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| Meeting 2, 11 April 2008
.The University Council met in Meeting Room 1, Newnham Campus, Launceston on Friday 11 April 2008. This is a report from that meeting. Council members also toured facilities at the AMC immediately before the meeting, and on Thursday evening (10 April) Council members & Senior Exec attended a networking dinner with the Launceston Advisory Group. Agenda items included-
Draft Financial Reports for the year ended 31 December 2007Council approved the financial reports for the year ended 31 December 2007 and authorised the Vice-Chancellor and Executive Director Finance and Administration to sign them, subject to there being no significant changes. Draft UTAS 2007 Annual ReportCouncil resolved to make the 2007 Annual Report as tabled (with any minor amendments necessary to incorporate comments from Council members received by cob Friday 18 April) and authorised the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor to sign it, subject to there being no significant changes. Preliminary Report on 2008 EnrolmentsCouncil received the Vice-Chancellor’s report on 2008 enrolments, noting that the load targets are a vital planning tool and that the targets are consistently not being met. Teaching and Learning PlanCouncil approved the Teaching and Learning Plan 2008–2010. The highest priority (H1) initiatives included in the Teaching and Learning Plan are as follows:
2007 Faculty & Divisional Plans – OutcomesCouncil received the report on outcomes against the 2007 Faculty and Divisional Plans. The report provides details on the H1 priority initiatives identified by Faculties and Divisions in their 2007 Plans, noting the target and outcome for each initiative. Council noted some good results, but also noted that there are a number of areas for improvement that are not reflected in the report. 2007 Academic Senate Report to CouncilClause 4.3 of the Ordinance of Academic Senate states Academic Senate is to report to Council once a year on the exercise of delegations under the Ordinance. Council received the 2007 Academic Senate Report, noting that the 2008 report would be cross-referenced to EDGE2 priorities. Academic Senate meeting – 29 February 2008Professor Williamson reported that major items discussed at Academic Senate (other than those forwarded separately to Council) were -
Council also received the draft minutes of the Academic Senate meeting of 29 February 2008. Appointment - Dean of EducationCouncil noted the appointment of Professor Ian Hay as Dean of Education for a 5-year term commencing 1 June 2008. Project Unity – UTAS/AMC IntegrationCouncil received a report on progress with Project Unity. Council approved the amendments to Ordinance 13 (Academic Senate) to include membership for the Principal, Australian Maritime College (AMC), Directors of the National Centres of the AMC, Chair of the AMC Teaching & Learning Committee and the Chair of the AMC Board of Studies and noted the transitional arrangements. Council established the AMC Integration Committee as required under clause 24 of the Heads of Agreement and appointed – Academic Promotions PolicyCouncil approved the revised Academic Promotions Policy. The Policy has been revised to take account of EDGE2, both in an editorial sense but also to ensure that it adequately reflects Priority A, which relates to fostering a high-performance culture.
Significant AchievementsCouncil received the Vice-Chancellor’s report on significant achievements by UTAS, its staff and students. Academic RegistrarCouncil declared that any reference to ‘Academic Registrar’ in any ordinance, rule, policy, procedure or other UTAS document is to be taken to be a reference to ‘Director, Student & Academic Services’, and specifically (without limiting the general provision) that the Director, Student & Academic Services is authorised, with the Vice-Chancellor, to attest to the sealing of testamurs. Council made the Ordinance (Director, Student & Academic Services) and resolved that it is to be sealed. Council noted with appreciation the significant contribution made by Mr Chris Carstens during his long and dedicated service to UTAS and its predecessor institutions, most recently as Academic Registrar. Council wished Mr Carstens well in the next phase of his life. Post Voluntary Student UnionismCouncil received a report on progress towards a state-wide student body. Tasmania University Union Constitution 2008 Consequential Amendments UTAS rankingsMembers of the Senior Management Team and Planning and Resources Committee have been discussing university rankings. Discussion has centred on the following imperatives-
Discussions have confirmed that rankings matter for many reasons, not least in affecting our capacity to attract good staff and good students, particularly at postgraduate level. SMT has agreed that the matter needs to be addressed urgently and current strategies and new initiatives are being investigated by the DVC(A)&P. It is recognised that this issue should form an important back-drop to our thinking about organisational development and institutional performance management. Council will receive regular updates. New Stars and Rising StarsNew Stars recruitment program and Rising Stars development program are two of a suite of programs to be implemented in support of EDGE2 Priority A, namely to ‘Fully Embed a High Performance Culture’. Recognising this Priority is essential if UTAS is to achieve the three EDGE2 Institutional Goals relating to University rankings and the wider EDGE aspirations, particularly that relating to Excellence. New Stars is a recruitment program, in many ways a successor to Quantum Leaps, designed to attract scholars of the very highest calibre to UTAS areas of strategic priority and excellence. The objectives are to:
Whereas New Stars is designed to attract to UTAS scholars at any career stage from postdoctoral fellow onwards, Rising Stars will support existing academic staff (primarily at Level B or Level C). The objectives are to:
Council has agreed to make available a special EDGE2 strategic funding allocation that amounts to approximately $3.3 million in 2008. It is currently proposed that $3 million of this is allocated jointly to these two schemes each year. While it is proposed that approximately $2.5 million is allocated to New Stars and $0.5 million to Rising Stars, there may be some value in maintaining a degree of flexibility in these allocations. Quantum Leaps Wrap UpThe Quantum Leaps initiative was developed during 2005 when it became apparent that a research quality assessment was to be introduced. The University budgeted $2.5M per year for 5 years to support the appointment of high-level, established researchers who brought with them an excellent track record and the expectation of considerable future research effort. Areas of existing strength and likely future growth were targeted. Quantum Leaps positions are all 5-year limited term appointments, with the expectation that they will become self-funding during that time. The Labor Government has replaced the previous Government’s Research Quality Framework with a revised form of research quality assessment, Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA). Assessments will be phased in, with Physical and Biological Sciences ear-marked for assessment in 2009. International Education Strategy ReviewUTAS has performed quite well in international recruitment in the last ten years. Enrolments have grown steadily each year at rates above the national average. There have been some important achievements. However, there are many reasons why it is appropriate to reflect upon our international education strategy and the way it is implemented, including: the more unstable and increasingly competitive international education market that is emerging; growing threats to some important student sources; recent failures to reach UTAS international enrolment targets; inability to respond effectively to some market opportunities; a variety of questions about UTAS governance in this area, administrative and financial arrangements in international education; and the overall need to ensure that UTAS is optimally positioned in a rapidly changing environment. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) and Provost will commission an experienced external consultant to lead a review and prepare recommendations with respect to UTAS’ future international education strategy and the internal arrangements needed to support its successful implementation. Terms of Reference for the review are now being finalised. Web Services ReviewFollowing receipt of the report of the Web Services Review undertaken by Professor Eric Wainwright, Planning and Resources Committee has allocated $250,000 to support initial implementation of key recommendations, including the completion of a Web Services Action Plan by 30 June, implementation of some 'quick win' actions (notably improving the search function on the University's web site) and employing a University Web Services Manager to provide strategic and operational leadership in the area. Pending the appointment of the Manager, Professor Wainwright is coordinating the preparation of the Action Plan, under the guidance of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) and Provost and the Director of IT Resources. International College/PathwaysThe University has received a report from a consultant, Professor Tony Adams, into opportunities for providing additional pathways into UTAS degree programs, particularly for international students. The University has not so far followed many other universities in implementing a wider range of pathways including preparation for a foundation or year 12 program and the provision of programs equivalent to the first year of tertiary study. The report recommends that an in-principle decision is taken to introduce a flexible pathway program for international students, to develop a detailed business plan and to explore opportunities to undertake such a venture in partnership with a commercial organisation. A management team led by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) and Provost is now considering these recommendations and will prepare proposals for the Vice-Chancellor. Faculty of Business NewsThe Faculty is holding its annual student awards night on 8 April at the University Club in Hobart. One of the biggest events on the Faculty calendar, prizes for high performing students across the 3 schools are presented from the many business and government sponsors invited. Faculty of Education NewsSenior Appointments Continued collaboration with the Department of Education Careers for Education Graduates website launched
The website also assists with identifying employers at a state, national and international level. The website is available from the Faculty of Education homepage or http://www.educ.utas.edu.au/careers/ Professional Experience website launched UTAS CollegeThe response to the announcement of the appointment of the Planning Dean for UTAS College has been enthusiastic. Good media coverage was received, including a positive editorial in the Mercury. Encouraging engagement from community and education leaders has confirmed support for the intention underpinning the UTAS College: establishing a personalised and partnered approach to the provision of higher education in Tasmania, in particular addressing the low participation rates. Mercer Quarterly Investment ReportCouncil received the Mercer quarterly investment report, noting that the investment fund underperformed its benchmark by 1.1% (return of -1.5 for the quarter against a benchmark of -0.4). University Foundation Board of DirectorsCouncil reappointed Mr Saul Eslake and Mr Brian Hartnett as directors of the University Foundation Board. University Foundation GovernorsCouncil noted that Mr David Rowell had been re-elected as president of the foundation governors. Honorary AppointmentsIn accordance with the Honorary, Visiting, Clinical and Adjunct Appointments Policy, new Clinical Associate Professors are-
GRADUATION IN ABSENTIA AND CONFERRING OF AWARDSThese students graduated in absentia at the Council meeting- Kuyini Mohammed Abdulai (Doctor of Philosophy) Rikki MawadThe Chancellor noted that this was the last Council meeting for Ms Rikki Mawad as a student member of Council. Members, by acclamation, thanked Ms Mawad for her dedication and hard work in the process of establishing a State-wide UTAS student body in the post-VSU environment and for her enthusiastic contributions to the work of the Council.
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