<
BackUniversity
Council HomeUniversity
Council |
<
BackUniversity
Council Home |
|
| University
Council |
||
| Meeting 2, 30 March 2007
The University Council met at the Sandy Bay Campus on Friday 30 March 2007. This is a report from that meeting. Agenda items included-
Council Membership - Dr Martyn ForrestCouncil received the report on the resignation of Dr Forrest as a Council member and as Deputy Chancellor, effective 1 April 2007. The Chancellor thanked Dr Forrest for his 9.5 years on the UTAS Council for his active contributions to the operations of Council and its committees. The Chancellor said that Dr Forrest would be sorely missed, not just by UTAS but also by the State of Tasmania, and expressed Council members’ best wishes for the next stage of his career. Presentation – Menzies Research InstituteCouncil received a presentation from the Chairman, Dan Norton and Director, Simon Foote of the Menzies Research Institute on the growth strategy and strategic direction of the Institute. UTAS Master PlanCouncil approved the UTAS Master Plan and asked the Vice-Chancellor to develop a process for appropriate prioritisation for its implementation, within a framework to be approved by Council. Council complimented the Built Environment Committee and Lyons Architecture for the excellent work done in preparing the Master Plan. Membership structure – Audit CommitteeCouncil approved the revised membership of Audit Committee. The amendment states that the Chair of Finance Committee is not expected to attend every meeting of Audit Committee, though he will continue to receive Audit Committee papers. The amendments also allows for up to 3 external members appointed by Council. Draft UTAS 2006 Annual ReportCouncil resolved to make the 2006 Annual Report, excluding the financial statements, and authorised the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor to sign the final report. Council asked management to consider taking the complete annual report package to Audit Committee next year, including a standard directors’ statement in the form required for public companies. Professional development for Council membersCouncil received a report on professional development for Council members. Council encourages members to qualify for membership of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), by attending the one-week course run by the AICD. 2 Council members will also attend the National Conference on University Governance for 2007 to be held later in the year under the auspices of the Chancellors’ committee. Preliminary Report on 2007 enrolmentsCouncil received the Vice-Chancellor’s report on 2007 enrolments, and expressed a strong preference for increasing the enrolment figures rather than for making adjustments like bringing forward summer school enrolments. EDGE ReviewCouncil received the Vice-Chancellor’s report on the EDGE review. University staff are being invited to contribute to the review and updating of EDGE via Deans and heads of Divisions. The review has been raised at Academic Senate, and staff forums are being arranged for Burnie, Launceston and Hobart. Draft Financial Reports for the year ended 31 December 2006Council approved the financial reports for the year ended 31 December 2006 and authorised the Vice-Chancellor and Executive Director Finance and Administration to sign the final financial reports provided there were no significant changes. Council also received the draft management letter from the Auditor-General, and the draft UTAS chapter of the Auditor-General’s report to Parliament. Council congratulated Mr Garry Hennessy and Ms Jane Botica-Jones on the completion of the financial statements within the abridged timetable agreed for this year. Financial Management Report – 31 December 2006Council approved the summary financial management reports as at 31 December 2006, and complimented Mr Garry Hennessy and Ms Jane Botica-Jones on the presentation of the reports. Teaching and Learning Development PlanCouncil received the Teaching and Learning Development Plan 2007 and the 2006 final progress report. The format of the Plan has been changed for 2007 in order to highlight the key strategies the University was aiming to achieve, viz: support increased student enrolments; improve the quality of the student learning experience; promote excellence in teaching; improve the retention of students; and foster strategic and collaborative approaches to course development and delivery. These headings had arisen from the Academic Planning exercise during discussions with staff in schools and departments and the student focus groups and, as such, were the highest priorities for the Plan for the year. They were in turn aligned to the EDGE agenda outlined in the University Plan. Initiatives had been grouped under these headings. 2006 Board of Graduate Research Annual ReportCouncil received the 2006 annual report of the Board of Graduate Research. The report analyses trends in load for postgraduate research, completions, the thesis submission survey, postgraduate research experience questionnaire, supervision information, and workshops. Compared with 2005, there was a 4.6% increase in RTS load and a 21.6% increase in FFPOS load; 159 students completed their degrees in 2006 compared with the UTAS target of 160. The annual Thesis Submission Survey was completed by 138 students and, together with the Postgraduate Research Experience Questionnaire, will be informative in assisting the Board of Graduate Studies continue to develop processes for postgraduate activities. Workshops and seminars for students and postgraduate supervisors have continued as a major activity, amounting to attendance of 2,709 candidates and supervisors in 2006 – the largest recorded number of attendees in formal graduate research at UTAS. Full Fee-paying Overseas Students for 2008Council approved the Full Fee Paying Overseas Students (FFPOS) fees for UTAS programs for 2008. Mercer Quarterly Investment ReportCouncil noted that investment returns for the quarter were 5.2% (0.4% above benchmark) for the investment fund and 3.3% (0.3% above benchmark) for the trust fund. Returns for the year ending 31 December 2006 were 14.1% for the investment fund (1.1% above benchmark) and 9.5% for the trust fund (equal to benchmark). Intercampus TravelCouncil was told that a trial is currently underway for a Campus to Campus daily morning coach service between Sandy Bay and Newnham during Semester 1. The service is available to both staff and students with return journeys available through Redline’s standard timetable.In conjunction with this initiative, subsided ($10) coach fares are being made available to students to travel between Burnie and Launceston and between Launceston and Hobart. The aim of the trial is two-fold. That is, to address road safety issues and to get better data on student travelling patterns with a view to more tailored services in future. Council congratulated Ms Rikki Mawad and Ms Janine McGuinness on the successful implementation of the intercampus bus service trial. Teaching and Learning NewsProfessor David Johnston has been appointed to the position of Director of Teaching and Learning Development in the Centre for the Advancement of Learning and Teaching (CALT). Professor Johnston's most recent positions include two and a half years as Director and Professor of the Centre for the Advancement of University Teaching at the University of Hong Kong, and prior to this three years as Director of the Hong Kong Centre for Problem-Based Learning at the University of Hong Kong. He holds a Master of Education from James Cook University, and a Doctor of Philosophy from Curtin University of Technology. As Director of Teaching and Learning Development, Professor Johnston will provide leadership in the development of strategies, policies and programs that extend the reach and refine the effectiveness of CALT programs and services to advance learning and teaching throughout the University. Research NewsOcean Tracking Network (OTN) Adding value to Tasmanian hardwoods Faculty of Business News
Appointments
Significant AchievementsCouncil received the Vice-Chancellor’s report on significant achievements by the University, its staff and students. Items include – Seabird biologist becomes Tasmanian Rhodes Scholar 2007; Jim Bacon Foundation Scholarships; Zoe Ewart scholarship in Law; A ray of light in education; Governor awards environmental scholarships; lightning bolt hits Launceston; new homes to test energy efficiency; book launch: Quaker Life In Tasmania: The First Hundred Years; unique trail honours scholarship legacy; launch of the Fruit Growers Tasmania scholarship; discounted Redline bus fares for students; new scheme reduces student debt; Whale Rider author visits UTAS; senior scientists’ Forum on devil facial tumour disease; Nobel Prize winner in Hobart; Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Provost position filled; SLIMS team. Academic Senate meeting – 2 March 2007Council received the report on the Academic Senate meeting of 2 March 2007.The major items discussed (other than those forwarded separately to Council) were -
2006 Academic Senate Report to CouncilIn accordance with Clause 4.3 of the Ordinance of Academic Senate, Council received the 2006 Academic Senate Report. Minutes of Academic Senate and Council CommitteesCouncil received the draft minutes of the meeting of Academic Senate held on 2 March 2007, and the non-confidential minutes of these committees- Graduation in absentia and conferring of awardsThese students graduated in absentia at the Council meeting- Brett David Joshua Adamson (Graduate Certificate in Nursing) 2007 UTAS Foundation DinnerThe Chancellor thanked Ms Amanda Wojtowicz for the very successful Foundation Dinner on Thursday 29 March. Farewell to DVCThe Chancellor also farewelled Professor Lidl from the Council arena. This was the last Council meeting that Professor Lidl will be attending as Deputy Vice-Chancellor, as Professor Lidl will be overseas on study leave at the time of the next meeting and will then be taking up a secondment with AUQA. The Chancellor thanked Professor Lidl for his loyal and dedicated service to UTAS, with emphasis on his interactions with Council over the last 14 years in his capacity as Deputy Vice-Chancellor. The Chancellor noted the high regard in which Professor Lidl is held, particularly by members of the Launceston community, and thanked him for his dedication to the ideals of UTAS over an extended period.
Last Modified: 16-Apr-2007 |
|
