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| Meeting 7, 23 November 2007
The University Council met in the Council Room, Sandy Bay Campus, Hobart on Friday 23 November 2007. This is a report from that meeting. Council members also attended a dinner at the University Staff Club to celebrate the partnership between the University of Tasmania and the Tasmanian Government. Agenda items included-
National Governance ProtocolsCouncil received the paper on the National Governance Protocols and resolved to keep this item on the agenda pending the outcome of the Federal election. Matters from the ChancellorThe Chancellor noted the passing of Graeme Foster, a great friend and supporter of UTAS, and of Ashton Calvert AC, a former Rhodes Scholar and former Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. AMC IntegrationCouncil received the report on AMC integration and noted the news that AMC staff had voted in favour of moving towards UTAS awards. 2008 BudgetCouncil approved the 2008 consolidated budget (noting a potential concern about the assumptions underpinning it, especially enrolment figures) and noted the draft 2008 – 2012 fiscal forecast. Council noted that the final version of EDGE2, with measurable KPIs, would be considered by SMT on Monday 26 November 2007 and would be presented to Council in February 2008. The Growth AgendaCouncil received a report on the growth agenda and the updated risk register for Risk 2 (failure to attract students to achieve enrolment growth targets) and requested a report to its February meeting on developments at managerial level. Financial Management Report – 30 September 2007Council received the summary financial management report as at 30 September 2007. Enrolment Load ReportCouncil received the enrolment load report as at 13 November 2007, noting advice that the fall in off-shore enrolments is attributable to the teach-out of non-sustainable courses and should be reversed once the increases in China enrolments impact on the figures. Mercer Quarterly Investment ReportCouncil received the Mercer quarterly investment report, noting that returns for the quarter were 1.4% for the Investment Fund (benchmark 2.6%) and 1.1% for the Trust Fund (benchmark 2.2%). For the year to 30 September the returns were Investment 7.9% (8.5%) and Trust 6.6% (7.1%). UTAS College and Tasmania Tomorrow educational reformsThe Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) and Provost continues to represent UTAS on the Tasmania Tomorrow Steering Group. The Preparation and Pathways Working Party held a half-day planning session on 25th October at which discussions were held regarding the proposed UTAS College, and the university's position on the reforms proposed under the Tasmania Tomorrow initiative. Items of discussion included:
Childcare ServicesUTAS has commenced discussions with Lady Gowrie Tasmania with a view to forming a partnering arrangement to provide childcare services to the Launceston and Hobart campuses into the future. Whilst discussions are still preliminary in nature, it is envisaged that the proposal will involve Lady Gowrie operating and managing UTAS Childcare Centres in Hobart and Launceston from early in 2008. From the University's perspective, the key objectives in looking to enter into such a partnership are to:
Review of Web-Services- progress reportThe membership of the Web Services Review Committee, and terms of reference for this review have been finalised. The review will examine web infrastructure, technology, applications and associated services, content management services and support, as well as portal strategies and visual presentation. Professor Eric Wainwright has been engaged as a consultant and will visit UTAS in early December to hold meetings with members of the Committee and key stakeholders. Professor Wainwright's experience includes past positions as Pro Vice-Chancellor (Information and Technologies) at James Cook University, Chair of the Federal Government's Information Management Services Committee and Deputy Director-General of the National Library of Australia. The review will be conducted in several stages, with the first to involve an assessment of major issues and determination of major priorities. This is expected to be completed by the end of the year, with further work to be undertaken in 2008. Parking FinesCouncil approved the University By-Laws 2007. The by-laws were amended to increase the parking fines for certain infringements, in line with increases implemented by the Hobart City Council. Library FinesCouncil approved an amendment to the Library Rules. These rules amend Rule 101 (Library Rules) to incorporate elements that were in the Australian Maritime College rules governing their library. Minor changes have also been made to reflect current terminology or to align with current practice and policy. Since the Australian Maritime College Library will become part of the UTAS Library on 1 January 2008, these Rules will apply to all UTAS Library users after that date. Teaching and Learning NewsSuccessful Project Submissions The University, in conjunction with Launceston City Council, has secured an Australian Government grant for a community project to improve the health and wellbeing of Launceston residents. ‘Launceston, an Active and Healthy City’ aims to increase the number of community based physical activities, as well as improve access and opportunities for different community groups to participate in physical activity. It will also develop resources that support and monitor improved health and wellbeing. The original funding bid was for $200,000, with the Federal Minister for Health and Ageing Tony Abbott advising that negotiations will commence shortly on the final funding amount to be provided. The project will be coordinated by the office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Teaching & Learning). The Carrick Institute for Learning and Teaching in Higher Education has approved $220,000 in funding for UTAS to lead a project titled ‘Creating Accessible Teaching and Support Initiative (CATS)’ under the Competitive Grants Program. The project will operate over a two year period to develop effective strategies to further embed in institutional practice, use of the CATS resource and quality assurance framework, and to ensure integration with other work in the area of inclusive teaching and learning and supporting students with disability. The project will be coordinated by Student Services. Combined TAFE – UTAS Workshop The Tasmanian Articulation and Credit Transfer Committee, chaired by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning) and comprising representatives from the University, TAFE Tasmania, the Office of Post Compulsory Education and Training (OPCET), Skills Tasmania and the Tasmanian Qualifications Authority (TQA), has arranged a workshop for 20 November 2007 to consider additional opportunities for joint program development and streamlined articulation and credit transfer arrangements between organisations. Professor Barbara Van Ernst, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning) at Swinburne University of Technology, has agreed to facilitate the workshop. Workshop attendees will include representatives from UTAS, the Australian Maritime College, TAFE Tasmania, OPCET and TQA. Research NewsPeer Review of Research Grant Applications A revised approach to developing and signing off grant applications has been developed and will be progressively implemented over the next two years. Rigorous peer review processes are already in place in several Schools and Institutes, with very good results. These examples of good practice will be expanded to cover the whole of the university, initially with a focus on the ARC. Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) The Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) is undertaking a detailed consultation process across the university and with key people in State Government and Commonwealth agencies, with a view to establishing IMAS. Improved Media Coverage for UTAS Research The Office of Research Services will build on recent improved exposure of UTAS research in the national and local media, with new publications targeted at business, media, high schools and international audiences. We anticipate working closely with Faculties to ensure that UTAS research receives wide exposure. News from the Faculty of BusinessLaunceston based Professor David Adams has been elected to the executive board of the Launceston Chamber of Commerce, effective from October 2007. Professor Adams is also working on a scoping study with the Local Government Assocation of Tasmania into the viability of offering a Graduate Certificate in Local Government. He is also at early stages of the development of a leadership institute and has met with the Minister for Education, David Bartlett on this initiative. The School of Management held a very successful industry engagement event on the 22nd October at the Hobart Campus where a number of business and industry representatives were provided with copies of the School's latest prospectus and the audience was informed about the research and teaching activities of the School. The Vice Chancellor attended and spoke at the function. The next meeting of the Australian Innovation Research Centre Management Committee is scheduled for 15 November where an update on the Tasmanian Innovation Census project will be provided. This far ranging project is due for release early in 2008. Faculty staff were successful in the recent round of ARC grants with the following staff being part of approved projects; Professor Jonathan West, Dr. Gail Ridley, Dr. Hugh Sibly and Professor Ranjan Ray. Professor Gary O'Donovan is presenting an occasional address at the Institute of Chartered Accountants members’ dinner on 3 November. News from the Faculty of EducationProfessional Experience Placement Procedural Guidelines The Faculty of Education has endorsed the new Professional Experience Procedural Guidelines which will be officially launched by February 2008. The revised Professional Experience Procedural Guidelines, developed under the guidance of the Director of Practicum, Dr Margot Boardman, will be successful in creative common guidelines across the Programs for Professional Experience and in line with the University’s new Professional Experience Policy. Successful consultations have occurred with a number of external stakeholders across a number of educational institutions, including the Department of Education and Teachers Registration Board, to ensure the Faculty guidelines fit with expectations of other partners in the teacher education process. New Appointments The Faculty is finalising the appointment of at least eight new academics to the Faculty who will start employment during January to February 2008. Interviews will additionally take place to fill the positions of Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning) and A/Prof in Education (Rural and Regional) during November. It is currently anticipated that advertising for a new Dean will begin in early November with a closing date in January 2008. Loughran and Berry Seminar Professor John Loughran and Dr Amanda Berry, Science educators from Monash University, last week presented a full day workshop on Research Practice for Faculty academic staff. John and Amanda were attracted to UTAS by Margaret Barrett, who, they said, ’has created the environment for the workshop as part of an on going program by careful planning, distributing pre workshop readings and in other ways preparing staff’. Vanuatu Visitors The Faculty has welcomed two guests from Vanuatu, Amton Mwaraksurmes and David Coulon, both lecturers at the Vanuatu Institute of Teacher Education. Amton and David have joined the Faculty for six weeks to work with a number of Faculty academics in the development of Early Childhood and Special Education curricula for delivery by the Institute to Vanuatu’s teachers in training in 2008. Teaching and Learning Committee Planning Day The Faculty Teaching and Learning Committee held a planning day at Campbell Town on 18th October. The day focused primarily on a review of business conducted during 2007, together with identifying areas, which could be more effective and improved upon during 2008. AppointmentsCouncil received the Vice-Chancellor’s report that on the recommendation of the Honorary Professors’ Committee, re-appointed Professor Alex Coram as Honorary Professor in the School of Government. 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 – 19 October 2007The major items discussed at Academic Senate (other than those forwarded separately to Council) were -
Council also received the draft minutes of the meeting of Academic Senate held on 19 October 2007. |
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