proposed Terms of Reference and membership of the International Committee.

17.4    Membership of the Exclusion Appeals Panel                159-162

Attached for consideration by Academic Board are nominations to membership of the Exclusion Appeals Panel.

Recommendation:

That Academic Board approve the nominations to membership of the Exclusion Appeals Committee Panel for 2009-2010 term as made by the Deans.

17.5    Membership of the Board of the Faculty of Law

The Board of the Faculty of Law recommends that Academic Board endorse extension of the term of office of Mr Mark Hayes for a further three (3) years, commencing April 2009. Mr Hayes, a partner with Maddocks, is a member under Part II of Schedule 7 of the Faculties Regulations, s7.6.2 – members appointed by Council on the recommendation of faculty board for three years.

Recommendation:

That Academic Board endorse, for transmission to Council, the extension of the term of membership of Mr Mark Hayes on the Board of the Faculty of Law.

18     REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES

18.1    Monash University Research Committee Meeting 2/2009                163-164

Recommendation:

That Academic Board receive and note the Report of Meeting 2/2009 of the Monash University Research Committee.

18.2    Honorary Degrees Committee Meeting 2/2008                165-166

Recommendation:

That Academic Board receive and note the Report of Meeting 2/2008 of the Honorary Degrees Committee.

18.3    Research Graduate School Committee Meetings 3 and 4/2009                167-176

Recommendation:

That Academic Board receive and note the Report of Meetings 3 and 4/2009 of the Research Graduate School Committee.

18.4    Education Committee Meetings 2 and 3/2009                333-338

Recommendation:

That Academic Board receive and note the Report of Meetings 2 and 3/2009 of the Education Committee.

19     FACULTY BOARD REPORTS

19.1    Faculty of Art & Design Meeting 1/2009                177-178

Recommendation:

That Academic Board receive and note the Report of Meeting 1/2009 of the Board of the Faculty of Art & Design.

19.2    Faculty of Information Technology Meeting 2/2009                179-186

Recommendation:

That Academic Board receive and note the Report of Meeting 2/2009 of the Board of the Faculty of Information Technology.

19.3    Faculty of Business and Economics Meeting 2/2009                187-190

Recommendation:

That Academic Board receive and note the Report of Meeting 2/2009 of the Board of the Faculty of Business and Economics.

19.4    Faculty of Science Meetings 1 and 2/2009                191-196

Recommendation:

That Academic Board receive and note the Report of Meetings 1 and 2/2009 of the Board of the Faculty of Science.

19.5    Faculty of Engineering Meeting 2/2009                197-202

Recommendation:

That Academic Board receive and note the Report of Meeting 2/2009 of the Board of the Faculty of Engineering.

19.6    Faculty of Law Meeting 1/2009                203-208

Recommendation:

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

19.7    Faculty of Education Meetings 1 and 2/2009                339-346

Recommendation:

That Academic Board receive and note the Report of Meetings 1 and 2/2009 of the Board of the Faculty of Education.

E      ITEMS OF OTHER BUSINESS

20     OTHER BUSINESS

21     NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Academic Board for 2009 will be held on Wednesday 26 August 2009 in the Council Chambers, 1st floor, Building 3a, Clayton Campus commencing at 3.30pm.