Non-Confidential Minutes Meeting 05/2020 of ACU Senate 15 October commencing at 10.00 am Conducted using videoconference From remote locations And from the Sydney Campus
Senators at meeting
- Mr Julien O’Connell AO, Pro-Chancellor, Acting Chancellor and Chair ** - Professor Greg Craven AO GCSG, Vice-Chancellor and President * - Most Reverend Anthony Fisher OP ** - The Hon. James Douglas ** - Mr Stephen Elder OAM KSS ** - Dr Doseena Fergie OAM ** - Mr Ross Fox (joined meeting at 11.50 am) ** - Associate Professor Elspeth Froude * - Professor Tim McKenry ** - Mr Gerard Goodwin-Moore * - Ms Chanchal (Preet) Kaur * - Mr Tim Kirk ** - Mr Karl Morris AO ** - Dr Judith Norris ** - The Hon. Barbara Perry ** - Ms Annette Schmiede ** - Ms Bernadette Steele **
Apologies
- Mr Ross Fox (apology for half of meeting) **
Attendees at meeting
- Dr Stephen Weller, Secretary and Chief Operating Officer * - Dr Diane Barker, Director of Governance * - Professor Zlatko Skrbis, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Interim Provost (for Item 8.5) * - Professor Elizabeth Labone, Executive Dean, Faculty of Education and Arts (for Item 11) * - Professor John Niland AC ** - Simone Chetcuti, Director, Office of Vice-Chancellor and President * - Alyce O’Brien, pro bono placement student, General Counsel * - Hugh McCuaig, Governance Officer *
* present in the Peter Cosgrove Centre ** present using videoconference
Non-Confidential Minutes, Meeting 05/2020 (15 October), page 1 of 12
Part A – Procedural
1 Welcome and Apologies
The Acting Chancellor welcomed Senators to the meeting and gave a special welcome to:
Professor Tim McKenry, Chair, Academic Board, term of office 7 August 2020–6 August 2023.
Professor John Niland AC, External Reviewer.
Alyce O’Brien, pro-bono placement student, General Counsel.
2 Acknowledgement of Country and Opening Prayer
An Acknowledgement of Country was given by Dr Doseena Fergie, as provided at Document 2.
The Opening Prayer was given by Archbishop Anthony Fisher.
3 Memorial Video in honour of the late Honourable John Fahey AC, GCSG
A Memorial Video in honour of the late Honourable John Fahey AC, GCSG, Chancellor of ACU from 2014 to 2020, who passed away on 12 September 2020, was played for the Senate. At the conclusion of the memorial video, there was one minute’s silence in honour of the former Chancellor.
4 Minutes
4.1 Minutes of Meeting held on 6 August 2020 For confirmation
S 2020/090 Senate confirmed the Minutes of Meeting 04/2020 (6 August) of Senate as a true and accurate record.
5 Business arising
5.1 Strategic Plan KPI’s
Senate noted:
Item 13.2 from Meeting 04/2020 (6 August) (to be referred to December meeting of Senate as part of third quarter 2020 reporting).
6 Register of Interests
Text removed
Non-Confidential Minutes, Meeting 05/2020 (15 October), page 2 of 12
Part B – For Discussion (Governance and Strategy)
7 Acting Chancellor’s Report
The Acting Chancellor provided a verbal report.
7.1 Passing of Chancellor, the late Honourable John Fahey AC, GCSG
The Acting Chancellor conveyed that the University community is deeply saddened by the death of the Chancellor, the Honourable John Fahey AC, GCSG on 12 September 2020, aged 75, after a battle with leukemia.
Mr Fahey was the fourth Chancellor of ACU, having been appointed in 2014. Mr Fahey (John) was greatly loved as Chancellor by students and staff. He was profoundly committed to the idea and vision of a Catholic university and brought to office courage, wisdom and dignity. The Acting Chancellor emphasised Mr Fahey’s faith. He also acknowledged the importance of the Senate and university community to carry Mr Fahey’s vision into the future even though challenges lay ahead for higher education due to the pandemic and constrained funding for teaching and research.
Senators extended condolences to Mr Fahey’s wife and family.
S 2020/091 Senate noted the Report from the Acting Chancellor.
8 Vice-Chancellor and President’s Report
The Vice-Chancellor spoke to his report.
8.1 Passing of Chancellor, the late Honourable John Fahey AC, GCSG
The Vice-Chancellor conveyed to Senate that, as Chancellor, Mr Fahey encouraged ACU to develop into a national university of stature. Under his stewardship, the University’s reputation as a Catholic university had been enhanced. The University had undergone a long-term, sustainable expansion strategy that encompassed an increase in the numbers of both students and staff, the establishment of two new campuses, enhanced research capabilities, deepening partnerships in Australia and internationally, and greater engagement with our communities. Much of this is due to the personal convictions that Mr Fahey held in regard to the critical role that the university plays in the life of the Church in Australia.
The Vice-Chancellor conveyed that Mr Fahey was committed to his role as Chancellor to the very end. He was committed to securing a successor as Vice-Chancellor and determined to complete this task, even with his withering health.
The Vice-Chancellor conveyed that, in honouring the former Chancellor’s memory, ACU campus flags were lowered to half-mast and Memorial Masses were held across Campuses in Sydney (Thursday 1 October), Brisbane (Friday 25 September) and Canberra (Friday 25 September). Due to COVID-19, there was no Mass held in Melbourne. As former Premier of NSW and Finance Minister in the Howard Government, the NSW Government held a State Funeral for Mr Fahey at St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney on Friday, 25 September.
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8.2 Renaming of the Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Chapel
The Vice-Chancellor provided the rationale for the renaming of the Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Chapel in honour of the late Chancellor, the Honourable John Fahey AC, GCSG.
S 2020/093 Senate approved the new naming of the Chapel on the MacKillop (North Sydney) campus to the ‘John Fahey Memorial Chapel of Our Lady Seat of Wisdom’.
Memorial plaque
Senate noted that the University had commissioned the production of an artisan brass memorial plaque which will be hung at the North Sydney Chapel. The plaque will have two coats of arms, the Fahey family Crest and ACU Crest and will read:
In memory of The Hon John Fahey AC, GCSG 4th Chancellor of Australian Catholic University 2014 – 2020 Who loved this Chapel, in which he often prayed.
8.3 COVID-19 Recovery Management Plan Includes 2021 & 2022 Recovery Budget Message – and Budget
The Vice-Chancellor spoke to the COVID-19 Recovery Management Plan (2021 & 2022 Recovery Budget Message – and Budget).
Senate noted that international students make up 13% of enrolments at ACU which is low in comparison to other universities. However, the impact of the border closures on international enrolments (and associated services) has had a material impact on the university’s revenue.
With the agreement of Senate in the first half of 2020, a plan was devised to invest future forecast surpluses and achieve savings in non-salary expenses through reductions in capital, consultancy and travel. It is now forecast that the University needs to reduce expenses by $53m and $31m respectively in surplus re-investment and non-salary costs during 2021-22 to achieve a sustainable future level of expenses due to the impact of the border closures. Further, the University will need to achieve saving in salary costs of $42m as projected in the Recovery Management Plan during the same period. Based on the current forecast position, this equates to a maximum reduction of 174 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff or seven per cent of the current workforce.
The Vice-Chancellor advised that, accordingly, a number of employee cost related measures need to be considered, which have the capacity to mitigate the impact on staff. The Vice-Chancellor spoke to the 11 measures contained in the Recovery Budget which are intended to begin a discussion with staff as to ways in which employee benefit expenses may be reduced. These measures include savings relating to executive employee benefits, future salary increases, deferral of leave loadings, fractional employment and purchase of additional leave by staff. The Vice-Chancellor stated that staff will have the opportunity to provide feedback and to suggest other potential savings measures.
The Vice-Chancellor stated that Dr Weller will be presenting information and feedback sessions for staff and will be joined by the Chief Financial Officer, Scott Jenkins and the Director, Human Resources, Diana Chegwidden using webconference.
Non-Confidential Minutes, Meeting 05/2020 (15 October), page 4 of 12
Text removed re Senate discussion.
Subsequent to discussion regarding future international student enrolments, it was agreed that consideration should be given to the Pro-Chancellor, Global & Education Pathways, Chris Riley to present to a future meeting of Senate on the state of the International Education Market. Text removed
Senate noted that due consideration will be given to pre-retirement contracts which conclude before the end of December 2022 and there would be a recruitment freeze from 15 October until 26 February 2021.
S 2020/094 Senate noted the COVID-19 Recovery Management Plan including the 2021 & 2022 Recovery Budget Message – and Budget, as detailed in Document 8.3.
8.4 COVID-19 Financial Impact (incorporating September Forecast) Forecast 2020-2022
The Vice-Chancellor spoke to the COVID-19 Financial Impact (incorporating the September Forecast).
S 2020/095 Senate noted the COVID-19 Financial Impact Report (incorporating September 2020 Forecast), as detailed in Document 8.4.
8.5 Confidential Item removed
8.6 Higher Education Funding Reform Bill
The Vice-Chancellor provided an outline of the anticipated consequences for the sector and ACU with the passage of the Higher Education Support Amendment (Job-Ready Graduates and Supporting Regional and Remote Students) Bill 2020 in the Federal Senate. The outline covered Commonwealth funding to institutions and fees for students with a focus on the discipline areas of relevance to ACU.
The Vice-Chancellor stated that the submission from ACU to the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee supported the Government’s overarching aim of meeting the increasing demand for places among domestic students in a constrained budgetary environment. The University understood the basis for the proposed legislation to support increased demand resulting from a new generation of students as evidenced by an increase in the number of Australians now reaching university age, an increase in the number of Australians looking to study or to ‘reskill’ during the current recession and at a time of rising unemployment, and the social and economic imperative to increase higher education participation among presently under-represented groups.
However, the University indicated in the submission that its support for the Bill was premised on institutions being guaranteed their existing levels of base funding over the three year period ie retention of the 2020 maximum basic grant amount to the end of 2023. This would be required to help universities adjust to the new funding model which has the capacity to reduce the average level of funding per student (for institutions). Additional text removed.
Non-Confidential Minutes, Meeting 05/2020 (15 October), page 5 of 12
8.7 ACU Blacktown Saint Josephine Bakhita Campus
Senate noted that the ACU Blacktown campus Chapel had received canonical approval by the Most Reverend Vincent Long Van Nguyen OFM Conv DD STL, the Bishop of Parramatta to operate as a private chapel within the Diocese. This enables ACU to celebrate Mass and Confession and use the chapel for prayer and devotions.
8.8 Communication to Staff of Appointment of Acting Chancellor
Senate noted that an email had been sent to staff advising that Mr Julien O’Connell AO, Pro Chancellor will assume the role of Acting Chancellor as provided for in clause 20.6 of the Constitution.
8.9 Appointment of the Provost
Senate noted that recruitment for the position of Provost was underway through an executive search firm. There had been strong interest in the role and interviews would be held in early November 2020.
8.10 Virtual Open Days
Senate noted that the University had held virtual open days over three consecutive Saturdays. In total, there had been in excess of 10,000 registrations including those from overseas which represented 200% increase in total from the previous year.
8.11 Report from Government, Policy and Strategy
Senate noted information provided in regard to:
Foreign interference at Australian universities; Review of academic credit recognition arrangements; NSW parliamentary inquiry into the future development of the tertiary education sector; Political Engagement regarding the Blacktown campus;
8.12 Report from the Interim Provost
Professor Skrbis spoke to the Report from the Interim Provost.
8.12.1 Update from the Interim Provost
S 2020/096 Senate noted the Update from the Interim Provost including the Enrolment Report.
8.12.2 Workforce Staff Planning Report (third quarter)
S 2020/097 Senate noted the report from the Secretary regarding Workforce Staff Planning (third quarter).
8.12.3 Education Strategy
S 2020/098 On the recommendation of the Academic Board (Resolution AB 2020/201), Senate approved the Education Strategy, as detailed in Document 8.12.3.
Non-Confidential Minutes, Meeting 05/2020 (15 October), page 6 of 12
8.12.4 Advancement and Alumni Strategy
S 2020/099 On the recommendation of the Academic Board (Resolution AB 2020/202), Senate approved the Advancement and Alumni Strategy, as detailed in Document 8.12.4.
8.12.5 ACU Case for Support for Philanthropy
S 2020/100 Senate noted the ACU Case for Support for Philanthropy.
8.13 Appended Papers
Senate noted the following appended paper:
Research activity as it applies to Catholic Intellectual Tradition.
8.14 Appended Reports
Senate noted the following appended reports:
Vice-Chancellor’s external engagements, hosted events and speeches Work Health and Safety Report, Quarter 2, 2020 Gender Equality Initiatives, Quarter 2, 2020 Staff Appointments and Reappointments Media Reports Reports from Chief Operating Officer; Vice President; Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research; Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Co-ordination
S 2020/092 Senate noted the Report from the Vice-Chancellor and President, as detailed in Document 8.
9 Melbourne Campus Development
Dr Weller spoke to the Melbourne Campus Development Report.
S 2020/101 Senate noted the Melbourne Campus Development Report.
10 Blacktown Campus Development
Dr Weller spoke to the Blacktown Campus Progress Report.
S 2020/102 Senate noted the Blacktown Campus Progress Report.
10.1 Delegations to approve Property Contract Variations
Dr Weller provided the background to the proposal to produce delegations to approve property contract variations for the Blacktown Campus development.
S 2020/103 Text of resolution removed
Non-Confidential Minutes, Meeting 05/2020 (15 October), page 7 of 12
11 Faculty of Education and Arts
Executive Dean of the Faculty of Education and Arts, Professor Elizabeth Labone, provided a presentation on developments in learning and teaching, research and community engagement in the Faculty of Education and Arts. Discussion included research, strategic partnerships and the capacity to develop programs in music and liturgical studies.
S 2020/104 Senate noted the presentation from Executive Dean, Faculty of Education and Arts, Professor Elizabeth Labone.
12 Governance
12.1 External Governance Review
Dr Weller provided an update to Senate on the External Governance Review being conducted by Professor Niland.
S 2020/105 Senate noted the verbal report in regard to the External Governance Review.
12.2 Statute 6 – Admission to Degrees
Dr Weller spoke to the proposed amendments to Statute 6 – Admission to Degrees.
S 2020/106 Senate approved: 1. Proposed amendments to: a) Statute 6.1, as detailed in Appendix 1; and b) Statute 6.2, as detailed in Appendix 2.2. 2. Consequential amendments to: a) Statute 2.1, as detailed in Appendix 3; b) Regulations for the Award of the Honorary Degree of Master of Arts, as detailed in Appendix 4; and c) Regulations for the Award of the Honorary Degree of Doctor of the University, as detailed in Appendix 5 of Document 12.2.
12.3 Statute 8 – Elections
Dr Weller spoke to the proposed amendments to Statute 8 – Elections.
S 2020/107 Senate approved amendments to: 1. Statute 8.1 – Elections to Senate, as detailed in Appendix 1; and 2. Statute 8.3 – Elections to Academic Board, as detailed in Appendix 2 of Document 12.3.
Non-Confidential Minutes, Meeting 05/2020 (15 October), page 8 of 12
12.4 Elections for 2021 Student Leadership Positions
Dr Weller provided a report of the election process which had been conducted by the Governance Directorate encompassing 31 elections across the University including positions of Student Member of Senate; Student Member (x2) of Academic Board, President of the ACU National Student Association; President of the Postgraduate Association; and Campus Presidents of the Campus Student Associations. Dr Weller stated that the Student Member of Senate is Emily Ginis who will be in her 5th year of a Bachelor of Commerce/Laws (Honours) majoring in Finance in 2021.
S 2020/108 Senate noted the Report of the outcome of elections for student leadership positions in 2021 including the Student Member of Senate and Student Member (x2) of the Academic Board.
12.5 Contract Execution Register Confidential Item
Dr Weller spoke to the Contract Execution Register for the period 24 July 2020 to 28 September 2020.
S 2020/109 Senate noted the Contract Execution Register for contracts executed pursuant to section 127(1) of the Corporations Act for the period 24 July 2020 to 28 September 2020, as detailed in Document 12.5.
12.6 Chapter Reports
12.6.1 New South Wales
Ms Schmiede spoke to the report from 3 August 2020 Meeting of the NSW Chapter.
12.6.2 Victoria
Mr Elder spoke to the report from 18 August 2020 Meeting of the Victorian Chapter.
12.6.3 Queensland
Hon. Douglas spoke to the report from 18 August 2020 Meeting of the Queensland Chapter.
12.6.4 ACT
Mr Kirk spoke to the report from 13 August 2020 Meeting of the ACT Chapter.
S 2020/110 Senate noted the Reports from the Victorian (3 Aug 2020), NSW (18 Aug 2020), Queensland (18 Aug 2020) and ACT (13 Aug 2020) Chapters.
Non-Confidential Minutes, Meeting 05/2020 (15 October), page 9 of 12
Part C – For Discussion (Reporting Committees)
13 Academic Board
Professor McKenry spoke to the Academic Board report from its meeting of 16 September 2020.
S 2020/111 Senate noted the Report from the Academic Board from its Meeting of 16 September 2020, as detailed in Document 13.
13.1 Education Strategy
Refer Agenda Item 8.12.3.
13.2 Advancement and Alumni Strategy
Refer Agenda Item 8.12.4.
13.3 Belonging Strategy
Professor McKenry provided the background for the Belonging Strategy.
S 2020/112 Senate approved the Belonging Strategy, as detailed in Document 13.3.
14 Sub-Committees of Senate
14.1 Finance and Resources Committee
Dr Weller spoke to the Report from the 22 September Meeting of the Finance and Resources Committee.
Text removed
S 2020/113 Senate noted the Report from the Finance and Resources Committee from its Meeting of 22 September 2020.
14.2 Audit and Risk Committee
No Report since the last meeting
14.3 Senate Standing Committee
No Report since the last meeting
Non-Confidential Minutes, Meeting 05/2020 (15 October), page 10 of 12
14.4 Honorary Awards Committee
14.4.1 Posthumous Honorary Degree for the Honourable John Fahey AC, GCSG
The Acting Chancellor spoke to the recommendation from the Honorary Awards Committee that the former Chancellor, Hon. John Fahey AC, GCSG, posthumously receive the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws.
Senators reflected on how Mr Fahey had made a significant contribution towards embedding the Catholic identity and mission of ACU as a defining feature of the university during his terms as Chancellor since 2014 and his significant and distinguished services to the Catholic Church in Australia. Archbishop Fisher reflected on the elation and inner pride felt by Mr Fahey when Pope Francis appointed him to the Pontifical Equestrian Order of St Gregory the Great. Senate considered the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws to be a befitting final acknowledgement of Mr Fahey’s contributions to the Australian Catholic University.
S 2020/114 Senate approved posthumously the award of the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws to the Honorable John Fahey AC, GCSG in recognition of a life of outstanding service to the community, the Catholic Church and, in particular, his contribution to Australian Catholic University as Chancellor from 2014 – 2020.
14.4.2 Meeting of 6 August 2020
The Acting Chancellor spoke to the Report from the Honorary Awards Committee from its 6 August 2020 meeting.
S 2020/115 Senate noted the Report from the Honorary Awards Committee from its meeting of 6 August 2020.
Approvals of honorary degrees text removed
Non-Confidential Minutes, Meeting 05/2020 (15 October), page 11 of 12
Part D – For Noting
14 General Business
15.1 Confidential Item removed
15.2 PM Glynn Institutes
The Acting Chancellor provided Senators with an update on recent achievements of the PM Glynn Institute. It was agreed that Senators be given copies of the Institute’s new report on access to palliative care, which had been referenced by Francis Sullivan in The Australian during the week, together with the Institute’s draft paper on attitudes to death and dying which had been written as a background paper for the ACBC to help inform thinking about a public conversation on the subject.
16 Acknowledgement of Acting Chancellor and Next Meeting
Senators acknowledged the Acting Chancellor for chairing the meeting from his home in Melbourne using videoconference. Senators noted that the next meeting of Senate is scheduled for Thursday, 3 December 2020 at the MacKillop Campus in North Sydney. This meeting will be preceded by the Farewell Mass and Dinner for the Vice-Chancellor (Wednesday evening, 2 December).
17 Closing Prayer and close of the Meeting
Senators read the Closing Prayer.
The Meeting closed at 1.50 pm.
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