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| Meeting 1, 15 February 2008
The University Council met in the Council Room, Sandy Bay Campus, Hobart on Friday 15 February 2008. This is a report from that meeting. Agenda items included-
Deputy ChancellorCouncil elected Mrs Yvonne Rundle as a Deputy Chancellor, for a term ending 31 December 2010. Student members of CouncilCouncil extended the term of office of both the student members of Council, Ms Katherine Hall and Ms Rikki Mawad, until 30 April 2008 on the basis that the new statewide student body would be in place by 31 March and elections would then be held for the leaders of the new organisation. Project Unity – AMC/UTAS integrationCouncil appointed-
Council received the Vice-Chancellor’s report on Project Unity. Council also received a report from Dr David Sterrett, Chair of the AMC Board, on the integration process and the future of the AMC operations within UTAS and commended Dr Sterrett, the AMC Board, Professor Malek Pourzanjani and AMC staff for their contribution to the smooth process of integration, along with UTAS staff. Recruitment of new Dean of Education and appointment of Acting DeanCouncil received the Vice-Chancellor’s report on recruitment of a new Dean of Education and the appointment of an Acting Dean. Professor Rigmor George has been appointed as interim Dean of the Faculty of Education until the post of Dean is filled. Rigmor has been Associate Dean Teaching and Learning in the faculty. Prior to that she held a series of senior positions at the University of South Australia. UTAS College Planning DeanCouncil received the Vice-Chancellor’s report on the UTAS College Planning Dean. Ms Megan Cavanagh-Russell, previously Dean of Education, has taken up a twelve-month appointment as Planning Dean for the UTAS College project as outlined in EDGE2 Action B1. This is a 0.6 position, balanced by Megan's continuing role as Director of the University's Cradle Coast Campus. The UTAS College is envisaged as incorporating the following programs within a framework developed by the Preparation and Pathways Steering Group, and approved by the Senior Management Team:
Changes to Cradle Coast Campus line managementLine management of the Cradle Coast Campus has transferred from the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning) to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) and Provost. This arrangement not only simplifies the supervision and performance management of Ms Cavanagh-Russell, but also mirrors the new governance arrangements, according to which the Deans report directly to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) & Provost. Progress towards a State-wide Student OrganisationCouncil has previously extended the terms of office of the current TUU and SA elected officers to allow for the deliberations regarding the revised constitution and the associated actions to take place with a target completion date of end March. The Joint Merger Committee (JMC) continues to meet regularly and has recently agreed a version of the draft constitution which is being taken back For consideration by the advisors to the student bodies and to the Student Representative Councils and Management Boards/Committees for adoption. This draft constitution represents a negotiated position and it can be predicted that not all of the members of all of these groups will feel able to support it. A majority in favour is anticipated, however, and to reassure those others an explicit undertaking to conduct an open and transparent review of the arrangements once the new body is twelve months old has been made. Report from the University Promotions CommitteeCouncil received the report on the 2007 promotions round from the University Promotions Committee. Insurance for Council membersThe University is obliged under section 22 of the University of Tasmania Act 1992 to indemnify members of Council for their actions done in good faith. Section 22 provides:
The University maintains adequate levels of insurance cover, reviewed on an annual basis. As stated in the Rights and Responsibilities of Council members, the University is to advise members at the first Council meeting each year of the types and levels of insurance that are in place. Report for 2007 against University PlanCouncil received the Vice-Chancellor’s report on 2007 performance against the university plan, noting the Chair of Finance Committee’s recommendation that financial targets should be included in the plan in future. Key achievements in 2007 included:
Preliminary Report on 2008 EnrolmentsCouncil received the Vice-Chancellor’s preliminary report on 2008 enrolments, noting advice from the Executive Director Planning & Development that it was a significant challenge to meet targets and that the year’s result is likely to be around 5% below the Commonwealth targets. Core Passenger Services ReviewCouncil received the Vice-Chancellor’s report on the Core Passenger Services Review. An outcome from the Review is a recommendation that University students will become a recognised category of concession holder on public transport in Tasmania from 1 July 2008. Metro have implemented a tertiary student concession with the announcement of their new fares, effective 27 January 2008. The UTAS supported Redline charter between Hobart and Launceston campuses will continue in Semester 1 only, and UTAS is in discussions with the State Government on how the revised arrangements will be implemented from Semester 2 onwards. Launceston Engagement and Development ManagerMs Jo Archer, formerly Executive Officer to the Launceston Chamber of Commerce, will take up the position of Launceston Engagement and Development Manager at UTAS in late March. Ms Archer and will be responsible for planning and managing projects designed to further the development of the University in Launceston, particularly those that strengthen links with the local and regional communities. The role will also provide a link between members of staff undertaking community engagement projects and external stakeholder groups such as the Launceston Advisory Group. Carrick Institute Funding for UTAS Promoting Excellence InitiativeThe Carrick Institute for Learning and Teaching in Higher Education has approved $220,000 in funding under its Promoting Excellence Initiative to support the recently established Awards and Grants Team within the office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Teaching & Learning). The funding will be utilised to extend the range of services offered by the team during the period from 2008 to 2010. The Awards and Grants Team provide academic and technical support for the development of Carrick Institute and University award, grant and fellowship submissions, and assist with the administration and coordination of successful grants. Emeritus Professor Sue Johnston awarded prestigious national awardEmeritus Professor Sue Johnston has been awarded a Career Achievement Award by the Carrick Institute for Learning and Teaching in Higher Education. The Carrick Institute Career Achievement Awards are presented to acknowledge outstanding contributions to learning and teaching in higher education. The Award recognises Professor Johnston’s sustained contribution and major influence in higher education. She received a trophy and a signed certificate from the Prime Minister. Alumni Report 2007In 2007 the Alumni focused on two major priorities – embedding coordinated planning and operations with the University Foundation, and extending the Alumni’s capacity to network with members. These priorities foreshadow the University’s move to a coordinated development operation aimed at engaging members of the University’s extended community in a variety of ways - as advocates, donors, and recruiters. A significant amount of effort was also dedicated to building the Raiser’s Edge database, establishing operating protocols, and rolling out the database to other users. Additionally, a significant amount of time and effort was expended on building a business case and gaining funding for the implementation of web-based networking software that will integrate with the Raiser’s Edge database, and will enable alumni to build their own communities and more readily engage with UTAS. The more traditional mechanisms of engaging with alumni and building brand were, however, not ignored. Two issues of Alumni News were distributed, in July and November 2007, and a number of functions were held throughout the year both in Australia and overseas. Additionally, both the Alumni Committee and the Alumni Office worked with alumni and stakeholders during the year to facilitate alumni and alumni-related ventures, and provided assistance to faculties of the University and the Australian Maritime College in the development of their own alumni relations programs. In 2007, the Alumni e-store topped 1000 transactions with the site being used increasingly for donations, event registrations, and memorabilia sales. On-line address registrations averaged 40 to 50 per week throughout the year. At the end of 2007, the Raiser’s Edge database held in excess of 50, 000 records. Significant AchievementsCouncil received a report from the Vice-Chancellor on significant achievements by the University, its staff and students. Of particular interest to Council members may be the recognition in the Australia Day Honours of former Council member Elizabeth Daly, former Vice-Chancellor Alan Gilbert and former Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) Geoff Parr. News from the Faculty of BusinessThe School of Accounting and Corporate Governance hosted the 20th Australasian Tax Teachers Association Conference in Hobart from 23-25 January. Opened by the Governor of Tasmania and the Chancellor, the conference included plenary addresses by the Commissioner of Taxation and a Justice from the Federal Court of Australia. The conference attracted over 130 delegates. Plans are in place for the launch of an MBA (Health Management) with in initial cohort of 50 students based in the South West Regional Health Services in Sydney. The fully flexible online and interactive CD based course will commence in late February 2008 and is the first fully flexible postgraduate Masters level course offered by the Faculty. The Faculty is planning throughout 2008 to develop further its flexible delivery offerings in both the postgraduate and undergraduate areas. The Minister for Industry, Innovation, Science and Resource, Senator Kim Carr, this week announced a wide-ranging review of Australia’s innovation policy system, to be conducted by an expert panel of 14 people chaired by Dr Terry Cutler. The panel will identify gaps and weaknesses in the innovation system, and develop proposals to address them. Proposals will take the form of a Green Paper to the Government detailing policy options, which will be delivered to the Minister by July 31 2008. University of Tasmania’s Professor Keith Smith from the Australian Innovation Research Centre is a member of the panel. News from the Faculty of Health Science Accreditation of the School of Medicine’s Bachelor of Medicine / Bachelor of Surgery New Associate Deans in the Faculty of Health Science Professor Andrew Robinson from the School of Nursing and Midwifery was appointed Associate Dean( Research) following on from Professor James Vickers who took on the role of Deputy Head, School of Medicine as well as his role as Deputy Director, Menzies Research Institute. Universities Australia Report to MembersCouncil received a report from Universities Australia on services to members in 2007. Honorary AppointmentsIn accordance with the Honorary, Visiting, Clinical and Adjunct Appointments Policy, new Adjunct Professors in the Faculty of Law are Professor Tim McCormack, Professor Ken Mizuno and Professor Norman Palmer CBE, and a new Adjunct Associate Professor, also in Law, is Dr Julia Davis. Dr Margaret Reynolds has been appointed an Adjunct Professor in the Faculties of Arts and Law. Professor William Mulford has been appointed Honorary Professor in the Faculty of Education. Graduation in AbsentiaThese students graduated in absentia at the Council meeting-
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