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Meeting 3, 20 May 2005 The University Council met in Hobart on Friday 20 May 2005. This is a report from that meeting. Table of Contents
Introductory itemsThe Chancellor welcomed Mrs Yvonne Rundle to her first meeting. Council noted with regret the passing of Mr D A (Tony) Kearney, who worked at the University from 25 November 1946 until he retired from the position of Registrar on 7 July 1978. Declaration of InterestThere were no new declarations of interest. Members noted that the secretariat was in the process of seeking from each member an updated entry for the register of interests. CorrespondenceCouncil received a letter from Senator Abetz, noting that the Chancellor intended to respond in broad terms to the letter. Other matters from the ChancellorCouncil received a report from the Deputy Chancellor on the Chancellor's meeting recently held in Brisbane. The Deputy Chancellor reported that the meeting had considered, among other things: scientific fraud and the UNSW investigation, noting that the NSW government had prepared a Bill that was currently under discussion with the NSW Chancellors; a report from Professor Dennis Gibson of his attendance at the meeting of UK Chancellors; discussion of implementation of the National Governance Protocols (in which Tasmania is the only State that has amended its legislation to date); and professional development for Council members, noting that the annual conference would be in Canberra in October this year. Presentation on Research – Preparation for AUQA AuditCouncil received the presentation from the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) on preparation in research for the AUQA Audit and the new Research Quality Framework. Emerging IssuesCouncil received the Vice-Chancellor's report on emerging issues, including: workplace reform (on which the Chancellor commented that the Remuneration Committee's advice is to communicate promptly with staff so that implementation, which is imperative because of the funding implications, will be sympathetic and consensual); learning and teaching fund; TAFI. 2005 Operating Funds BudgetAt its 16 March meeting, Finance Committee received a report on the revised income estimates for the 2005 University Budget and requested management to continue to manage the University's operations within the fiscal targets set by Council. Voluntary Student UnionismCouncil noted that management would plan for the continued provision of services to students, given that the proposed legislation would prevent the university from collecting a services and amenities fee from 2006. UTAS Student Fees StrategyCouncil approved the fees for full fee-paying overseas students for 2006 as recommended by the International Committee. Council noted the Vice-Chancellor's report on implementation of the recommendations of the peer review of internal audit. Transnational EducationCouncil noted the Vice-Chancellor's report on transnational education, including the appointment of a new Director to implement the recent reviews of TNE. Governance Framework and Risk ManagementCouncil received the progress report on the governance framework and approved –
Draft Outline of UTAS 2004 Annual ReportCouncil authorised the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor to sign off on the Annual Report. Financial Management Report – 31 March 2005Council received the summary financial management reports as at 31 March 2005, noting that the 2005 forecast as at 31 March 2005 is $9.4M. Australian Universities Quality Assurance (AUQA) AuditCouncil received the Deputy Vice-Chancellor's update on the AQUA audit, noting that dates for meetings of Council members with the panel would be confirmed as soon as possible. Council congratulated the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and his team on the preparation of the AUQA portfolio, noting that it was a useful reference document for Council members. Performance against Plan – Faculty / DivisionCouncil received the Vice-Chancellor's report on the faculty and divisional perform Amendments to Investment PoliciesCouncil approved changes to the investment policies to enable the Executive Director Finance and Administration to make minor adjustments to the portfolio, on written advice from Mercer, provided the overall asset allocation to individual sectors remains within the ranges specified in the policies. The Executive Director Finance and Administration will be required to report to Finance Committee on the exercise of these delegations. Staff MovementsCouncil received the Vice-Chancellor's report on staff movements. “Building University Diversity – Future approval and accreditation processes for Australian Higher Education”.Council received the Vice-Chancellor's report on Building University Diversity – future approval and accreditation processes for Australian Higher Education. Minister Nelson released an Issues Paper in March 2005 and called for submissions by 22 April. The Issues Paper is available at http://www.dest.gov.au/sectors/higher_education/policy_issues_reviews/reviews/guthrie_review/building_university_diversity.htm “Building Better Foundations for Higher Education in Australia: A discussion about re-aligning Commonwealth-State responsibilities” The following link is to a paper by Andrew Norton, Research Fellow at the The Centre for Independent Studies and Editor of Policy Magazine, which may be of interest to some members- http://www.cis.org.au/IssueAnalysis/ia56/IA56.pdf Research Quality FrameworkCouncil received the report on the research quality framework. The Research Quality Framework is an initiative of Backing Australia's Ability II. In that package of measures $2.9M was allocated to fund an exercise to create a quality framework for Australia. The Research Quality Framework Issues Paper is the first step in that process. Also attached are:
The Pro Vice-Chancellor covered some of these issues in his presentation. AppointmentsCouncil noted these appointments –
Human Resources Annual Report 2004Council approved the 2004 Human Resources annual report. Equity Plan 2004 Annual ReportCouncil approved the 2004 Equity Plan annual report. Significant achievementsCouncil received the Vice-Chancellor's report on significant achievements by the University, its staff and students.
Council Committees Amendment OrdinanceCouncil made the amendment to Ordinance 5 and resolved that it is to be sealed. The amendment provides for a quorum for meetings of all Council committees and updates the terms of reference for the audit committee and also updates the terms of reference for the finance committees. Ordinance 8 (Student Complaints)Council made the replacement Ordinance 8 (Student Complaints) and resolved that it is to be sealed. The changes are largely aimed at avoiding potential conflicts of interest of members serving on the Graduate Research Complaints Committee. This is achieved by:
Other minor changes include changing references to ‘Graduate Studies by Research' to ‘Graduate Research' throughout the ordinance and restructuring clause 5.2 to more clearly set out the composition of the Board of Graduate Research Complaints Panel. Academic Structure Amendment OrdinanceCouncil made the Ordinance amending Ordinance 99 (Academic Structure), to change the name of the School of Sociology, Social Work and Tourism back to the ‘School of Sociology and Social Work' following the relocation of Tourism to the School of Management, and resolved that it is to be sealed. Big IssuesCouncil received the report on the following issues identified by Academic Senate as big issues –
Academic Senate meeting - 29 April 2005Council received the report that the major items discussed the Academic Senate meeting of 29 April 2005 were –
Minutes of Academic Senate and Council CommitteesCouncil received the minutes of the meeting of Academic Senate held on 29 April 2005, and the non-confidential minutes of these committees-
Use of SealCouncil received the report that the Vice-Chancellor had approved the sealing of these documents –
GRADUATION IN ABSENTIA AND CONFERRING OF AWARDSCouncil approved the applications for the conferring of awards as listed in the agenda. The Chancellor then admitted in absentia the candidates listed to the awards shown.
Last Modified: 31-May-2005 |
