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Meeting 3, 2 June 2006
Agenda items included-
PresentationCouncil received a presentation on the Cradle Coast Campus. Federation FellowshipCouncil congratulated Professor Paul Haddad on the highly prestigious award of a 2006 Federation Fellowship. UTAS Student Fees StrategyCouncil approved the recommendation not to increase HECS fees for 2007. Full Fee-Paying Overseas Students FeesCouncil approved the recommendation not to increase full fee-paying overseas students fees for 2007. Voluntary Student UnionismCouncil received the Executive Director Finance and Administration’s briefing paper on voluntary student unionism, noting Finance Committee’s in principle endorsement of the proposed model and the associated caveats. Council made the Ordinance amending Ordinance 42 (Affiliated Student Associations) and revoking Ordinance 92 (Services and Amenities Fees) (to take effect from 1 July 2006) and resolved that it is to be sealed. Investment PoliciesCouncil approved the revised General Funds Investment Policy and the Trust Funds Investment Policy. Risk ManagementCouncil received the Risk Management progress report. Graduation Ceremonies in ChinaCouncil approved the holding of graduation ceremonies in China in July 2006 and beyond, while the number of students in those programs warrants it. Governance FrameworkCouncil received the report on the governance framework project and noted that no changes are required to governance level principles 5 – 8. Draft UTAS 2005 Annual ReportCouncil approved the 2005 UTAS annual report. Final Statements of Financial Performance and Financial Position for the year ended 31 December 2005Council approved the financial reports for the year ended 31 December 2005 Financial Management Report – 31 March 2006Council approved the summary financial management reports as at 31 March 2006. Marketing Options PaperCouncil received the Executive Director Planning and Development’s marketing options paper. Budget ProcessesUTAS is in the process of preparing guidelines to articulate the business planning budget methodology introduced in 2005 across the full range of budget activity. These guidelines will provide staff with clear information in relation to the budget cycle and operating environment, as well as areas such as budget principles, assumptions, and responsibilities. It is anticipated that the finalised document will also move forward the costing agenda. The budget process is shown with stages presented in a sequence and with calendar-based timings attaching to them. It is acknowledged that within each stage, the process may change or evolve as circumstances, knowledge or available systems warrant but the stages and their sequence are nonetheless anticipated to remain recognisable and predictable over time. This approach is intended to improve the transparency of the budget process and aid in planning across all areas of the University. Mercer Quarterly Investment ReportCouncil noted Finance Committee’s advice that returns for the investment fund were 4.3% for the quarter (0.7% above benchmark) and 16.2% for the year (1.6% above benchmark)and returns for the trust fund were 2.9% for the quarter (0.3% above benchmark) and 10.7% for the year (1.5% above benchmark). Internal Audit CharterCouncil received the risk management and audit assurance charter. Student Load ReportCouncil received the Vice-Chancellor’s report on 2006 enrolments. Progress Report: Academic Planning ProcessAs described in the progress report provided to the March Council meeting, the Academic Planning process has been informed by consultation with the wider University community, including a special meeting of Academic Senate, Teaching and Learning forums, a presentation to Council, and visits by Senior Management Team members to Schools and Sections within the University. A number of common themes have become apparent throughout this activity, leading to the identification of the following seven priority focus areas:
These priority focus areas are discussed in detail in the Academic Planning: Priority Focus Areas document. The next stage in Academic Planning activity will involve the committees/groups identified in the attached document, advising of their proposed activity to address the information provided under each priority focus area. This information will be collated into an Academic Planning document. However, it must be emphasised that Academic Planning is seen as a process, and as such the Academic Planning document is just one outcome from ongoing activity. AUQA Implementation PlanCouncil received an implementation plan that lists the action items that will be undertaken over the next eighteen months to address the commendations, affirmations and recommendations made by AUQA. At the end of 2006, the DVC will call for input into an Interim Progress Report, which will report against relevant action items in the Implementation Plan. UTAS’ Final Progress Report will be submitted to AUQA in December 2007. Input for this Plan has been gathered from Deans, Division and Section Heads across the University. It has been endorsed by Teaching & Learning Committee, Senior Management Team, Planning & Resources Committee and Academic Senate. Advisory Groups in Launceston and HobartCouncil received the Vice-Chancellor’s report that the North-West Advisory Board has proven a successful model for community engagement with the Cradle Coast Campus; therefore there has been thought put into whether advisory groups might also be useful for the other campuses. To this end a number of small group briefings have been held with a view to testing the idea of an advisory group for Launceston. The idea has been well received and we will be looking to develop possible terms of reference and operational guidelines for an advisory group. Ordinance AmendmentsCouncil made the Ordinance amending Ordinance 13 (Academic Senate), as amended at the meeting, and resolved that it is to be sealed. The UTAS French-Australian Doctoral Co-TutelleCo-tutelle agreements are a mechanism to enhance two-way international research collaboration. The Vice-Chancellor has approved the Co-tutelle Policy, which is a document which details policy conditions for UTAS conjoint co-tutelle arrangements and for doctoral examination of co-tutelle candidates between UTAS and French partner institutions. This will facilitate the development of a ‘joint badging’ framework for the award of a joint doctoral degree from the UTAS and French partner institutions. Conjoint arrangements for Doctoral candidates between UTAS and other universitiesThe French Government has developed a framework to establish and develop partnerships with other research units which includes the facilitation of movement of French and other doctoral candidates under joint supervision arrangements, resulting in joint doctoral thesis submission. This framework is used to allow candidates the opportunity to study at other national and international institutions. The Vice-Chancellor has approved a conjoint policy, which will enable the provision of an expanded international research training environment for UTAS students and will apply to those students who have strong academic reasons for studying their research higher degree at both UTAS and another institution either in Australia or overseas. AppointmentsCouncil noted the appointments of-
Council endorsed the re-appointments-
Council appointed-
as directors of the University Foundation Board. Council noted that Mr David Rowell has been re-elected as president of the Foundation Governors. Council received the Vice-Chancellor’s report on honorary appointments. Significant achievementsCouncil received a report on significant achievements by the University, its staff and students. Academic Senate meeting – 5 May 2006Council received the report on the Academic Senate meeting of 5 May 2006. The major items discussed at Academic Senate were-
Minutes of Academic Senate and Council CommitteesCouncil received the draft minutes of Academic Senate and the non-confidential minutes of Audit and Finance Committees. Graduation in absentia and conferring of awardsCouncil approved the applications for the conferring of awards as listed in the agenda, including the tabled list of students (as corrected) who have qualified for the Bachelor of Information Systems through the IEN Institute of Shanghai Fisheries University. The Chancellor then admitted in absentia the candidates listed to the awards shown. VOTE OF THANKS TO MR BOB RUDDICKThe Chancellor noted that this was the last Council meeting for Mr Bob Ruddick, whose resignation takes effect on 30 June. Mr Ruddick had made a very significant contribution to the University through the audit Committee, having professionalised its operations, but he had also contributed significantly in relation to reporting and financial strategy. Members wished Mr Ruddick all the best and expressed their appreciation through a hearty round of applause. ACTING CHANCELLORCouncil formally appointed Dr Martyn Forrest as Acting Chancellor in the absence overseas of Dr Vertigan from 5 to 28 June 2006.
Last Modified: 19-Jun-2006 |
