The University of Western Australia s2

THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Minutes of the meeting of the Senate held in the Senate Room, The University of Western Australia, Crawley on Monday, 8 December 2014

PRESENT: The Chancellor (Dr M Chaney) in the Chair, Pro Chancellor (Dr P Flett), Vice-Chancellor (Professor P Johnson), Dr S Boyd, Mr F Cooper, Mr R Cooper, Professor J Cordery, Mr S Dawkins, Ms M Dolin, Dr L Hayes, Dr A Howarth, Mr J Inverarity, Dr S Juniper, Professor N Laing, Mr Q Ly, Ms M Mulholland, Professor A McKinley, Dr J O’Shea, Mr V Selvaraja, Ms H Silbert.

By Invitation: Ms Rowan MacLean for Item 13 Ms Karen Carriero for Item 14.

Secretariat: University Secretary (Ms D de Souza) Registrar and Executive Director Corporate Services (Mr Peter Curtis)

APOLOGIES: Ms E O’Shea, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Professor D Freshwater)

1. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST - REF F4815

Madelene Mulholland declared her membership of the Guild Council in 2013 and 2014 in relation to the item on the 2013 Audited Financial Statements of the Guild.

2. MINUTES

RESOLVED – 78 that the minutes of the meeting of the Senate held on 3 November 2014 be confirmed.

3. MEMBERSHIP OF THE SENATE

Members noted that as of 1 December 2014, Ms E O’Shea assumed office as President of the Guild and Senate representative to 30 November 2015, Ms M Mulholland took up her elected position as a student member of Senate for a two year period to 30 November 2016 and Mr V Selaraja assumed office as President of the Postgraduate Students’ Association and Senate representative to 30 November 2015.

It was also noted that Professor Cara MacNish will succeed Professor John Cordery as Chair of the Academic Board and will join Senate as a member elected by and from the Academic Board from 1 January 2015.

4. APPOINTMENTS AND PROMOTIONS

In accordance with Senate Resolution 274/00 the information on appointments and promotions was noted.

5. CONFERRAL OF DEGREES, DIPLOMAS AND CERTIFICATES

In accordance with Statute 14 clause (2)(2) made under the University of Western Australia Act 1911, members noted that on 3 November 2014 the Vice-Chancellor conferred the respective degrees, graduate diplomas and graduate certificates on graduands listed on a conferral list which was available for review by members. 47

6. SENATE STANDING COMMITTEES

6.1 Report of the meeting of the Chancellor’s Committee – Ref F746

Members noted the report of the meeting of the Chancellor’s Committee held on 3 November 2014 and the briefing paper prepared by the Warden of Convocation entitled “Optimising Graduate Engagement for UWA” which was provided with the minutes.

6.2 Report of the meeting of the External Environment Committee - Ref F11441

Members noted the report of the final meeting of the External Environment Committee held on 23 October 2014.

6.3 Report of the meeting of the Strategic Resources Committee held on 25 November 2014

6.3.1 R e v i e w of R e s e r v e s – Ref F57307

The University had undertaken a review of the Reserving Policy in terms of the role, purpose and relevance of the reserves and the appropriateness of the current reserving amounts. The review had been conducted in two phases and a report was considered by the Strategic Resources Committee.

On the recommendation of the Strategic Resources Committee it was

RESOLVED - 79 i to approve the retirement of the University Permanent Reserve, University Hall Reserve and Raine Foundation Reserve as formal reserves of the University; ii to approve the expanded use of the Parking Fund to support parking, transport and sustainability works or initiatives approved by the University Executive in accordance with delegated authorities, and accordingly renamed the Parking, Transport and Sustainability Fund; iii to approve the 2014 assessment of the level of reserve funds required; and iv to note the amendment to the Investment Fluctuation Reserves and Debt Repayment Reserve as per the specific relevant policy reviews.

6.3.2 Sh e nton P a rk D e v e l op m ent St r a t e g y – Ref 07/07/028/311

The proposal to subdivide the landholding at Shenton Park was approved by the Western Australian Minister for Environment under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EP Act) on 14 July 2010 (Ministerial Statement 835) subject to conditions.

Condition 3 of Ministerial Statement 835 also states:

“The authorisation to implement the proposal provided for in this statement shall lapse and be void within five years after the date of this statement if the proposal to which this statement relates is not substantially commenced.”

Members noted that the University may be unable to ‘substantially commence’ the proposal within this timeframe as the development initiative is currently being considered in a broader context which incorporates a holistic approach to the wider precinct of Shenton Park, UWA Sports Park and adjacent field stations. On the advice of the Strategic Resources Committee,

RESOLVED - 80 to authorise the Vice-Chancellor, acting on behalf of the University, to seek an amendment to the condition of the approval relating to the time limit as given by the Western Australian Minister for Environment under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EP Act) on 14 July 2010 (Ministerial Statement 835), for an extension to the time limit for a further 5 years. 48

7. SENATE GRANT FOR THE ACQUISITION OF ART WORK – ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2014 – REF F13500

Members noted a report prepared by the Director of the Cultural Precinct on acquisitions of art work in 2014 from the annual allocation of $100,000 from Senate Reserves approved by Senate R114/05.

8. ADMISSION TO CONVOCATION UNDER SECTION 17(1)(e) - ref F6537

The Council of Convocation had recommended that Ms Maria Carvalho be admitted to Convocation in accordance with Section 17(1)(e) of the UWA Act which permitted Senate to admit to be members of Convocation “persons who have rendered services or made gifts to the University.”

RESOLVED – 81

that Ms Maria Carvalho be admitted to Convocation in accordance with Section 17(1)(e) of the UWA Act.

9. RENAMING OF THE SOCIAL SCIENCES SOUTH BUILDING TO “UWA STUDENT CENTRAL”

Members considered an application prepared by the Director, Student Services, to change the name of the Social Sciences South building to UWA Student Central. The proposal had the support of the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, the Director, Development and Alumni Relations and had been endorsed by the University Executive.

RESOLVED – 82

to approve the Social Sciences South building be re-named UWA Student Central.

10. APPOINTMENT OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE – REF 06/04/011/100

In accordance with Clause 2 of the Standing Orders

RESOLVED – 83

to appoint the following as the Executive Committee: The Chancellor The Pro Chancellor The Vice-Chancellor The member elected by and from the Academic Board The Chair of the Strategic Resources Committee The Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee One student member appointed under section 8(1)(g) of the UWA Act 1911 for a one year term

11. REPORT OF THE VICE-CHANCELLOR

Members had before them the report of the Vice-Chancellor dated 8 December 2014.

The Vice-Chancellor took the opportunity to comment further on the likely impact of the current stalemate in the progress of proposed higher education reforms through the Senate. He noted that the Minister will re-introduce amended legislation in the New Year but in the interim it is likely the University will be unable to advise commencing students in 2015 of the fee regime they may face in the second year of their studies. Currently it is impossible to provide any clarity on forward financial projections.

Application numbers for 2015 are better than expected. Undergraduate numbers are slightly down, but UWA will meet international and domestic recruitment targets. Uncertainty with respect to postgraduate recruitment persists. There is considerable interest in postgraduate offerings but no certainty with respect to translation of expressions of interest into enrolments. The exceptions are the MD and JD courses in which all places will be filled. A query was raised in relation to the proportion of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) out of the total places that will be available in 2015. The Vice-Chancellor said there would be none in Business but significant numbers in Science and Engineering. However the proportion of CSP out of the total would only be known when final enrolment data is available.

The Vice-Chancellor reported that the decision has been taken to return to traditional academic titles across the University although approximately 140 staff members have indicated they may choose to retain their current titles. These members of staff are at Levels C and D with a major proportion being from the Business School. Academics from the Business School do not usually apply for NHMRC grants but their decision to retain current titles may have an impact on their success in securing ARC grants. In response to a query the Vice-Chancellor confirmed that the University will seek assurances from NHMRC that assessment of applications will be undertaken on the basis of academic titles held at the time of application. If this proves not to be the case the University will pursue the matter via political and legal channels.

It was also clarified that whilst academic staff members have an option to retain their current titles, any promotion or change in contract for an individual will bring about a compulsory reversion to the relevant traditional academic title.

The meeting discussed the perceived contradiction in communication about action required to be taken by individual staff to effect changes in academic titles. The Vice-Chancellor will review the communication issued to the academic community and implement corrective action if any is required.

The Vice-Chancellor took the opportunity to place on record his appreciation to Mr Peter Curtis who will retire at the end of the year, for his support particularly with respect to governance matters and university legislation. His knowledge of legislative issues, the history of the University and his wise perspective has been invaluable and he wished him the very best in his retirement. These sentiments were echoed by the Chancellor and members of Senate.

Confirmed

CHAIR / /