Annual Report 2004 Contents

■ Highlights 2004 ...... 2

■ Vice-Chancellor’s Message ...... 4

■ Key Statistics ...... 7

■ Organisation ...... 8 – Functions of the University – Organisational chart/lines of responsibility – Charter, Values, Mission

■ Corporate Governance ...... 12 – Council – Senior Management – Committees – Legal Change – Risk Management – Recommendations of Ombudsman or Auditor General – Freedom of Information – Privacy

■ Teaching and Learning ...... 26

■ Research and Research Training ...... 36

■ Our Students ...... 44

■ Our Staff ...... 56

■ Our Community ...... 66

■ Organisational Performance ...... 72 The Honourable Carmel Tebbutt MLC – Performance Report for 2004 Minister for Education and Training – Environment New South Wales Parliament House – Waste Management Macquarie Street Sydney NSW 2001 – Energy Management – Promotion and Publications – Physical Infrastructure & Land Disposal

■ Diversity, Access and Equity ...... 80 28 February 2005 – Summary Information – Ethnic Affairs Priority Statement Dear Minister, ■ Donations ...... 82 On behalf of the Council of the University of Newcastle, we have the honour of ■ Financial Performance ...... 86 transmitting to you, pursuant to section 10 and Commercial Activity of the Annual Reports (Statutory Bodies) Act – Controlled Entities 1984, a report on the work and activities of ■ Financial Report and Statements .....90 the University of Newcastle for the twelve months ended 31 December 2004. ■ Compliance Index ...... 156

■ Access and Printing Costs ...... 156

Conjoint Professor Trevor Waring AM Communication Objectives Chancellor Whilst this Annual Report has been written to comply with statutory reporting requirements it also aims to demonstrate the University of Newcastle’s commitment to its strategic objectives as described in the Strategic Plan 2003 – 2006. The report describes the University’s operational framework, Professor Nicholas Saunders reviews activities for 2004 and offers a view to Vice-Chancellor and President plans for improvement.

Feedback We would like to hear your suggestions for the Annual Report. Please send any comments to the Director, Corporate Governance, the University of Newcastle. Highlights 2004

Further information about each of the highlights noted here can be found in the relevant chapter in this report.

Teaching ■ Graduate Certifi cate in the Practice of Tertiary Teaching established and 51 academic staff enrolled and Learning ■ Academic integrity reinforced through policy development, appointment of Student Academic Conduct Offi cers and use of new software for plagiarism prevention ■ Academic Quality Assurance Committee established ■ Network for Innovation in Teaching and Learning established to pursue excellence in teaching and learning

Research ■ Placed in the top ten publicly funded research universities in Australia and Research ■ Increase in external research income of nearly 20 percent from $28 million to $33.5 million Training ■ Awarded a second prestigious Australian Research Council Federation Fellowship ■ Over 60 percent increase in research higher degree graduates leading into 2005 ■ Nine University Postdoctoral Research Fellowships funded for 2005 ■ The University of Newcastle currently employs 850 research staff who work with 1,250 research higher degree students across a wide range of disciplines

Our ■ Eight of the University Medallists in the 2004 graduation ceremonies commenced their studies in either Students Open Foundation or Newstep ■ Higher starting salaries for University of Newcastle graduates than the national median ■ The University of Newcastle’s average level of Indigenous students has risen each year since 1999 and remains consistently above the national average Annual Report 2004 ■ International students at the University of Newcastle number 3,524 from 88 different countries ■ New scholarships system established to enable online scholarships information and application ■ 5,013 graduates received their awards, a University record ■ 45 Aboriginal students graduated, the largest cohort on record The University of Newcastle The

2 Our ■ Appointment of Professor Nicholas Saunders as Vice-Chancellor and President Staff ■ Appointment of Dr Sue Gould as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Services) ■ 56 percent growth in Indigenous staff numbers between 2000 and 2004, continuing to exceed the NSW Government target ■ Two of our Professors named in Australia’s Top 100 Most Infl uential Engineers by Engineers Australia

Our ■ The University of Newcastle’s Science and Engineering Challenge gains funding to take the program nationwide Community ■ The University of Newcastle and partners Hunter Health and the Hunter Medical Research Institute, gain funding to build a high speed fi bre optic network within the Newcastle region which initially will support biomedical research ■ The University of Newcastle signs a Memorandum of Understanding with Great Lakes College to provide enhanced opportunities for Higher Education in the upper Great Lakes region including future opportunities for accelerated learning for gifted and talented students ■ The University of Newcastle launches an Indigenous alumni chapter at Wollotuka’s 21st anniversary celebrations ■ A vibrant year for the University of Newcastle performing arts, fi ne arts and public lecture programs The University of Newcastle Organisational ■ The University of Newcastle continues to be a ‘fi rst choice university’ for students, attracting nearly 12 percent of fi rst Performance preferences to the NSW/ACT Universities’ Admissions Centre (UAC) ■ UAIs for approximately half the programs at the University increased from those of 2003 and the following programs required a UAI of 90 or more: physiotherapy, occupational therapy, medicine, biomedical science, speech pathology and all combined degrees ■ 640 tonnes of quality paper and cardboard captured through the University’s recycling program Annual Report 2004 ■ Average growth in energy consumption between 1999 and 2004 was -0.1 percent

3 Report from the Vice-Chancellor and President

2004 has seen some major changes for the University of Newcastle as well as some impressive achievements. I took up the position of Vice-Chancellor and President of the University in early October 2004 and look forward to building on past successes and developing new areas of strength with the enthusiastic staff and students that constitute this University. Much has changed in the twelve years since I last worked at the University and I have spent my fi rst few months here endeavouring to learn as much as possible about our position. A number of open meetings have been held for staff and students in which I had the opportunity to hear about all the good things that have been happening at the University as well as answering questions and concerns raised by those who attended. I am pleased to report that our research achievements have been impressive. This year we won new grants totalling approximately $16.5 million from the Australian Research Council (ARC) and the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) to support research over the next three years. This, taken together with ARC and NHMRC funding won in earlier years, means that in 2005 alone we will spend more than $20 million for research supported by these agencies. The Research Centre for Gender and Health received a large Commonwealth grant to continue the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health and, more recently, the School of Medical Practice and Population Health and partners launched an important longitudinal study of the over 50s in our region. The Hunter Medical Research Institute, a partnership between Hunter Health, the University and the community, continues to go from strength to strength. And our partnerships with industry continue to grow. The University of Newcastle Industry Scholarship Scheme (UNISS) grew to 83 scholarships in 2004 with 11 UNISS scholars graduating in 2004. Our research has continued to attract signifi cant commercial interest. A new joint venture between Ampcontrol, a provider of innovative power and electronic products and services, and the University has established ResTech, a company aiming to become a market leader and centre of excellence in engineering and research

Annual Report 2004 services for the key markets of heavy industry, mining, power distribution and defence. The biotechnology company Psiron Ltd has linked with the University through TUNRA to commercialise research fi ndings in an effort to produce new anti-cancer treatments. The University of Newcastle The

4 Our community service activities have been varied and highly The end of year defi cit for the University, for 2004, is considerably successful, ranging from delivering legal services on the beach larger than expected. The fi nancial challenges we face are signifi cant last summer to opening an innovative health clinic in Cessnock in and will involve a number of effi ciency measures to be implemented October. We have also worked with the Newcastle City Council and in 2005. Work commenced in 2004 on reviewing our administrative the Hunter Writers Centre to restore the Newcastle Poetry Prize this processes and our academic programs to ensure that the University year, with the Newcastle Region Art Gallery to stage a joint Fine remains fi nancially viable whilst continuing to provide the very best Art and Drama production in the Gallery and with high schools environment for learning and research. to provide accelerated learning opportunities for gifted students Newcastle is a fi ne university and we have much to celebrate. We and to promote interest in science and technology. This year the also face some signifi cant challenges in the next couple of years University’s Science and Engineering Challenge received funding to if we are to continue to grow our research capacity and provide take the Challenge nationwide. And for the fi rst time this year, the a high quality experience for all our students while dealing with University showcased some of its research activities at Newcastle’s our fi nancial position. I look forward to working with the schools, Mattara Festival. faculties, divisions and students of the University, to make the Earlier this year, the Commonwealth supported our plans for University a vibrant and energetic place to work and study. growth by the allocation of additional undergraduate student places, principally at Ourimbah and Port Macquarie. It is pleasing to see from recent statistics provided by the Universities Admission Centre that this increase in our capacity at Ourimbah has been matched by strong demand for places in most programs. For the higher education sector, 2004 has seen considerable energy spent on preparations for the introduction of changes brought about through the Higher Education Support Act 2003, introduced Professor Nicholas Saunders by Federal Minister for Education, Science and Training, Dr Brendan Vice-Chancellor and President Nelson. The University has implemented many changes to systems and processes to accommodate changes to HECS, fee-paying places for undergraduate students, Commonwealth Learning Scholarships and new University of Newcastle Equity Scholarships. Preparations have also been made to accommodate changes which affect industrial relations, teaching and learning and governance of the University. Our students have achieved outstanding results in academic, sporting and cultural fi elds. Graduate and former member of staff, The University of Newcastle Olivia Gollan, represented Australia in the successful women’s cycling team at the Athens Olympics, PhD student, Martin Kelly represented Australia in Judo at the Athens Olympics and Kristy Skelton-Dawe, an early childhood student in the School of Education, represented Australia as a wheelchair athlete at the Paralympic Games in Athens. Of our University Medallists this year, eight entered their undergraduate studies through the University’s Annual Report 2004 enabling programs, Open Foundation and Newstep.

5 Reconciliation The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander fl ags were raised at a ceremony on the Callaghan campus to mark Reconciliation Week. Mick Davidson’s didgeridoo summoned the large crowd. The University has a core value of supporting Indigenous people’s access to university and to strengthening relationships with Indigenous communities. The University exceeds the sector average in representation of both students and staff who identify as being Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Annual Report 2004 The University of Newcastle The

6 2004 Five Years – Key Student and Staff Statistics

CATEGORY 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 % Change 2003-2004

Total 19090 19800 21980 22903 23155 1.1% Number of Female as a percentage of total 56.4% 55.6% 55.0% 55.0% 54.5% -0.9% Students 1 Commencing 7996 9013 8790 8741 8424 -3.8% Female as a percentage of commencing 57.3% 55.9% 56.5% 57.9% 57.4% -0.8%

Total 14469 14693 15926 16329 16058 -1.7% Student Load 2 Undergraduate 12986 13063 13933 14130 13704 -3.1% Postgraduate 1483 1630 1992 2199 2354 6.6%

Total 14469 14693 15926 16329 16058 -1.7% DEST Funded 13053 13066 13524 13678 12933 -5.8% Fee-Paying 1416 1627 2402 2650 3126 15.2% - Fee-Paying Overseas Students 950 1100 1468 1715 2039 15.9% Funding - Fee-Paying Postgraduate 341 423 460 495 499 0.9% - Postgraduate Education Loan Scheme 128 222 284 21.7% 3 Source - Fee-Paying Non-standard Semester 7 125 27 18 -51.4% - Fee-Paying Undergraduate 7 21 27 57 52.4% - Employer Funded 53 9 131 115 96 -20.1% - Non-award 68 89 53 9 13 27.9% - Zero Load 8 5 8 17 36 69 47.8% - Other (includes BOTPLS 9 and Unknown) 3 51 93.4%

Award Total 3968 4114 4533 5013 Undergraduate 2986 3047 3221 3405 4 Completions Postgraduate 982 1067 1312 1608

Total 1966 1981 2071 2188 2263 3.3% Academic 762 762 800 817 837 2.3% Faculty - Teaching and Research 656 645 697 691 684 -1.1% - Research only 55 62 64 86 90 4.8% - Teaching only 5 12 9 7 18 63.9% - Other 16 14 16 22 33 32.1% Full-Time General - Teaching and Research 5 Staff - Research only 13 13 5 4 6 33.3% - Other 18 16 8 7 6 -23.2% Non-Academic 1204 1219 1271 1371 1426 3.9% Faculty - Research only 95 88 109 111 100 -11.1% - Other 356 358 437 516 527 2.1% General - Research only 28 24 18 11 54 80.0% - Other 725 749 707 733 745 1.6%

Total 247 263 228 233

Casual Staff 6 Academic 159 192 160 157 The University of Newcastle Non-Academic 89 70 68 76

NOTES: 1 Number of students represents the number of student enrolments in Programs as at 31 March. 2 Student load represents the sum of the load for each semester, as recorded at the offi cial census date in each semester, expressed in Equivalent Full-time Student Units (EFTSU). 3 Funding Program Load expressed in Equivalent Full-time Student Units (EFTSU) as at 31 March. 4 Award completions represents the number of completed program enrolments. Annual Report 2004 5 Full-time Equivalent positions occupied by full-time and part-time staff members as at 31 March (excluding Independent Operations). 6 Casual staff as Full-time Equivalent positions occupied (excluding Independent Operations). (Casual fi gures are calculated one year behind Full-time). 7 The introduction of a new Student Information System in June 2001 facilitated a policy change from 2002 onward. Some load previously recorded in non-award programs (eg. Summer School) became fee-paying load in undergraduate award programs. 8 HDR students who have exceeded the maximum time allowed for completion of the program under DEST funding. 9 Bridging for Overseas Trained Professionals Loan Scheme. 7 Organisation

(b) the encouragement of the set out in this subsection, and Functions of dissemination, advancement, that are suffi cient to ensure the the University development and application of integrity of the University’s knowledge informed by free inquiry, academic programs. The object and functions of the University (c) the provision of courses of study or (3) The University has other functions under section 6 of the University of instruction across a range of fi elds, as follows: Newcastle Act are: and the carrying out of research, to (a) the University may exercise meet the needs of the community, Object and Functions of University commercial functions comprising (1) The object of the University is the (d) the participation in public discourse, the commercial exploitation or development, for the University’s promotion, within the limits of the (e) the conferring of degrees, including benefi t, of any facility, resource or University’s resources, of scholarship, those of Bachelor, Master and property of the University or in research, free inquiry, the interaction Doctor, and the awarding of which the University has a right of research and teaching, and diplomas, certifi cates and or interest (including, for example, academic excellence. other awards, study, research, knowledge and (2) The University has the following principal (f) the provision of teaching and intellectual property and the functions for the promotion of its object: learning that engage with advanced practical application of study, (a) the provision of facilities for knowledge and inquiry, research, knowledge and intellectual property),

Annual Report 2004 education and research of (g) the development of governance, whether alone or with others, university standard, having procedural rules, admission policies, particular regard to the needs fi nancial arrangements and quality (b) the University may develop and of the Hunter region, the assurance processes that are provide cultural, sporting, Central Coast and underpinned by the values and professional, technical and surrounding areas, goals referred to in the functions vocational services to the community, The University of Newcastle The

8 (c) the University has such general Under the Act the University has and ancillary functions as may Charter the authority to adopt a By-law. be necessary or convenient for After initially operating as a College of The University’s current By-law was enabling or assisting the University the University of New South Wales, the Gazetted on 25 June 1999 (amended to promote the object and interests University of Newcastle was established 22 September 2000), and provides a of the University, or as may by an Act of the New South Wales legislative framework for the conduct of complement or be incidental to Parliament in 1964 (The University of elections and terms of office for members the promotion of the object Newcastle Act 1964), which was later of the Council, functions of the Academic and interests of the University, replaced by The University of Newcastle Senate, the establishment and operations of Convocation, making of Rules by (d) the University has such other Act, 1989. the Council and the Vice-Chancellor, functions as are conferred or The Higher Education (Amalgamation) graduates of the University, the term of imposed on it by or under this Act, 1989, provided for the amalgamation office of the Chancellor and the use of or any other Act. of the Hunter Institute of Higher the University Seal.

(4) The functions of the University may be Education and the Newcastle Branch The University of Newcastle exercised within or outside the State, of the State Conservatorium of Music including outside Australia. with the University of Newcastle from 1 November, 1989. Annual Report 2004

9 Aims and Objectives Values The University of Newcastle values: ■ our students and staff; Vision ■ our region and our partners; What we will be known for: ■ freedom of enquiry and expression; ■ liveliness and innovation; The University of Newcastle will be ■ the creation, dissemination and recognised for the excellence of our application of new knowledge; education and research, the strength of ■ pursuit of lifelong learning; our partnerships and the value of our ■ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander contribution to regional, national and peoples’ culture and aspirations; global enrichment. ■ diversity, equity and social justice; and ■ environmentally sustainable practices. Mission What we do: Strategic Direction The University of Newcastle: The University of Newcastle has set a direction for each of the strategic themes ■ prepares graduates who contribute to for the next three years as detailed in its society, are adaptable global citizens Institutional Strategic Plan. The six strategic and are sought out by employers; themes: Teaching and Learning, Research ■ undertakes outstanding research, and Research Training, Our Students, Our including creative works and Staff, Our Community and Organisational scholarship; and Performance, the related strategic ■ contributes to social, economic and objectives and key operational priorities cultural enrichment and environmental are discussed within the University’s quality sustainability. framework in the chapters following.

International Students International students from the University’s Language Centre took a walk on the wild side at the Tilligerry Habitat State Reserve as part of National Volunteers’ Week. For some, it was the fi rst time they had ventured into the Australian bush. The initiative

Annual Report 2004 gives international students an opportunity to learn more about Australian fl ora and fauna. The University of Newcastle The

10 Organisational Chart – Lines of Responsibility

Council Academic Senate

Vice-Chancellor

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Deputy Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Vice-Chancellor (Services)

TUNGS Research & Research International English Language & The University Training Services Development Foundation Studies Centre of Newcastle Services Graduate School Faculty of Faculty of Faculty of Faculty of Faculty

BusinessAnnual Report 2004 Education Eng & Built Science & Info & Law & Arts Environment of Health Technology

Newcastle Wollotuka School of School of School of Business School of Architecture Biomedical Applied School Aboriginal & Built Sciences Sciences Studies Environment Central School of School of Coast School School of School of Health Behavioural of Business Liberal Arts Engineering Sciences Sciences

Teaching and Research Teaching School of School of School of School of School of Policy University of Newcastle The Education Electrical Medical Environmental Engineering Practice & & Life Sciences School of Law School of 11 Fine Art & Computer Population School of Newcastle Science Health Mathematical Graduate School of Humanities School of & Physical School of Nursing & Sciences Business School of Midwifery Language School of & Media Design, Communication School of & Information Director, Vice- Social Science Technology Chancellor's The Division and Conservatorium Legal Unit

Central Research Support Services Services

Marketing Human Student Planning & Media Business Education Foundation Legal Communications Resource Alumni Infrastructure Business The University of Newcastle Unit Unit Unit Services Services Services The University of Newcastle Unit Services Services Improvement

Chart information as at December 2004 Annual Report 2004 Annual Report 2004

11 Corporate Governance

The Council Members of the Council Meetings of the Council attended: 5/6 during 2004 were: The Vice-Chancellor and President The Council is the governing body of the (a) Parliamentary Members (2) (from 11 October 2004) University. It has, by virtue of section 16 of Professor Nicholas Saunders the University of Newcastle Act, 1989 the One Member of the Legislative MBBS, MD(Syd.), FRACP, FRCP(C) responsibility for the management of the Council elected by that Council Meetings of the Council attended: 2/2 affairs and concerns of the University and may The Honourable Kayee Griffi n MLC The President of the Academic Senate act in all matters concerning the University. Meetings of the Council attended: 5/8 Professor Linda Connor The Council holds six ordinary meetings One Member of the Legislative BA(Hons), PhD(Syd.) each year. Except when it is considering Assembly elected by that Assembly Meetings of the Council attended: 8/8 confi dential items, Council meetings are Mr John Charles Price MP, FIE Aust open to members of the University. Meetings of the Council attended: 4/8 (c) Appointed Members (5) Under the University of Newcastle Act, 1989 (b) The Offi cial Members (3) The appointed members comprise the Council comprises nineteen members: four persons appointed by the The Chancellor (to 30 April 2004) Minister from, as far as practicable, ■ Two parliamentary members Mr Ric Charlton, AM the following categories: ■ Three offi cial members; BE, MESc(Syd.), FTSE, FAIM, FAICD (a) persons experienced in the fi eld of Meetings of the Council attended: 2/2 education or the arts; ■ Five appointed members (four members appointed by the The Chancellor (from 1 May 2004) (b) persons experienced in technology, industry, commerce or industrial Annual Report 2004 Minister and one member appointed Conjoint Porfessor Trevor C Waring, AM by the Council); and BE, MSc, FAPS relations; Meetings of the Council attended: 6/6 (c) persons who are practising, or ■ Nine elected members. have practised, a profession; The Council may, at its discretion, appoint an The Vice-Chancellor and President and the Council may appoint any other additional member. The provision has always (to 5 October 2004) person to be a member of the Council. been invoked to provide for a greater breadth Professor Roger S Holmes

The University of Newcastle The of background and expertise on the Council. BSc, PhD(Qld.), DSc, DUniv (honoris causa)(Griff.) 12 Members appointed by Minister (4) One person who is a member of the non- Four persons who are members of academic staff of the University elected by Convocation (but who are not members Mr Wilton Ainsworth members of the non-academic staff of of the academic or non-academic staff of BSc(Hons)(NSW) the University: the University or students of the University) Meetings of the Council attended: 7/8 elected by members of Convocation: Ms Vicki Petersen Dr William Jonas AM (re-elected for a two year term from Mr Christopher Tola JP BA(Hons), DipEd(NSW), MA, PhD(PNG), 1 September 2004) BA DUniv (honoris causa) GradDipMedia (Aust FilmTV & Radio Meetings of the Council attended: 6/8 Meetings of the Council attended: 7/8 Sch), BA Ms Jane Snell Ms Julie Midson York JP Meetings of the Council attended: 5/8 BTeach/BA(Hons) Dip School Admin, Dip Teach, One person who is an undergraduate student Meetings of the Council attended: 8/8 BAdminLead(NE) of the University but who is not a member Meetings of the Council attended: 7/8 The Deputy Chancellor (to 30 April 2004) of the academic or non-academic staff of Conjoint Porfessor Trevor C Waring AM Ms Sharryn Brownlee the University elected by the undergraduate BA, MSc, FAPS Meetings of the Council attended: 5/8 students of the University: Meetings of the Council attended: 1/2 Member appointed by Council (1) Ms Kylie Rooke The Deputy Chancellor (from 1 May 2004) (one year term of offi ce expired Mr Michael K Johns Emeritus Professor Ken Dutton OAM 31 August 2004) LLM(Syd.), FAICD BA, MA(Syd.), Docteur de l’Université Meetings of the Council attended: 4/5 Meetings of the Council attended: 7/8 (Paris), DLitt(honoris causa), FACE, Offi cier Ms Veronica Mensees dans l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques (d) Elected Members (9) (one year term of offi ce from Meetings of the Council attended: 8/8 Two persons who are members of the 1 September 2004) Mr Neil Hatherly (from 1 May 2004) academic staff of the University elected Meetings of the Council attended: 1/3 BSc(Hons), FAICD, FAIM, FAIMM by members of the academic staff of One person who is a postgraduate student Meetings of the Council attended: 6/6 the University: of the University but who is not a member University Secretary Associate Professor Timothy Roberts of the academic or non-academic staff of The University of Newcastle (to 31 August 2004) the University elected by the postgraduate Ms Linda O’Brien (to 5 March 2004) BSci(Adel), PhD(Flinders) students of the University: BEd(Syd.),GdDipLibInfSc(Kuringai CAE), Meetings of the Council attended: 5/5 MPA(Canberra) Mr Gavin Hazel Associate Professor Wayne Reynolds (one year term of offi ce expired on Mr Paul Drinkwater (Acting from (re-elected for a two year term from 31 August 2004) 6 March to 28 November 2004) 1 September 2004) BEd(Eng/Hist)(Hons), MEdStud BA, MBA BA, DipEd, PhD Meetings of the Council attended: 5/5 Annual Report 2004 Dr Sue Gould (from 29 November 2004) Meetings of the Council attended: 7/8 Mr Ashley Carr BSc(Hons), PhD(Flinders) Professor Janet E Aisbett (one year term of offi ce from (from 1 September 2004) 1 September 2004) BSc(NSW), MA, PhD(W.Ont.) BA(Hons) Meetings of the Council attended: 3/3 Meetings of the Council attended: 3/3 13 Corporate Governance

Ensuring Quality Senior Management ■ Portfolio Committees: – Central Coast Campuses Portfolio Governance Vice-Chancellor and President Committee In 2004 the Council of the University of The Vice-Chancellor and President of the – Community Relations Portfolio Newcastle continued its program of self- University is appointed by the Council Committee review and improvement. under section 12 of the Act. The Vice- Chancellor and President is the chief – Curriculum, Teaching and Learning The major foci of annual review in 2004 were: executive offi cer of the University. He has Portfolio Committee ■ The Council’s Role and Legislative charge of the overall direction of corporate – Information Technology Portfolio Requirements planning, budget activities and external Committee relations of the University. Under the – International Portfolio Committee ■ The Council Committee Structure Council, he manages and supervises the ■ Reports and Information Required by administrative, fi nancial and other activities – Postgraduate Programs Portfolio the Council of the University. He consults with and Committee advises the Academic Senate and other – Research Portfolio Committee ■ Council Meetings, frequency, duration, bodies, supervises the discipline of the and agenda University and puts into effect the by-laws, ■ Selection Committee for Vice-Chancellor’s ■ Council Governance Self-Review Action reports or resolutions passed or adopted Award for General Staff Excellence Plan Update by the Council. The Vice-Chancellor is ex- ■ University Foundation Board offi cio a member of every faculty board and The Council also reviewed questions of all committees within the University and ■ Student Discipline Committee concerning how the University and the may preside at any meeting of those boards Council deal with privacy issues. and committees. (See diagram “Major Committees: Vice-Chancellor”) In early 2004 the Council reviewed the The following committees report to and/or selection criteria and processes for the are advisory to the Vice-Chancellor: selection of the Chancellor and the Vice-Chancellor prior to the selection and ■ 2NUR FM Advisory Board appointment of a new Chancellor and a ■ Academic Staff Consultative Committee new Vice-Chancellor. ■ Board of Aboriginal and Torres Strait The Council attended a two-day strategic Islander Education and Training planning retreat where the focus in 2004 was on the declining budget position and ■ Board of Central Coast Campuses

strategies to produce a better outcome in ■ Board of the English Language and 2005/2006. Foundation Studies Centre

In anticipation of amendments to the Act ■ Promotions Committee (Academic) and the impact of the National Governance Protocols, in November 2004 the Council ■ General Staff Consultative Committee

formed a Council Business Working ■ Occupational Health and Safety Group to review the way Council does its Committee: work, and arising from that review and a comparison of “best practice” in other – Chemical Technical Sub-Committee organisations, to recommend to the Council – Evacuation Technical Sub-Committee better ways of managing the business of the Council in fulfi lment of its functions – Institution Biosafety Committee as defi ned in section 16 of the Act. The Annual Report 2004 – Radiation Technical Sub-Committee Working Group will recommend signifi cant change including a major restructure of the ■ Outside Study Programs Appeals standing committees and the allocation of Committee

work amongst them. ■ Planning and Quality Steering Committee The University of Newcastle The

14 MAJOR COMMITTEES: VICE-CHANCELLOR

Vice-Chancellor

Portfolio Committees

Promotions English Language & Outside Study University 2NUR-FM Board of Aboriginal Regional Occupational Student Discipline Committee Foundation Studies Programs Committee Foundation Advisory & Torres Strait Islander Disability Health & Safety Committee (Academic) Centre (OSPRO) Board Board Education & Training Liaison Group Committee

OSPRO Chemical Radiation Institutional Evacuation Appeals Technical Technical Biosafety Committee Committee Sub-Committee Sub-Committee Committee

The Senior Executive Group is the Vice- The Senior Executive Group Chancellor and President’s chief advisory committee and comprises the senior management of the University: the Vice- Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Deputy Vice- Chancellor (Services), President of Academic Senate and the fi ve Pro Vice-Chancellors. Vice-Chancellor and President The fi ve Pro Vice-Chancellors are each from 11 October 2004 responsible to the Vice-Chancellor for the Professor Nicholas Saunders, academic leadership and effi cient and MBBS, MD(Syd.), FRACP, effective operation of their faculties and FRACP(C), also have a University-wide portfolio.

Deputy Deputy Deputy Vice-Chancellor Vice-Chancellor Vice-Chancellor (Research) (Services) from 29 October 2004 Professor Ronald J MacDonald, Professor Brian A English, Dr Susan Gould, BSc, PhD(NSW), FAIP BSW(Hons), PhD(NSW) BSc(Hons), PhD(Flinders)

Pro Vice-Chancellor Pro Vice-Chancellor Pro Vice-Chancellor (Business and Law) (Education and Arts) (Health) Professor Bernard Carey, Professor Terence J Lovat, Professor John Marley, BA(Hons), LLB(Hons), BEd, GradDipREd(SAustCAE), MBChB(Dund.) MD(Adel.) PhD(Syd.), FAICD, FANZAM, BLitt(Deakin), BTheol, FRACGP SFCDA(Hons) TheolM(MelbDivColl), MA, PhD(Syd.)

Pro Vice-Chancellor Pro Vice-Chancellor President of (Science and Information (Engineering and Built Academic Senate Technology) Environment) The University of Newcastle The University of Newcastle Professor Bill Hogarth, Professor Adrian Page Professor Linda Connor, BSc(Hons), PhD, FIMA, BE(NSW), PhD Newcastle BA(Hons), PhD(Syd.) CMath, FAustMS (NSW), ASTC, HonFIEAust CPEng

Vice-Chancellor Vice-President Acting and President (University Services) to Vice-President retired 5 October 2004 5 March 2004 (University Services) from

8 March 2004 to 26 November 2004 Annual Report 2004 Professor Roger S Holmes, Ms Linda O’Brien, Annual Report 2004 BSc, PhD(Qld.), DSc, DUniv BEd(Syd.), Ms Lynne Benton, (honoris causa) (Griff.) GdDipLibInfSc(Kuringai CAE), BA(Hons), MA(InfoStud) MPA(Canberra)

1515 Corporate Governance

Academic Senate (d) to consider, and report to the Council Committees on, any proposal concerning teaching, The Academic Senate is the principal scholarship or research that is made by The Council receives advice on academic academic body of the University of matters from the Academic Senate, any faculty, school, board or other body Newcastle. It is the primary forum for debate within the University, the peak academic decision-making body on all academic issues in the University of the University. and has a major role in academic quality (e) to determine, after consultation with assurance processes. The Academic Senate each of the faculties, schools, boards or The following standing committees also other bodies concerned, any matter facilitate the operations of the Council: has the mission to protect, promote and enhance the excellence of the core academic concerning any course of study or ■ Animal Care and Ethics Committee activities in the University – teaching and examination that is not solely within the province of any single faculty, ■ Audit Committee research. The majority of the members of school, board or other body, ■ Disciplinary Appeals Committee the Academic Senate are elected by the academic staff of the University. (f) to consider, and report to the Council ■ Discipline Committee or to any other body within the Functions of Academic Senate ■ Gladys M Brawn Memorial Gift University on, any matter affecting the Committee The Functions of Academic Senate are policies and activities of the University ■ Honorary Degrees and Exceptional specifi ed in part 3 section 28 of the or of any such body, Service Medals Committee University of Newcastle By-law 1999. (g) to exercise such other functions as may ■ Human Research Ethics Committee The Academic Senate is the principal be conferred or imposed on the Academic Senate by the rules. ■ Kelver Hartley Awards Committee academic body in the University, and has At its meeting on 5 March 2004, the Council ■ Medals Committee the following functions: formally delegated to the Academic Senate ■ Promotions Appeals Committee (a) to advise the Council on matters the power to: ■ Promotions Committee (Academic) concerning the academic activities of the University, (i) approve policy and procedures relating ■ Resources and to teaching, learning and research; Administration Committee (b) to consider, and report to the Council on, any matter referred to it by (ii) approve revisions to programs; and ■ Tender/Expressions of the Council, Interest Review Committee (iii) carry out academic quality assurance. (c) to refer matters to any faculty, school, (See diagram “Major Committees: Council”) board or other body within the The President of Academic Senate is the University for consideration and report, senior elected academic in the University, with primary responsibility to the Academic Senate.

MAJOR COMMITTEES: COUNCIL

Council

Honorary Degrees Vice-Chancellor's Academic Senate Resources & Audit Medals & Exceptional Committees (see listed committees) Administration Annual Report 2004

Annual Report 2004 Service Medals (see listed committees)

Tender/Expressions Human Research Animal Care Discipline of Interest Review Ethics & Ethics Appeals

Remuneration Promotions Appeals Gladys M Brawn Kelver Hartley Memorial Gift Awards The University of Newcastle The The University of Newcastle The

1616 Committees of the Academic Senate ■ TAFE – University Pathways Frequency of Meetings The following committees report to and/or Coordination Committee The Committee is required to meet at least are advisory to the Academic Senate: The range of University committees is regularly four times per year and as frequently as necessary. It met fi ve times in 2004. ■ Faculty Boards: reviewed to determine the appropriateness or otherwise of the committees and their – Faculty of Business and Law terms of reference. In December 2004 the Qualifi cation of Members – Faculty of Education and Arts Council commenced a major review of the The Charter of the Audit Committee at section – Faculty of Engineering and Council Standing Committee. 6.1, General Qualifi cations, requires at least Built Environment one member of the Audit Committee to have Except when confi dential items are to be a background in accounting or auditing. – Faculty of Health considered, members of the University – Faculty of Science and may attend meetings of any University The Council has not in the past been – Information Technology committees as observers. successful in its petitions to the Minister for the appointment of a person with a ■ Portfolio Committees: Audit Committee background in accounting and auditing to – Central Coast Campuses the Council, and so the pool of external/ Portfolio Committee The Audit Committee is required to provide independent members for appointment to – Community Relations an annual report to the Council for the Audit Committee lacks the required Portfolio Committee inclusion in the University Annual Report. qualifi cation. The amended Act now – Curriculum, Teaching and “The report shall include mention of the requires at section 9(5)(a) that at least Learning Portfolio Committee committee’s responsibilities and activities, two members must have fi nancial expertise. The amendments to the composition of – Information Technology details of each member’s term of Council, and the mode of appointment, Portfolio Committee appointment, expertise and attendance at meetings and the total number of will permit the Council in the medium term – International Portfolio Committee meetings held each year.” to achieve this requirement. – Postgraduate Programs Portfolio Committee – Research Portfolio Committee

Audit Committee

Ex-Offi cio Members Three other members of the Council, who shall be neither staff nor students, appointed by the Council Chancellor Conjoint Professor Trevor Waring AM one of whom the Council shall elect to be Chair. (from 1 May 2004) (meetings attended 4/4) Qualifi cations: BA, MSc, FAPS Term of offi ce Deputy Chancellor Emeritus Professor Ken Dutton OAM expires (meetings attended 2/3) Chair Mr Michael Johns 31/03/2006 Qualifi cations: BA, MA(Syd.), Docteur de l’Université (Paris), (meetings attended 5/5) DLitt(honoris causa), FACE, Offi cier dans l’Ordre des Palmes Qualifi cations: LLM(Syd.), FAICD

Académiques The University of Newcastle Vice-Chancellor Professor Nicholas Saunders Mr John Price MP 31/03/2006 (meetings attended 4/5) (from 11 October 2004) (meetings attended 1/1) Qualifi cations: FIEAust Qualifi cations: MBBS, MD(Syd.), FRACP, FRCP(C)

Vice-Chancellor Professor Roger Holmes Ms Julie Midson York 31/03/2005 (to 5 October 2004) (meetings attended 4/4) (meetings attended 4/5) Qualifi cations: BSc, PhD(Qld.), DSc, Qualifi cations: DipSchoolAdmin, Annual Report 2004 DUniv (honoris causa)(Griff.) DipTeach, BAdminLead(NE)

Chancellor Mr Ric Charlton AM (to 30 April 2004) (meetings attended 1/1) Qualifi cations: BE, MESc(Syd.), FTSE, FAIM, FAICD

17 Corporate Governance

Responsibilities and provide information on the relationship Legal Change of student behaviour to HECS and fees, The Audit Committee monitors the student numbers and fee-based income has University’s governance framework and Higher Education Support occurred and will inform the admissions administrative operations, including those Act 2003 process early in 2005. of the controlled entities, and advises the Implementation of the Higher Education Council thereon. Other issues being addressed are Reforms enshrined in the Higher Education compliance with the 35 percent limit on The Audit Charter can be found at www. Support Act 2003 commenced in 2004. fee-paying places in a given course of newcastle.edu.au/services/committees/ Student systems and business processes study and changes to work experience in constitutions/audit.html have been modifi ed to meet our legislative industry provisions and employer reserved obligations which include compliance places provisions. Also being developed Activities with the student contribution and fees are requirements including processes requirements, and the publishing of these Amongst matters considered by the Audit regarding re-crediting, remission and by set dates in 2004. Further modifi cations review of decisions. Committee in 2004 were: have been applied to enable the introduction A Communication Strategy and an Action ■ revised reporting requirements for of fee-paying undergraduate places from 2005. controlled entities Plan were formally adopted to ensure that Also addressed has been the allocation all stakeholders have the opportunity to be ■ internal audit of controlled entities of the Commonwealth Higher Education informed and/or trained about the effects ■ review of the performance of internal audit Student Support Number (CHESSN) by of the reforms. This has encompassed 31 March 2005 and obtaining informed ■ fraud control strategy – self assessment the production of publications and consent from all students before this occurs; presentations for academic and general ■ establishment of a high level risk and provision of the Commonwealth management policy staff of the University, Careers Advisers in Assistance Notice (CAN) to all Commonwealth schools, prospective students, commencing ■ IT Strategy Review assisted students 28 days after the census and continuing students. ■ an update to the institutional Risk date, including students’ CHESSNS. The requirement to notify students that Management Implementation Plan and The online enrolment system has been the compilation of a Risk Register they are Commonwealth supported modifi ed to meet the requirement that all has been met through communications ■ Reconciliation of grant data and Commonwealth supported students, both to prospective, current and continuing security over grant funding continuing and commencing, must submit students. Continuing pre-2005 HECS and ■ review of contracts, particularly for a request for Commonwealth assistance PELS students have been advised about the international operations form by their fi rst unit of study census date transitional arrangements in place for them. in 2005. ■ review of the Callista Research system The University was allocated 204 ■ review of the Student Records system The introduction of the Higher Education Commonwealth Learning Scholarships in Information Management System (HEIMS) ■ review of appointment of agents with 2004 and these were offered to eligible has necessitated major changes to data particular reference to due diligence students. The allocation to the University elements in our student system, NUSTAR, required for commercial activities for 2005 is 365 scholarships. The selection for DEST reporting, and interface between criteria have been reviewed for 2005 in ■ the register of commercial activities, and NUSTAR and HEIMS for CHESSN allocation line with the legislation and will include ■ a new Policy and Procedure for and the Student Learning Entitlement check. a range of educational disadvantages as Procurement The establishment of OS-HELP, a loans well as the prime criterion of fi nancial In December 2004 the Chair of the Audit scheme for Australian students who wish disadvantage, with the aim to target more Committee and the Vice-Chancellor hosted to study overseas as part of their Australian comprehensively the students in most need the second annual Internal Audit Briefi ng degree has resulted in participation in a of such scholarships. and information gathering session for senior bidding process which determined the A number of human resource related staff to assist in reviewing the internal number of loans (50) for the University of Annual Report 2004 audit plan for 2005 – 2007. The theme of requirements have been addressed. The Newcastle, and system changes to support University of Newcastle (Academic Staff) the 2004 briefi ng was Accountability and distribution and tracking of funds. included sessions on Corruption Resistance, Enterprise Agreement 2004 (awaiting High Level Risk Management, Commercial The creation of a new student and certifi cation) and the draft University Activities and Controlled Entities. discipline modelling and projection system of Newcastle General Staff Enterprise to accurately model student admission and Agreement 2004 (awaiting certifi cation) enrolment behaviour at the discipline level contain the Australian Workplace The University of Newcastle The

18 Museum First year Drama student, Anika Means performing in “Museum” by American playwright, Tina Howe. The production was staged at the Newcastle Region Art Gallery and was a collaboration between the Gallery, the University’s Conservatorium Drama and the School of Fine Art. Students from the School of Fine Art dressed the set for the play’s “Broken Silence” exhibition with outstanding, idiosyncratic art works.

NUbots The NUbots, our world class, four legged, soccer playing robots took out third place at RoboCup, the International Robot Soccer World Cup held in Lisbon, Portugal in June. Twenty four teams from around the world, including

Europe, Asia and North and South The University of Newcastle America, competed in the Cup. Annual Report 2004

19 Corporate Governance

Agreement Clause as prescribed by Commonwealth Grant (b) particularise certain of the functions Commonwealth Government notifi cation in Scheme of the University’s governing body May 2004. (including overseeing the University’s Under the Higher Education Support Act performance, approving the University’s In relation to the Learning and Teaching 2003, to be eligible for an increase in mission, strategic direction, annual Performance Fund, DEST requires funding under the Commonwealth Grant budget and business plan, overseeing documentation showing staff development Scheme (CGS), the University will be risk management across the University, opportunities, eg on-campus and external required to comply with the Commonwealth approving and monitoring the University’s programs, staff placements or exchanges Government’s National Governance Protocols systems of accountability, ensuring that provided for sessional and full-time and the Government’s Higher Education the University’s grievance procedures and academic staff in the preceding year. Workplace Relations Requirements. associated information are published The University, in addition to its ongoing in a form that is readily accessible to staff development program, introduced University Legislation the public, regularly reviewing its own the Graduate Certifi cate in the Practice Amendment Act 2004 performance, adopting a statement of of Tertiary Teaching in Semester 2, 2004. The University Legislation Amendment Act its primary responsibilities, and making Sessional staff participated in training 2004 received assent from the New South available a program of induction and workshops which commenced during Wales Governor in Council, 21 December development for its members), and second semester 2004. These workshops 2004. The Act amends the University of (c) note generally the governing body’s addressed: Newcastle Act 1989 No 68, the University’s obligations under the Annual Reports ■ Teaching and Facilitation enabling Act. (Statutory Bodies) Act 1984, and ■ Strategies in Assessment Under section 33-15 of the Higher Education (d) impose requirements on the governing ■ Policy Requirements Support Act 2003 of the Commonwealth, body relating to the control and higher education providers are required ■ Academic Integrity monitoring of entities controlled by to meet the requirements of the the University, and ■ Inclusiveness Commonwealth’s National Governance ■ Linking Tutorials and Labs with Lectures Protocols for higher education providers (e) provide for the duties of members of the to qualify for increased Commonwealth University’s governing body (being to DEST Criteria requires that documentation funding. The object of this Act is to amend act in the best interests of the University, on academic probation and promotions the Acts that establish universities in New to exercise care and diligence, to not policies and practices indicate staff are South Wales to the extent necessary to improperly use the position of member required to provide evidence of their enable the universities to comply with or improperly use information, and to effectiveness as a teacher (eg student those requirements. disclose material interests to avoid a evaluations of teaching, portfolios, etc). confl ict of interest) and for removal Consequently, the University’s offer of In relation to the University of Newcastle, of a member from offi ce for breach of employment letter to full-time/part-time the amendments: duty if such a motion is supported by a and fi xed term academic staff Level A or B (a) alter, and impose requirements in two-thirds majority of members of the now includes a probationary requirement relation to, the composition of the governing body, and to successfully complete the Graduate University’s governing body (including Certifi cate in the Practice of Tertiary (f) require the Minister and the governing limiting its membership to no more body to take into account the need to Teaching. The University of Newcastle than 22 members, removing the (Academic Staff) Enterprise Agreement maintain an appropriate balance of requirement that it include members experienced and new members when 2004 requires a staff member to provide of Parliament, allowing the Minister their academic supervisor with a summary appointing members and (in the case to appoint members of Parliament as of the governing body) when making of teaching evaluations on an annual basis members only if on the nomination as part of Managing for Performance. by-laws with respect to the terms of of the governing body, requiring elected members and provide (except the majority of its members to be

Annual Report 2004 where a more stringent limit is already external to the University, requiring provided for in the University’s Act) its members to possess certain that the maximum incumbency for a expertise and experience, and requiring member of the governing body is 12 procedures for the nomination of consecutive years unless the governing appointed members to be set out in the body otherwise resolves, and University’s by-laws), and The University of Newcastle The

20 (g) alter the grounds on which the offi ce The workers’ compensation claims of a member of the governing body Risk Management experience has been successful through is vacated (most signifi cantly by The University has continued an ongoing early intervention and return to work plans, requiring the offi ce of a member of risk management program which involves with the result of a base premium saving the governing body to be vacated if the identifi cation and assessment of the of up to 40 percent. The University also the member is or becomes disqualifi ed University’s risk exposure and strategies for actively identifi es perceived risks through from managing a corporation under appropriate management. its safety committees and Occupational Part 2D.6 of the Corporations Act 2001 Health and Safety staff, and encourages of the Commonwealth), and During 2004, the University, through its the adoption of risk management plans to Audit Committee, continued its progress promote safety in the University community. (h) enable regulations of a savings or of the Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu risk transitional nature to be made as a assessment report conducted in 2002. The Corporate Governance group will be consequence of the enactment of The primary objectives were to identify exploring what net benefi ts in reducing the proposed Act, and insert other signifi cant institutional risks to be premiums may be achieved if the University provisions of a savings or transitional addressed by senior management related accepts higher levels of excesses for certain nature (including in relation to the to the core business operations of the categories of insurance. Aspects of self constitution and continuity of the University, and to provide a framework that insurance for overseas travel and motor governing body, the application of the will assist the University in integrating risk vehicle insurance are to be explored in proposed provisions dealing with the management with its business practices. 2005 with a view to achieving savings removal from offi ce of a member of The University’s Risk Management through premium reduction and better risk the governing body for breach of duty, Implementation Plan, approved in March management. In addition, internal strategies and the period to be counted for the 2003 and updated annually (the last to modify practice will also be explored with purposes of the proposed provision update being carried out in June 2004), will a view to reducing claims events. dealing with the maximum incumbency be the subject of an internal audit review During 2004 the University had two for members of the governing body). in the fi rst half of 2005, which then will be major insurance claims. The fi rst, a fi re The University Legislation Amendment Act reported to Council. in the Shortland Union Building will cost 2004 also repeals the University Legislation The broad objectives of the risk management approximately $2.3 million to restore. This (Amendment) Act 1994 and the Statute program as noted in the Audit Committee cost includes building, contents and loss Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No Charter are to: of profi ts insurance. The other, hail storm 2) 1999, and makes a number of ancillary damage and water intrusion in several and consequential amendments to the ■ establish the context buildings on the Callaghan campus, will cost University Act. ■ identify risks approximately $1.5 million to restore. The major loss occurred in the ATC Building that ■ analyse risks is occupied by Connell Wagner which had its ■ evaluate risks contents insured separately. Both incidents ■ treat risks are fully covered by University insurance. ■ monitor and review, and In 2004 the University had in place ■ communicate and consult comprehensive insurance policies in relation in relation to strategic and operational risks to Industrial Special Risk (including machinery across the University (ref Risk Management breakdown), Professional Indemnity, Directors and Offi cers, Motor Vehicle, Personal Accident

Standard AS/NZS 4360:2004). Within The University of Newcastle this framework the University hopes to (including Travel), Goods in Transit, Marine achieve improved occupational health and and Workers’ Compensation. safety standards for students, staff and visitors, and recurrent savings in relation to maintenance of operations and insurance costs, including workers’ compensation. Annual Report 2004

21 Corporate Governance

(iv) ensuring the fullest possible protection parallel the program already in place for Recommendations against reprisals for complainants; Research Higher Degree students. of Ombudsman or (v) appropriate disciplinary action (iv) that staff induction and training programs against those who make knowingly be developed to ensure that all staff Auditor-General false complaints. involved in research activity are familiar (c) Review its policies on record keeping to with the requirement of the Joint The Council is required by section 17B of ensure they faithfully refl ect the proper NH&MRC/AVCC Statement and Guidelines the University of Newcastle Act 1989 to implementation of State Records Act on Research Practice, and the University include in each annual report as part of requirements. Such implementation policy, once developed in accordance with the report of its operations, a report as to include: (i) above, and to any action taken by the Council during (i) institution of a training program for (v) that the Vice-Chancellor report to Council the period to which the report relates to all relevant staff in record keeping on the above at the 31 October implement any recommendation made in a requirements 2003 meeting. report of the Ombudsman or the Auditor- (ii) an active monitoring and reporting The Council noted in relation to the General concerning the Council or the of compliance program by internal Ombudsman’s recommendation University: audit 8.1(c)(i) that those matters were already under active consideration by the (a) whether or not the recommendation ■ I recommend that the Minister for Audit Committee. relates to a referral by the Minister Education and Training draw all of the under section 21E, and above recommendations of this report The Council noted in October 2003 that (b) whether or not the recommendation to the attention of all universities in the majority of matters noted above had relates to a University commercial New South Wales and request that each been addressed. university inform both him and the NSW activity (as defi ned in section 21A).” At its meeting held on 3 September 2004, Ombudsman within three months of the the Council approved a new “Internal Minister’s letter of advice, of the actions In 2003 the Ombudsman reported on Reporting Policy – Staff”, which provides each university proposes to address those an Investigation of Protected Disclosure for University protection of whistleblowers, recommendations. about the University of Newcastle and both staff and students, and noted that recommended as follows: ■ I recommend that the University the Vice-Chancellor, 2 September 2004, Chancellor provide all members of the had approved amended Student Grievance ■ I recommend that the University Council: University Council with a copy of this Procedures which give students protected (a) adopt and publish a policy on the report in order to ensure that they disclosure type protection in relation proper attribution of prior work in all are equipped to properly exercise the to grievances. research grant applications and research responsibility imposed on the Council by In December 2004 there were two publications by all members of the section 17B of the University of Newcastle outstanding issues arising from the University. Where individual Faculties and Act 1989. Ombudsman’s recommendations noted Schools have existing policies in this area, In August 2003 the Council resolved: by the Council - a compliance program such should be reviewed to ensure they (i) that the Vice-Chancellor institute a review in relation to training of all relevant staff accord with the principles of the overall of University policy relating to research in record keeping, and the development University policy. conduct and practice with a view to of a University specifi c policy on research (b) Adopt and publish a policy to protect developing an institution specifi c policy conduct and practice. students and junior staff from improper arising from the Joint National Health and or inequitable use of their academic work Medical Research Council/Australian Vice- The Council resolved to require that an active by more senior staff. Such a policy should Chancellors’ Committee (NH&MRC/AVCC) monitoring and reporting of compliance cover (but not be confi ned to) issues of: Statement and Guidelines on program, in relation to training of all relevant staff in record keeping, be included in the (i) to whom complaints of misuse Research Practice. Internal Audit Program for 2005. (ii) that a policy be developed to provide for

Annual Report 2004 should be made ii) ensuring assessment and students to make protected disclosures While recognising that there was work investigation of complaints are about academic misconduct with the being progressed at a state and national carried out by staff from a different same protection provided to complainants level in relation to the Review of the academic unit to the one in which the as is afforded to staff under the Protected NHMRC/AVCC Statement and Guidelines academic complained about, works; Disclosures Policy. on Research Practice (1997), the Council resolved to require, as a matter of urgency, (iii) the principles to guide such (iii) that the University through Faculties and The University of Newcastle The the development of a University specifi c assessment and investigation; Schools implement for Honours students policy on research conduct and practice. 22 a research practice induction program to Cycling Success Graduate and former member of staff, Olivia Gollan, represented Australia in the successful women’s cycling team at the Athens Olympics.

Careers Fair One of the largest careers events to be hosted by a New South Wales university was held at Newcastle in March, with 90 employers attending the Careers Fair. Over 1,000 students were able to speak with employers about graduate programs, career paths, and effective ways of obtaining employment. It also provided the students with the The University of Newcastle opportunity of developing a network of contacts for work experience. Annual Report 2004

23 Corporate Governance

Freedom of Section C Section G Ministerial Certifi cates – number issued during FOI requests granted in part or refused – basis Information the period. of disallowing access – number of times each The University of Newcastle falls within reason cited in relation to complete requests Result of FOI requests Personal the jurisdiction of the New South Wales which were granted in part or refused. (NSW) Freedom of Information Act 1989. C1 Ministerial Certifi cates issued 0 (0) Basis of disallowing Under the Act the University is required to or restricting access Personal Other include in its Annual Report the following G1 Section 19 (incomplete, information for the processing of requests wrongly directed) 0 (0) 0 (0) for the calendar year of 2004. Comparative Section D G2 Section 22 (deposit fi gures for 2003 are shown in brackets. not paid) 0 (0) 8 (0) Formal consultations – number of requests Section A G3 Section 25 (1) (a1) requiring consultations (issued) and total (diversion of resources) 0 (0) 0 (0) number of formal consultation(s) for the period. Numbers of new FOI requests – information G4 Section 25 (1) (a) relating to the numbers of new FOI requests (exempt) 0 (0) 0 (2) Result of FOI requests Issued Total received, those processed and those G5 Section 25 (1), (b), incomplete from the previous period. D1 Number of requests (c), (d), (otherwise requiring consultation 0 (0) 0 (0) available) 0 (0) 0 (0)

FOI requests Personal Other Total G6 Section 28 (1), (b), (documents not held) 0 (0) 0 (0) A1 New (incl. transferred in) 2(0) 12 (6) 14 (6) G7 Section 24 (2), A2 Brought forward 0(0) 0 (0) 0 (0) Section E (deemed refused, over 21 days) 0 (0) 0 (0) A3 Total to be processed 2(0) 12 (6) 14 (6) Amendment of personal records – number of G8 Section 31 (4) (released A4 Completed 2(0) 4 (6) 5 (6) requests for amendment processed during to medical practitioner) 0 (0) 0 (0) A5 Transferred out 0(0) 0 (0) 0 (0) the period. G9 Total 0 (0) 8 (2) A6 Withdrawn 0(0) 8* (0) 8 (0) Result of amendment A7 Total processed 2(0) 4 (6) 6 (6) requests Total

A8 Unfi nished (carried fwd.) 0(0) 0 (0) 8 (0) E1 Result of amendment – agreed 0 (0) *deposit not paid, assumed withdrawn. Section H E2 Result of amendment – refused 0 (0) Costs and fees of requests processed during E3 Total 0 (0) the period (ie those included in lines A4, A5 Section B and A6). What happened to completed requests? Assessed FOI fees (Completed requests are those on line A4). costs received Section F H1 All completed requests $195.00 $165.00 Result of FOI requests Personal Other Notation of personal records – number of ($180.00) ($220.00) B1 Granted in full 2(0) 2 (3) requests for notation processed during B2 Granted in part 0(0) 1 (1) the period. B3 Refused 0(0) 9 (2) Result of amendment B4 Deferred 0(0) 0 (0) requests Total

B5 Completed* 2(0) 4 (6) F1 Number of requests for notation 0 (0) * Note: The fi gures on line B 5 should be the same as the Annual Report 2004 corresponding ones on A4. The University of Newcastle The

24 Section I Section L Discounts allowed – numbers of FOI requests Review and Appeals – number fi nalised during processed during the period where discounts the period. were allowed.

Type of discount L1 Number of internal reviews fi nalised 0 (1) allowed Personal Other L2 Number of Ombudsman reviews fi nalised 0 (0) I1 Public interest 0 (0) 0 (0) L3 Number of District Court reviews fi nalised 0 (0) I2 Financial hardship – pensioner/child/student 0 (0) 1 (0)

I3 Financial hardship – non-profi t organisation 0 (0) 0 (0) Details of internal review results – number

I4 Total 0 (0) 1 (0) fi nalised during the period.

I5 Signifi cant correction of personal records 0 (0) 1 (0) Basis of internal review Personal Other

Grounds on which internal review requested Upheld* Varied* Upheld* Varied* Section J L4 Access refused 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) L5 Deferred 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) Days to process – number of completed L6 Exempt matter 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (1) 0 (0) requests (A4) by calendar days (elapsed time) taken to process. L7 Unreasonable charges 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) L8 Charge unreasonably incurred 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (1) 0 (0) Elapsed Time Personal Other L9 Amendment refused 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) J1 0 – 21 days 2 (0) 4 (6) L10 Total 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (1) 0 (0) J2 22 – 35 days 0 (0) 0 (0) * Note: relates to whether or not the original agency was upheld or

J3 Over 35 days 0 (0) 0 (0) varied by internal review. J4 Total 2 (0) 4 (6) Wherever possible the University also gave access to documents as part of the routine Section K administrative processes, not subject to the formal freedom of information process. Processing time – number of completed requests (A4) by hours taken to process. Privacy The University of Newcastle’s Privacy Processing Hours Personal Other Management Plan sets out the policies and K1 0 – 10 hours 2 (0) 3 (2) practices the University has adopted to K2 11 – 20 hours 0 (0) 1 (4) ensure compliance with the Privacy and

Personal Information Protection Act. The Plan The University of Newcastle K3 21 – 40 hours 0 (0) 0 (0) itself is a requirement of the Act and where K4 Over 40 hours 0 (0) 0 (0) applicable, the privacy principles embodied K5 Total 2 (0) 4 (6) in the legislation are being incorporated into the policies, guidelines, procedural documents and practices at the University. Annual Report 2004

25 Teaching and Learning

Pursuing Excellence in Teaching and Learning The Year Five faculties, their constituent Review of Activities at a Glance schools and a range of central services work together to Focus ■ 51 academic staff support and improve teaching practice and the learning In pursuing excellence in teaching and commenced the innovative learning while refl ecting the values of Graduate Certifi cate in the experience at the University of the University, our strategies over the Practice of Tertiary Teaching Newcastle. This collaborative next three years focus on: ■ enterprise drives a wide variety A program on effective 1. sharpening the nexus between learning and teaching of initiatives and activities teaching and research; practice was attended by which ensure our teaching is 66 sessional academics 2. supporting the professional of the highest calibre, students development of our teachers; ■ are supported at optimum Use of the University’s 3. developing collaborative student- learning management levels and programs and centred support systems; and system, Blackboard, grew courses meet the dynamic by approximately 60% in 2004 4. reviewing the content of our programs needs of students and the and courses to ensure we are preparing ■ Appointment of 26 Student wider community. graduates who are global citizens and Annual Report 2004 Academic Conduct Offi cers valued professionals. – one for each school of the University The University of Newcastle The

26 Reinforcing Academic ■ appointment of 26 Student Academic This was the fi nal staff development Integrity Conduct Offi cers, one for each school; initiative in this area for the year and was ■ development of transparent new policy opened up to the wider higher education A major focus of the University in 2004 and procedures on Academic Integrity; community to allow them to learn from was on academic integrity. This was in Newcastle’s experience. One hundred ■ availability of InfoSkills self-paced response to a perceived worsening of the and thirty participants attended from 35 learning modules for students; problem of plagiarism and to concerns universities in Australia and New Zealand. about marking in a particular offshore ■ use of Turnitin plagiarism detection The symposium sessions were opened by course. The University has chosen to accept software as a tool to support learning; the Chancellor, Conjoint Professor Trevor the challenge of providing leadership in ■ inclusion of sessions on academic Waring and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nick this area. integrity in teaching and learning Saunders. International speakers, Jude A project plan to reinforce academic in both the Graduate Certifi cate in Carroll (Oxford Brookes University, UK) and values at the University of Newcastle the Practice of Tertiary Teaching and Professor Don McCabe (Rutgers University), was developed by Senior Management sessional teachers’ workshops; gave highly valued contributions along in response to the St James Ethics Centre ■ introduction of a self-paced refl ective with guest speaker from the University Enquiry into Plagiarism, Procedures and module for all staff on academic of Wollongong, Dr Rod Nillsen. The The University of Newcastle Management Controls. Endorsed by the integrity; and proceedings are located at www.newcastle. edu.au/conferences/academic-integrity University Council on 13 February 2004, ■ development of a website on academic it drew upon the experience of universities integrity for staff and students. in the UK and North America. The plan has All these initiatives are aimed at producing 1. Sharpening the nexus signifi cant consequences for all staff and graduates who respect academic honesty, between teaching students and essentially operates at the integrity, knowledge and truth by being and research Annual Report 2004 school or discipline level, where teaching explicit about academic requirements and and learning occur, thus being a part of Initiatives which foster the nexus between providing the resources for students and academic culture. Initiatives achieved under teaching and research include those lecturers to fulfi l the requirements. the plan in 2004 include: which build course content based on staff A Symposium on Promoting Academic research strengths, embed the process of Integrity, was held 24-25 November 2004. research into teaching, respond to student 27 Teaching and Learning

needs identifi ed through survey tools and secondary school environments allow academic staff with tertiary teaching develop teaching resources infl uenced teaching students to explore aspects skills and more generally to provide all by research. Research is used to inform of school life in a virtual location. teaching staff with access to support in approaches to teaching at the University Furthermore, following the Pedagogy developing their teaching capabilities. of Newcastle in a variety of ways. in Practice Conference held earlier this ■ Academic staff attended a range of year, academics from several other ■ The School of Health Sciences training sessions in the effective use universities are now researching the successfully attracted $1.6M from of Blackboard, the University’s online application of the virtual classroom as WorkCover NSW for a joint Research learning management system, and a “learning object” and will report their Centre at the Ourimbah campus. The the newly introduced electronic results back to the University agreement was signed at Ourimbah plagiarism detection software. of Newcastle. on 3 September 2004. The aim of ■ The year ended with an Online the Centre is to collaborate with • A focus for the School of Education’s Teaching Forum attended by 58 WorkCover to achieve excellence in activities in the last year has been academics at which Associate Professor research and research training for the the monitoring of student satisfaction Jan Herrington from the University prevention of workplace injury and with the School’s teaching activities. of Wollongong, with local educators, disease in alignment with WorkCover’s They have used the Student Evaluation showcased innovative practices in corporate objectives. of Courses (SEC) instrument in this creating effective online learning and monitoring process. All academic staff ■ In the Faculty of Science and teaching environments. have been provided with results from Information Technology, all academic ■ A training program designed for the SEC and a brief interpretative appointments are now explicitly made sessional academic staff, with a discussion. In addition, a Blackboard on the basis of both teaching and focus on learning and teaching, was site with a discussion board was research experience. introduced to complement University established to encourage staff to induction sessions and faculty/school- ■ Development of pedagogically-sound consider the implications of the based programs. Three full-day learning resources for use in teaching is results, with a view to developing workshops were attended by a total important to the University. An example recommendations for future action. was the Dual Diagnosis CDROM of 66 sessional academics. produced this year, which is based on ■ Financial support was provided to research models developed by Hunter 2. Supporting the School of Education academic staff Health and the Faculty of Health. professional development and research students in the School of ■ The School of Liberal Arts is introducing of our teachers Education for conference attendance. three new third year history courses Two thirds of the staff and about eight Fostering good practice in teaching is for 2005 – the fi rst relates to America percent of students apply annually. critical to the Institutional Strategic Plan of and the world (by an American This year several of the new staff put the University. As well as producing better History specialist); the second to in their fi rst application; their abstracts graduate outcomes it also generates good the Palestinian question by an East were all refereed and accepted. Similar student experiences. While developing European specialist; and the third, support was offered in other schools. teaching skills is a personal responsibility relates to ancient sexuality by the ■ for each academic, this is supported by The Network for Innovation in Teaching co-author of a forthcoming book on the provision of appropriate models and and Learning (NITL) was established the topic. development opportunities. and the inaugural Director was ■ The School of Humanities’ Associate appointed. ■ Professor Laurie Makin’s recent visits A new and innovative Graduate Awards for Excellence in Teaching to Manchester Metropolitan University Certifi cate in the Practice of Tertiary with the team which developed ‘Birth Teaching offers academic staff three Senior Lecturer in Social Sciences, Dr Marj to Three Matters’ will result in our prescribed courses and one other Kibby was awarded the University of students engaging with this curriculum course from a choice of three. Fifty Newcastle Excellence in Teaching Award one academic staff undertook the fi rst Annual Report 2004 guidance material. for 2004 showing an outstanding ability to three courses of the program offered motivate students’ desire to pursue further ■ Problem-based learning and teaching in 2004. The Graduate Certifi cate learning and encourage independent activities have been enhanced is administered by the Faculty of thought. Lecturer in Health and Physical through the School of Education’s Engineering and Built Environment but Education, Dr Philip Morgan, was highly Virtual Classroom School Scenario a committee representing all faculties commended in the Award. website – simulated primary and oversees the academic content.

The University of Newcastle The The Program is designed to provide

28 Performance Measure 3. Developing collaborative Accounting and Finance Scholarship student-centred Scheme and continues to give students Coursework Completions the opportunity to study whilst attached % Change (on 1998) support systems to a sponsoring accounting fi rm. Certain tools, such as email and learning 2003 ■ The Faculty of Education and Arts management systems are provided 2002 supports student exhibitions through by the University to facilitate student 2001 the Watt Space Gallery, a collaborative collaboration and communication, both initiative with the University Union. The 2000 among themselves and with their faculty. Faculty also hosts an annual Art Sale to 1999 Signifi cant effort is put into fostering promote student work and provide an 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% fl exibility for all students, and into providing outlet for students to sell their work. support for particular groups. Commissions raised through sales funds % Change Newcastle % Change National ■ The Faculty of Health has responded to a scholarship for a selected student to demand for health services personnel attend Perth Institute of Contemporary Art to exhibit their work in a collaborative Newcastle National across a range of health practices, a Year Completions %Change Completions %Change response that is aligned to consumer national postgraduate exhibition. ■ 2003 4,866 31.7% N/A N/A and service needs. Seven students, from In 2004, Newcastle University Sport the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) 2002 4,427 19.8% 211,613 26.4% (NUSport) entered into two signifi cant at the University of Adelaide completed Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) 2001 4,003 8.3% 197,259 17.8% twelve weeks of clinical placement for the University of Newcastle. An 2000 3,823 3.4% 179,375 7.1% within the Hunter and Central Coast MOU signed by NUSport, the University 1999 3,942 6.7% 170,972 2.1% regions. A Bachelor of Oral Health of Newcastle and Netball NSW will Source of data: 1. DEST Aggregated Dataset (UPAG) program will commence with 50 assist players with the Hunter Jaegers 2. 2003 from DEST Award Course Completions students in Semester 1, 2005 at the national netball team to combine sport Ourimbah campus. and study through fl exible learning. ■ The Faculty of Science and Information A second MOU with TAFE NSW Hunter Technology conducted a Faculty Mentor Institute allows the two parties to Program in 2004. The Program, titled provide education and training in Performance Measure Students Supporting Students, included the growth industry of sport, fi tness Student Progress Rate (SPR) all commencing undergraduates, both and recreation. % Change (on 1998) domestic and international. There were ■ In addition, the continuing tripartite 70 mentors involved and the programs agreement between Newcastle 2003 will continue in 2005. University Sport, the University of 2002 ■ The Faculty of Business and Law Newcastle and the NSW Institute of 2001 continued its commitment to student Sport (NSWIS) allows NSWIS athletes 2000 support systems: The Rural Student’s to study at the University with fl exibility 1999 Support Scheme organised a series while being supported in their athletic development. This is a unique agreement -1% 0% 1% 2% 3% of workshops on topics such as study skills and examination techniques; developed to facilitate study for student

% Change Newcastle % Change National A Pathways to the Profession athletes with local, national and

scheme replaced and streamlined the international sporting commitments. The University of Newcastle

Newcastle National Year SPR %Change SPR %Change

2003 0.882 0.1% 0.877 1.9%

2002 0.876 -0.5% 0.872 1.2%

2001 0.877 -0.4% 0.868 0.8%

Coursework/program completions have been steadily improving since 2000. Annual Report 2004 2000 0.887 0.7% 0.863 0.2% Student progress rates currently exceed the national average. Further 1999 0.890 1.1% 0.859 -0.3% improvement in teaching and learning key performance indicators is expected as Source of data: DEST (special SPR dataset) the effects of the quality processes for the review and development of programs and courses are realised.

29 Teaching and Learning

Our Library students in medicine, occupational Performance Measure therapy, physiotherapy, medical radiation Library Services supported teaching, learning Indigenous EFTSU and research through the provision of science and nutrition and dietetics. as a percentage of total EFTSU scholarly information resources. This year $4m ■ Wollotuka School of Aboriginal Studies (65 percent of library resources expenditure) continues to develop and grow existing 2004 was allocated for journals and online scholarly support programs for students and the 2003 information resources, with the remainder Indigenous Student Convenors have 2002 supporting print and physical resources. Major played a very active role in Wollotuka’s 2001 research datasets subscribed include Science general activities in 2004. 2000 Direct, Web of Science, JSTOR, and Oxford ■ In the Wollotuka School of Aboriginal Scholarship Online. Studies, a review of its Resource Centre 0.0% 0.5% 1.0% 1.5% ■ was conducted. The results consistently Development of the Copyright Newcastle National website provides intellectual property indicated that the Resource Centre advice and support to the University was an integral part of support for community. students. It was heavily utilised by Newcastle National both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Year %Indigenous %Change %Indigenous %Change ■ The Library was the fi rst in Australasia students. Comparisons to similar to adopt SCOPUS, Elsevier’s abstracting 2004 1.47% 21.7% 0.90% -18.0% resources at other universities indicated and indexing, and fulltext linkage 2003 1.42% 17.9% 0.92% -16.8% that the Centre is a high-quality, well- service for the works of over 4,000 2002 1.41% 16.7% 0.90% -18.2% resourced facility and is a best-practice STM and Social Sciences publishers. model for other Indigenous centres. 2001 1.23% 1.6% 0.90% -18.2% ■ Ranked by CAUL in 13th position, ■ Cultural sensitivity and inclusiveness 2000 1.22% 0.9% 1.00% -9.1% of all Australian and New Zealand was strengthened through a number Source of data: 1. DEST published load (web pages) universities, for proportion of 2. DEST Submission 1 load of activities, such as an Applied Practice expenditure on information resources Research Project on the experiences – up from 27th last year. of Indigenous students in health; ■ GET-IT – new library service provides through the formation of networks The University’s average Indigenous desktop request and delivery of Inter with Aboriginal Medical Centres; EFTSU as a percentage of total EFTSU has Library Loans. through monitoring programs for risen each year since 1999 and remains ■ Developed new fi nding aids for archival capacity to adapt to the needs of consistently above the national average. resources, including digitisation of rare Indigenous Australians; through pictorial resources into NEWCAT and completion of case studies by medical the Archives website. students working with Indigenous ■ Exam papers and lecture notes communities and through developing available online. guidelines for providing appropriate models of care for Indigenous Commitment to Indigenous Australians Australians utilising health services. Our University has above average enrolment Inclusive curricula and content of Indigenous Australians. The success rate of our programs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander The Inclusive Teaching and Learning students in 2003 was 71 percent, which Project, endorsed in late 2003, has is four percent above the national average continued throughout 2004 with its for the group. Similarly the retention rate aims to develop guidelines for Inclusive of 69.9 percent is more than nine percent Curricula; to integrate inclusive teaching above the national average. and learning principles in the development

Annual Report 2004 of the Graduate Certifi cate in the Practice ■ In 2004, six Indigenous students of Tertiary Teaching and to develop an graduated in the fi elds of medicine, inclusiveness website. nursing, occupational therapy and applied science. ■ A compulsory unit has been developed in Aboriginal health for fi rst year The University of Newcastle The

30 4. Reviewing the content The QA processes are concerned with ■ monitor external reviews of programs of our programs and improvement in teaching and learning, and the progress of actions arising rather than acting as a set of rules for from them; courses to ensure we are compliance. preparing graduates who ■ monitor academic agreements with The Academic Senate, recognising that it international and other partners with are global citizens and regard to academic quality assurance valued professionals often did not have the time to carry out its quality assurance role, established in 2004 compliance; and ■ Quality assurance (QA) a subcommittee, The Academic Quality receive, seek and consider comment Assurance Committee. Its role is to: from any member of the University After extensive consultation, in October community on any matters relating to 2004 Academic Senate approved a Quality ■ act to ensure that proper mechanisms academic quality assurance. Assurance Improvement Policy and System have been followed in the development for Teaching and Learning, which covers of policy brought to Academic Senate all aspects of teaching and learning. The for approval; underlying theme in this document is the ■ monitor, review and evaluate policies University’s commitment to improve learning and procedures approved by Academic outcomes for our students. Senate;

John Maynard Dr John Maynard received a $36,040 grant from the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies

to research ‘The Aboriginal The University of Newcastle Soccer Tribe’. Dr Maynard is an Australian Research Council post-doctoral fellow with the Umilliko Centre for Indigenous Higher Education Research. Annual Report 2004

31 Teaching and Learning

Program review and development on 26 November 2003 (see www.newcastle. and 12 new programs and one new The Curriculum, Teaching and Learning edu.au/services/teaching-learning). combined program commenced in 2004. Sixteen new programs were developed for Portfolio Committee has implemented the Evaluation, market research and employer 2005. The following developments refl ect quality assurance strategies and systems involvement are critical in the planning the activity of this intensive improvement for teaching and learning as defi ned in the process for new programs and the review of process. Teaching and Learning Management Action existing programs. A total of four programs Plan 2003, approved by Academic Senate were reviewed, 22 programs were revised

New Enabling Introduction to Medical Studies (Enabling Program) Programs

Bachelor of Health (Exit Award)

New Bachelor of Oral Health Undergraduate Programs Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management (revision of Bachelor of Environmental Science)

Bachelor of Communication (Honours) to replace Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (Communications)

Bachelor of Social Sciences

Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication)

Bachelor of Nursing Reviewed Bachelor of Art Undergraduate Programs Bachelor of Speech Pathology

Bachelor of Social Work

Bachelor of Design (Industrial)

Bachelor of Engineering programs

Graduate Certifi cate in Clinical Toxicology

Master of Workplace Management and Occupational Rehabilitation

Master of Entrepreneurship

Doctor of Clinical Psychology New Postgraduate Doctor of Health Psychology Programs Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Postgraduate)

Graduate Certifi cate/Graduate Diploma in Nursing (General Practice)

Graduate Certifi cate in Pharmacoeconomics

Master of Information Technology (Honours)

Master of Advanced Information Technology

Annual Report 2004 Postgraduate programs in Clinical Epidemiology Reviewed Postgraduate Graduate Certifi cate (exit only)/Master of Applied Management (Nursing) Programs Graduate Certifi cate (exit only)/Graduate Diploma/Master of Nursing (Advanced Practice)

Graduate Certifi cate (exit only)/Graduate Diploma/Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) The University of Newcastle The

32 Performance Measure The challenge of ensuring relevance in ■ A major redesign of the two key our teaching is an ongoing concern. A instruments for assessing quality, the % of graduates in full-time work number of previous initiatives, such as the Student Evaluation of Courses and the of those available for full-time work course tracking system and routine student Student Evaluation of Teaching, was

2003 surveying, have contributed to a supporting undertaken and trialled in 2004. infrastructure. The institution’s quality ■ 2002 The Faculty of Business and Law improvement processes are supported by has introduced Quality Assurance 2001 more recent developments, including: Coordinators in each school. It has 2000 ■ The Course Tracking System (CTS), also created a Quality Assurance 1999 a major re-development of the Blackboard site to assist Program 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Curriculum Tracking System, was Convenors, Course Coordinators completed in 2004. This system and all faculty staff. Newcastle National manages the course development ■ The success rate of School of Music and approval process in accordance and Drama graduates in attending Newcastle National with University quality standards. It overseas universities as well as in Year F/T Work %Change F/T Work %Change also provides the basis for information obtaining positions in the leading 2003 76.2% -2.8% 80.1% 0.5% provided to students on the web and orchestras in this country speaks well

2002 77.0% -2.1% 81.3% 1.7% in Course Outlines on the objectives, for the standard of students developed teaching methods and assessment within that School. One student, 2001 76.8% -2.2% 83.0% 3.4% processes in every course offered at for example, was accepted into the 2000 79.4% 0.4% 83.6% 4.0% the University. Further information on Chicago Symphony Orchestra. 1999 76.7% -2.3% 80.8% 1.2% this system can be found in the “Our ■ Non-western architecture was included Source of data: 1. Graduate Destination Survey results for Students” chapter of this report. for the fi rst time in the Architecture Newcastle 2. Aust Benchmark fi gures are from Graduate ■ Careers Council Australia (GCCA) published report The University is undertaking a review program. The VIMANA exhibition of of its Core Skills for Graduates in students’ studies into medieval temple the hope of replacing it with a more architecture was displayed at the Intrados Graduate employment continues to relevant set of Graduate Attributes. Gallery in Newcastle in June 2004. show marginal improvement against the ■ The Curriculum Teaching and Learning national average and our endeavour is Portfolio Committee, in its assessment to improve outcomes for our graduates of new and revised programs, placed through the initiatives outlined. greater emphasis on evidence that the Graduate Profi le of the particular program refl ected the Core Skills for Graduates and that the program and course objectives addressed those Core Skills. The University of Newcastle Annual Report 2004

33 Teaching and Learning

Graduate Employment and Planned Improvements 2005: Performance Measure Satisfaction The agenda for improvement in teaching and Graduate Satisfaction Graduates from the University of Newcastle learning is necessarily dynamic. It needs to can look forward to earning a salary be responsive to both local concerns and the 2003 higher than most. In 2003 the median national and international scene. Identifi ed 2002 starting salary for bachelor degree areas for activity in 2005 include: graduates from Newcastle in their fi rst 2001 full-time employment was $39,000. The ■ The recently established Network for 2000 national equivalent was $37,000. Overall Innovation in Teaching and Learning 1999 (NITL) will be working collaboratively satisfaction with our programs as measured 0 10 20 30 40 50 by the Course Experience Questionnaire with the University of Newcastle remained at a high level, with 81.1 percent community to pursue excellence Newcastle National of graduates expressing broad satisfaction in teaching and learning through with their programs. Of bachelor degree programs and projects which support graduates who were available for full-time best-practice, especially relating to the appropriate use of new information Newcastle National work, more than three-quarters found Year Score %Change Score %Change full-time employment within four months and communication technologies. 2003 38 12% 38 0% of completing their degree. Programs of support which NITL will be offering in 2005 include: 2002 34 -1% 38 0% Improvement a comprehensive academic staff 2001 35 3% 38 0%

Where we will be in 2006: development program; an NITL service 2000 34 0% 37 -3% partnership program for developing ■ We have a national and international 1999 37 8% 38 0% educational resources; a program to reputation for excellence and support online learning and teaching Source of data: 1. Graduate Destination Survey results for innovation in teaching; Newcastle 2. Aust Benchmark fi gures are from GCCA practice; and a learning innovation published report ■ We are recognised for teaching which and future technologies program to is relevant to the needs of employers investigate effective use of information and of society; and communication technologies. ■ Our programs offer students curriculum ■ Introduction of new Vice-Chancellor’s The University has rated slightly lower and content that are relevant to awards to recognise excellence in than the national average from 1999 to stakeholders; teaching, including one for a new 2002, but equalled the national average ■ University systems support proactive, career academic. in 2003. innovative and effective practices ■ Promotion and dissemination of that assist the teaching and Inclusive Teaching Guidelines to all staff learning process; and introduction of inclusive teaching ■ We are known nationally and elements in the Graduate Certifi cate in internationally for the Practice of Tertiary Teaching. – our commitment to and success in ■ Provision of Information Literacy providing education for Indigenous programs which address Graduate Australians, and Outcomes and are Australian and – developing awareness of Indigenous New Zealand Institute for Information Australian issues through diverse Literacy standards compliant. curriculum content; ■ Development of a multimedia kit for ■ The curricula and content of our sessional staff who are unable to programs are inclusive, sensitive to attend face-to-face workshops. ■ Annual Report 2004 cultural diversity and designed to Mapping of information literacy skills prepare graduates who are adaptable into the curriculum of prescribed global citizens. courses within programs.

The University of Newcastle The

34 Law at the Beach During summer, the University of Newcastle Legal Centre relocated to the Surf Life Saving Club in the pavilion at Newcastle Beach, in an effort to encourage young people to use the Centre. The Centre provides free legal advice and assistance to members of the community and outstanding practical experience for law students. It has also acted upon cases that have attracted national and international attention. Pictured are law students who participated in the Legal Clinic at Newcastle Beach.

Research Expo This year for the fi rst time, the University showcased its research at Newcastle’s Mattara Festival with a Research Expo. The interactive sessions proved to be most popular although great community interest was also shown in the poster display. Pictured at the Expo: Annette Moxey, from the School of Medical Practice The University of Newcastle and Population Health with third year nursing student, Matthew Morris. Annual Report 2004

35 Research and Research Training

A Research Intensive University The Year with a Reputation for Excellence at a Glance Research at the University of Focus ■ Placed in the top ten of Newcastle is of demonstrable In strengthening our role as a research publicly funded research social and economic value to intensive university with a reputation for universities in Australia our region and to Australia. excellence, the University’s Institutional Strategic Plan for 2003-2006 includes ■ Increase in external research Its continual evaluation against strategies that focus on: income of nearly 20% from international standards has $28M to $33.5M helped to ensure the quality 1. developing areas of existing and and the signifi cance of our emerging strength; ■ Awarded a second prestigious 2. maintaining strong ties with our ARC Federation Fellowship achievements. regional and other industry partners; ■ Over 60% increase in In the past 12 months we have 3. establishing new partnerships; Research Higher Degree invested more than $60 million 4. initiating cross-faculty and cross- graduates leading into 2005 in research and research training discipline collaboration across thematic ■ Nine University Postdoctoral with funding obtained from research areas; and Research Fellowships highly competitive sources, 5. fostering the development of our Annual Report 2004 funded for 2005 primarily the Australian researchers and research students. Research Council and the National Health and Medical Research Council, with each recognising the strategic position the University holds in The University of Newcastle The the national research agenda. 36 competitive Australian Competitive Grants continued investment in research Review of Activities (ACG) arena. scholarships of approximately $7 million in 2004, $1.8 million of which The University’s success in the Australian came from central University funds. 1. Developing areas Research Council (ARC) Centre of of existing and Excellence program demonstrates our Research Strengths emerging strength capacity to leverage off our research ■ Areas of research strength are exemplifi ed strengths and build large scale by our strong involvement in the ARC Achievements and Competitive research programs that are recognised Centre of Excellence program. The Grant Success internationally for their excellence. The University of Newcastle is lead site On the basis of its 2004 Institutional awarding of a second highly prestigious in three Commonwealth funded Grant Scheme (IGS) and Research Training ARC Federation Fellowship further centres and a key participant in six Scheme (RTS) funding of $19.2 million, the recognises our status as research leaders others including an additional Centre University maintained its ranking in the at an international level. of Excellence and fi ve Co-operative top ten research universities in Australia. Support for Research Research Centres (CRC).

The IGS and RTS are performance based ■ Our outstanding successes in the The University of Newcastle ■ The University continues to invest funding mechanisms measuring our ability major funding rounds offered by the heavily in research, with expenditure in to win external research income, attract and ARC and National Health and Medical excess of $60 million on research and train research higher degree students and Research Council (NH&MRC) attest to research training in 2004. produce quality research publications. Our the University’s standing as a research top ten ranking confi rms the University’s ■ Research income and support for intensive university. The University was standing as a research intensive university. research increased greatly in 2003. ranked 9th nationally, attracting over Total audited research income from Annual Report 2004 In addition, the University earned $3.9 $16.7 million in combined ARC and external sources was $33.5 million, an million from the Research Infrastructure NH&MRC funding in 2004. Funding for impressive 19.6 percent increase on Block Grant (RIBG) for expenditure in research projects was secured across the previous year. 2004. This is testament to the excellence all fi ve faculties. ■ of our researchers and their continued The valuable contribution of research ■ The University of Newcastle has been high degree of success in the extremely students was supported through awarded the highly regarded Federation 37 Research and Research Training

Fellowship and now has two Federation 2. Maintaining strong ties Performance Measure Fellows. Professor Graham Goodwin was with our regional and Research Income previously recognised for his work in % Change (on 1998) signal processing, telecommunications other industry partners and feedback control whilst Professor Partnerships with government, business and 2003 Scott Sloan was awarded the Fellowship industry and our regional community are a 2002 vital component of the University’s research during 2004 for his leading role in the 2001 fi eld of computational geomechanics. activities. The University is committed to 2000 Those awarded the Federation research that is of relevance to the national Fellowship are regarded as among and international communities and to the 1999 the best in the world in their chosen local region. -10% 0% 10% 30% 50% 70% 80% 90% fi elds, supporting vital research which % Change ■ In 2004 the University enjoyed a could potentially have huge long-term phenomenal success rate of 83 percent % Change Newcastle % Change National economic, environmental, social and in the ARC Linkage grants program cultural benefi ts for Australia. – clear evidence of our strong ties Newcastle National ■ The University continues to host its with industry bodies. Over $5.3 million Year ($m) %Change ($m) %Change Indigenous Higher Education Centre, of ARC and industry partner funding 2003 33.5 32.5% 1484.3 84.7% Umulliko, which is now in its eighth was won through this round and, 2002 28.0 10.8% 1281.6 59.5% year of operation. Umulliko continued combined with University support 2001 27.1 7.2% 1162.7 44.7% throughout 2004 to establish links and the expertise of our researchers, 2000 25.8 1.9% 1053.3 31.1% with other education organisations and will translate into research outcomes 1999 23.6 -6.8% 841.8 4.8% centres and maintained a strong focus of relevance to industry and the on forging strong Aboriginal community Source of data: Research and Research Training Services from community. Higher Education Research Data Collection ties. Examples of Indigenous research ■ In a joint bid with BHP-Billiton The University’s annual research income projects in 2004 include: Innovation and Matrikon, Professor has risen by 32.5 percent, relative – Dr Mark Harvey investigating the Rick Middleton, was granted funding to 1998, and the rate of change has Larrikia Language with a $47,162 to establish an $8.3 million ARC increased each year since 1999. grant from the Yirra Bandoo Centre for Complex Dynamic Systems Aboriginal Corporation and Control (CDSC).The Centre is – Associate Professor Nerida Blair recognised as a world leader in the Performance Measure analysis, design, optimisation and studying the importance of capacity Research Publications building for Indigenous governance, control of complex dynamic systems. % Change (on 1998) with funding of $88,550 from the CDSC’s unique team combines National Centre for Vocational engineers, mathematicians and 2003 Education Research statisticians and will incorporate 2002 – Dr John Maynard to research ‘The expertise in systems and control, 2001 mathematical systems theory and Aboriginal Soccer Tribe’ supported by 2000 statistical methods. a $36,040 grant from the Australian 1999 Institute of Aboriginal and Torres ■ Professor John Aitken has been -15% -5% 0% 5% 15% 25% 30% 35% Strait Islander Studies appointed Director of a $12 million % Change ■ ARC Centre of Excellence in Areas of emerging research strength % Change Newcastle % Change National are supported through strategic Biotechnology and Development allocation of internal funds sourced (CBD). The CBD brings together researchers from four universities – Newcastle National from research block grants and the Year Publications %Change Publications %Change University operating grant. In 2004 Newcastle, Monash, Queensland and the Australian National University 2003 817 12.6% 33138 36.9%

Annual Report 2004 over $2 million was allocated by the Research Grants Committee for the – to carry out genome to phenome 2002 746 2.8% 29610 22.3% support of research programs through research, which has been named as a 2001 643 -11.3% 26045 7.6% national research priority area. The CBD various schemes including Early Career 2000 699 -3.6% 25357 4.7% will concentrate on the differentiation Researcher grants, Collaborative grants 1999 809 11.5% 24956 3.1% and Project grants. of male germ cells. Following on the genomics revolution, which has seen Source of data: Research and Research Training Services from Higher Education Research Data Collection Europe and the US lead the way in the The University of Newcastle The The number of research publications has 38 increased in 2002 and 2003. ARC Centre In a joint bid with BHP-Billiton Innovation and Matrikon, Professor Rick Middleton, was granted funding to establish an $8.3 million ARC Centre for Complex Dynamic Systems and Control. The Centre is recognised as a world leader in the analysis, design, optimisation and control of complex dynamic systems. Research leaders (l-r) Minyue Fu, Iain Raeburn, Kerrie Mengersen, Reza Moheimani, Rick Middleton and Graham Goodwin.

cataloguing of plant and animal genes, Hunter Health and the community. – Dr Penny Warner-Smith was Australia can now play a role in the It is Australia’s only regionally based, awarded over $50,000 by the future by studying how genes interact comprehensive health and medical Department of Family and as a way of understanding how cells research institute delivering tangible Community Services to study grow and develop. outcomes in the health and medical barriers to service delivery for young ■ The Centre for Multiphase Processes research sphere through a network pregnant women and mothers. was established by the ARC, with ARC of over 350 researchers. – Dr Deborah Stevenson attracted funding totalling $4.6 million. Professor ■ Regional engagement remains a $15,000 per annum from Newcastle Graeme Jameson is the Director of this priority for the University’s research City Council in a collaborative ARC major centre for research and research focus with examples of research having Linkage project to conduct a case training in the science and technology direct benefi t to local communities: study of Cultural Planning in an of fi ne particles and bubbles. Members – Professor Peter Gibson received Australian city. of the Centre for Multiphase Processes $85,000 from HMRI and Port are heavily involved in collaboration Waratah Coal Service to support a with industry, using their multi-disciplinary Post-Doctoral Fellowship researching expertise to tackle research programs respiratory medicine. of national and international importance – Professor Roger Smith was awarded and helping to solve industrial problems $30,000 from the HMRI - Kiriwana with the use of the latest instrumentation Trust to investigate predictors of and techniques.

infection in pregnant women. The University of Newcastle Research and our Community – Professor Hugh Dunstan and Relationships between local businesses Associate Professor Tim Roberts and organisations, long standing donors continued their research into chronic and the University contribute to the fatigue syndrome with support from development of research areas that are Ms Judith Mason, $14,500 and of direct benefi t to the local community. Titian Light P/L, $85,500. – Dr Bill Gladstone received over Annual Report 2004 ■ During 2004, the University continued $100,000 from Gosford City Council its strong support for and participation for two separate studies into in the Hunter Medical Research biodiversity in the Brisbane Institute (HMRI). HMRI is a strategic Water estuary. partnership between the University,

39 Research and Research Training

3. Establishing Commonwealth funded research ■ Centre for Sustainable Technology new partnerships centres – Newcastle in partnership ■ Centre for Health Law, Ethics and Policy with other universities: ■ Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and The University supports the establishment of ■ ARC Centre of Excellence for Biostatistics research centres as mechanisms to facilitate Integrative Legume Research ■ Hunter Neuroscience collaboration between university researchers, ■ CRC for Integrated Engineering Asset ■ Mothers and Babies Research Centre industry bodies and other organisations to Management produce quality research outcomes. ■ Centre for Health Services Research ■ CRC for Advanced Composite Structures ■ ■ During 2004 Professor George Kuczera Centre for Life Sciences ■ CRC for Coal in Sustainable established a collaborative partnership ■ Centre for Materials Development with other members of the ARC funded ■ Research Centre for Gender and Health International Centre of Excellence ■ CRC Construction Innovation ■ Centre for Urban and Regional Studies in Water Resource Management ■ CRC Mining (WaterEd). The Centre will focus on all ■ Family Action Centre aspects of water resource management University Research Centres ■ Cultural Industries and Practices from scientifi c and engineering issues Consistent with its goals in developing Research Centre to policy and management. The Centre new and existing strengths in research and has been established by the WATER research training, and in promoting research 4. Initiating cross-faculty Australia Group; a collaboration collaboration, the University supports between 16 institutions including six and cross-discipline the establishment of research centres collaboration across universities, TAFE South Australia, the which facilitate specifi c projects between CSIRO and key water research centres. researchers from within the University, thematic research areas ■ Professor Ray Rose is working with and individuals from industry and other Research Management and Initiatives lead researcher Professor Peter organisations. Gresshoff, from the University of Overall responsibility for research and ■ Centre for Teaching and Research Queensland and other scientists from research training management resides with (CTR) in Bulk Solids and Particulate the Australian National University and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research). Technologies the University of Melbourne in the The Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) is a Centre of Excellence for Integrative ■ Umulliko Indigenous Higher Education key facilitator at the faculty level. Each Legume Research (CEILR). CEILR, Centre faculty also has an Assistant Dean with which is jointly funded by the ARC and ■ Centre for Interdisciplinary Study of responsibility for research and research by the Queensland and other state Property Rights training. The Research Portfolio Committee (RPC) provides advice on policy matters Governments, is part of the Federal ■ Centre for Literary and Linguistic relating to research and research training. Government’s ‘genome to phenome’ Computing research priority area. The Centre has The Research Grants sub Committee (RGC) ■ Centre for Advanced Food Technology been awarded $10 million over the has responsibility for internal research and Nutrition next fi ve years to explore the genetics support schemes whilst the Research of plant development, and in particular ■ Centre for Sustainable Use of Coasts Training sub Committee (RTC) deals with the genetic control of differentiation and Catchments issues relating to research higher degree – the very mechanism that makes each ■ Children and Education Research candidature. Faculty research committees plant unique. Centre take responsibility for implementation of University policy and for operational ■ Centre for Electronic Commerce for Commonwealth funded research decisions in management of research and Global Business centres – Newcastle as lead site: research students. ■ Centre of Full Employment and Equity ■ ARC Centre of Excellence in 2004 saw rewards from ongoing research ■ Employment Studies Centre

Annual Report 2004 Biotechnology and Development development initiatives and the formulation ■ Centre for the Study Of Research ■ ARC Centre for Complex Dynamic of new policies to ensure our reputation for Training and Impact (SORTI) Systems and Control excellence in research is maintained. ■ Centre for Special Education and ■ Special Centre for Multiphase Processes ■ Research Development Managers Disability Studies worked in each faculty to promote ■ Centre for Environmental Dynamics and facilitate research activity, ■ Centre for Infrastructure Performance providing support for researchers and The University of Newcastle The and Reliability fostering links with industry partners 40 and building relationships with key The Electron Microscope / X-Ray Unit ■ During 2004, 36 surveillance visits stakeholders in research. provides a service across the University were carried out. The training program ■ A Coordinator Supervisor Training and and a consulting service to external clients. for researchers (“Research Animal Development worked to assist staff The Unit has facilities for Transmission Ethics, Welfare and Use”) continued in improving the quality of research Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning with 75 participants in a total of student supervision. Electron Microscopy (SEM) with Energy six modules comprising legislation, Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray application forms, assessment and ■ The University’s Postdoctoral Research Diffraction (XRD) and X-ray Fluorescence management of pain and distress, Fellowship initiative showed clear Spectroscopy (XRF). animal handling and common research signs of reaping rewards with several procedures, anesthesia and aseptic Fellows winning signifi cant external Research Ethics surgical techniques. grant support. The Human Research Ethics Committee ■ The University continued to maintain ■ The RPC continued to develop its policy (HREC), a committee of the University its Accreditation as an Animal Research for a Capacity Building Scheme to Council, reviews human research to be Establishment, and its Animal promote growth in areas of existing conducted by staff and research higher Suppliers Licence. and emerging research strength. degree students to ensure compliance ■ Fostering research strengths in thematic with national requirements for ethical areas remained a policy development conduct in research involving humans. area for the RPC with implementation HREC sub-committees perform this role being facilitated through the Thematic for student research projects conducted Research Area working group. as part of coursework programs.

Research Support Unit ■ In 2004, there were 222 applications to the HREC for new projects. A further The Research Support Unit centralises 23 projects were granted a renewal facilities that are expensive to establish of ethics approval as the research and maintain by individual researchers and was to extend beyond the three-year provides the specialised staff who enable a approval period and there were 145 fi rst class facility to function. applications for variations to approved The Biomolecular Research Facility (BRF) research protocols. provides a variety of essential services to ■ Research higher degree students local researchers including DNA and protein accounted for 50 percent of the sequencing, protein characterisation, fl ow new applications. The HREC cytometry and cell sorting. The BRF has sub-committees review an additional been recognised as an internationally 500-600 applications annually for renowned Amersham Biosciences’ Strategic coursework student projects. Reference Centre housing state-of-the-art The University complies with the biotech analysis systems. requirements of the NSW Animal Research The Advanced Mass Spectrometry Unit Act (1985) and the NSW Animal Research (AMSU) provides research support in the Regulation (1985) through the work of form of elemental and molecular analysis in the Animal Care and Ethics Committee, a areas such as plant sciences, biochemistry, committee of the University Council. The University of Newcastle biomedical sciences, biotechnology, ■ In 2004 there were 66 applications chemistry (analytical, inorganic, organic and for new projects involving animals, physical), clinical pharmacology, colloidal 51 applications for renewals of and polymeric sciences, environmental continuing projects and 95 applications sciences, food technology, marine sciences, for amendments to existing projects. material sciences and sports medicine. The AMSU provides access to mass spectral ■ The Animal Care and Ethics Committee Annual Report 2004 analysis for academic researchers, industry, also oversees the conduct of surveillance local research organisations and medical visits to animal facilities and research laboratories. projects, and the provision of training for researchers who use animals for research or teaching purposes.

41 Research and Research Training

■ Animal Services Unit The total number of research scholarships Performance Measure The Animal Services Unit (ASU) consists from all sources in 2004 was 365. Research Program Completions ■ of breeding and holding facilities for The value of research scholarships % Change (on 1998) animals approved for use under the Animal held at the University in 2004 was Research Act (NSW). Through the ASU, approximately $7 million. 2003 research staff have access to genetically ■ Our research students are valued as 2002 and microbiologically defi ned rats, mice important contributors to our 2001 and guinea pigs, specifi c pathogen free research standing. 2000 holding areas, individually ventilated cages for infection containment, and internal and Postdoctoral Fellows 1999 external large animal holding areas. Animal -10% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% Nine Postdoctoral Fellows were appointed % Change holding facilities include procedure rooms and commenced their research in 2004. and operating theatres and are staffed by These researchers continue their success in % Change Newcastle % Change National 14 permanent, part-time and casual staff. obtaining external research funding and are The ASU is committed to the University’s extremely active in publishing their research. pursuit of excellence in research, while Newcastle National adhering to the requirements of the Animal Dr Robert Dielenberg, Faculty of Health, is Year Completions %Change Completions %Change Research Act, ensuring the welfare of researching the neurobiology of stress 2003 173 64.8% N/A N/A animals at all times and supporting the use and coping. 2002 106 1.0% 5971 14.6% ■ of alternatives to animals where appropriate. Dr Yang Gan, Faculty of Engineering 2001 111 5.7% 5576 7.0% and Built Environment, is investigating ■ During 2004 the Animal Services Unit 2000 145 38.1% 5720 9.7% direct force measurement with the supplied and held 6,871 inbred, outbred, 1999 103 -1.9% 5421 4.0% Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). transgenic and mutant strains of mice, Source of data: DEST Aggregated Dataset (UPAG); latest year ■ 1,448 inbred and outbred rats, 141 Dr Lisanne Gibson, Faculty of Education from DEST Award Course Completions. outbred guinea pigs, 14 cats, 87 chickens, and Arts, is exploring culture circuits: 10 rabbits, two dunnarts, six quail, 14 ideas, international networks and sheep, and 594 frogs, toads and tadpoles contemporary cultural policy. The University’s total number of higher to approved research projects. ■ Dr Jiong Li, Faculty of Health, is degree completions varied from a low of researching the measurement of and 103 in 1999 to a high of 173 in 2003. 5. Fostering the analysis of health behaviour. development of our ■ Dr Patricia Saco, Faculty of Engineering researchers and and Built Environment, focused her research students research on soil moisture status and vegetation dynamics in large catchments. The University currently employs some ■ 850 research staff who work with 1,250 Dr Steven Schofi eld, Faculty of research higher degree students across a Science and Information Technology, wide range of disciplines. is researching the applications of scanning tunnelling microscopy. ■ In the 2003/2004 graduating cohort, ■ Dr Juanita Todd, Faculty of Science 173 candidates received their research and Information Technology, is higher degrees – an impressive conducting research into the neural increase of more than 60 percent over basis of auditory processing defi cits in the previous year’s completions. schizophrenia. ■ The University continues to expand ■ Dr Peter Waring, Faculty of Business its provision of research scholarships, and Law, has continued his research

Annual Report 2004 building on the base of Commonwealth into local, national and global projects funded Australian Postgraduate Awards in employment studies. with University funded equivalent ■ scholarships. Dr Ming Yang, Faculty of Health, is researching the molecular and cellular ■ There were 140 research scholarships processes that underpin the induction funded from competitive research grant and persistence of allergic disease. sources in 2004. The University of Newcastle The

42 Performance Measure Equity Research Fellowships ■ We have excellent researchers and research students consistent with Research EFTSU Ten Equity Research Fellowships were as a % of Total EFTSU awarded in December 2004. The Scheme our research priorities at all campuses. was implemented in 2004 based on Planned Improvements 2005: 2004 the fi ndings of a working group of the ■ We aim to retain our place in the top 2003 Research Portfolio Committee in 2003 ten research intensive universities in 2002 which reviewed data indicating that women and Indigenous academic staff Australia and to increase our share 2001 were underepresented in research and of national research income. 2000 senior academic positions. The Equity ■ The Research Portfolio Committee is 0% 2% 4% 6% Research Fellowships provide eligible staff overseeing the strategic establishment with time and resources to develop their of University research priorities Newcastle National research profi le. through University research centres and targeted funding schemes. Indigenous Fellowships ■ Support for areas of existing and Newcastle National ■ Ms Vicki Grieves, Wollotuka School emerging research strength will be Year %Research %Change %Research %Change of Aboriginal Studies, was awarded sharpened through the development 2004 5.22% 9.7% N/A N/A the 2004 NSW Indigenous History of thematic areas, centres and research 2003 4.78% 0.5% 4.80% -8.8% Fellowship. groups and the strategic allocation of 2002 4.91% 3.2% 4.86% -7.6% ■ Ms Gail Garvey, Assistant Dean, resources to these areas. 2001 5.04% 5.9% 5.08% -3.4% Indigenous Health and Education, was ■ The University will continue to invest in 2000 4.67% -1.8% 5.24% -0.5% awarded an Aboriginal Health Research support for early career researchers and Career Fellowship. Source of data: 1. DEST Aggregated Load Dataset - ULAG to foster research partnerships with 2. 2004 from DEST Submission 1 (31 March) business and industry. Improvement ■ Our support for research and Where we will be in 2006: commitment to nurturing research ■ We are a recognised research The University’s proportion of higher higher degree students will remain intensive University. degree research EFTSU as a percentage central to our aim of achieving of total EFTSU fl uctuated between ■ We have a strong and vibrant excellence in research. The 1999 and 2004, peaking at 5.2 percent research culture. recommendations of the Centre for the in 2004. The national proportion has ■ We have established a number of Study Of Research Training and Impact steadily decreased from 5.26 percent research priorities and assisted their (SORTI) will continue to inform our in 1999 to 4.8 percent in 2003. growth through targeted funding, research training programs. The University has retained a steady recruitment and support. ■ Research that impacts positively on proportion of total load over the period. ■ We work in partnership with Indigenous people will remain an other signifi cant institutions and important focus of our research activity. organisations to maximise research outcomes. ■ Our research work is recognised for

its impact and relevance. The University of Newcastle ■ Our research students are valued as important contributors to our research standing. ■ We will support the development of our researchers and our research students through all phases. Annual Report 2004 ■ We are recognised for the excellence of our research training. ■ Our Indigenous Higher Education Research Unit (Umulliko) is recognised for the relevance of its research and its impact on Indigenous issues. 43 Our Students

A Vibrant and Supportive The Year Learning Environment at a Glance The University now delivers over 150 programs through fi ve faculties. ■ 3,524 international students We pioneered problem-based learning which has been emulated from 88 different countries locally and overseas and now provides the educational foundation ■ Starting salaries for our for most of our professional degree programs. Our teacher graduates are higher than education program is the largest in Australia and our medicine, the national median engineering, law, science, architecture and building programs are ■ Launch of the University’s Equity Scholarships highly regarded by their respective professions. ■ A celebration of diversity at the Cultural Awakening Festival This is refl ected in the outstanding employment rates for our graduates. Numbers in our professional postgraduate coursework ■ $5,000 Williams Foundation IT Scholarship established programs are increasing and we are delivering highly successful for commencing IT students at offshore programs in teaching, nursing, engineering, construction Ourimbah campus management, architecture, science, technology and business. ■ An additional 104 computer workstations were provided Annual Report 2004 in the Auchmuty Information Common on the Callaghan campus The University of Newcastle The

44 Focus electronic support and life support Review of Activities which rates the facilities available to Our students and their education are During 2004, the following initiatives students on campus. The University of prime importance to us. In creating also rates highly in graduate starting a vibrant and supportive learning were undertaken to assist in achieving the University’s strategic objectives for students. salaries, research grants and research environment, our emphasis is on: intensity, Indigenous participation and 1. developing student focused services international enrolments. 1. Developing student focused and systems; ■ An information CD was designed for 2. supporting the aspirations of: people services and systems the promotion of Computer Science from our region, Aboriginal and Torres ■ The Open Foundation program was and Software Engineering to high Strait Islander peoples, and members offered by distance education for school students. The CD is aimed of equity groups; rural and isolated students. Open particularly at attracting women to this Foundation by distance was fi rst offered 3. encouraging the enrolment of non-traditional area of study. in 2003 to 40 students from all over international students and the ■ In 2004, Newcastle University Sport Australia. In 2004 numbers doubled to internationalisation of our University; and (NUSport) hosted more than 60 The University of Newcastle 80 students. Around one third of the students of the University of Newcastle 4. fostering a culture that respects and students live in the Port Macquarie area, values diversity. with workplace training, projects and an area of growth for the University. research, at both undergraduate and Open Foundation by distance raises postgraduate levels. opportunities for people in that region ■ The Faculty of Science and Information to access higher education. Technology conducted ongoing Course ■ The 2005 Good Universities Guide, and Program Reviews with a focus Annual Report 2004 considered “the bible” for anyone on graduate skills, including calls choosing a course or campus, lifted for submissions from graduates of Newcastle’s rating from the previous programs and industry representatives. year in key areas. Top marks (fi ve stars) were scored in academic services,

45 Our Students

■ The Faculty of Business and Law provided Improvements in the University’s the changes to the course including strong support for, and regular interaction IT systems changes to the academic content. with, the University of Newcastle Efforts continued to develop student- ■ In response to issues raised in 2003 Enterprising Students Association centred information systems to automate with respect to academic integrity (UNESA), to assist the fledgling and streamline the University’s processes, and plagiarism, we have implemented organisation establish itself and provide including: Turnitin, a plagiarism prevention and a further liaison point for students. detection tool. By November 2004 ■ Access to internet services for students ■ The Faculty of Business and Law there were 421 teachers registered to and staff operated around the clock published a “Faculty Link” email use the system and 46,000 submissions (aside from maintenance activities). The newsletter twice per semester during had been made to it for checking. University community has continuous 2004 to inform and remind students A survey of instructors found that 87 remote and on-campus access to: of matters of interest regarding their percent supported the use of Turnitin studentmail, staff email (GroupWise), enrolment. overall and 84 percent believed it the Electronic Library resources, deters students from plagiarising. ■ The University Health Service provides Blackboard (the learning management Its use does raise important legal and medical support for students, staff and system), SkillBuilder (400 self-paced copyright issues which the University visitors. In 2004, consultations with learning modules in IT and business), has addressed. It is believed that the doctors and nurses totalled 24,811. online Tutorial Registration System, emphasis on Turnitin as a learning This was an increase of 3,252 (15.1%) Professional Placement System and support tool has greatly facilitated its from the previous year. Australian many others facilitating and supporting successful adoption. students made up 50.7% of patients, teaching and learning. 17.0% were international students, ■ InfoSkills, a self-paced training ■ The Videoconference Centre continued 1.6% were dependents of international module for students, was re-written to provide real-time interaction for students, 19.2% University staff, to encapsulate the fundamentals distance students with their teachers and 11.5% visitors. Visitors include of academic communication and and peers including a new service to dependents of current Australian referencing within the ethical Tamworth Hospital. students and staff, former students framework of new University policies and staff, and some members of the ■ The adoption of the Blackboard online and procedures on academic integrity. community. This distribution has been learning management system as a tool Published on the web in July by consistent for some years. in the University’s teaching programs Education Services, InfoSkills had 3,000 continued. Blackboard offers options ■ The 2004 Composite Student people using it in its fi rst month and for fl exible delivery of programs and is Questionnaire (CSQ) shows that 89% 5,000 by the following month. It will integrated with key enterprise systems of students indicated they used The be mapped into the curriculum of core such as the student system (NUSTAR), Forum Sports and Aquatic Centre. The courses in programs in 2005. the staff system (Concept), and the CSQ also shows that 79% of students ■ Enhancements to the Online Central Account Management system. were either satisfi ed or very satisfi ed Admissions System consolidated The automation of many processes with the sport and recreation facilities undergraduate and postgraduate resulted in signifi cant productivity available. admissions into one system, allowed improvements for staff. Use of prospective students to receive Blackboard grew by approximately 60 Electronic Support Systems multiple offers in one round, catered percent in 2004 (as measured by the for Students for new fee arrangements and provided number of student registrations). Total The University continues to invest in improvements to administrative functions. Blackboard registrations grew from electronic systems which support students 84,309 in 2003 to 137,492 in 2004. ■ A new Scholarships System was by enhancing service delivery and access developed to enable students ■ The Course Tracking System, a to information. Facilitation and support and prospective students to view redevelopment of the Curriculum of student focused systems through the scholarship opportunities and apply for Tracking System database, provides ongoing integration of the University’s scholarships online. The information Annual Report 2004 improved support for business student systems with fi nance, research submitted through the web integrates processes, improved integration with and other management information directly into NUSTAR. systems continues to be a priority for the NUSTAR (the University’s student ■ All centrally managed general access organisation. Examples of developments in system), improved data accuracy and and teaching labs were upgraded from these systems are provided below. a greater level of detail. One of the particular benefi ts of the System is that the Windows98 operating environment it provides an historical record of all to WindowsXP on the desktop. The

The University of Newcastle The supporting infrastructure was migrated 46 from a Novell Netware environment ■ The new Online Billing and Payments to Windows server technology. This system was introduced to provide provided students and teachers access students with access to online to a modern and secure computing information about their fi nancial environment. 208 PCs were replaced accounts. The information provided as part of the three year cyclical in the new system is timely, clear and replacement strategy. An additional comprehensive and includes an online 104 workstations were provided in payment facility interfaced to the the Auchmuty Information Common. University’s fi nancial system. All scanners were upgraded to provide ■ Improvements to the hardware a consistent environment across all which supports the Online Tutorial locations on the Callaghan campus. Registration System have allowed the ■ The studentmail service provided system to successfully accommodate around the clock access for over peak student load. The system was 28,985 students (end September able to support a maximum of 752 fi gure) throughout the year. registrations per minute. ■ Wireless networking access points were installed in the Auchmuty Information Common and CT buildings. A successful trial was held of wireless networking in the Union’s Bar on the Hill. Following initial installations, further expansion of the campus’ wireless network will be undertaken in 2005 to include the Shortland Union, Huxley Library and UniHouse.

Virtual Classroom Problem-based learning and teaching activities were enhanced through the School of Education’s Virtual Classroom School Scenario Website – simulated primary and

secondary school environments allow teaching The University of Newcastle students to explore aspects of school life in virtual locations. Several other universities are now researching the use of the virtual classroom as a ‘learning object’. Pictured are Dr Neville Schofi eld (standing), Dr Carol Richards and Ms Charmian Eckersley

studying the virtual classroom. Annual Report 2004

47 Our Students

Growth in Enrolments Enrolment History Domestic students are supported in the process of admission through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC), and in 2004 we 2004 23155 participated in the postgraduate UAC application pilot. With an 2003 22903 increasing number of students being offered places through the 2002 21980 UAC system, online acceptance of a place has been enhanced to 2001 19800 include postgraduate acceptances. 2000 19090 19254 Implementation of the International Management System has 1999 advanced signifi cantly in 2004, with the expectation that in 2005 19097 1998 all international applicants will be able to apply online via the web. 18438 1997 One of the time consuming factors in the assessment of 17767 1996 international applications, is the manual calculation of an Entrance 17443 1995 Rank. During the year we have, with the provision of software from 15003 1994 CIBIS (a Newcastle company) implemented the POET (Prospective 14734 1993 Overseas Entrance Total) – software that calculates the Entrance 14302 Rank in the same way that UAC does for domestic students. This 1992 13118 software is reaching the fi nal stages of testing, and it is envisaged 1991 that it will be ‘bolted’ on to the front of the online web application 12518 1990 system in 2005, and will allow applicants to pre-assess their 6946 eligibility before completing an application for a particular program. 1989*

During 2004 a considerable effort was put towards preparations 0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 for the challenges in 2005 posed by the Higher Education Reforms. *Prior to amalgamation with College of Advanced Education System changes have been necessary to allow for fee-paying domestic students, increased allocation of scholarships, and a change to the way in which the student contribution to the cost Graduates of their education is calculated.

Total Student Numbers OUTCOMES 2004 2002 2003 2004 Full-Time Internal 12089 12096 11732 Student Total Graduates Part-Time Internal 8684 8713 8992 Progress Completions in F/T work Rate External 1207 2094 2411 5,013 71% 0.88 Total 21980 22903 23155 Percentage Female 54.96% 55.05% 54.55% In 2004 graduation ceremonies were held at Callaghan and Ourimbah campuses and 160 students graduated at a ceremony in Total Enrolments Singapore. The Wollotuka School of Aboriginal Studies celebrated 2002 2003 2004 the graduation of 35 Aboriginal students from the Callaghan Doctorate by Research 769 766 743 campus, the largest cohort on record. Doctorate by Coursework 0 5 264 Alumni developments in 2004 focused on the implementation Masters by Research 376 381 386 of an e-commerce web-based portal that allows alumni to self-maintain contact data and update personal attributes and Masters by Coursework 1601 1956 2247 interests relevant to ongoing connections with the University. Annual Report 2004 Postgraduate/Graduate Diploma 578 597 648 This data is interfaced to NUSTAR, providing up-to-date record Graduate Certifi cate 548 651 564 management and information sharing. Further information on our Bachelors 16166 16576 16568 Alumni can be found in this report in the chapter “Our Community”. Cross-Institution – Postgraduate 10 11 11 A range of offi cial University memorabilia has been developed Cross-Institution – Undergraduate 24 34 34 and an agreement has been established with the University of Newcastle Union for outlet sales. Enabling Program 1485 1554 1354 The University of Newcastle The Non-Award Program 423 372 336 48 Total 21980 22903 23155 Number of Graduates 2003 by Faculty The University’s success in 2003-4 in supporting access, participation and positive outcomes for members of equity target groups continues Faculty the pattern of previous years. Positive shifts in the proportion of Business and Law 1171 students accessing university from rural and isolated areas and in Education and Arts 1697 the number of women undertaking higher degrees by coursework, Engineering and Built Environment 567 are in line with the University’s equity priorities for the triennium. Health 863 Other areas have revealed a marginal decrease in numbers. Very slight changes are observed across most groups but, with several Science and Information Technology 715 exceptions, these appear statistically insignifi cant. Total 5013 Compared to the national average of 16.17 percent and the state indicator of 17.32 percent accessing higher education, 31.1 percent of our commencing students aged below 25 have a low socio- 2. Supporting the aspirations of people economic status (SES). The success of these students is 87 percent, from our region, Aboriginal and Torres which is 1.14 percent above the national average. For students Strait Islander peoples, and members aged over 25, 31.35 percent are from a lower SES compared to the national average of 13.99 percent and a state indicator of 14.7 of equity groups percent. The success of these students is 85 percent, which is 1.63 The University’s Equity Strategy, Student Equity Plan and Ethnic Affairs percent above the national average. The success of these students, Priority Statement are all designed to assist the University in fulfi lling both under and over 25 years, is one percent below the success of its objective of attracting and supporting a diverse student body. our non-equity group students (source: our 2004 student equity report to DEST). The access rates for students from low SES backgrounds both Equity Group Percentage of Percentage of Target under 25 years of age and over, remained above 31 percent and (Participation) Catchment 2004 Students for 2006 well above both national and state indicators – a refl ection of Area (15-64 yr olds) in Equity Group the demographic of the University’s regional base and of the Low Socio 49.5% Under 25: 26.86% 27.5% continuing efforts by the University to offer opportunities for access -Economic Status Over 25: 33.40% >30.0% to Enabling Programs to those who have experienced economic Aboriginal & Torres disadvantage. Retention rates for both groups remained high, and Straight Islander 2.0% 1.63% 2.0% success rates (they met the requirements of their course/program) Peoples of 87 percent for the under 25 years group and 85 percent for People with the over 25 years group, approximate those of students outside disabilities N/A 4.74% 5.0% the target group. Some initiatives to provide additional academic support to students from this equity group include: People from rural areas 21.8% 10.34% 11.0% ■ Teaching project to develop academic literacy skills in People from students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds isolated areas Nil 0.24% 0.3% in the Faculty of Education and Arts ■ A project to provide targeted educational support People from non-English 3.0% 0.8% 0.9% to students from disadvantaged backgrounds at the speaking Ourimbah campus The University of Newcastle backgrounds ■ A scholarship scheme for commencing students from The University of Newcastle Women in disadvantaged backgrounds non-traditional Increase by 25% in programs where While access rates for students from a non-English speaking areas they are under-represented background remained low, their retention improved signifi cantly in Undergraduate Programs 2004 and their rate of success in 2003 remained high at 85 percent. Women in Annual Report 2004 non-traditional Increase by 15% in programs where Annual Report 2004 areas Postgraduate they are under-represented coursework and research programs

49 Our Students

A number of positive results are evident in the statistics for 2004. Enabling Program Enrolments ■ Access and participation rates for students from rural and by program type isolated areas improved noticeably, 2004 ■ the participation of people with a disability improved, and 2003 ■ the percentage of female students undertaking higher degrees by coursework increased. 2002 Access and participation rates of students with a disability well 2001 in excess of national and state indicators and the relative success 2000 of this group, refl ect the University’s long term efforts to assist 0 400 800 1200 1600 students with a disability. The challenge of ensuring universal access to facilities and learning technologies remains an ongoing Open Foundation Newstep commitment and responsibility. Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Health Professions The improvement in numbers of students from rural and isolated areas is encouraging – refl ecting the priority given to assisting this group in the University’s Student Equity Plan 2004 – 2006. With 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 the implementation of a comprehensive scholarship program in Enabling Enrolments 1078 1136 1485 1554 1354

2004-2005, the University will continue its efforts to encourage ATSI Health Professions 4 3 13 15 13 these students. Newstep 234 248 258 231 221

While the number of women commencing study in the non– Open Foundation 840 885 1214 1308 1120 traditional areas of Architecture and Building increased in 2004, access and participation fi gures for women in Engineering and related technologies declined. Hopefully, the series of initiatives launched within the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment to encourage female students will reverse this trend locally. Clearly the issues impacting on female enrolment in these areas go well The Unilink Program beyond the institution. The Unilink Program is offered to high schools in the Hunter An increase in access and participation rates for women in higher region which: degrees by coursework continues the positive trend of the last four ■ have been identifi ed by the NSW Department of Education and years and is pleasing. While the proportion of females undertaking Training as requiring assistance under their Priority Schools research higher degrees has declined, initiatives are in place to Funding Program (PSFP); support new or junior female researchers who frequently juggle ■ have lower than the state average transition rates. study and family responsibilities. Despite minor fl uctuations in access, participation and retention Despite minor fl uctuations in access, participation and retention In 2004, 15 high schools and two junior high schools (Callaghan fi gures, the retention and success rates of all groups remained high, College – Waratah Campus and Callaghan College – Wallsend confi rming the continued commitment of the University and its Campus) were affi liated with the Unilink program. 2,815 students senior executive to supporting the range of student equity groups. from these high schools took part in a variety of activities offered within the Unilink program; including an Orientation Positive statistical results 2004: Week workshop for rural and isolated students, Year 10 Campus ■ Participation, retention and success rates for our Indigenous Visits, Year 10 Student and Parent Information Evenings, Year 12 students all improved on performances in 2003 and access UAC talks and a Year 11 Shadowing Activity. These numbers are rates remained well above state and national indicators. comparable to the 2,848 students in 2003 and 2,665 students in ■ Access rates for students from low SES backgrounds remained 2002 who participated in the Unilink program. In addition, Unilink above 31 percent – well above state and national indicators. staff were among the many staff who assisted the Scholarships

Annual Report 2004 Working Group with the formulation of guidelines and defi nition ■ Access and participation rates for students from rural and of eligibility for scholarships to be offered in 2005 to low SES and isolated areas improved noticeably. equity groups. ■ The participation of students with a disability improved.

The University of Newcastle The

50 Equity and Enabling Highlights Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Enrolments by program type ■ The funding of Equity Grants for students whose enrolment was threatened by fi nancial diffi culty. 2004 ■ Mentoring of rural and isolated students in the Faculty of 2003 Business and Law to support their retention and success. 2002 ■ A summer scholarship program for female participants in 2001 Phototonics to develop leaders and mentors for commencing 2000 female students in this non-traditional area of study. 0 100 200 300 ■ Seven of the University Medallists in the 2004 graduation Enabling Non-Award ceremonies commenced their studies in Open Foundation, the Undergraduate Postgraduate Coursework Higher Degree Research University’s tertiary preparation program for students over the age of 20. Another of the 2004 Medallists commenced studies in Newstep, an enabling program for 17 – 20 year olds who suffered some disadvantage which prevented them from either completing the HSC or gaining suffi cient marks for entry into undergraduate programs. ■ Preparation of educational materials for fi eld work supervisors of Occupational Therapy students with a disability. ■ The Faculty of Business and Law awarded the fi rst Australian Indigenous Accounting and Finance Scholarship in 2004. This initiative aims to attract talented Aboriginal and Torres Strait 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Islander students to undertake a Bachelor of Commerce or ATSI Enrolments 220 226 294 312 321 Bachelor of Finance program. Enabling 15 21 42 35 19 ■ Through the delivery of the Teaching and Learning Management Non-Award 1 0 0 1 0 Action Plan, all faculties are, where appropriate, ensuring Undergraduate 177 177 217 241 254 that programs include awareness of Indigenous Australian

Postgraduate Coursework 9 6 10 11 20 issues in their curricula. Under this Plan, the University is also currently funding a project on inclusive curricula. This involves Higher Degree Research 18 22 25 24 28 the development of guidelines for inclusive curricula, support materials and some training programs. ■ The Curriculum Teaching and Learning Portfolio Committee considered a draft Policy on Diversity and Inclusive Language (CTL04:273) prepared by the Inclusive Teaching and Learning Project.

3. Encouraging the enrolment International Enrolments 2002 2003 2004 of international students and the Doctorate by Research 106 106 109 internationalisation of our University Doctorate by Coursework 0 0 236 ■

The Faculty of Health graduated the fi rst cohort of the The University of Newcastle Masters by Research 33 37 44 Bachelor of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety Masters by Coursework 644 869 942 (BEnvOHS) program in Singapore in October 2004. Two of the Postgraduate/Graduate Diploma 123 107 151 graduates received the Faculty Medal for Academic Excellence.

Graduate Certifi cate 66 93 60 ■ In 2004 the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment

Bachelors 1024 1423 1702 established the role of the School International Student Adviser (SISA). The SISAs are proactive in making contact with

Cross-Institution – Postgraduate 0 1 0 Annual Report 2004 international students within the Faculty to develop strong Cross-Institution – Undergraduate 0 1 1 school/student relationships and facilitate communication. Enabling Program 0 0 0 SISAs work to an annual schedule of activities that includes: Non-Award Program 266 327 279 making direct regular contact with international students by

Total 2262 2964 3524 group or one-to-one meetings and email/letter, participating in focus groups and other feedback activities and encouraging

51 Our Students

international students to participate in ■ In the School of Design, combining study at the University’s the Faculty social events. Communication and Information Language Centre and specially adapted ■ Dr Martin Ebert, School of Maths and Technology, two Natural History courses within the Faculty of Education Physical Sciences, was awarded a Illustration students, Chris Schofi eld and Arts in linguistics, languages, Fellowship in the Institute of Physics in and Toni Licciardo, have been invited sociology, fi lm and television studies, the United Kingdom. to participate in the University of Aboriginal studies, and Australian Sydney archaeological expedition history (“Study Abroad with a ■ The Faculty of Health welcomed the to Pella (Jordan) during the summer Language Option”) and accepted its fi rst intake into the Introduction for vacation. The students will be involved fi rst students from Japan in 2004. Medical Students program. A group as illustrators in the fi eld, recording of 15 students from MARA College ■ The Inclusive Teaching and Learning specimens for research purposes. in Malaysia, who will commence Project, which seeks to ensure that undergraduate study in the Bachelor ■ The Master of Aboriginal Studies has teaching acknowledges and includes of Medicine program in 2005, were been developed to provide exchange consideration of the cultural diversity of enrolled in the Introduction program in opportunities for Indigenous Australian our international students, was funded 2004. The Introduction program aims students and Indigenous people from and developed during 2004. to support students to develop the Kansas in the USA and Oulu in Finland. ■ Sport plays a key role in attracting language and communication skills ■ As part of an Amnesty International international students to the University necessary for health professionals within fund-raising event, students from of Newcastle. International students the Australian culture and context, and the Bachelor of Design (Visual account for the majority of participants introduce our learning styles, such as Communication) degree exhibited A2 in sport and recreation programs and problem-based learning, self directed posters in Christchurch Cathedral in short courses offered by Newcastle learning, and group learning. July, exploring the current concerns of University Sport (NUSport). Its world ■ First semester 2004 saw the fi rst Amnesty International. The exhibition class facilities are an integral part of the intake into the Bachelor of Applied was subsequently available for general University’s international recruitment Information Technology at PSB viewing in the foyer of the Design strategies and NUSport enjoys a close Academy, Singapore. The program, Building with Amy Crawford, a third relationship with the University’s offered as a joint venture between PSB year student, winning the People’s International Development Services. Academy and the University, is targeted Choice Award. As a result of the wide at international students who have acclaim received by the exhibition, selected 4. Fostering a culture that completed a Diploma in Information works were taken to Melbourne as part of respects and values Technology and wish to upgrade to the Architects For Peace Seminar. diversity a degree in Singapore. The University ■ In 2004 the Faculty of Business and A number of strategies have been has a long-established relationship Law established the role of International implemented to ensure that the University with PSB through the delivery of a Coordinator in each of its schools. realises its commitment to fostering a wide range of engineering programs. ■ Faculty of Education and Arts students culture that values diversity: The offering of the Bachelor of Applied were awarded scholarships to study Information Technology increases the Japanese at Ube Frontier University, ■ Training of staff in the Student Centre range of degrees now offered through Hakodate University, Kumamoto in diversity and cultural sensitivity. PSB Singapore. The initial offering University, Nagoya University of Foreign ■ Final year Bachelor of Design (Visual has proved successful evidenced by Studies, Seijo University, and Tokyo Communication) students were asked by increasing enrolment numbers each Kasei University. Students from all these the Faculty of Science and Information semester and students achieving good universities, in turn, were welcomed as Technology, on behalf of the University, pass rates. The fi rst cohort of students exchange students at Newcastle in 2004. to develop a series of posters to is expected to graduate mid 2005. ■ Four academic staff members of the highlight the benefi ts of cultural diversity ■ During 2004 negotiations were Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), within the broader community of the conducted with the PSB Academy, lower Hunter. The posters have received

Annual Report 2004 China, spent three months at the Singapore with a view to offering University of Newcastle as part of an a great deal of positive comment and Information Technology (IT) exchange agreement between HIT and feedback and have been on continual postgraduate coursework programs the University of Newcastle. display at the University since August. at PSB. Further consultation will take It is planned that these works will be ■ The School of Language and Media place during 2005 after the revised and used in several events next year to developed a package of courses for new IT postgraduate programs promote cultural diversity messages Study Abroad and Exchange students

The University of Newcastle The are implemented. to the wider community.

52 Performance Measure ■ The Open Foundation Program from strength to strength with 83 provides an opportunity for people scholarships in 2004 and 11 UNISS Student Satisfaction scholars graduating in 2004. Average Score on Humanitarian visas to gain appropriate qualifi cations to enter ■ Alison Beech, an Honours student 2004 undergraduate programs. In 2004 for in Wildlife Illustration (in the School 2003 example, a number of people from The of Design, Communication and 2002 Sudan, Bosnia and Afghanistan took Information Technology), was the advantage of this program. 2001 successful recipient of the annual William Fletcher Trust Grant worth 2000 Our Students’ Highlights $1,000 for students from institutions 1 2 3 4 5 ■ Newcastle University Sport continues across NSW offering programs in Art, Dissatisfied Satisfied to contribute to the consistently Design and Performing Arts programs. Newcastle high ratings achieved in the Good A special commendation was also Universities Guide by the University awarded to Simone Murtagh-Smith Newcastle of Newcastle in relation to facilities for her work. The William Fletcher Year Average %Change available on campus. The Forum Sports Trust provides grants for exceptional 2004 3.70 -0.8% and Aquatic Centre is continually students as an incentive to support 2003 3.71 -0.5% recognised as a world class facility and continue their studies. which assists in attracting students to 2002 3.72 -0.3% ■ A Careers Fair was held for students, Newcastle. 2001 3.72 -0.3% attracting in excess of 90 employers. ■ Christopher Seysener, an Engineering 2000 3.72 -0.3% ■ Orientation workshops were conducted graduate, was awarded, as a joint for new students from regional and winner, an Engineers Australia isolated areas. award for his project work in the disciplines of automation, control ■ The Chancellor presented certifi cates to In the annual Composite Student and instrumentation (ACI). Chris was 319 students who had completed the Questionnaire, students have indicated also a key member of the NUbots Open Foundation, Newstep, Yapug or that on average they are satisfi ed development team. International Foundation programs. ■ with their program. The University of ■ The Regional Disability Liaison Offi cer More than 370 student athletes Newcastle’s performance has been position has been extended and this competed at the Eastern University stable over the period 1999 to 2004, year received $80,000 from DEST for Games in Wollongong and the with no signifi cant change in the the continuation of the position. The Australian University Games in Perth. average score. There is no comparable role is designed to improve transition The University was also represented at national benchmark for this indicator. for people with a disability between the Eastern University and Australian schools, post-secondary education, University Championships. training and employment. ■ Engineering PhD student, Bart Buhre, ■ The Williams Foundation Information sponsored by and working in the CRC Technology Scholarship, established for for Coal in Sustainable Development commencing Information Technology (CCSD), was awarded the $2,000 students at Ourimbah campus was student prize for best presentation at the Co-operative Research Centre

awarded to Ray Smith in 2004. The The University of Newcastle Scholarship provides $5,000 for students Association Conference held in in their fi rst year of full-time study. Adelaide in 2004. ■ ■ Newcastle University Sport (NUSport) Newcastle creative writing students conducted the Intercollegiate from the School of Language and sport program for all on-campus Media achieved wide recognition in accommodation in 2004. More than 2004: Cassandra O’Loughlin won the 800 students competed in nine sports Catchfi re Press poetry competition, Annual Report 2004 during the year and more than 200 Patrick Cullen won third prize for a people participated in the University’s poem in the Roland Robinson Literary annual Campus Scamper Fun Run/Walk. Competition, Anne Brown won fi rst prize in The Fellowship of Australian ■ The University of Newcastle Industry Writers’ Competition (Manly branch), Scholarship Scheme (UNISS) goes 53 Performance Measure International Income as a % of total operating income

2003 2002 Our Students 2001 2000 1999

■ and Andrew Slattery, a third year We encourage the enrolment of 0% 5% 10% 15% international students and the student, had a poem selected by Les Newcastle National Murray in the Best Australian Poems internationalisation of our University. 2004 collection. ■ Our student body refl ects the diversity ■ Tyrone Crisp, a student in the School of the wider community. Newcastle National Year %FPOS %Change %FPOS %Change of Language and Media, achieved ■ As a community we recognise and 2003 9.59% 69.6% 13.79% 66.4% exceptional results in the Advanced affi rm the richness of social and Language Diploma of the University cultural diversity. 2002 10.93% 93.3% 12.48% 50.6% of Franche-Comté where he studied 2001 7.77% 37.5% 11.40% 37.6% Planned Improvements 2005: as part of his Hartley Undergraduate 2000 6.75% 19.4% 10.15% 22.5% Scholarship. This is further testimony ■ Launch of the University of Newcastle 1999 6.28% 11.1% 9.06% 9.3% that the best of our French students Equity Scholarships and Benefi t Scheme Source: DEST Annual Financial Returns can perform at levels equivalent to to assist students who are fi nancially that of any university in the world. and educationally disadvantaged. Since 1999, the proportion of income ■ Swimmer James Beasley was selected ■ Allocation of 50 Higher Education received from international fee-paying as the University of Newcastle Sports Equity Program (HEEP) Scholarships for students has increased, both nationally Person of the Year for 2003 (awarded continuing students. and at the University of Newcastle. in 2004), for his achievements in The University of Newcastle’s proportion ■ Development of an EO Online Training of income sourced from international swimming. There were fi ve Blues Module for students to educate them fee-paying students decreased in 2003. awarded in 2004 - Kurt O’Brien for in their rights and responsibilities as Soccer; Peter Ritchie, also for Soccer; members of a diverse community. James Beasley for Swimming; Peter Performance Measure ■ Mauro for Triathlon; and Leanne King Launch of a project to develop skills in academic literacy and group dynamics Domestic fee-paying EFTSU for Ultimate Frisbee. Four Colours were as a % of total EFTSU presented in 2004 – Nikola Bowden among students from non-English speaking backgrounds in the Faculty of for Hockey; Andrew Pennington for 2004 Ultimate Frisbee; Trent Dickeson for Business and Law. 2003 University Sport; and Daniel Blackmore ■ Forum on Racism. 2002 for Water Ski. ■ Development of an online campus 2001 ■ Lisa Wright, a 2nd year Physiotherapy map to enable students with a mobility student, won the 2004 World Life disability to view the network of 2000 Saving “Open Flags” event. The accessible paths and facilities on 0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% competition was held in Viareggio, Italy the campus. Newcastle National from 20-25 September. ■ Allocation of HEEP Summer Vacation Source: DEST Annual Financial Returns ■ A greater proportion of enabling Scholarships. students accepted their offer of a place Newcastle National in undergraduate study in 2004 than in Year %Domestic FP %Change %Domestic FP %Change previous years. 2004 7.08% 163.3% 8.50% 78.6% Improvement 2003 6.05% 125.0% 7.98% 67.6% Where we will be in 2006: 2002 5.62% 108.9% 7.04% 47.9% 2001 3.04% 13.1% 6.06% 27.3% ■ We offer students a vibrant and 2000 2.91% 8.2% 5.48% 15.1% supportive learning environment which Source: 1. National fi gure – DEST published load is free from discrimination, sensitive to 2. Newcastle fi gure – DEST Submission 1 Load the diversity of the student cohort, and

Annual Report 2004 in which the continuous improvement The national average proportion has of our services to students is seen as a increased steadily since 2000 and was benchmark of our success. most recently 8.5 percent in 2004. The ■ Our information systems are up to University of Newcastle’s proportion has date, well coordinated, ensuring been consistently lower than the national relevant and consistent information, average over the same period, although and complement our interaction it is rising at a faster rate and in 2004 The University of Newcastle The with students. reached 7.08 percent. 54 Exceptional French Tyrone Crisp, an honours student of Mathematics won the 2003 Hartley Scholarship for his undergraduate studies in French. He achieved exceptional results in the Advanced Language Diploma of the University of Franche-Comté where he studied as part of his scholarship.

University Medallists Seven former Open Foundation students graduated with University Medals in April this year. Open Foundation staff member, Gordon Rintoul was also awarded his PhD at the same ceremony. Left to right: Dr Gordon Rintoul, with medallists

Kerrie Nicholls, Geoff Muir, Susan Porteus and The University of Newcastle Steve McLennan. Other medallists were Aubry Byrnes, Barbara Adams and Louise Sonter. Annual Report 2004

55 Our Staff

The Year A Valued Resource at a Glance The University achieves its Review of Activities ■ The University appoints a new teaching and learning, research, community and service goals Vice-Chancellor and Deputy 1. Resourcing and supporting Vice-Chancellor (Services) through the commitment and staff appropriately ■ 97.3% of Academic Staff who skills of its staff and broader voted approved the Academic network of contributors. Enterprise Bargaining Enterprise Agreement It is our people who create During 2004 negotiations continued for ■ 98.3% of General Staff who the values and culture of the both the Academic Staff and General voted approved the General Staff Enterprise Agreement University and bring its goals Staff Enterprise Agreements and draft Agreements went to ballot in December ■ to fruition. Range of Staff Development 2004. On the basis that the respective programs increased – Agreements were signed off by the 630 scheduled Focus appropriate union(s) and the University, ■ Expanded Leadership Support Our staff are integral to the achievement of salary increases were paid administratively Program – 21 management our mission. They are a valued resource. Our in December 2004, two percent from development sessions strategies for building a stimulating and 1 March 2004 and two percent from ■ 641 General Staff actively rewarding workplace include: 1 September 2004. Under the proposed Annual Report 2004 engaged in Managing for Agreements further salary increases are Performance 1. resourcing and supporting staff appropriately; nominated through to October 2006. ■ 19 Schools initiated Academic Managing For Performance 2. fostering their training and development; Negotiations have resulted in Agreements ■ 56% growth in Indigenous staff 3. implementing Managing for that reinforce the University’s strategic numbers between 2000 and 2004 Performance (MFP); and direction with a view to positioning the University in the higher education sector

The University of Newcastle The 4. targeting and recruiting people with identifi ed strengths and attributes. and facilitating Higher Education Reform. 56 Facilitative clauses have been applied to ■ be accountable for implementation of new procedures were implemented and four encourage fl exibility and provide for ongoing those collective review recommendations staff received recognition commensurate consultation with staff and the respective requiring the application of managing with their performance. unions. Particular emphasis has been placed change processes; on consultation within planning processes Review of Academic Promotion Policy, ■ ensure managing change processes and ‘Managing Change’ provisions. Procedures and Processes are conducted in accordance with the In light of the fi ndings from the Australian Signifi cant changes include a appropriate Enterprise Agreement Universities Quality Agency (AUQA) Audit comprehensive “modes of employment” clauses and University Policy and the 2003 ‘Your Voice’ Staff Climate clause incorporating a contingent and Procedures; Survey, Dr Colleen Chesterman, Director, employment category, increased parental ■ monitor managing change processes to Women’s Executive Development Program, leave benefi ts and access to a Personal ensure implementation proceeds in a ATN (Australian Technology Network) Leave bank of 25 days, available for a timely manner with limited disruption Universities was invited to participate range of purposes including sick leave. to University business; and in a review of the University’s Academic Current Agreements, along with a range of ■ ensure the University community Promotion Policy, Procedures and Processes. The University of Newcastle staffi ng policy and procedural documents, observes consideration for staff The review will be further progressed in are available at http://www.newcastle.edu. affected by change. 2005 ensuring staff discussion of emerging au/policy/st_atoz.html. Proposed 2004 issues and dissemination of information Agreements will be available from this Promotion of Academic Staff regarding success rates. website upon certifi cation. Promotional opportunities beyond Level D General Staff Classifi cation Review are limited, however procedures relating to

Managing Change the appointment of Personal Chairs, Laureate The General Staff Classifi cation Review Annual Report 2004 A number of major reviews were initiated Professors, and According of the Title of Policy and Procedure provides for the in 2004 with the aim of realising savings ‘Professor’ on the bases of performance review of work value of positions annually and effi ciencies in University operations. were approved in December 2003 to address and can be initiated by managers on an A Managing Change Committee has been concerns regarding the responsiveness of ongoing basis. formed and will: the Annual Promotions process. In 2004, the

57 Our Staff

■ In 2004, 48 applications for review Team Award: targeted areas of high risk and resulted were received, 31 of which were ■ Examinations Team, University in signifi cant planned and implemented approved for reclassifi cation. Thirteen Services Division improvements in safety systems. applications are pending and four ■ – Warwick Foster Consolidation of the elected peak were not approved. Michael Farrell OH&S Consultative Committee and strengthening of a range of agreed Rewards and Recognition Angela Parish Isabel Sherwood OH&S consultative mechanisms across Innovative teaching is encouraged and Yolande Hoskins faculties and divisions. recognised through University Awards for ■ The ongoing provision of an Employee Excellence in individual, project and team Student Academic Conduct Offi cers Assistance Program for University staff categories. Further details can be found in Student Academic Conduct Offi cer (SACO) and their families. the section titled Teaching and Learning. positions were established in each school ■ The delivery of OH&S training packages In 1998 the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for as a result of recommendations contained with particular emphasis on customised General Staff Excellence Scheme was in a Management Action Plan developed and practical programs to cater introduced as a way to recognise and by senior management. The plan, endorsed for specifi c OH&S needs, including reward general staff for outstanding or by Council in February 2004, was produced supervisor and manager responsibilities, exceptional service. following the St James Ethics Centre consultation, ergonomics, risk analysis Enquiry into Plagiarism, Procedures and In 2004, a total of 17 nominations were and hazardous substances training. Management Controls. submitted for consideration, ten for the ■ Review of the incident/accident/hazard Individual Award and seven for a Team The SACO system provides teaching staff reporting system culminating in the Award. The nominations are becoming in schools with the support necessary revision of the existing process and stronger each year and demonstrate a to ensure transparency, consistency and plans to launch an online version in high level of performance and dedication ethical practice for both students and early 2005. across the University. The following awards staff in academic endeavour. This includes Occupational Health and Safety were made: ensuring that school staff are provided performance has remained relatively with appropriate training and induction steady over the past fi ve years. A moderate Individual Awards: on student academic integrity. increase in Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate ■ Alison Farrar, Administrative Assistant, (LTIFR) occurred in 2004 refl ecting a rise in Occupational Health and Safety Faculty of Education and Arts the number of lost time injuries for 2004, ■ Bronwyn Bloxham, Administrative During 2004 the University continued to over the 2003 year. Although the Lost Time Offi cer, Faculty of Science and implement a comprehensive Occupational Injuries have increased, there has been less Information Technology Health and Safety (OH&S) framework and time away per injury (reduced severity rate). supportive mechanisms. Safety initiatives ■ Debbie Delbridge, Personal Assistant, resulted in: The University is committed to the Faculty of Business and Law continued implementation of the OH&S ■ ■ Peter Turner, Professional Offi cer, Successful completion of Health and Management Framework to achieve Faculty of Engineering and Built Safety Management Systems audits ongoing performance improvements and to Environment in the Faculties of Engineering and provide robust systems of management. Built Environment and Science and ■ Phillip Lloyd, Video Producer, University Information Technology. These audits Services Division

Academic Promotions Statistics 2004 Annual Report 2004

Annual Report 2004 2004 Level A to Level B Level B to Level C Level C to Level D Level D to Level E Total Applied Successful % Applied Successful % Applied Successful % Applied Successful % Applied Successful %

Women 4 0 0 16 13 81 8 4 50 0 0 0 28 17 61

Men 8 7 88 26 10 38 18 10 56 2 1 50 54 28 52

Total 12 7 58 42 23 55 26 14 54 2 1 50 82 45 55 The University of Newcastle The The University of Newcastle The

58 The University continues to promote 2. Fostering staff Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate workplace rehabilitation to achieve the vs Claims Incidence Rate training and development best possible restoration of physical, psychological, vocational and social In 2004 there was a continued focus on 2004 functioning of the staff member concerned, providing a wide range of development 2003 at the earliest appropriate time. The table programs for staff. Over the year 4,693 2002 on page 60 indicates that excellent claims registered participants attended 630 scheduled courses and workshops (see 2001 management has resulted in a lower actual premium as compared with the industry graph on next page for participant 2000 tariff rate, and this has been maintained attendance by category). 0 2 4 6 8 10 throughout the past fi ve years. It should Index A number of programs were introduced be noted that the decrease in the tariff LTIFR Claims Incidence Rate during 2004 that demonstrate the rate has been the result of the improved University’s ongoing commitment to the performance of the University of Newcastle quality of its teaching and learning. Lost Time Injury Frequency Claims Incidence and the sector. ■ Year Rate %Change Rate %Change The Graduate Certifi cate in Tertiary The three Sub-Committees of the Teaching was implemented and in 2004 8.39 19.6% 5.18 -25.7% University’s OH&S Workplace Committee Semester 2 enrolments totalled 37 2003 5.93 -15.6% 4.89 -29.8% considered a total of 96 Research Grant across three of the six courses offered. 2002 3.29 -53.1% 4.68 -32.9% applications that were identifi ed as having Successful completion of the Graduate safety implications by their respective 2001 6.11 -13.0% 4.98 -28.6% Certifi cate in Tertiary Teaching is now a Principal Investigators. 2000 6.20 -11.6% 4.27 -38.8% requirement within academic probation. A series of Laboratory Safety Training ■ Source of data: Health & Safety Team, Employers Mutual A Sessional Academic Training Program Courses incorporating Hazardous which primarily targets tutors was Substances and Biosafety, and Laboratory developed with 70 participants involved The increase in LTIFR refl ects an increased Radiation safety training sessions were in the fi rst round of workshops. number of lost time injuries for 2004 over conducted during the year, and attended Feedback on the value of the program the 2003 year. The Claims Incident Rate has by audiences drawn from the research has been extremely positive and is used increased from a low of 4.27 in 2000 to a community at the University. In accordance to continually improve on this initiative. high of 5.18 in 2004. with the University’s Offi ce of Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) Compliance Strategy, the University launched the OGTR online training module. In 2004 a formal risk assessment process to evaluate the safety implications of student practical activities was introduced. A total of 61 risk assessment or evaluations were carried out in 2004. In accordance with the requirements of the OGTR, 34 PC2 laboratories were

inspected during the year by the Institutional The University of Newcastle Biosafety Committee. In addition, the OGTR visited the University to inspect research laboratories at Callaghan (3), David Maddison Building (1), Ourimbah (1) and John Hunter Hospital (2). Issues identifi ed by the OGTR as requiring attention have been actioned by the University. Annual Report 2004

59 Our Staff

In 2004, a number of new programs and ■ A 360° degree feedback instrument support mechanisms were used to help and process for LSP participants was staff engaged in research and research piloted. The feedback from the pilot training. formed the basis for a one-on-one coaching relationship and the creation ■ The Research Supervisor Training and of development plans for participants. Actual Workers Compensation Development Program continued on Renewal vs Tariff Rate from 2003. ■ HeadStart, a leadership induction 2.00 program, which aims to provide ■ Development programs were offered in the existing and new leaders with an areas of animal ethics, scholarships and 1.50 interactive introduction to their roles assistance for early career researchers. and critical relationships, was piloted 1.00 New Workplace Skills based programs during the year. $ Million included Awareness of Bullying and 0.50 Workplace Violence, Working with Women’s Leadership Development International Students and Responding Initiative (WLDI) 0.00 to Diffi cult Student Behaviour. 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 The Women’s Leadership Development Initiative, a joint initiative of the Equity and Team Building and Dispute Resolution Actual premium Tariff rate Diversity Unit and Human Resource Services Facilitation aims to establish a support system to assist Throughout 2004 at least 17 facilitated women to achieve promotion and to prepare Actual Premium Tariff Rate workshops involving 387 University staff for leadership roles. Throughout 2004 the Year $ %Change $ %Change addressed team dynamics and the resolution WLDI held the following events specifi cally 2004 1,145,910 49.3% 1,587,524 2.2% of intragroup and intergroup confl ict. for women at the University of Newcastle: 2003 808,035 5.3% 1,935,750 24.7% Diagnostic tools were used with numerous ■ A consultative forum between women 2002 1,016,839 32.5% 1,769,000 13.9% work groups, creating a common language staff and members of the Senior 2001 1,196,797 56.0% 1,831,890 18.0% and understanding of team building Executive Group 2000 758,094 -1.2% 1,528,013 -1.6% principles and methods. ■ Workshops on: Source of data: Allianz Insurance Leadership Support Program (LSP) − Career Planning and Promotion for The University’s leaders were supported in Academic Women 2004 through: − Career Opportunities for Women Based on excellent claims management, General Staff the University has paid a signifi cantly lower ■ Management development workshops: actual premium as compared to the required 359 participants attended 21 − Kick-starting your Research: Session industry tariff rate, and this has been workshops covering topics from for Academic Women maintained throughout the past fi ve years. Finance and Budgeting Fundamentals − Balancing and Juggling: Does it take through to Media Training. a circus act to effectively combine The University is implementing an OH&S work and family? Management Framework as a high priority − A focus group was also held for with an emphasis on: Staff Development Attendance Academic Women at Level C to 2004 • contractor safety identify issues of concern relating to • risk assessment career development. • consultative arrangements. Occupational Information Outside Study Program (OSPRO) Health & Safety The introduction of an OH&S Management Technology 15% Outside Study Programs enhance the Framework is essential to ensure ongoing and Corporate Managing for Systems professional development of an academic performance improvements and provide Performance 28%

Annual Report 2004 9% staff member as a researcher, teacher or Annual Report 2004 robust systems of management. practitioner in his or her discipline. Leadership Research 2% & Supervision 12% Eligible staff may apply for OSPRO for the Workplace following: Teaching & Skills 21% Learning ■ 13% Progress/Completion of a Higher Degree ■ Progression of Research The University of Newcastle The The University of Newcastle The ■ Improvement of Teaching and Learning 6060 Outside Studies Program Application The tables at left provide an indication of Following ongoing consultation with the Criteria by Year by Gender the number of applications for the period Academic Staff Consultative Committee, 2000 – 2004. The fi gures in 2004 indicate a the University progressed an MFP Academic Progression of Research slight increase in the number of applications Staff Pilot Program involving six schools for Progress/Completion of a Higher Degree from the fi ve faculties. Each Head of School 100 and Improvement of Teaching and Learning took the lead role in implementing MFP 80 with a small decrease in the number of according to their own timetable. Staff 60 applications seeking to Progress Research. who participated in the Pilot are actively 40 engaged in MFP. Post Pilot focus group A pleasing outcome was the increase in

Applications discussions indicated growing support for 20 the number of applications from women. In the initiative, however, signifi cant cultural 0 2004, 9.9 percent of the female University barriers do continue to exist. Briefi ng 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 academic population made application for sessions were conducted at the senior Outside Study Programs compared with 6.5 Male Female Total and faculty executive level in September percent in 2003, 12.8 percent in 2002, 9.44 2004 advising of the outcomes of the Pilot assessment process. Progression To Higher Degree 3. Implementing Managing for Performance MFP briefi ng sessions were held with those 15 Heads of Schools not involved in the initial Pilot, from September through to November Managing for Performance is a key initiative 10 2004. Fifteen of these schools held MFP which provides a formative link between training sessions in the period through to 5 the performance of the University and the

Applications December 2004 with the remaining four effectiveness of each individual. Managing schools to run sessions by February 2005. 0 for Performance (MFP): 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 It is expected that academic staff across ■ involves staff and supervisors working the University will be participating in MFP Male Female Total together to identify, review and develop throughout 2005. collective and individual performance in line with the University’s goals; Improvement of Teaching & Learning 4. Targeting and recruiting ■ provides managers and supervisors people with identifi ed 7 with a framework to provide meaningful strengths and attributes 6 feedback and recognition to staff; 5 ■ 4 identifi es and addresses staff Recruitment 3 development needs; and The University continues to attract high

Applications 2 ■ promotes linkages between Staff quality staff, through targeting active 1 Performance Agreements and and passive job seekers, and utilising 0 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Development Plans to resource professional search fi rms in addition to requirements and objectives of the academic networking to identify and Male Female Total individual’s organisational unit. encourage potential staff.

The streamlined MFP initiative progressed ■ Several key executive appointments considerably for general staff in 2004

have been made by the University in The University of Newcastle following an emphasis on training in 2004 including: the process in 2003. A monitoring and − Chancellor review process has been introduced with centralised records indicating that as at − Deputy Chancellor December 2004, 641 general staff are − Vice-Chancellor and President actively engaged in MFP. − Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Services)

The University has taken action to ensure ■ A total of eight new Professors and Annual Report 2004 line managers who have not yet initiated Associate Professors (Levels E and D) MFP in their areas remedy this situation as were appointed in 2004. a matter of priority. ■ 80.2 percent of the academic staff at the University of Newcastle possess a higher degree. 61 Our Staff

The University continued to progress equity groups within the University, the confi dence (over results of 2003 initiatives to address the academic staff participation of women in both academic Survey) in management’s readiness to profi le at the Ourimbah campus which and general staff has increased. act promptly to resolve grievances.” was skewed towards Levels A and B when ■ Staff who identifi ed as people from ■ Approval by the Senior Executive compared with overall faculty profi les. Three racial, ethnic and ethno-religious Group for the conduct of focus groups staff members were successful in achieving minority groups constituted 18.3 percent with academic women on contract promotion from Level B to C and fi ve new of respondent academic staff and to establish any issues they have in staff were appointed to the Ourimbah six percent of respondent general staff. relation to fairness and equity. campus. An appointment has been made to ■ Staff identifying as Indigenous ■ Review of the academic promotions a Professorial position in Natural Resource Australians included 15 members process to explore issues of equity. Management in the School of Applied of academic staff and 32 members Sciences. An appointment to the WorkCover ■ The aggregation of data refl ecting of general staff. In total, Indigenous NSW Research Centre of Excellence is issues of concern, eg discrimination, people constituted 2.5 percent of imminent, following recruitment activity in harassment and bullying, raised within respondent staff. The University December 2004. This position is a result of a the various systems/forums available, continues to exceed the two percent successful partnership between WorkCover eg Equity and Diversity, Human Resource target set by government for the NSW and the Faculty of Health. Services, the University Grievance Offi cer. representation of Indigenous Australians. Improved Access for Equal The University’s Equity Strategy ■ Staff identifying as having a disability Employment Opportunity The University’s Equity Strategy 2004 – included 81 members of general staff (EEO) Groups 2006 seeks to embed the equity outcomes (6.7 percent of respondents) and 47 The University of Newcastle is continually (listed below) nominated by the Offi ce of members of academic staff (6.9 percent monitoring and improving its Indigenous Employment Equity and Diversity (OEED) as of respondent staff). Employment Strategy in consultation with the focus of targets and strategies for the the Indigenous community and, in line triennium. As a result, efforts have been A Fair Workplace with our strategic objective, Indigenous made to ensure the integration of equity: The University uses a number of representation continues to exceed the ■ in all levels of University planning; instruments including the 2003 ‘Your Voice’ New South Wales Government’s target. Staff Climate Survey and exit interviews, ■ in the accountabilities of managers The University of Newcastle has increased to obtain feedback from staff on their through Managing for Performance; the number of Indigenous staff in ongoing experience of fairness in the workplace. ■ in the provision of staff training; and positions and in contracts of more than ■ by setting increased targets for under- Initiatives commenced in 2004 designed to six months from 30 in 2000 to 47 staff represented groups. address this feedback from staff include: in 2004. The University continued its efforts in 2004 ■ The mandating that within three EEO statistics for 2004 show positive to achieve the following three outcomes: months of appointment all managers redistributions in some data from the and supervisors will complete both previous year’s report. In particular: ■ a diverse and skilled workforce; modules of the EO Online training. ■ ■ workplace cultures that display fair Academic women’s rate of application ■ Drafting of a policy on Diversity and practices and behaviours; and for internal research grants improved Inclusiveness. from 31 percent in 2003 to 36.6 ■ improved access and participation for ■ Development of new and more percent - a marked improvement EEO groups. generous provisions for Maternity on 1999 when only 16 percent of A Diverse and Skilled Workforce Leave under the proposed 2004 applications were from women. Enterprise Agreements. The profi le of the University’s staff refl ects ■ The success rate for women applying the following diversity: ■ The setting of targets in the Equity for internal grants increased from 31 Strategy 2004 – 2006 to allow percent in 2003 to 34.6 percent in ■ Annual Report 2004 At 31 March 2004, the University’s monitoring of staff’s perception of the 2004. This continues a positive trend staff of 2,388 comprised 862 fairness of the workplace. Those targets which should be assisted by strategies academics and 1,526 members of state: “The response to the 2005 Staff put in place to assist women to general staff. Women constituted 36.3 Climate Survey will indicate a more undertake research. percent (313) of academic staff and rewarding and supportive workplace; 67.15 percent (1,025) of general staff. and “The response to the 2005 Staff While statistics suggest that there has Climate Survey will refl ect increased

The University of Newcastle The been little shift in the representation of 62 Performance Measure Table of Trends in Distribution of EEO Groups follow: 2. Employment Basis (Academic Staff) Indigenous Staff FTE as a % Table 2.1 Staff Numbers by Employment Basis of Total Staff FTE Actual Number Number Counted People from People People 2004 Aboriginal Racial, Ethnic Whose with a LEVEL People and Ethno- Language Disability 2003 & Torres religious First Spoken as Requiring Total Strait Minority a Child was People with Adjustment 2002 Staff Respondents Men Women Islanders Groups not English a Disability at Work Tenurable Full-Time 604 530 415 189 9 104 88 38 13 2001 Fractional 24 21 6 18 3 2 2 1 Contract Full-Time < 1 year 16 5 11 5 1 2000 Full-Time 1 < 3 years 61 30 37 24 3 3 5 0% 1% 2% 3% Full-Time 3+ years 84 63 59 25 2 12 15 6 1 Contract Fractional < 1 year 19 3 4 15 1 Fractional 1 < 3 years 37 18 12 25 1 1 1 1 % Change Newcastle % Change National Fractional 3+ years 17 12 5 12 2 2 Total 862 682 549 313 15 125 115 47 15

1. Level (Academic Staff) Newcastle National Table 1.1 Staff Numbers by Level Year %Indigenous %Change %Indigenous %Change Actual Number Number Counted

2004 2.02% 78.9% N/A N/A People from People People Aboriginal Racial, Ethnic Whose with a 2003 2.07% 83.5% 0.85% 15.7% LEVEL People and Ethno- Language Disability & Torres religious First Spoken as Requiring 2002 1.53% 35.6% 0.88% 19.2% Salary Band Total Strait Minority a Child was People with Adjustment $ From $To Staff Respondents Men Women Islanders Groups not English a Disability at Work 2001 1.14% 1.2% 0.64% -13.3% Level A $39,351 – $53,403 113 64 59 54 8 10 12 7 4 Level B $56,214 – $66,756 357 275 202 155 4 46 46 15 3 2000 1.13% 0.5% 0.61% -16.7% Level C $68,862 – $79,404 203 174 133 70 1 37 26 17 6 Source of data: DEST Selected Staff Higher Education Statistics Level D $82,917 – $91,347 91 82 77 14 1 23 19 4 Level E $106,808 98 87 78 20 1 9 12 4 2 Total 862 682 549 313 15 125 115 47 15

The above graph shows the proportion of 2. Employment Basis (General Staff) Indigenous Full-Time Equivalent Staff (FTE) Table 2.1 Staff Numbers by Employment Basis as a percentage of total staff (FTE). The Actual Number Number Counted People from People People national average proportion has grown Aboriginal Racial, Ethnic Whose with a 16 percent since 1999. The University of LEVEL People and Ethno- Language Disability & Torres religious First Spoken as Requiring Newcastle proportion has grown almost Total Strait Minority a Child was People with Adjustment 80 percent in the same period, from 1.13 Staff Respondents Men Women Islanders Groups not English a Disability at Work Permanent Full-Time 876 791 336 540 21 48 44 53 12 percent to 2.02 percent. Fractional 191 164 18 173 2 7 7 8 2 Contract Full-Time < 1 year 44 24 15 29 3 1 1 2 Full-Time 1 < 3 years 103 55 29 74 3 2 2 3 1 Full-Time 3+ years 80 66 39 41 1 6 6 5 Contract Fractional < 1 year 91 15 35 56 1 Fractional 1 < 3 years 93 57 22 71 1 5 2 7 1 Fractional 3+ years 48 31 7 41 1 4 4 2 1 Total 1526 1203 501 1025 32 73 66 81 17

1. Level (General Staff) Table 1.1 Staff Numbers by Level The University of Newcastle Actual Number Number Counted People from People People Aboriginal Racial, Ethnic Whose with a LEVEL People and Ethno- Language Disability & Torres religious First Spoken as Requiring Salary Band Total Strait Minority a Child was People with Adjustment $ From $To Staff Respondents Men Women Islanders Groups not English a Disability at Work Level 1 $27,509 – $29,697 2 1 2 1 Level 2 $29,697 – $31,260 94 37 50 44 1 2 2 1 Level 3 $31,260 – $35,950 179 138 54 125 8 8 4 17 3 Annual Report 2004 Level 4 $35,950 – $39,075 258 215 52 206 7 13 9 9 2 Level 5 $39,075 – $45,329 339 248 90 249 10 17 14 16 5 Level 6 $45,329 – $50,017 241 194 91 150 1 8 12 18 4 Level 7 $50,017 – $56,269 202 177 54 148 2 11 13 7 1 Level 8 $56,269 – $65,647 116 103 59 57 2 8 7 5 Level 9 $65,647 – $70,335 48 47 25 23 3 3 4 1 Level 10 $70,335 47 43 26 21 3 2 4 1 & above Total 1526 1203 501 1025 32 73 66 81 17 63 Our Staff

■ Women represented 21 percent of Thesis Award. This Award recognises communities we serve. applicants for ARC grants and 15 excellence in physical education and/or ■ Teamwork and partnerships are an percent of successful applicants in health education research. integral part of achieving the “One 2004 – both improvements on the ■ Dr Chris Paul, School of Medical Practice University” mission. fi gures for 2003 of 14 percent and and Population Health (Centre for 12 percent respectively. Health Research and Psycho-oncology), Key Initiatives for 2005: ■ The proportion of Indigenous general and colleagues from the Cancer Council Managing Change: staff employed in HEW 5-8 positions NSW and Hunter Population Health, ■ Implementation of the outcomes of increased from 37 percent in 2003 to were awarded the prestigious 2004 the External Review of University 46.8 percent in 2004. Rudolf Gerst Research Award. Administrative Support Structures and ■ Two of the general staff recruited in ■ Mr Gary Weber, Research and Processes, the Non Salary Expenditure 2004 identifi ed as having a disability, International Division, received the Review, and the Program and Course retaining the representation of this Australian Photographic Society’s Nature Review (to achieve effi ciency and group in general staff recruitment at Medallion Award for his contribution to effectiveness of operations and almost fi ve percent – a signifi cant the understanding of nature and nature maximise staff contribution). advance on their absence from photography in Australia. Workload: recruitment numbers in 2001. ■ Professor Graham Goodwin, Professor in Electrical Engineering, and Professor ■ Evaluation of academic workload Queen’s Birthday Honours Graeme Jameson, Professor in Chemical models to ensure data integrity, ■ Conjoint Professor Trevor Waring - Engineering, were named in Australia’s rationalisation of criteria, and Member of the Order of Australia (AM) Top 100 Most Infl uential Engineers by integration with broader corporate for service to psychiatry, education and Engineers Australia. information; and the community, particularly through the ■ ■ Dr Wendy Michaels, School of Staff concerns regarding workload, advancement of mental health research Humanities, Ourimbah campus including the engagement of, and support services. received life membership of the and consultation with, staff to ■ Emeritus Professor Kenneth Dutton – Educational Drama Association. be addressed. Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) ■ Professor Scott Holmes, Dean of the Signifi cant Policy Review: for service to tertiary education as an University’s Graduate School, was made academic, scholar and administrator ■ Finalisation of the Review of the a life member of the Small Enterprise and through the study of the French University’s Academic Promotion Policy Association of Australia and language and literature. and Processes (incorporating gender New Zealand. issues) for implementation in the 2005 Awards ■ Professor Rick Middleton was awarded round of Academic Promotions; and ■ the M A Sargent Medal by Engineers Professor Robert Antonia, ARC ■ Review of OSPRO Policy (incorporating Australia. This medal is the most Professorial Fellow in the Faculty of gender issues) with a view to creating prestigious award made by the College Engineering and Built Environment was greater fl exibility for academic staff. honoured by election to the Australian of Electrical Engineers. Academy of Science. Election to the ■ Professor Mike Hazelton became a Life Occupational Health and Safety: Academy recognises a career that has Member of the Australian and New ■ Enhanced facilitation of Health signifi cantly advanced, and continues to Zealand College of the Mental Health and Safety Management systems advance, the world’s scientifi c knowledge. Nurses, the highest honour conferred implementation in faculties/divisions; by the College. ■ Professor Robert Antonia, considered ■ Specialist support and training one of the world’s leading authorities Improvement for Safety Representatives and on turbulence, was presented with a Committees; and Citation Laureate by the United States Where we will be in 2006: ■ Increased support and training for Publishers, Thomson ISI. ■ Annual Report 2004 We engage staff and partners to researchers particularly related to Risk ■ Dr Phillip Morgan, School of Education, achieve our strategic objectives. Assessment requirements. was awarded The Australian Council ■ The University is a rewarding, Staff Training and Development: for Health, Physical Education and challenging and safe place to work, Recreation/Australian Association for where staff are appreciated. ■ Implementation of the integrated Staff Research in Education National Doctoral ■ Our staff refl ect the diversity of the Development framework that links to the University’s Strategic Plan; The University of Newcastle The

64 ■ Development of a coaching/mentoring Equity Strategy: framework for staff identifi ed as future ■ An increase in Indigenous employment; leaders; and ■ An increase in the representation ■ Development of a Leadership Support of women both at senior academic Program tailored to staff in informal levels and in senior decision-making leadership positions. positions; Managing for Performance (MFP): ■ Expansion of training to senior ■ Full rollout and engagement of MFP academic leaders in faculties to across all staff; ensure consideration of the value of diversity, the need for fl exibility, and the ■ Refi nement of a reporting and particular needs of women academics; monitoring system to ensure ongoing engagement in MFP; and ■ Initiation of focus groups with female academic staff employed on a casual ■ Development of appropriate evaluation contract basis to identify diffi culties or mechanisms to ensure ongoing inequities; effectiveness of the MFP process. ■ Inclusion of survey items in the Recruitment: Staff Climate Survey to assess staff ■ Introduction of a new Recruitment and perception of the work environment as Selection Policy, incorporating a range free from discrimination, and managers of options as outlined in the proposed as willing and prompt in their handling Enterprise Agreements; of grievances; and ■ Streamlining of staff selection ■ Improvement of Exit Survey returns committee training; and to identify issues raised by departing ■ Progression of eRecruitment processes staff – particularly those from equity incorporating Talent Bank technology. target groups.

PhD Award Dr Phillip Morgan, from the School of Education, was awarded The Australian Council for Health, Physical The University of Newcastle Education and Recreation/Australian Association for Research in Education National Doctoral Thesis Award. This Award recognises excellence in physical education and/or health education research. He is also a former University Medallist in Health and Physical Education. Annual Report 2004

65 Our Community

A Strong Commitment The Year to the Community at a Glance We are a university community Focus ■ The University of Newcastle committed to making a The University has a strong commitment joins fi ve other Australian difference. The University of to the community it serves: its region; its universities to form Innovative alumni community; its Indigenous partners; Research Universities – Australia Newcastle was formed as a result of a strong community its friends across the nation and the world. ■ Adoption of the strategic drive to establish a local, In keeping with its commitment to operating initiative “A Corporate Approach in partnership with others, it will: to Regional Development” comprehensive university that would develop an international 1. strengthen its ties with its partners; ■ The Science and Engineering 2. develop better systems of communication Challenge won the 2003 reputation. As we continue National Sir William Hudson to strengthen our strong with its alumni and other friends; and Award for most outstanding international profi le through 3. foster events that offer the regional engineering project research and teaching we community cultural and academic ■ The University has the endeavour to grow and learning experiences. highest proportion of students maintain links with our local The University of Newcastle is a leader in in enabling programs of all Annual Report 2004 and regional communities. community and regional engagement. The Australian universities Community Relations Portfolio Committee provides a forum for discussion and debate in relation to the development of creative, strategic plans for engagement that will be of mutual benefi t to the University and the communities it serves. The University of Newcastle The

66 implementation of the network can be ACT and Tasmania via its research centres Review of Activities found under Improvements for 2005. and Special Education Centre. Particularly close links have been formed in 2004 The University’s collaboration with the Royal 1. Strengthen its ties through staff from the School and the Institute for Deaf and Blind Children which with its partners School of Humanities becoming Academic led to the establishment of Renwick College The University and Great Lakes College Partners with schools in the Priority has led to the sponsorship of students in signed a Memorandum of Understanding Action Schools Program. This program is 2004. The Guide Dogs Association NSW/ACT (MOU) to provide enhanced links between a collaborative effort between the NSW has sponsored 10 students to undertake the the College and the University in the upper State Government Department of Education University’s Masters program at Renwick Great Lakes region. The MOU outlines how and Training (DET) and the NSW Teachers College. Students were also sponsored by the two organisations will work together Federation where 74 schools, serving the NSW Department of Education and to facilitate the development and planning low socio-economic communities, receive Training and the Royal Institute for Deaf and of educational initiatives for a trial period special funding to make changes in the way Blind Children. in 2005 and 2006. The partnership hopes they work. Similarly, several academics are to create wider opportunities in areas such The Cultural Industries and Practices also Academic Partners in a new initiative as business, environmental studies, fi ne Research Centre in the School of Social by the NSW DET called the Quality Teaching The University of Newcastle art, nursing, software engineering, gender Sciences was selected to undertake the Program based on Professor Jenny Gore studies, advanced mathematics, physics, Hunter Regional Cultural Audit for the NSW and Associate Professor James Ladwig’s and teaching as well as provide future Ministry for the Arts. Dr Deborah Stevenson (the University of Newcastle) work on opportunities for accelerated learning for from the School has also been appointed Quality Teaching. gifted and talented students. as Social Advisor to the preferred developer, The Faculty of Science and Information ABN Amro, for the $1 billion redevelopment

The University joined with local partners Technology has, in 2004, established Annual Report 2004 of the Darwin waterfront. Hunter Health and the Hunter Medical External Advisory Boards for Information Research Institute for a successful funding The School of Education continues to Technology, Communication, Design, application ($640,000) to build a fi bre work closely with the NSW Department Clinical Psychology and Health Psychology. optic network joining University and of Education and Training, the NSW The Boards will provide a forum for Health sites within Newcastle to enable Department of Ageing, Disability and Home community/professional interaction as biomedical research. Further details of the Care, and Departments of Education in the well as assistance with forward planning; 67 Our Community

possible cooperative research or training Alumni and Graduation Services The Forum Sports and Aquatic Centre, are courses; and advice on program and Alumni and Graduation Services has located in the grounds of the University course revisions. They include industry undertaken a major project in 2004 to at Callaghan, and are available for use representatives from ABC Radio Newcastle; develop and implement a new alumni by all members of the local and sporting Hunter Health; the Newcastle Herald and management system. The area has been communities, and University staff Lawler Partners. involved in the purchase and ongoing and students. Newcastle University Sport (NUSport) staff implementation of the University’s fi rst NUSport has established relationships held positions during 2004 on the Boards e-commerce, web-based portal that allows with the community on a number of levels. of the Hunter Business Chamber, the alumni to: It allows sporting groups of all levels to Hunter Medical Research Foundation, the ■ make online purchases (including event use its facilities and in 2004 welcomed University of Newcastle Foundation and the tickets and memberships); 62 schools from across New South Wales. Newcastle Hunter Junior Business Chamber. In addition, a further 60 community and ■ self-maintain contact data (which is As well, NUSport again hosted the Cancer sporting organisations from local, state, then interfaced to NUSTAR); and Council ‘Relay for Life’. It sponsored the national and international locations used Newcastle City Council Sports Awards and ■ update personal interests and NUSport’s facilities in 2004. the Caves Beach Ocean Swim event; and attributes relevant to ongoing Highlights included the Sydney Swans donated over $15,000 (in kind) to more communication with the University. AFL club; the Newcastle Knights, Brisbane than 70 local organisations. This alumni system will ensure that the Broncos, South Sydney and Melbourne University of Newcastle is considered to be Storm Rugby League clubs; the Anzac Test a national leader in the delivery of services 2. Develop better systems Rugby League team; the Waikato Chiefs and benefi ts to alumni. of communication with its Rugby Union club; the Australian Rugby alumni and other friends Alumni and Graduation Services has also Union’s Youth Talent squad; the Townsville Crocodiles and Hunter Pirates National ■ reviewed the graduate benefi ts Basketball League squads; and the Hunter The University of Newcastle package and introduced the University Jaegers netball team, making their debut in Convocation and Alumni of Newcastle Alumni Club to offer the national competition. The University of Newcastle Convocation an enhanced range of services and and Alumni links students, graduates, past benefi ts to alumni throughout Australia The Newcastle Knights rugby league team and present staff and Council members, and New Zealand; and will use NUSport as its training base for the as well as donors and supporters. With ■ facilitated the development of a range 2004/05 rugby league season. a network of over 60,000 graduates of offi cial University memorabilia and In addition corporate organisations across worldwide and chapters in Sydney, fi nalisation of a licence agreement the Hunter region are engaging the Brisbane, Melbourne, Canberra, the between the University and the University University of Newcastle to provide them Central Coast and Hong Kong, Alumni of Newcastle Union for its sale. with Corporate Health Programs through and Convocation offer many opportunities Newcastle University Sport. NUSport’s for networking and developing benefi cial Other alumni activities include: partners in corporate health and wellbeing relationships. In 2004 an Indigenous ■ a social work advisory group chaired include Newcastle City Council; TAFE NSW Alumni was launched at the Wollotuka by Professor Brian English that draws – Hunter Institute; Hunter Area Health 21st anniversary celebrations and events on alumni to advise on the Bachelor of Service and John Hunter Hospital; Greater were held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with Social Work program; and Building Society; and The University of the aim of establishing an Alumni Chapter ■ the development of an Art space at Newcastle Research Associates (TUNRA). in Malaysia. Mount Penang that allows alumni to In October, Australian High Commissioner meet, exhibit, perform and communicate. 3. Foster events that offer to Malaysia, HE James Wise, announced that Dato’ Haji Esa Bin Haji Mohamed NUSport the regional community would be presented with an honorary cultural and academic

Annual Report 2004 One of the major ways in which the doctorate by the University at the April University engages with the local learning experiences 2005 graduation ceremonies. Dato’ Esa has community is through Newcastle University The Science and Engineering Challenge also been appointed as the fi rst Patron of Sport. NUSport is the organisation which continues its high profi le and has gained the Chapter and the Chapter Committee is administers all sport and recreation at the $680,000 in Federal funding to assist in currently being formed. University of Newcastle Callaghan campus. taking the program nationwide. The number NUSport facilities and the internationally of schools participating has grown from a The University of Newcastle The renowned sports and leisure facility, handful in 2000 to 196 in 2004 involving 68 about 6,000 students. The program is Sir Ninian Stephen Lecture Foundations National Conference conducted as a cooperative venture of Enabling Educators in July. The The Sir Ninian Stephen Lecture was between local communities and Conference resulted in the formation established in 1993 to mark the arrival of the University and there are now over of the Australian Association of the fi rst group of Bachelor of Laws students. 750 volunteers involved. Bridging Educators. The Right Honourable Sir Ninian Stephen, The Newcastle Business School held its former Governor General of Australia, ■ JourNet, UNESCO’s global network second annual Professional Development delivered the inaugural lecture bearing of journalism and media schools, Day for Business Studies Teachers in his name. It is now an annual welcome to convened its fi rst international the Hunter and Central Coast regions. incoming law students which is delivered by conference on professional education The School also organised a statewide an eminent lawyer at the commencement for the media hosted by the School “Business Leaders of the Future” – of each academic year. The 2004 Sir Ninian of Design, Communication and Year 11 Business Plan Competition, Stephen Lecture entitled “The Practice of Information Technology. The Conference which was supported by KPMG. Law: Justice or Just a Job”, was presented by was opened by UNESCO’s Assistant Mr Julian Burnside, QC. Director General for Communication The University’s Centre for Literary and and Information, Professor Abdul Linguistic Computing launched a website Human Rights and Social Waheed Khan. enabling any internet user to carry out Justice Lecture ■ The Centre of Full Employment and sophisticated analyses of Shakespeare’s style. Equity (CofFEE) hosted the 5th Path The Human Rights and Social Justice to Full Employment conference and Cultural Commitment Lecture was established in 2001 to provide the 10th National Conference on an opportunity for the University and The University continued its commitment Unemployment as well as sponsoring the wider community to refl ect on issues to providing cultural experiences for the “A Future that Works – economics, of social justice that challenge Australia University and its wider community through employment and the environment” today. Prominent people active in the area conference. ■ the 2004 Reconciliation Event of human rights are invited to deliver the which saw a wide representation lecture each year. Moira Rayner LLB (Hons) ■ The Children and Education Research of people from the University, from MA (Public Policy), human rights activist as Centre (CERC) hosted an annual local Indigenous communities and well as a Senior Fellow at the Law School of conference entitled “Changing organisations, and from the wider Melbourne University and Honorary Senior Contexts for Children and Education, community attend a Flag Raising Fellow at the University of Western Australia 0-12 years: Implications for Professionals”. ceremony at Birabahn Indigenous delivered this year’s lecture “Walking away ■ The Children and Education Research Education Centre; from Omelas: What price a just society?” Centre (CERC) presented a professional ■ Students from International House forum at Ourimbah and in Sydney and Evatt House volunteering their 2004 Morpeth Lecture entitled “Trusting the Process”. time to the Jesmond Neighbourhood The University of Newcastle and the Anglican ■ The Family Action Centre presented Centre to tutor primary and high school Diocese of Newcastle have jointly presented the “Bringing Men In: how to engage students from the local community. the Morpeth Lecture since 1967. The with men for the benefit of everyone Over 20 students were involved in this Morpeth Lecture presents challenging issues in the family” conference and pilot program which has plans to be in a context that is accessible and relevant to training workshop. extended in 2005. the community. The 2004 Morpeth Lecture ■ The University hosted the Knowledge ■ the Reconciliation Ball; entitled “The God who kills? – Thinking Management Forum entitled The University of Newcastle ■ International House students through salvation” was delivered by UK “Becoming a Learning Organisation – participating in a number of school Roman Catholic theologian and author, An Introduction to the many and varied visit days to Jesmond Public School and James Alison. aspects of knowledge management”. Shortland Public School which were a ■ The School of Liberal Arts great success. Over 50 students have Conferences commemorated the 2050th anniversary now participated in the program; ■ Umulliko, the Indigenous Higher of the great Roman/Latin poet Gaius

■ the Wollotuka 21st Anniversary Education Research Centre, hosted the Valerius Catullus (c.84 – c.54 BC) with Annual Report 2004 celebrations; and 6th National Indigenous Researchers a one-day symposium. ■ the Cultural Awakenings Festival during Forum, which attracted Indigenous ■ A symposium, “On the Bounce: The which Newcastle University Sport was a researchers from Canada and Hawaii. Challenge of the Night-Time Economy” proud sponsor of the United Games, an ■ The English Language and Foundation was hosted by the Cultural Industries event involving several team sports of Studies (ELFS) Centre organised and Practices Research Centre (CIPS). mixed nationalities. and hosted the inaugural Building 69 Our Community

■ The University in conjunction with Prospective Student Careers Fairs Exhibitions the Australian e-Humanities Network and Seminars The School of Fine Art has a policy of hosted “Computing Arts 2004 – The University hosts information sessions active engagement in the community and a Discipline, Medium, Continuum”. and seminars for prospective students of all commitment to cultural interaction through ■ The Children and Education Research ages at locations ranging from the Central the arts. Watt Space is a contemporary Centre and The Commission for Coast to the Upper Hunter. The sessions art space in the central business district Children and Young People co-hosted aim to guide students through course of Newcastle that exhibits the work of a professional development forum in information and application processes to current students of the University. The role November 2004. university and TAFE studies and to help with of the gallery is to provide students with ■ The School of Fine Art hosted a decisions relating to career choices. The diverse opportunities in exhibiting, curating Symposium entitled “Art + Life” as part program for 2004 consisted of: and gallery management. Watt Space was of “Hunter Art.1 – Art Tourist - 2004” established in 1989 with funding from ■ HSC/UAC preferences Advisory Days; which was a collaboration of regional the University of Newcastle Union Limited art galleries in the Hunter region. ■ Careers Fairs; and the School of Fine Art. In 2004 Watt ■ ■ The 7th Australasian Masonry Schools Visit Days; Space exhibited the work of 419 current Conference was hosted by the ■ Year 10 Information Day; students across 56 different shows ranging from solo (43), group curated (11) to two University’s Clay Brick and Paver ■ University Information Day (which coincided Open shows, open to all students of the Institute, and the Concrete Masonry with The Forum’s open day); and Association of Australia. University. In addition ■ Unilink program provided for students ■ The School of Language and Media from schools with a transition rate from ■ students and staff from the School of marked thirty years of teaching in Film high school to University which is less Fine Art collaborated in an exhibition Studies at Newcastle with a symposium than the state average. at the Lovett Gallery, Newcastle Library on Film and the Humanities. titled “Domestic space” . ■ The School of Humanities convened the Concert and Drama Diary ■ Roger Hanley showed work on the inaugural Ourimbah campus Children’s project wall at the Australian Centre for The University has a lively performing Literature Festival. Photography, Sydney. arts program delivered through the ■ The University was a major sponsor of School of Music and Drama. During 2004 ■ Andre Brodyk was invited to exhibit his the Australian Aphasia Association’s approximately 100 separate events were work at the 2004 Adelaide Festival; conference, held in Newcastle. The held in a series of concerts, festivals, ■ Edwin Easydorchik held a one person conference brought together over 150 masterclasses and drama productions. exhibition called “The Shapes of people with aphasia and professionals The music program for 2004 featured Nature” at the DURU Art space in seeking to increase knowledge and masterclasses presented by Adelaide Seoul, Korea. This has resulted in a awareness of aphasia (impaired soprano Tessa Miller, Jacques Tys, Principal grant from the Korea Foundation to language following brain damage, Oboist, Paris Opera Orchestra and pianists bring three Korean Artists to Ourimbah eg from a stroke). Mark Gasser, Rem Urasin, Stephen over the next three years; ■ The School of Liberal Arts was Hough and Alexander Boyd; Musica Viva ■ Professor Anne Graham held a solo instrumental in holding the Australian performances by the Jerusalem Quartet, exhibition at The Sherman Galleries in Historical Association conference in Takács Quartet, Duo Sol and Li-Wei; and Sydney, was commissioned to design a Newcastle during 2004. The School performances by the Song Company, Sydney public artwork for the Council of the City also offered two public forums, on Philharmonia Motet Choir, the University of Newcastle (completed in 2004) and “Justifi cations for War” and on “The Choir, the University Chamber Orchestra and was also invited to exhibit in Hunter Art Ancient Olympics” during history week the Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra as Link, a national, curated exhibition at in September, and also organised a well as staff and student showcases. the Newcastle Region Gallery. lecture by the Australian Archaeological The Drama Theatre hosted a program Institute at Athens Visiting Professor, Guest Lecture Series

Annual Report 2004 of dramatic productions directed and Marc Waelkens (of the Catholic performed by staff and students of the University, Leuven). The School of Fine Art’s 2004 guest University. Twelve plays were produced lectures by notable Australian and ■ The University joined Newcastle City during 2004 in a season that ran from international artists included: Anna Council’s “Ambassador Program”, February through to November. The 2004 Kling – sculptor and performance artist, which aims to attract conferences to season was marked by the return of student Peter Sharp – Painter, Allan Chawner Newcastle and the University. reviews in the form of No More, No Less. – Photographer, Professor Susan Groce The University of Newcastle The – Lecturer at the University of Maine, 70 USA, Carol Wells – Founder and Executive Performance Measure Director, Center for the Study of Political Improvement Graphics in Los Angeles, Gregory Leong Where will we be in 2006: Enabling Enrolments as a % – Textile artist, Janis Jeffries – Head of Total Enrolments of Visual Arts at Goldsmiths College, ■ Our contacts and relations with Alumni, University of London, UK, Neil Emmerson Convocation, retired staff and other 2004 Printmaker, Steve Lopes – Painter, Nicholas friends of the University are strong and 2003 Harding – Painter, Michael Keighery increasingly important to them as well 2002 – Ceramics, Audrey Flake, Painting and as the University. 2001 Digital Imaging, Sandy Gray – Echigo- ■ We are recognised for the strength of 2000 Tsumari, International Art Triennial 2003, our regional, national and international 0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% Ron Morrison – Photography, Anemeno partnerships. Learning and other outcomes Schicke, Swetik Korzeniewski – Painting, from partnerships are shared widely. Newcastle National Sculpture, Architecture and Therese ■ The University Foundation actively Kenyon – Printmaking, Painting and assists the University in fundraising Gallery Management. Newcastle National endeavours and strategies. Year %Enabling %Change %Enabling %Change University Community Engagement ■ We provide leadership in scholarly 2004 7.65% 27.4% N/A N/A debate within the regional and wider 2003 8.54% 42.1% 0.66% 19.2% The University has established clinics in a communities. number of areas so that students acquire 2002 8.14% 35.5% 0.79% 43.5% ■ We have strong partnerships founded professional experience throughout their 2001 6.03% 0.5% 0.52% -6.3% on mutual respect with Australian study program. Members of the University Indigenous peoples and International 2000 5.90% -1.8% 0.51% -7.7% and local communities can attend the: Source of data: 1. Aggregated Dataset (UEAG) First Nations. 2. Latest year from DEST Submission 1 (31 March) • Psychology Clinic Planned Improvements for 2005: • Speech Pathology Clinic ■ In partnership with Hunter New • Legal Centre England Health, the University will The University has outperformed the • Special Education Centre implement a high-speed fi bre optic national average over the past fi ve • Cessnock Uni-Clinic network within the Newcastle region to years and has the highest proportion The University of Newcastle Legal Centre support biomedical research in the fi rst of students in enabling programs of all continues to be involved in the community instance. The development will be partly Australian universities. with students working on a number of funded by a NSW Government BioFirst public interest matters. In 2004 students grant. The network will provide 1 undertaking their professional placement Gigabit/second in bandwidth between assisted at the innovative Law on the Health and University sites (a 500- Beach, a free legal advice clinic set up at fold increase in most cases). Network the Club Room, Newcastle Beach Surf Life reliability will also be improved through Saving Club Pavilion. The clinic provided the use of a redundant fi bre loop. free legal advice on a range of matters, The network will support applications from neighbourhood disputes to debt such as high quality medical imaging; recovery and family law issues. transfer of larger research datasets; and

centralisation of IT systems. The University of Newcastle Facility Hire ■ Continuation of the Annual Human Rights Lecture series. Hire and use of the University’s facilities brings over 80,000 visitors to the campus ■ Conduct of a Reconciliation event for every year, creating a strong alliance the University and its wider community between the University and its community, during National Reconciliation week.

and exposing many prospective students ■ Conduct of a Forum on Racism to Annual Report 2004 and their families to the University involve the University and the wider environment. community in a discussion of diversity, tolerance and racism.

71 Organisational Performance

A Lively and Dynamic Organisation The Year The University of Newcastle has a clear commitment to quality, at a Glance through continuous improvement in performance, obtaining feedback from key stakeholders and the conduct of internal and ■ Improvements in the University’s external performance reviews. information technology systems ■ The development of a Faculty of Health Strategy Map Focus process and a fi ve-year rolling external review process for faculties and divisions. ■ Stakeholder consultation an The Institutional Strategic Plan for 2003 In this same period, the University essential component of the – 2006 includes strategies that will focus instigated formal reviews of programs Costing of Administrative and on maintaining a lively and dynamic and courses, teaching (via the Student Support Services project organisation and assuring the quality of our Evaluation of Teaching and the Student ■ Scoping of the requirements organisational performance, by developing: Evaluation of Courses), and the broad of a system for Corporate 1. integrated management information student experience (via the Composite Performance Measurement systems that are accessible and reliable; Student Questionnaire). 2. improved planning tools; A major restructure in 2002 provided 3. mechanisms for consultation with our an opportunity for the University to complete the embedding of planning and

Annual Report 2004 stakeholders; and 4. organisational performance measures. quality within an over-arching framework and during 2004 several projects were Much has been achieved in formal planning undertaken to better link plans and and quality improvement processes over budgets and to strengthen performance the last decade. In the early 1990s, the measurement and reporting against plans. University established a fi ve-year rolling

The University of Newcastle The budget process, a formal strategic planning

72 ■ Re-development of the Curriculum commitment to improve network Review of Activities Tracking System to improve the connectivity and capacity across campus, quality of information regarding the a series of building cabling upgrades were 1. Integrated management University’s teaching programs and to undertaken throughout the year. These information systems are support decision-making processes. upgrades provide high-speed connectivity accessible and reliable ■ Online billing and payment facilities to the desktop (100Mbps or higher) as well Management of the University needs giving students and staff quick access as provision for new services such as IP timely and accurate data and information to fi nancial account details via the Web. telephony and wireless networking. to inform strategic planning and decision- ■ The enhanced Online Enrolment System Other signifi cant activities relevant to this making. The ongoing integration of the allows for the online collection of area include: University’s fi nance, human resources, payment options, improved security, ■ Education Services implemented the student, research and other management additional data collection and compliance ITIL 3-tier model, developed by the UK information systems continues to be a with the Higher Education Reforms. The Offi ce for Government Commerce, for priority for the organisation. An example of system provides information contained IT service management across a development in one of these systems is in the class timetable and electronic the University. provided below. The University of Newcastle handbook in an integrated form which ■ The Faculty of Health has purchased obviates the need for students to visit a one year pilot licence for Learning Improvements in the University’s several sites to obtain the information Edge - a learning content management Information Technology (IT) systems necessary to complete their enrolment. system (LCMS). The purpose of this Efforts continued to develop information The information submitted by students database is to allow educators to systems to automate and streamline the through the Online Enrolment System discover, reuse, create, manage

University’s business processes, including: integrates directly into NUSTAR and deliver educational material Annual Report 2004 ■ Automation of the Blackboard class eliminating the need for mass data entry. electronically. request and creation process to create Reliable and rapid access to online ■ In 2004, the Faculty of Science and new courses immediately on request, systems depends on the underpinning Information Technology purchased and without need for manual intervention communication and computing commissioned a Storage Array Network by support staff. infrastructure. As part of the ongoing

73 Organisational Performance

(SAN) which provides automatic back- objective should result in an improvement administrative effort and cost is being up of stored data and obviates the in the performance for some objectives allocated against the various activities. need for servers. Access to the SAN is in another perspective. Each performance One of the main features of the project in place for most of the Faculty and will measure included in the Strategy Map has is that it involves signifi cant stakeholder be completed in 2005. a timeframe for reporting progress and a consultation including data collection measure owner who will be responsible for ■ Buildings completed as part of the for full-time and part-time general staff the reporting. campus building cabling upgrade working at Callaghan, Ourimbah and the program in 2004 were: Engineering Monthly reviews of performance will City Precinct through a series of workshops. precint (EE, EA and ES level 3 and 4), become an integral part of how the Faculty The project will be completed by March Computing and Information is managed. The Balanced Scorecard will 2005, with the presentation of initial Science (CT), Social Science (S), form the basis of the review and will fi ndings and fi nal outcomes occurring as David Maddison Building level 5 occur at each meeting of the Faculty of they become available. and Auchmuty Library including the Health Executive and School Executives. Other signifi cant activities relevant to this Auchmuty Information Common. The Faculty of Health Strategy Map will area include: ■ A new voicemail system was also drive the dialogue at Faculty of Health commissioned to support staff at the Board meetings. ■ The Board of Aboriginal and Torres Callaghan campus and other Newcastle Strait Islander Education and Training Other signifi cant activities relevant to this locations including University House has continued to meet and provides area include: and the Newbolds Building. advice to the University. The Central ■ ■ The staff email system (GroupWise) The School of Social Sciences initiated Coast Education and Training was upgraded to the latest version of a comprehensive internal review of its Committee (formerly known as the the software in November. There were teaching priorities and course offerings. Gibalee Advisory Committee) has 3,376 accounts on this service at the Professor Geoff Lawrence, Head of continued to meet and provide advice. end of September. the School of Social Sciences at the The renamed Board acknowledges University of Queensland, provided the multi-sectoral nature of the • HR Online was introduced during 2004 input into the School’s deliberations to Ourimbah campus. Both Boards include to enable staff to view payroll, leave assist in identifying future strategies. community representation. and HR details online and to update selected data. The new system has ■ In the Faculty of Science and improved client service and reduced 3. Mechanisms for Information Technology in 2004 a support time required for leave and consultation with our range of mechanisms for consultation other pay related enquiries. stakeholders with our stakeholders were progressed. For example a Photonics Board was The University of Newcastle has many internal established in the School of Maths and 2. Improved planning tools and external stakeholders including the Physical Sciences. The environment in which we operate is State and Federal governments, academic ■ The Rodski Client Survey (released subject to constant change and therefore and administrative staff, undergraduate 2004) identifi ed improved scores for it is crucial that the planning tools and and postgraduate students, employers of performance of services and facilities processes used by the University are our graduates and the general community. over 2003. appropriate to this changing environment. Therefore it is important to establish An example of one of these improved appropriate mechanisms for obtaining planning tools is provided below. feedback from these stakeholders via 4. Organisational mechanisms such as strategic planning Performance Measures The Faculty of Health Strategy Map workshops and program and course reviews. The University now has a one page The Strategy Map is a visual representation An example of how stakeholder consultations strategic plan, an agreed set of of what is important and why it is are undertaken is provided below. performance indicators and trend data important. The Strategy Map incorporates Costing of Administrative and for the majority of the indicators, an

Annual Report 2004 the vision, mission and objectives Support Services Project understanding of the costs of our core within the following key priorities: Our In 2004 the University initiated a project business activities, comparative data Students and Communities; Our Partners; across the broader university sector on Our Internal Processes; Our Financial to fully cost all administrative and support services so that we may be able to fully key indicators and a process that allows Sustainability and Accountability; Our key stakeholders to feed into target and People: Learning, Innovation and Growth. understand and manage institutional services and administration. The project is strategic setting. An example of how Linkages exist between all of the objectives. stakeholder consultations are

The University of Newcastle The designed to identify where the University’s Improvements in the performance of one undertaken follows. 74 Organisational Performance Planned improvements 2005: The total number of UAC fi rst Measurement System preferences increased from 2001 to ■ The School of Music and Drama will 2004, but declined slightly in 2005. In 2004 a project was commenced to continue to work on the improvements The University of Newcastle’s total scope the requirements of a Performance that were achieved during 2004. number of fi rst preferences increased Measurement System, these being: New plans have been discussed with from 2001 to 2003, but declined ■ Rationalisation of the measures staff about the planning of concerts slightly in 2004 and 2005. used across faculties and divisions, and productions resulting in a more resulting in a streamlined process for responsible approach to planning. This the production of core measures and approach will continue throughout statistics, eg one program performance 2005 to ensure that every member of report for one faculty instead of fi ve staff is aware of the fi nancial planning separate program performance reports. involved in the successful running of a Performance Measure ■ Facilitate easy use by Council of the Music and Drama School. UG First Preferences proposed performance measures to ■ Within the Wollotuka School of % Change (on 1999) plan, implement, monitor and measure Aboriginal Studies, Managing for future improvements. Performance will be implemented for 2005 ■ academic staff and strategic planning Facilitate use by the Senior Executive 2004 Group of the performance indicators to for the next fi ve years will occur. 2003 assist with the management of ■ The School of Education will the University. analyse the results of the review of 2002 2001 ■ Performance information available for administrative processes and review each faculty and division to assist with procedures accordingly. 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% both faculty and division management ■ In the School of Humanities, Newcastle All using UAC and to ensure their goals contribute to organisational performance will also the Institutional Strategic Plan. be improved by further use of MFP, Other signifi cant activities relevant to this particularly as a tool for praising Newcastle All using UAC Year UG First Pref %Change UG First Pref %Change area include: and suitably rewarding outstanding performance, closer collaboration with 2005 8508 10.2% 72617 4.2% ■ In the Faculty of Science and relevant colleagues in the University, 2004 8951 16.0% 75704 8.6% Information Technology, each school possible mentoring for more junior 2003 8987 16.4% 75069 7.7% has prepared a Course Rationalisation staff, and improvement in research 2002 8696 12.7% 73430 5.3% and Program Development Plan grant applications. The School also for 2004 – 2006 as part of a KPI intends to be more active in international 2001 7992 3.5% 69819 0.2% Agreement with the Faculty. These KPI recruitment and in describing our Agreements set a range of performance research interests in a way that will measures for each school within the best appeal to prospective students Faculty. Each school also has a School – international, national and local. Strategic Plan in place with targets ■ Improvements planned in the Faculty of and measures to refl ect those of the Science and Information Technology for Institutional Strategic Plan. 2005 include: to put email archiving and The University of Newcastle Improvement data back-up in place; desktop support The University of Newcastle including remote servicing and job Where we will be in 2006: tracking coordinated centrally through ■ Our response to business opportunities USD; the migration of Groupwise to is timely and effi cient. be managed centrally by USD; and IT ■ Data and information for decision- Research support expanded.

■ Annual Report 2004

making are readily available to, and Centralise the IT Service Desk. Annual Report 2004 accessed by, decision makers. ■ Implement the PRINCE2 project ■ Effective and responsive systems are management system for all project in place. work in Education Services. ■ Develop Library Service Improvement Action Plans, based on Rodski Survey

7575 Organisational Performance

results, with related performance Waste audit outcomes identifi ed that more caste or waste soil from building sites. indicators. than 60 percent of the University’s waste Approximately 350,000 m3 of soil was ■ For the Faculty of Engineering and stream consists of paper and cardboard recycled in 2004. waste. Hence, this was targeted in Built Environment, rationalisation of A native tree farm has been planted on the partnership with our contract cleaners for the conduct of student focus groups Callaghan campus so the timber can be a an upgraded recycling program. In 2004 to maximise feedback and avoid reusable resource for the design students in approximately 640 tonnes of quality paper survey ‘overload’. their course work. and cardboard were captured through the ■ Faculty process reviewed, aligned and recycling program. In 2004 the Halls of Residence Precinct documented to refl ect new and revised generated large amounts of recycled material. University policies. In addition, hazardous waste such as ■ Faculty QA Manuals to be developed clinical and chemical waste is disposed in light of the above, benchmarking of through EPA licenced contractors. The 2004 2003 Faculties of Health, Science and Information comparisons with the Group of Eight Garbage products 1250m3 1250m3 and Associates and a comparable Technology, and Engineering and Built 3 3 international faculty. Environment participate in this program. Paper 172m 240m Food scraps 12500litres3 12500litres3 ■ Streamline the processes and Facilities Management conducts year round procedures for reviewing faculty recycling activities. Crushed aluminium cans 8.8m3 10m3 programs and reporting outcomes. 3 3 Goods recycled include:- Plastic bottles 250m 250m Environment ■ Food scraps, shredded paper Used water is recycled from the fi ve sports We are committed to making sustainability ■ Grass clippings from the sports ovals ovals. The used water empties into dams a reality. The University has implemented ■ Bottles (plastic and glass) from which stored water is pumped back a range of measures to enhance our ■ Aluminium cans into holding tanks and recycled back onto environmental sustainability including a ■ Cardboard the fi elds. In 2004, $20,000 was saved using successful recycling program for paper, recycled water just on the sporting fi elds. and on-site worm farms. Other initiatives ■ Timber include energy savings, reducing carbon ■ Metal dioxide emissions, reducing the waste ■ Soil Energy Management stream to landfi ll and storm water, the ■ Rocks The University adopted an Energy use of reduced materials, and enhanced Management Plan in 1997 with the aim to ■ Used terracotta roof tiles bio-diversity through innovative ‘landsoft’ minimise the University’s consumption and landscaping techniques. ■ Concrete wastage of energy, particularly electricity ■ Green waste and gas. Objectives: Waste Management ■ Bricks ■ To minimise the University’s The University of Newcastle’s Resource ■ Light poles consumption and wastage of energy in Use and Waste Management Plan aims to Food waste is recycled via an innovative buildings and operations. integrate the NSW Environment Protection worm farm on-site. More than 11 percent ■ To encourage the selection and Authority’s (EPA) principles of waste of Callaghan’s total waste stream is organic purchase of energy effi cient equipment. management - Avoid, Reduce, Reuse, waste, and more than half of this is collected Initiatives include: Recycle, with Disposal as the last option. for the worm farm. Our worm farm handles Objectives include: large quantities of shredded paper, grass ■ A Memorandum of Understanding between the Sustainable Energy ■ Compliance with the relevant clippings from the ovals, food scraps, and Development Authority (SEDA) and the legislation applied to waste disposal used cooking oil. The farm generates large quantities of usable caste, suffi cient to University of Newcastle for an Energy ■ Reduction of the quantity of waste

Annual Report 2004 Smart Business in October 1997. produced by the University through the fertilise all the landscaped areas on campus. ■ An Institutional Ecological Footprint implementation of waste management Product from the farm is the only fertiliser Analysis (EFA) by the University of hierarchy principles used on the fi ve playing fi elds (13 hectares) on the Callaghan campus. Newcastle Department of Geography ■ Communication with members of the and Environmental Science 1999. As No new soil is purchased for any of University community to encourage the a management tool the EFA of the the landscaped areas on the University consideration of their actions in relation University showed that energy land

The University of Newcastle The grounds. All the soil used is recycled worm to waste management and resource use. appropriation is the most signifi cant 76 part of the footprint impact. Building University Services Division Performance Measure and transportation constituted 86 – International Student Support Companion percent of the ecological footprint of – Just the Basics 2005 Energy Consumption per EFTSU the University. – Cetus 2004 (two publications per year) 2003 ■ An airconditioning policy to design – International Student Companion energy effi cient buildings and manage – Staff Equity Plan 2004 – 2006 2002 the demand for airconditioners. – Student Equity Plan 2004 – 2006 2001 – Guide to Online Enrolment 2004 2000 The University’s Energy consumption for – Budget Report 2004 1999 2004 (24.03 GWhr) was an increase of – Annual Report 2003 1.4 percent on the 2003 consumption 0 2 4 6 8 10 11 12 fi gure and a 1.8 percent reduction on the Vice-Chancellor’s Division Newcastle National previous highest consumption in 1997/8 – UniNews: Nine editions produced each year with several large buildings having been added to the Callaghan campus since that Faculty of Business and Law time. The Central Business District buildings – Faculty Profi le 2004 experienced an increase of one percent. – Faculty Undergraduate Brochures 2004 Newcastle National The residential precinct and Ourimbah – 2004 Student Information Booklet Year GJ/EFTSU %Change GJ/EFTSU %Change campus saw an increase of eight percent – 2004 Online Programs (Gradschool.com.au) 1999 8.4 0.0% 9.9 0.0% and fi ve percent respectively. 2000 8.0 -4.8% 11.6 17.6% Faculty of Education and Arts The average growth in electricity consumption 2001 8.1 -3.6% 9.3 -6.1% from 1994 to 1998 was seven percent and – Faculty Undergraduate Brochures 2004 2002 8.5 1.2% 9.3 -4.0% the period 1999 to 2004 was –0.1 percent. – Postgraduate Flyer 2003 7.7 -8.3% 9.8 -1.0% – International Postgraduate Prospectus Gas consumption for 2004 Callaghan/ Residential (23.9 TJ) was an increase of Faculty of Engineering three percent. and Built Environment Water consumption for 2004 (206 Mltr) – Faculty Undergraduate Brochures 2004 was a reduction of one percent on 2003 – Undergraduate Prospectus 2004 – 2005 The University of Newcastle uses less energy and a reduction on the previous highest – International Undergraduate Prospectus per EFTSU than the Australian average. consumption of 247 Mltr in 1997 of – Postgraduate Prospectus 2004 – 2005 16 percent. Faculty of Health Promotion and Publications – Faculty Undergraduate Brochures 2004 – International Postgraduate Prospectus In general, publications at the University – Domestic Postgraduate Flyers of Newcastle fall into three categories: – Healing Our Way - Entry 2005 promotional documents designed to market (Indigenous Health and Education Booklet) the University to external clients, performance evaluation and review documents for both external and internal consumption, and The University of Newcastle

planning strategy documents primarily written The University of Newcastle for internal use. The following publications were prepared in 2004 to support the promotional, planning and reporting activities of the University:

Research and International Division Annual Report 2004 Annual Report 2004 – International Undergraduate Programs 2005 – International Postgraduate Programs 2005 – Research Higher Degree Prospectus 2005 – Study Abroad 2005

7777 Organisational Performance

Faculty of Science Research Cottage Land Disposal and Information Technology The former Residential Facilities offi ce was The University disposed of a residential – Faculty Undergraduate Brochures 2004 converted to provide research space for the property during the year. This property, – Faculty Profi le CofFEE Research Group of the Faculty of located at 133 University Drive, was – Research Profi le Business and Law. formerly used as a residence for visiting – Undergraduate Information Booklet 2004 The Hunter Community Study Group academics, but had remained unused and – International Undergraduate have moved to refurbished premises vacant for several years. Proceeds from the Prospectus 2004 in a University owned building at 468 sale were $311,000 and the funds will Hunter Street, Newcastle. This group are be used to supplement the University’s Overseas Visits undertaking a cohort study into the health Capital Expenditure Fund. The property University employees undertake overseas and wellbeing of mature people in the sale was managed by a local agent on the travel on a regular basis. The purpose Hunter region. University’s behalf. of overseas travel can be grouped into three categories: promotion, conference Capital Projects in Progress and in Information about the sale is available participation and research based Planning Design Stage under the Freedom of Information Act. outside study. Architecture Extension Activity No. visits Destination Planning commenced in 2003 for the construction of new classrooms and design University Promotion & Asia/Europe/ Conference Participation 830 USA/Worldwide studios to accommodate expanding student numbers in the School of Architecture and Outside Study/Research 58 Worldwide Built Environment.

The ICT Physical Infrastructure The Information Communication and and Land Disposal Technology Building is under construction. This building is well advanced and is due Major Building Projects completed for completion in July 2005. during 2004

Hunter Building Stage 3 Refurbishment Project The Oral Health Program at Ourimbah is almost completed with the remaining campus is currently being planned in 25 academic offi ces being upgraded. refurbished space within the Science Lab Building. This has been able to be Disability Access undertaken by the resumption of 500 m2 A lift has been installed in the McMullin of under utilised space and as part of this Building providing disabled access to project a smaller Physics laboratory will be the McMullin, Behavioural Sciences and confi gured in resumed space. This project Social Sciences Buildings. This project was will cost in the order of $660,000 and completed in November 2004. would have cost the University $1.5 million if new space had to be constructed. Building Refurbishment Facilities Management have reallocated and refurbished 3,148 m2 of space to meet the University’s unmet space needs in 2004. Under current building costs this space would have cost approximately

Annual Report 2004 $9.4 million.

David Maddison Building refurbishment The current stage of this project entailed the refurbishment of the Level 5 physical containment (PC3) laboratory for research in the School of Biomedical Sciences. This The University of Newcastle The project was completed in April 2004. 78 Birabahn The Birabahn building houses the Wollotuka School of Aboriginal Studies and the Umilliko Centre for Indigenous Higher Education Research. An advanced example of an environmentally stable building, Birabahn contains some outstanding features including the common room’s fully vertically retractable glass wall, rammed earth walls and a double roof system which allows hot air to be extracted through openings above the central corridor. Birabahn has won two Royal Australian Institute of Architects awards.

Federation Fellow Professor Scott Sloan, Head of the Geotechnical Research Group in the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, was awarded the University’s second Federation Fellowship by the Australian Research Council, for his leading role in the

fi eld of computational geomechanics. The University of Newcastle Annual Report 2004

79 Diversity, Access and Equity

Fundamental to the University’s The University’s Equity Strategy articulates Ethnic Affairs Priority Statement understanding of its mission, the following vision for equity at the (EAPS) and outcomes for 2004 University of Newcastle: is its commitment to values Cultural diversity is a reality which enriches of equity and diversity. “A concern for equity permeates what we and challenges Australian society. The Consistent with those values do. Our systems, policies and practices at all University of Newcastle recognises diversity is its resolution that the core levels foster a culture which practises equity, and inclusiveness as integral to its role excludes discrimination and values diversity. - essential to the breadth and strength activities of the University: We recognise that disadvantage creates teaching and learning, research, of debate and decision in all elements of barriers for some groups and therefore we the University’s life. It believes that where and creative endeavour, and target assistance to members of those groups people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives its own management and to ensure that – regardless of background and beliefs have equal access to study and employment approaches, foster – they have equal opportunity to access and work, and where their contribution is heard and refl ect an inclusive culture, succeed in study and work.” and valued at all levels, the University and free from discrimination The University’s efforts and success in the wider community benefi t. “Diversity and sensitive to the richness achieving that outcome and in complying and equity” are in fact among the core that diversity offers. Those with government expectations for values the University identifi es in its appropriate Equal Employment Opportunity Strategic Plan 2003 – 2006 (Draft Policy on aspirations are refl ected in Diversity and Inclusiveness). the University’s Institutional planning are detailed in the sections reporting on each of the University’s core The equity related goals in the UISP Strategic Plan (UISP), its Equity activities. The University’s Strategic Plan Annual Report 2004 Strategy 2004 – 2006 and in are further amplifi ed in the University’s nominates a range of goals across its Ethnic Affairs Priority Statement which the range of equity plans for core areas for achieving and celebrating a acknowledges the culturally diverse staff and students that cascade diverse and inclusive university. composition of the University’s population. from that Strategy. The University of Newcastle The

80 In 2004, that population consisted of: • Encouragement of efforts by • Consideration of the capacity to which • 16,058 students (EFTSU); academic staff in the Faculty of academic programs meet the needs • 727 domestic students from non- Science and Information Technology of minority groups in the review of English speaking backgrounds; to internationalise their curricula to academic programs in the Faculty of refl ect the diversity of the international Business and Law • 3,524 fee-paying overseas students; community • Inclusion of issues of cross-cultural • 2,388 staff; • Integration of inclusive teaching communication and thought within • 198 staff from racial, ethnic, and practices in the Graduate Certifi cate academic courses in the Faculty of ethno-religious minority groups. in the Practice of Tertiary Teaching Arts and Education The initiatives implemented and the • Development of a Teaching and • Promotion of the achievements or outcomes achieved in 2004 under the Learning website within the Faculty experiences of staff and students from Ethnic Affairs Priority Statement include of Health housing policies, guidelines, diverse cultural backgrounds through the following: reports and documents in which issues the University’s media releases and • Commencement of an Inclusive of cultural and linguistic sensitivity publications. Over 10 percent of are embedded these in 2004 have related to issues

Teaching and Learning Project with The University of Newcastle the objective of providing a web-based • Inclusion of criteria for monitoring of diversity. resource for students and staff multicultural perspectives and content • Preparation of a set of Guidelines for in the critical review of academic Inclusive Teaching and Learning programs within the Faculty of Health • Development of a University of • Development of a multilingual Newcastle Policy on Diversity and “Welcome” on the homepage of Annual Report 2004 Inclusiveness the Faculty of Business and Law • Broadening of opportunities for • Provision to staff in the Graduate students in the Faculty of Science and School of Business of training sessions Information Technology to undertake and teaching manuals on cultural cross-cultural study through sensitivity and the tailoring of teaching study abroad to suit a culturally diverse student body 81 Donations

The University would like to thank all individuals, families and organisations who have made donations during 2004. All donations irrespective of their size contribute greatly towards the achievements of the University’s goals and objectives. The following list includes donations of $1,000 and over. Some of our donors do not appear on this list at their own request.

Donors from 1/1/2004 to 31/12/2004 Communications – Electronics Forsythes $25,695.35 Solutions Pty Ltd 1,500.00 Ampcontrol Pty Ltd $43,750.00 Friends of the University Cutcher & Neale Chartered of Newcastle $30,000.00 Asthma Foundation of NSW $33,500.00 Accountants $61,000.00 Godfrey Pembroke Financial Australian Decorative Delta Electricity $4,000.00 Consultants $10,191.25 & Fine Arts Society $2,000.00 Dowdell Family Trust $110,000.00 Hunter Area Health Service $24,285.00 Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute $1,750.00 Dr William Bowmore $250,000.00 Hunter Valley Law Society $2,000.00

Australian Rotary Health Dr David John Barker $10,500.00 Hunter Water $4,000.00 Research Fund $25,000.00 Dr Ray Mccredie Barker $10,000.00 Institute of Chartered Annual Report 2004 Bill & Iris Burges Accountants (Newcastle) $1,000.00 Trust Fund $490,131.64 Dr Vicki Lee Clifton $1,413.19 Institution of Surveyors NSW Board of Surveying & E/Prof Geoffrey Milton Kellerman $5,000.00 (Central Western Group) $1,000.00 Spatial Information $2,000.00 E/Prof Saxon William White $3,782.86 Institution of Surveyors Boronia Homes Pty Ltd $1,000.00 NSW Incorp $4,700.00 Estate of Late Frank

The University of Newcastle The Central Coast Campus Union $1,000.00 Maxwell Ledbury $1,468.36 82 Invitrogen Australia Pty Limited $1,000.00 Newcastle Port Corporation $25,250.00 TUNRA Ltd $12,351.16

Kelver Hartley Bequest Fund $87,177.80 North West Slopes (NSW) UnitingCare Ageing NSW. ACT $5,000.00 Division of General Practice Ltd $4,000.00 KPMG $73,834.70 Vincent Fairfax Family NSW Bar Association $1,750.00 Foundation $65,000.00 Lotus Project $1,276.87 NSW Department of Commerce $8,000.00 Wyong Shire Council $1,650.00 Lyons Barnett Kennedy Solicitors $1,000.00 Pavel Investments Pty Ltd $55,000.00 Macquarie Manufacturing Pty Ltd $1,000.00 Port Waratah Coal Masterfoods of Australia $2,500.00 Services Limited $56,000.00

McCosker Partners Pty Ltd $41,750.00 Prof John Levingston $1,000.00

Mr David Carwardine $5,000.00 Prof Margaret Anna McMillan $14,000.00 Mr Don Barker $20,000.00 Prof Nikolai Bogduk $49,835.00 The University of Newcastle

Mr Eric Sansom $10,000.00 Rice Daubney Group (NSW) Pty Limited $7,000.00 Mr Geoffrey Parsons In memory of Dallas Parsons $25,000.00 Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia $4,000.00 Ms Annette Lynch $10,000.00 Spruson & Ferguson $1,250.00 Ms Janice Kelly Annual Report 2004 In memory of Dallas Parsons $25,000.00 Suters Architects Pty Ltd $4,000.00

Ms Jennie M Thomas $10,000.00 Titian Light Pty Ltd $85,500.00

Ms Judith Jane Mason $14,500.00 Transform Composites Pty Ltd $38,000.00 Music Lovers Club $1,600.00 83 The University also wishes to gratefully acknowledge the support received during 2004 from the following organisations.

ABI Group Contractors Pty Ltd General Practice Training Novartis Pharmaceuticals Australia Pty Ltd ADI Ltd. GHD Pty Ltd Pfi zer Pty Ltd Airport Transport GlaxoSmithKline Quantum Energy Technologies All Good Bookstore Glendale Warehouse Ramsay Health Care Andor Systems Pty Ltd Goelyse Rio Tinto Aboriginal Foundation Aspen Pharmaceuticals Gosford City Council Rio Tinto Coal Australia AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd Gradipore Ltd Roads & Traffi c Authority Australia Council for the Arts Harper Somers O’Sullivan Pty Ltd Rotary Club of Dubbo South Inc Australian Association of Academic Henny Penny Rotary Club of Gosford General Practice Hunter Area Health Service Rotary Club of Kempsey West Inc Australian Association of Special Education Hunter Immunology Rotary Club of Tamworth West Inc. NSW Chapter Hunter IVF Pty Limited Rotary Club of Tamworth, First Light Australian Automation Centre Pty Ltd Hunter Medical Research Institute Royal Society of London Australian Computer Society Hunter Water Servier Laboratories ( Aust) Australian Longitudinal Study Women’s Health Hunter Water Australia Pty Ltd Solvay Biosciences Pty Ltd Bernard Van Leer Foundation Hunternet Cooperative Ltd Stelform Engineering Ltd BHP Billiton Industrial Automation Services Pty Ltd Steve Mason Family Cars Boehringer Ingleheim Innova Soil Technology Tomago Aluminum Company Pty Ltd Bradken Mining Institute of Australian Geographers Transform Rail Interiors CAF Community Fund Ltd Institution of Engineers Australia TransGrid CCI Pope Pty Ltd Inverell Disability Services TUNRA Ltd Computer Systems Australia Pty Ltd J S Love Trust Fund United Goninan Connell Wagner Pty Ltd Joblink Plus University of South Pacifi c Copenhagen University Hospital Kempsey Shire Council University of Southern Queensland Cork Island Lahey Constructions Pty Ltd VA Eimco Australia Pty Ltd CRC for Coal in Sustainable Development Lake Macquarie City Council Vimcraft UDRH CRC for Integrated Engineering Asset Management Lingard & Warners Bay Affi nity Health W E Smith Hudson Pty Ltd Newcastle Hospitals Delta Electricity Worley Ltd LIPA Pharmaceuticals Department of Education & Training Wyong Shire Council Margaret Augusta Farrell Trust Fund Department of Infrastructure Planning Natural Resources Matrikon Pty Ltd Dockrill Consulting Engineers MCM Manufacturing Pty Ltd Dr Ian Goodwin Mercy Foundation Ltd Earthwatch Institute Mid Western Area Health Service EDI Rail Ms Danielle Harris Elsevier Australia Muswellbrook Shire Council Annual Report 2004 Energy Australia Neuroscience Institute of Schizophrenia & Allied Disorders Engineers Australia Newcastle City Council Eraring Energy Newcastle Mater Misericordiae Hospital Firstchance Parents & Friends of the Special Education Centre Newcastle Port Corporation General Practice Education & Training Newcastle Regional Museum The University of Newcastle The

84 Generous Support Many of the University’s achievements have been made possible by the generous support of its benefactors. Donor Jennie Thomas receives thanks for one of her gifts to the University. She has established the Jennie Thomas Travelling Arts Scholarship as well as scholarships in Music, Environmental Science and Health in memory of her late husband, Philip Emlyn Thomas. She has also supported the University through donating an organ to the Conservatorium and a rowing scull refl ecting Philip’s passions.

Cultural Awakenings Celebrating our cultural diversity: For one week, every August, the University’s Callaghan campus comes alive with truly international sights, sounds, smells and taste sensations as students and staff enjoy the Cultural Awakenings Festival. The University of Newcastle Annual Report 2004

85 Financial Performance and Commercial Activity

The University posted a fi nancial defi cit of that are expected to address the current $28.6 million during 2004, representing a expenditure problems and return the The Year decline of $24.9 million over the previous University to surplus in 2006. defi cit result of $3.8 million recorded in 2003. Income at a Glance Signifi cant impacts on our fi nancial The majority of the University’s income ■ Operating defi cit $28.6 million performance included: Impacted by changes to DEST streams continue to be sourced from ■ DEST payment timing effect payment schedule Commonwealth Government Grants ($13.0 million) ($121.9 million; 44.4 percent) and Student ■ Review processes expected to ■ Decrease in reported revenues HECS Fees ($55 million; 20 percent). return University to surplus $14.3 million Student tuition fees grew to $55.8 million in 2006 ■ Increase in salaries expenditure (20.3 percent of total) in 2004, whilst ■ Net assets of $600 million ($3.8 million) contract research continued to perform solidly at $23.5 million (or 8.6 percent). ■ External borrowings required ■ Increase in other expenses in 2005 ($6.7 million) Total research income (including The 2004 result represents the fi fth Government funded DEST research) successive year of defi cit by the University, accounted for $56.3 million (20.5 percent) during which period it has performed well of total income, and refl ects the University’s below the DEST benchmark of fi ve percent continued strong performance in securing operating surplus. Notwithstanding its research funding. Annual Report 2004 References to “The University” in this section are various and continued attempts to grow The University continued its active representative of the “Parent Entity” results noted in income streams, the University will need to the full fi nancial report involvement in the community, and adopt a clear focus on its cost structures benefi ted from substantial fi nancial support as it moves into the 2005 academic year through a variety of scholarships, donations and beyond. In this regard, the University and bequests totalling $2.4 million during has commenced a process of restructure, the year (refer preceeding section

The University of Newcastle The informed by a number of separate reviews on Donations). 86 Operating revenue less expenses The University of Newcastle has been operating under defi cit conditions since the year 2000. The magnitude of the defi cit reported in 2004 has clearly increased in comparison to the 2000-2003 reporting periods. A further defi cit is budgeted in 2005.

Performance Measure Proportion of non-government to operating revenue

2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

Newcastle National

Newcastle National Year %NonGov/Gov %Change %NonGov/Gov %Change

2003 34.0% 40.5% 41.6% 13.4%

2002 33.9% 40.1% 41.1% 12.0% Expenditure liabilities) fell to 0.81 in 2004 from 1.36 2001 30.9% 22.7% 39.9% 8.7% Expenditure increased to $303.2 million in in 2003, whilst available working capital 2000 29.7% 22.7% 38.3% 4.4% decreased to approximately $15 million. 2004, with employee benefi ts accounting 1999 28.2% 17.4% 34.9% -4.9% for the majority of the University’s cost base Based on historical trading performance, Source of data: DEST Annual Financial Returns at $179.6 million. the University may exhaust its reserves of working capital by mid-2005, and will need The National proportion of non-government The University incurred costs in supporting to secure external debt funding in order operating revenue has increased each year its activities at a variety of campuses, to proceed with its necessary restructuring since 2000. The University of Newcastle’s including Callaghan and City Precinct processes. It is important to note within this proportion of non-government operating ($286.3 million; 94.4 percent), Ourimbah context that the University currently has no revenue has also increased over the same ($16.7 million; 5.5 percent) and Port external borrowings, and is well placed to period, and at a greater rate than the Macquarie ($0.2 million; 0.1 percent). consider a range of structured debt options national proportion. The majority of expenditures were in this regard. consumed by the University’s academic Performance Measure units ($173.5 million; 57.5 percent), with Investment balances totalling approximately $35 million in respect of our various Operating revenue the residual being deployed across a range less operating expenses The University of Newcastle of support services and corporate activities bequests, trusts and pension liabilities are provided through the University’s various secured in a range of medium to longer 2005 term investment products, and remain (Bud) divisional structures. 2004 unaffected by the University’s working 2003 Assets and Investments capital decisions. The performance of these various investment products will be 2002 University assets increased from $568.5 2001 reviewed during the course of 2005 to Annual Report 2004 million in 2003 to $610.8 million in 2004, ensure optimal returns are being derived in 2000 largely in response to the revaluation of respect of our various trust assets. University buildings. Retained surpluses 1999 decreased to $312.3 million, whilst reserves -$30 -$20 -$10 $0 $10 $20 $30 increased to $287.7 million. The University’s million current ratio (current assets / current Newcastle ($m) Source: The University of Newcastle Source: DEST Annual Financial Returns 87 Financial Performance and Commercial Activity

Payments Performance for 2004 Newcastle National Year $m $m Accounts Payable at: 31-Mar 30-Jun 30-Sep 31-Dec 2004 -28 NA $m $m $m $m 2003 -4 554 Less than 30 Days Overdue .7 .6 .7 1.1 2002 -4 496

2001 -6 500 Between 30 and 60 Days Overdue .1 .4 .4 0 2000 -8 321 Between 60 and 90 Days Overdue 0 0 0 0 1999 9 316 More than 90 Days Overdue 0 .2 0 0 Source of data: DEST Annual Financial Returns Total .8 1.2 1.1 1.1

Operating Result Quarter Ended 31-Mar 30-Jun 30-Sep 31-Dec The University’s operating result has failed to reach the DEST recommended Percentage of Accounts Paid on Time 47% 50% 59% 60% benchmark of fi ve percent surplus during Total Dollar Amount of Accounts the period 1999-2004. Paid On Time 11.8 14.5 18.3 16.8 Total Dollar Amounts of Accounts Paid 24.9 29.1 31.3 28.0 Performance Measure Operating result as a proportion of operating revenue Investments 2004 2003 The University’s investment portfolio at the end of 2004 consisted of the following products: 2002 ■ Macquarie Treasury Plus Fund 2001 ■ Macquarie Balanced Growth Fund ■ 2000 Citigroup Diversifi ed Trust ■ Redeemable Shares (Maturity 31 December 2006) 1999 -15% -10% -5% 0% 5% 10% 15% The following table indicates returns achieved from the various managed fund products percentage identifi ed above, with comparisons to the New South Wales Treasury Corporation

Newcastle (%) benchmarks:

Source: The University of Newcastle Avg Value Return Benchmark Newcastle DEST Benchmark Fund Invested Return Year $m $m $m % % 2004 -10% 5%

2003 -1% 5% Macquarie Treasury Plus Fund* 1.9 5.77 Macquarie Balanced Growth Fund** 8.1 16.70 2002 -1% 5% Citigroup Diversifi ed Trust** 23.9 16.53 2001 -2% 5%

2000 -4% 5% Cash Facility 5.56 Balanced Facility 16.57 1999 4% 5% Source: The University of Newcastle *Cash facility Annual Report 2004 Annual Report 2004 **Balanced facility The University of Newcastle The The University of Newcastle The

88 Abridged Financial Performance Performance Measure Operating Revenue Actual 2004 Budget 2004 Budget 2005 % Change (on 1997) $m $m $m   Commonwealth Grant 176.9 178.2 193.4  NSW State Grant 0.9 0.9 1  Other Income 96.9 118.0 120.8   Total Income 274.7 297.1 315.2 % Change

Salary and Related 179.6 198.8 209.9 % Change Newcastle % Change National Non Salary 93.3 70.4 76.1

Non Cash Items 30.4 29.0 33.9 Newcastle National Total Expenditure 303.3 298.2 319.9 Year $m %Change $m %Change 2003 270.4 24.2% 12331.8 45.8% Surplus (Defi cit) for the Year -28.6 -1.1 -4.7 2002 256.9 26.3% 11614.1 41.3%

2001 232.8 6.9% 10202.1 20.7% Controlled Entities University. It was developed in response 2000 216.1 -0.8% 9327.7 10.3% to the changing needs of postgraduate 1999 217.0 -0.4% 8733.7 3.3% A controlled entity is an incorporated students. Online learning has proven to company owned or controlled by the Source of data: DEST Annual Financial Returns be the most effective and fl exible way for University. The University of Newcastle has people to continue studying and keep pace three independent operations established in their profession or career. Individuals and under the Corporations Law and the the community recognise that education University of Newcastle Act 1989: Tunra National operating revenue has continued to is fast becoming a continuous, lifelong increase since 1998. Overall, the University Limited, GraduateSchool.com Pty Ltd and process, where the convenience of fl exible Hunter Uni-Clinics Pty Ltd. of Newcastle’s operating revenue has also study is paramount. In order to meet these increased over the same period, but has expectations GraduateSchool.com Pty shown a decrease from 2002 to 2003. TUNRA Limited was incorporated in 1969 Ltd offers an online approach which goes as a company limited by guarantee by the beyond the campus to provide access to Council of the University of Newcastle, quality postgraduate coursework programs. to provide a broadly-based research and specialist education service to industry, In 2004 the University, on the commerce and the community. TUNRA is recommendation of the Faculty of Health, a conduit for the involvement of University established a controlled entity, “Hunter staff with business, industry and sometimes Uni-Clinics Pty Ltd”, and a Trust to operate individuals in the community - a way for a health clinic in Cessnock. The Cessnock those outside the University to access its Uni-Clinic commenced operations on The University of Newcastle large body of expertise. University staff 25 October 2004. The services to be The University of Newcastle get the benefi t of exposure to real world provided by the Cessnock Uni-Clinic problems and become part of the practical include a multidisciplinary diabetes clinic, experience of fi nding a solution. TUNRA women’s health service, drug and alcohol strives to help University staff be part of the counselling, mental health counselling, commercialisation of their expertise. The program for unemployed patients, practical outcomes of this activity can range aged care clinic, cardiac rehabilitation Annual Report 2004 Annual Report 2004 from the provision of expert consultancy clinic, immunisation clinic and asthma services to the protection of research management clinic. Besides excellent outcomes through patenting. clinical services, the Uni-Clinic model provides student placements for all of the GraduateSchool.com was established in Faculty’s health professions, as well as 2000 as a wholly owned subsidiary of the creating a research laboratory. 89